Scrappers Part IV

New Plan

That was new. No time to ponder. I joined Ruggy, rushing from the spot back up to the cruiser. A quick glance back – the Harvesters were stabbing the beast with their electro-spears. Each penetration sent a charge pulsating through the creature's body. It groaned in agony and fell limp. The clicking sound increased in speed.

SHIT, I typed out. I THINK THEY'RE ONTO US.

Ruggy didn't reply. We only ran. Now, I couldn't look back. I didn't want to lose track of Ruggy or stare at those things. Thumping picked up behind us as the clicking continued. They couldn't be far behind. We could only run deeper into The Lost.

We ducked underneath a metal bar to the other side. I followed every jump, turn, and duck he made. Every obstacle he avoided. Our best bet was to use the terrain and try to lose these bastards. We skidded on a decline until we entered a cavern. Or maybe it was a building. It was man-made at one point in time based on the concrete.

We hurried through the hallway. Large rocks had fallen over, causing the ceiling to cave in. The interior of the cavern was completely covered. The small entrance would give the Harvesters a hell of a time getting in.

Ruggy made a sharp turn left. The clicking sound dissipated. The cavern evolved into an old building the deeper we went. Parts of the floor were destroyed, showing deeper levels below. We carefully avoided falling, stepping around into the next room.

WAIT, Ruggy typed, holding out his hand. There was a window in the next room.

WE SHOULD GO BACK, I SAW ANOTHER WAY, I typed out.

GO.

I took the lead, guiding us back to a split in the hallway. Each step we made kicked up dust, disrupting our view. I tried not to breathe in too intensely. The air was stale, particles fell softly to the ground. We probably kicked those up as we jogged in. I did my best not to cough. We couldn't make any sound for the Harvesters couldn't be far behind.

Ruggy and I followed an incline. Small holes throughout the building let light in.

WE DON'T WANT TO GO UP, Ruggy typed. WINDOWS.

WHAT THEN? I asked.

WE SHOULD GO DOWN. Ruggy typed.

THAT'S THE BUILDING'S FOUNDATION. WE'D BE TRAPPED.

MAYBE. MAYBE NOT. THERE ARE TUNNELS ALL OVER THE LOST.

A loud crash came from behind us. Then the kicking of rocks. Clicking sounds. The Harvesters.

WE DON'T HAVE A CHOICE. I typed.

NEXT DROP WE'RE TAKING.

There was no time to argue. We had to keep moving. Footsteps picked up behind us. Distant, but growing louder. I hopped over metal wires, rocks, and other rubble. We passed a corridor to a well-preserved hallway. Never had I run this fast before. Our steps reverbed. The air was thick, making me lightheaded. I couldn't stop. There were no breaks. The light-holes were less frequent. We were making progress.