A Distant Dream (Eyrie's POV) Pt. 2

The end of the tunnel is right before me.

I could see the streaks of light coming from above.

All of a sudden, my fading strength came back in a warm torrent, and it filled me up with energy.

I didn't mind the stenches nor the filthy substances all over my legs and hands anymore and rushed forward as the fatigue left me.

Hopefully, this newborn strength would last for a little while longer.

It was the first time that I felt so elated seeing a manhole.

I knew my siblings felt the same way, and when I started running, they followed behind without lagging in the slightest.

We've been here for too long.

Upon reaching the place right beneath the manhole, I couldn't wait to reach up and lift the cover.

But first, I had to climb the little ladder that was prepared beforehand. Carol volunteered to hold the ladder in place, and I graciously accepted.

Inhaling, I slowly climbed up the steps to move aside the cover.

The manhole had already been unscrewed by Father's people, so it was opened easily. I only needed to take out some screws.

Looking up at the dark blue skies, I felt dazed, and for a second, I faltered in my actions, accidentally dropping the small iron screws.

The objects fell into the water before anyone could understand what was happening. They made a few loud splashes and thunks as it fell to the bottom of the tunnel.

Carlos yelped. (Some droplets probably splashed onto him.)

I flinched. Cocking my ear, I focused on any commotion from aboveground. After silently counting down from 10, I finally had the luxury to breathe again.

I can't afford to make a mistake again!

Taking a deep breath, I gripped the sides of the vent and lifted myself up.

Plopping myself onto the cold concrete, I breathed out a sigh of relief.

I wasn't very athletic, but after pulling out weeds daily for a few years, I think my arm strength was enough.

The problem would be if Carlos was strong enough to it instead.

He never worked at home, never got a job outside, never really did anything that was taxing to his body.

Father had always made sure that the boy focused on his studies and nothing else.

Father…

I shook my head. This isn't the time to reminiscence!

My siblings were still down there!

I sat up and looked into the manhole. I gestured to Carlos that he would go next.

He nodded and rapidly climbed up. Without missing a beat, I reached out my arm.

The young man hesitated. He seemed to be reluctant to hold my hand.

???

What?

I gestured for him to hurry up.

After a second of contemplating, he finally held my arm and tried to get up. I could tell he was in immense pain from his shaking arm and the expression on his face.

What?

I decided to put the matter to the back of my head.

With a heave, I pulled him up. He was heavy, and after letting go, I shook my arm to get the fatigue away.

Next was Carol.

I opened my palm, only to see a dark streak of red mixed in with a murky brown substance.

What?

Wait. I turned to my brother, with my eyes focused on his hand.

Blood was dripping out of a deep wound in his palm.

My lower lip trembled. Casting my gaze to the sewer entrance again, I decided to get Carol out first before doing anything else.

I held the ladder with both of my hands, steadying it for her to climb up.

My sister nodded at my movements and began to move.

She had also done a lot of physical labor in the slums; I wasn't worried whether she would be able to get out.

With a jump, Carol landed across from me. As her gaze flew around us, her eyes grew rounder and wider with each second.

When I saw her expression, I knew something wasn't right.

Following her gaze, I grew dazed at the scene around us.

The sewers were supposed to lead us to someplace in the suburbs, where Father had arranged for people to meet us.

But our surroundings were utterly void of what you would call 'human civilization.'

It was almost like a post-apocalypse world – in fantasy terms.

There was rubble all around the area we were staying, and the only thing that was in passable condition was the concrete beneath us.

Whiffs of smoke swirled in the horizon, and that was the only sign of any living thing.

I felt myself trembling.

The fatigue and cold that I had suppressed came back stronger than ever, and suddenly, I couldn't move.

All I wanted to do was sleep. I fought to keep my eyes open.

My body shook violently as a breeze blew by.

I was suddenly aware that I was only wearing a t-shirt and jeans, with my jeans soaked and smelly.

All felt hopeless.

Just when we've escaped a horror, we arrive in another horror.

What happened to this city in the hours we were left underground?

Where is everyone?

Where are we going to go next?

What are we going to do next?

We didn't even bring any food. What will we eat?

Will we survive?

What happened to Father?

Was his sacrifice all for naught?

Questions started to arise one after another in my head, and I felt like my mind would burst from the furious onslaught.

"Eyrie. It's going to be fine. We are going to survive this."

I looked up to see Carol smiling weakly at me. It was evident that she didn't even believe herself, so how could I believe her?

Nonetheless, her words brought an unknown warmness to my heart.

I suddenly noticed that my sister's face had some brown stuff on it.

T-That wasn't feces… was it? "H-Hey, Carol, you have some strange stuff on your cheek."

Stunned, she reached up and touched it, before yelping in surprise. "Oh come on Sis!" She harrumphed.

I giggled.

"You got some too. In fact, you got a strange brown substance all over your hands, arms, legs, and face!" Carol burst out laughing.

"I don't need you to remind me, okay?!"

Suddenly, the atmosphere seemed so much brighter, despite our circumstances.

I lifted my head and stared at the dark sky. The moon was the only source of light in the area, and it seemed to shine so brightly at the moment.

Looking up at it, I remembered something crucial.

"Carlos, how is your wound?"

I turned to see my little brother's back towards me. He was shivering.