The Hyenas {Dreamnotfound AU}

4. The Rhythm

TW ~ This chapter contains mentions of blood, puke, and human remains ~ TW

George's POV

A full day passed before the thunder resided. Dream -or, Clay, as I had come to learn- and I had spent the day sharing stories from within the Safe Border. About our families, and what our ordinary lives used to look like. About our friends, memories of our best friends. Within a day we knew each other's entire history. I guess you don't have a choice if you're each other's only friend. 

"Wait, stay silent," Clay says. I raise an eyebrow at him and watch as he looks around the room. 

"Do you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"Exactly." Clay jumps up and grabs an old watch from somewhere on the floor. I look at mine as it tells me it's 10:12 PM. I listen again and realize what Clay meant. No more thunder. 

"Should we check?" I ask Clay hesitantly. 

"As soon as possible," he tells me, already tying his shoes. I find mine and put them on, as well as my jacket, over the hoodie he so kindly lets me use. Everything had already gotten dirty from the night Clay had saved me, from crawling through the fences and over the dirt. My jeans are still torn. Maybe Clay will know where to find a replacement. Clay stands at the hallway entrance, waiting for me the get up from the couch.

"Are you sure it's safe now? That there's no more Hyenas around?" I ask him. He probably caught the uncertainty in my facial expression, as he squeezes my upper arm.

"Hey, I promise we'll be fine, okay? I've been around here for quite some time, I know the rhythm now, they leave with the thunder. We're good." How could I not believe those beautiful green eyes of his.. What? Stop it, George. 

I nod, and as he puts on his mask, he takes the lead through the little hallway and up the rope ladder. As soon as he opens the trapdoor, the scent of rain floods my nostrils. Being in a dark bunker for a whole day apparently derives you of you senses. It's already quite dark outside, so at least we don't have to adjust to any bright sunlight. 

Before we proceed to go outside, we listen for a little bit to hear if the coast is clear. There is no sign of life outside. No footsteps, no voices, no hyena-like giggles. I follow Clay outside and find the dirt floor soaking wet. It's lighter out than when I came here, so I have the chance to examine the terrain a little bit. We're in the middle of some bushes, keeping us out of sight from whoever -or, whatever- might be looking around. Again, we listen before sneaking through the two fences. Between the fences, there is some sort of alleyway as well, but I'm guessing this way we take a shortcut. Clay knows this part of the city like the inside of his pocket. 

Clay looks at me and presses his finger against the mouth of the smiley face on his mask, signaling for me to stay silent. I do as he wishes, and quietly follow him through the alleyways, staying close to the walls and looking around cautiously. 

As we step out of the alley and step into the street where Clay originally pulled me from, a feeling of shock overwhelms me. Nothing could have prepared me for this sight.  Rain and blood have mixed together and coat the pavement in a red hue. Pieces of what I can only assume to be human are scattered across the road. My stomach turns when I see a stray ear laying about 2 meters ahead of me.

"Clay I'm-" I try to tell him about my nausea, but I feel the food he offered me earlier that day come up again. I turn around and run towards one of the houses. Leaning against the wall, all my stomach's contents make their way back up and spread themselves over the stones under me. 

Clay has made his way over me, and his hand is soothingly rubbing my back as I get rid of it all. He must have gotten used to this sight. Thunderstorms aren't that rare, so this must not be his first rodeo.