Why was he experiencing another dangerous situation at this moment?
Yet now, Ian didn't have time to contemplate this because his vision was getting clouded by this black mist. The mist itself was ice cold that seeped into his bones as if freezing him in place. The lantern was slowly turning dim by the black mist further diminishing Ian's vision.
Stomp
The loud heavy footsteps were getting closer behind him too. The footsteps sounded metallic, like someone wearing full-plated armor. But it would suggest a person was coming up on him. Though, whatever was coming up from behind Ian was definitely not a normal person, or at least a friendly person.
It wasn't a lie that Ian was terrified.
He was even more terrified than meeting Red face-to-face some time ago. And speaking of Red, Ian was sure his new companion ran away in fear from whatever was freezing him in place. He couldn't hear anything in front of him suggesting either the battle was over because everything fled in terror or Ian was losing his senses. Both options didn't seem great for him.
Ian tried to regain feelings in his body like before but it seems that this unknown monstrosity was more terrifying than that worm dragon.
Nevertheless, Ian willfully force his body to move.
He need to escape from here.
To return home.
'I can't die here....now when Mike is about to lose his...'
Ian left the last part out.
He already knew Jodie didn't have much time.
Regardless, Ian was able to force one step forward. At first, it felt like he was dragging a fridge with him then as he took another step, the weight on his legs grew lighter.
Stomp
The distant sound of heavy footsteps was getting closer but now Ian could hear the faint sound metal scraping against the stone pavement.
Ian continued moving his legs forward slowly as he also try to regain feeling in his arms. The fear he was feeling right now was nothing to the fear of losing Jodie, the only mother he had in this life. Not that woman who claims to be his real mom.
But then again, that woman...
Ian continued his train of thoughts.
'....but if that woman healed me then maybe she could heal Jodie or at best keep her alive longer.'
Hope.
It was all Ian had now.
Before today, Ian was continuing his days like normal, knowing deep inside that he couldn't save Jodie. He convinced himself that it was for Mike's sake but it was really for Ian's sake so that he wouldn't spend the last few weeks dreading over Jodie's eventual demise.
Now though, Ian had hope that Jodie could be cured but he needed to survive this trial. He didn't know if the woman would stay or not but if Ian died then he was sure that his so-called mother who abandoned him wouldn't spare a glance at Mike's family problems.
After a few weighty steps, Ian felt that he could walk normally. It was enough for him to escape because the distant footsteps still kept the same pace. So, Ian continued walking as he flex his fingers then arms to regain their sensation. He was still sweating and deathly pale from the fear-inducing feeling in his body and mind. It felt like he was having a constant mental battle with whatever was behind him. Which was why Ian didn't dare to look behind him in fear of losing this mental battle.
The black miasma was still clinging around him and the area in front. After walking for a moment, Ian stumbled upon large dead rats. It was where the battle between Red and the rats took place. Everywhere, he can see rats as large as dogs sprawled dead, torn to pieces, and even from outside the lantern's faded radius, Ian could see scores more laid dead from the faint shadow outlines.
At least his guide cleared the path forward. Ian didn't blame Red for abandoning him because after feeling the full brunt of this fear-inducing miasma and still experiencing it too, even Ian would abandon a stranger he just met.
"Mmmiiinnnneeee....."
An all too familiar cry echoed into Ian's ear prompting him to looked towards the source. The cry lacked the vigor it once had and for a good reason. When Ian walked a few meters ahead near a small hill of more dead rats, he stumbled upon his guide and savior.
Laid on the ground was the red-eyed monster covered in the black miasma. There was minor wounds on the monster as seen from the small claw marks on its long arms. Its strength and speed was enough for Red to survive this place but strangely it chose to risk its life for Ian. Even now it was crawling with all its strength towards him, trying to willfully break from the fear-inducing effects of the miasma.
Ian wished that Red abandoned him now.
Then a cruel thought popped in Ian's mind. But that thought disappeared before it could fully form into hesitation itself.
Ian immediately ran towards his guide and grab its hand avoiding the long sharp nails. The hand was surprisedly smooth despite the messy appearance of its owner. Ian pulled on the hand with all his strength. He wasn't aiming to try pulling Red off their feet because it's very likely the monster was put in this state from seeing whatever was behind Ian.
Speaking of their unwanted guest...
Stomp
The heavy footsteps and metal scraping were getting closer and it appeared to have quicken its steps too because it saw what Ian was trying to do. The miasma seemed to have enhance itself because now the dimmed lantern completely went out covering the tunnel in complete darkness. Ian's body felt stiffer again but he gritted his teeth and focus on the task at hand.
So, Ian continued pulling Red towards their salvation, the pseudo river in the middle of the large sewage tunnel. It was the only option that Ian could think of in this moment. Unfortunately, the red eyed monster was heavy so pulling it was a daunting task for Ian, who didn't have an athletic build to say the least.
"Hey...ugh....can you try looking away from our guest...ugh...maybe the effect will lessen..."
"Miinnneee..."
Red complied and directed its eyes towards Ian. This was...a little distracting for Ian to say the least. The only thing he could see in this darkness was those red eyes and to be honest, it only added more pressure on Ian as if those eyes were full of expectation for him to succeed in saving it.
Without a second thought, Ian tried another simple alternative, push. He quickly navigated around Red's body in the pitch darkness and push as hard as he could. This time Ian was able to use his whole body to push his guide.
Every inch forward felt like a victory for Ian.
Every heavy step closer to him felt like certain defeat.
Yet, Ian kept pushing with all his strength ignoring the mysterious shadowy figure behind him. Then a hint of hesitation popped into his mind but he soon thought of how selfless Jodie would be in this situation. Like the time when she shielded Ian and Mike during a car crash or the time she brought a sick stray cat to the veterinarian.
Surely she wouldn't forgive Ian for aban-
No, Ian wouldn't forgive himself if he abandoned Red. Not when the red-eyed monster saved him multiple times.
A favor for a favor.
Stomp
Ian kept pushing.
Stomp
Ian felt his strength draining, but still he kept pushing.
Then...
Splash
It was the most satisfying sound Ian has heard today. But now the heavy footsteps has stopped suggesting that the mysterious stranger has reached its destination, Ian.
Ian's body was tired. He couldn't move fast enough towards the edge. All he needed was to shift his weight forward but the mysterious being was directly behind him freezing Ian in place with just its presence along. The mysterious being didn't make a single sound, not even a breath, then Ian's thoughts drifted towards regret.
He didn't regret saving Red.
Ian only regretted dying in this horrible place without seeing his loved ones again.
Ptui
He felt a sharp stinging pain on his right shoulder. Ian's mind was briefly stunned because it felt almost as if the stab itself was targeting a non-vital part of his body either to torture him or to....
"MMMMIIIIINNNNEEEEE!!!!"
Then Ian's body was pulled forward and he fell into the embrace of the cold dark murky water.