Aftermath

2

     It was almost dark when I came across an old, underground train station entrance. There were no buildings around it anymore only the metal shells of what used to be automobiles scattered about. The only thing that let me know there was a  station below us was the stairs coming out of the ground in the middle of all the wreckage. Thank god. We could stay the night below ground where no one would find us and it might just be sealed enough that it will keep the temperatures from freezing below. Or it could do the opposite, but I was willing to take that chance.

     I set Amelia down on her feet and led her over to the stairs. "What are we doing?" I didn't answer her because I was too focused on the text the stairs were blocked a couple yards down and it didn't look like there was any moving the rubble. Great now what was I supposed to do? The sun was setting and I had nowhere for me and Amelia to hide for the night.

     "Looks like we have to move on, Em," I stated. Except she wasn't there, "Em!" I screamed frantically looking around for here.

     "Elsa," she called back. I saw her standing maybe a hundred feet away waving to be before looking at something on the ground. I ran over to her and scooped her up in my arms.

     "Don't ever scare me like that again, Em. You know that you have to tell me before you go wondering off."

     "I'm sorry." She said and hugged me back before pointing  to the ground. "Look."
     I set her down on the ground and looked at what she had found. It was a manhole that's cover was knocked askew. I knelt down and pushed it aside. To my relief there was  ladder that lead underground. It must have been some kind of service hatch for the subway tunnels, but now it was going to be our refuge.

      "Okay, Em. We are going to go down here and rest for the night."

     "No, Elsa. It looks scary! There might be spiders."

     "I know it looks scary, but it's is going to be the safest place for us. I'll protect you from anything that is down there."

    "Even spiders?"

    "Even the spiders, I promise." I told her. "I'll start down first and you follow me, okay?" I asked and she nodded. I lowered myself down on to the ladder and started down. Em followed shortly after. "Okay, stop for a second, Em. I've got to put the lid back over the hole." I told her, before climbing up behind her. I was expecting it to become pitch black, but there was a glow coming from the bottom of the ladder. It must have been left behind.

     The government troops used to use the subway tunnels in search of survivors after the bombings before the cities were built. When they realized that bombing the planet wasn't such a good idea after all and wanted to make amends. Assholes.

     The tunnels were nothing less than eerie. I could only hear water dripping from somewhere. There weren't even rats down here. Since the humans moved into large cities the rats and other vermin had been taking over the rubble of the old cities and they were no longer scared of humans.

     Train cars were scattered here and there. Some lay on their sides others were partially melted. None of them were really suitable to sleep in. Until I found one that was intact. The windows had been blacked out so I couldn't see the inside, but it would have to do. I was exhausted and so was Emily.

     There were three makeshift steps to get to the door. They were made out of old crates and looked like they were half rotten. I felt two small arms wrap around my leg and a head rest against my thigh. Looking down I saw a very sleepy Amelia looking up at me. "Come here sweetie," I said scooping her up in my arms.  I climbed up the steps and pushed the door open.

     There was an old recliner in the corner and a bed built into the wall. It must have been a passenger train when people would travel overnight. I did a quick evaluation of the room before walking over to the recliner and laid Amelia down. It wasn't long before sleep overtook her. I set my bag down next to the chair and took a deep breath. Another night safe and tomorrow would be another day to fight for our lives.

     I walked over to the bed and ran my hand over the sheets. Suddenly there was the loud sound of metal slamming against metal. I jumped backwards and looked towards the door. There standing in the door way was a very angry, young man. Not only was he scary just from his size he was holding a giant knife ready to attack.

     "Who the hell are you and what are you doing here?" He growled.