Conflicted

chapter 4

"We only have one bloody way out?" Newt said.

"Yeah," I said sheepishly.

"So what's this place called?" Thomas asked. He looked more worried than he let on.

"It's called the Underneath," I said.

"Just the name of it gives me chills," Newt grumbled. I couldn't disagree.

"I haven't explored all of it, but I know enough to get us out in the sunlight again," I said, trying to reassure them. It wasn't working; I could still see the worried lines etched on their face.

"Well, I guess we don't have a choice, do we?" Thomas sighed, looking at his blonde friend.

"As long as we don't get murdered down there, I'm in," Newt said.

"Can't promise that, but I can promise that I'll protect you," I smirked at him.

We set off, me leading the way. Again. I pulled out my flashlight, because the boys had given my backpack back to me. I had packed a few more cans of food, so at least we wouldn't starve to death. I had given Thomas a fork for protection, and he just looked at me, dumbfounded.

"A fork?" He had said.

"Hey, anything's a weapon," I had responded.

I took a bunch of twists and turns, and visualized the pathways in my head. I hadn't explored much, but I knew enough to use this place as a get away route in case of danger.

"I'm assuming you know where we're going," Thomas said after a while.

That's when I got the bright idea. I tilted my flashlight towards my face, spun around and hissed, "Boo."

Thomas yelped, and Newt laughed at how high-pitched it had sounded. "Cut that crap! It makes you look like a..."

"A what?"

"Nothing."

"A Crank? We're all Cranks, Thomas," I hissed, his remark hurting me more than I thought it would.

Small comments like that shouldn't get to me, but they did anyways and I felt stupid for letting my emotions get out of check. Clenching my jaw and picking up my pace to widen the gap between me and the boys, I felt the sting of tears. Tears. When was the last time I cried?

"Now you've gone and done it, Tommy," Newt sighed. He sped up his pace (as much as he could with that limp) until he caught up to me.

"What?" I growled, it coming out harsher than intended.

"Don't listen to Tommy. He's a shuck-head. I know we're all Cranks, but you're a mighty pretty one," he said, grinning a lopsided grin.

"Thanks," I muttered. I was blushing pretty hard, but it was too dark for him to see, even with the light.

We stopped to take a break for a little bit, sitting against the wall. A shuffling sound alerted me that Thomas had sat down next to me. I tried to ignore him, but I could feel his dark eyes trying to get my attention.

"Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you or anything, it's just... Well it's hard adjusting to this place," Thomas started rambling.

I just looked at him ramble on about how he was sorry and all that crap. I'd heard that topic too many times. So I grabbed his face, gently, of course, and kissed him. It was short and sweet, but enough to shut him up. It was sort of on impulse. He would've said something if the sound of glass shattering didn't interupt him.

"What was that?" Newt asked, totally oblivious to what just happened between Thomas and I.

"Glass. Someone's shattering the lightbulbs behind us," I grumbled.

I flicked the flashlight on and swung it towards where the sound was coming from. Nothing. Another lightbulb. Still nothing. Finally, after two good minuted of standing, paralyzed with fear, a man stepped into the edge of the light.

"Rose took my nose I suppose. And it really blows."

"Get it? Rose took my nose, and it really blows!" He said, phlegm bubbling in his throat as he attempted to laugh.

"Yeah, yeah, hilarious," Thomas muttered.

I slowly took a can out of my pack, then chucked it as hard as I could at the Crank's face. It hit him square in the... Well, at least where his nose used to be. He careened backwards, and dozens of Cranks came out of the shadows. I grabbed Thomas' hand and felt Newt grab my other hand and I whispered hoarsley, "Run!"