The Great Awakening

Chapter 3

            The car had been passing through a part of town Melissa never ventured to before. The buildings were getting more and more decrepit. In the distance ahead of the driver, Melissa could see a structure approaching, large in size. It was the wall that surrounded the city and kept them confined like cattle. 

“I’m sorry, I thought you said we were going to venture into Europa,” Melissa laughed, attempting to display an emotion that was joking, but it came off fearful.

            “That’s what I said…” Troy nodded.

            Her smile faded and her expression became stern. “You cant be serious!?”

            “I am serious.”                      

            “But… why is it necessary to show me?” She asked.

            “Because you need to know more about the place where Jayden is being sent, and why he is being sent there.”

            The car slowed to a full stop outside of a dark alley. Troy opened the door for the both of them and stepped out into the foul smelling, wasteful environment. It was the worst thing that Melissa had ever sniffed in her entire life, even worse than the alley she had to pass through to get to Jayden’s school. Troy pulled out a flashlight and shined it into the alley.

            “Oh god… it smells so bad…” Melissa had to cover her nose.

            “You’ll get used to it.” Troy led her through the alley up until they came across a gate with a giant sign that said ‘Do Not Pass’. On any other day, Troy would have climbed over the gate, but since he knew Melissa wasn’t as agile, he picked the lock instead. Neither cared much about the sign. He slid the two thin strips of metal into the keyhole and jiggled them around a little bit until they heard a clank. “There we go…”

            “Still got some dirty tricks up your sleeve I see…” Melissa remarked.

            “Kept me alive so far…” He smiled playfully as he held the gate for her. “Get in.”

            “Guess some things never change.”

            She quickly walked in before anyone noticed and Troy shut the gate behind them before leading her again. “We are no longer in Angel City Civilian territory. Everything beyond this point is considered government property and anyone caught trespassing will be charged with treason.”

            “Treason is such a vague word…” Melissa jeered. “Anyone can be charged with that.”

            “Exactly…” The duo finally came across a manhole in the alley and Troy circled around it before lifting it up, groaning as he did so. “Fair warning. The smell is going to get worse.”

            “Well I’d assume so if we were travelling down into a sewer.”

            “Always the smart mouth with you.” He laughed and placed the manhole to the side. “Guess some things never change. Get in.” He motioned toward her.

            Melissa looked at him, puzzled. “Why me first?”

            “Because you’re a dainty lady who can’t lift a 80 pound manhole cover to save her life.” He rolled his eyes as he spoke in his sassy tone. “Come on. I have to shut the manhole after you.”

            She groaned, realizing he was right and reluctantly stepped onto the ladder that led down into the foul abyss. Troy followed soon afterwards and shut the manhole before anyone noticed.