Claws in the Dark | ✔

XXVII (Part II)

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There was a narrow tunnel that led somewhere below the hospital, and Gina couldn't help but stare in amazement.

"When did you find this?" she asked.

"The night George and I got here," Bill replied. "It turns out that there's a labyrinth underneath this town, and I believe that it's our way out."

"But what about our friends, the people still stranded somewhere in the city?"

"Well, it's not like we can just go out onto the streets and look for them, not with all those monsters prowling about, anyway." Bill shut the trap door again and, with Gina's aid, pulled the bed back over to conceal it.

"Bill, we have to wait on Enrico, Landon, and the others," she insisted. "Miles, even. We can't just leave them."

"I know," he responsed. "We can leave when Rebecca is feeling better. That'll give the others a little time to get here." He padded towards the door. "Until then," he continued, glancing back at the bed, "this remains hidden from everyone else. We don't want them blowing our chance at survival."

Gina nodded. "No problem."

The door shut behind her as they left the room. There were a few squeaks coming from the very back of the hospital, and a few moments later, rats were running across the corridor into a small hole that led into a room.

The walls were more pallid than the norm, the wallpaper peeling, covered in scratches and traces of blood. A low moan sounded from outside, issuing a soft gasp from Gina, and she flinched, bumping into Bill.

He gently grabbed her shoulders and she looked at him. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"Are you sure it's safe here? I mean, what if those creatures find a way in?"

"That won't happen, ma'am," came a voice from around the bend. Bill rolled his eyes and slowly turned to greet the approaching man. He forced a smile onto his face.

"Niko," he said. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Niko returned, a smirk on his face. He glanced towards Gina. "Hello, I don't believe we've met."

"That's because she just arrived," Bill said. In as kind a voice as possible, but through gritted teeth, he continued, "which you would've know if you'd been at the door to help us earlier."

"I was busy elsewhere. As you can see," Niko gestured to his attire, "I am a doctor."

Bill scoffed softly.

Niko slowly ambled towards Gina and took her hand in his. "Nikolas Lovista at your service, ma'am," he said, kissing the top of her hand.

"V-very nice to meet your acquaintance," she said, pulling her hand away and smiling with uncertainty.