The Beginning of the End

Chapter 5

Iwaizumi landed with a thud and felt a sharp pain shoot up his leg. He groaned, he had probably sprained his ankle.

He took a deep breath and ignored the pain, standing up to observe his surroundings.

The sewer was dimly lit, the only source of light coming from the hole above. They were in a tunnel, a canal of water flowing down the middle. A pungent smell lingered in the air.

Oikawa and Kunimi were leaning against the wall, closing their eyes and trying to forget the atrocity they had just witnessed.

The rest of the group eventually joined the three boys, falling from the entrance and landing beside them. They were still too stunned to process what had happened to their friend.

Iwaizumi wanted to keep it that way. He knew that if the boys were to grieve they'd fall apart, immobilizing them and their ability to react. He couldn't allow that to happen.

"We have no time to waste. Let's go." He turned to Kunimi, "When we're close to our exit, let me know." 

Kunimi nodded and so, the group advanced, their hearts racing.

Everyone moved as if in a trance, their bodies in motion whilst their minds felt numb, filled with sadness and disbelief. Iwaizumi and Kunimi were the only ones who were alert, they couldn't give themselves the luxury of mourning. They had to lead the others to safety.

Whenever a zombie was spotted approaching, Iwaizumi would order everyone to get into the water, hiding until they were sure their route was clear. It was revolting.

The water was heavily polluted. Human waste and garbage floated within it, surrounding the boys and staining their clothes whenever they'd hide. It was disgusting but Iwaizumi knew they had no other choice.

If they wanted to survive they could show no restraint, doing whatever necessary to stay alive.

After a few minutes Kunimi approached Iwaizumi, whispering "We're almost there. A way to exit should be coming up."

"Thanks.. We need to be more careful with the group now, make sure that no one gets separated.."

"I'll keep an eye out" agreed Kunimi. They didn't want a repeat of what happened with Tanaka.

Eventually the boys saw light cascading from above, illuminating the tunnel. It was another opening to the sewers.

Kunimi blinked, trying to adjust his eyes to the change of lighting. "This is it. Once we climb out there should be an apartment complex. A few buildings to the right of it is the athletics store."

The group felt a sense of relief knowing they'd finally be leaving the sewers. Their clothes were drenched and they all smelled like shit, literally.   

"Alright. When we get out we all stay close together. We all keep the same pace, no exceptions" said Iwaizumi, giving a pointed look at Asahi. The boy bowed his head, guilt clenching his heart.

The group didn't have the energy to respond, so they nodded their heads in acknowledgment instead.

They all approached the sewer opening and climbed their way out, the shorter boys needing assistance to reach the entrance.

Once the group emerged from the tunnel they found themselves standing beside an apartment building, just like Kunimi had said.

Iwaizumi lifted up a hand, signaling that they shouldn't move yet. He studied the area, looking to see if any of the undead were roaming about. There were few cars parked along the street. Glass littered the floor from broken windows. After a cautious moment, he didn't spot any zombies and decided it was fine for them to go ahead.