Several hours later, still underground, Seven reached a ladder.
The tunnel stretched on, but on one of the walls, there was a ladder leading to a likely exit.
I really don't remember this route…
He had been standing there for some time, trying to decide which path to take. The delay in making a decision wasn't because it was an important or even dangerous choice; the tunnel he had chosen at the crossroads would lead him home, of that he was certain.
This saved him a lot of time, avoiding other intersections or major detours, as would have been the case with the other route.
But, though shorter, this path had a problem: he didn't quite remember where the right exit was. One could leave him right by the house; the others might take them farther from home than necessary.
"Isis."
"Yes."
"Do you happen to remember where this ladder leads?"
Looking at the exit, she thought for a moment before answering.
"No… I think when Father showed us this passage, he didn't come this way, but took the other route, since everything here feels so new to me…"
"I see…"
Sighing, Seven realized there was no way to find out without climbing the ladder.
"Stay here. I'll have to check where it leads."
His younger siblings, upon hearing this, quickly sat on the ground.
"Thank goodness… my feet were starting to hurt…"
"Mine too…"
All three were exhausted after walking for so long, so they didn't miss the chance to rest.
Isis, however, reacted differently.
"Wait, Seven, are you going up alone?"
"Yes."
Setting his backpack on the ground, he began to prepare, taking only what was necessary.
"But isn't that dangerous, especially since it's already night?"
Even though they were far from the city center after walking so much, the night in the city wasn't safe, as they could encounter some animals or smaller beasts.
"We're close to home, so I shouldn't run into anything too dangerous—maybe a small beast, but nothing serious."
"But wouldn't it be better to stay here until dawn?"
Pausing for a moment, he reflected on it.
Spending the night in the passages wasn't a bad idea; though colder than the surface, they were quite safe.
I don't think that's necessary. We're close to home, and it could make Father worry for no reason…
Camping in the passages was something reserved for emergencies or if they got lost in some part of the city, as the delay would likely alert Father that something was wrong.
"There's no reason to do that. Father will get worried about us and end up leaving the house armed to look for us, for no reason at all, especially since we're coming back from an area near the center."
It wasn't something they could do on a whim; it would put their Father on high alert.
We're already late, so he's probably worried by now…
Grabbing the remaining items he needed, Seven started walking toward the ladder but felt something tugging at his clothes.
Turning around, he saw it was Isis.
"I'm going with you!"
Though she spoke with a firm tone and a serious look, her slightly trembling hand revealed her fear.
"That's not possible. I only have one pair of night vision goggles, and someone needs to stay with the younger ones."
Seven carried the goggles, an unlit flashlight, and a bow with arrows in a quiver. It was minimal gear, as he didn't want to carry anything that would slow him down while checking the area.
Looking down, Isis tried to think of something.
Seeing his sister act this way, he remembered when she first started helping with chores outside the house.
You're still the same…
Sighing, Seven reassured her.
"I'll be back."
Surprised, Isis looked up at her brother.
"…"
After a few seconds, she slowly lowered her head, murmuring as she let go of him.
"…I'm sorry…"
Her expression was bitter, but Seven didn't notice, as it was dark, and her face was turned downward.
Turning around, he resumed walking, and this time, he wasn't stopped.
Climbing the ladder, he quickly reached the top.
Looking down, he saw his younger siblings resting, with Leon lying on the ground trying to sleep but being bothered by the twins.
Isis, meanwhile, watched him with a slightly anxious look on her face.
Putting on the goggles, Seven lifted the hatch and stepped to the other side.
After closing it, still crouching, Seven drew an arrow from the quiver and nocked it in the bow, pulling the string and keeping it ready to fire.
Carefully, he began to survey the surroundings.
As I thought… I'm still underground…
Besides not having climbed high enough to reach the surface, when he compared it to how far he had descended, there was no light in that place, nor any windows.
Inside a kind of chamber, with various pipes of different sizes running along the walls, alongside some valves. The place seemed to have been used in the past to control water flow, likely for the structure above.
This place stinks.
An acidic, metallic odor permeated the entire environment, resulting from the corrosion of the pipes due to the area's humidity, which had left them severely damaged.
Using part of the cloth from his coat, meant to cover his entire head, he pulled it up to cover his nose.
There were two exits in the chamber, on opposite sides—one closed, the other open—both leading to corridors narrower than the room he was in.
Realizing the place was safe, Seven lowered his bow and stood up.
I think it's better to check the one with the gate first. If I can't get through, the other passage will be the obvious choice.
Approaching it, he reached a barred gate and tried to open it, but it wouldn't budge.
It's falling apart…
As soon as he let go, he felt part of the metal crumbling and sticking to his hand.
Searching for what was blocking it, his gaze quickly fell on a padlock attached to it.
Not this way.
As he touched the padlock, he noticed it wasn't worn like the surrounding objects, meaning it had been placed there recently.
This wasn't strange to him. With a vast network of tunnels and routes formed and built over years beneath the metropolis, the place was a giant labyrinth.
Because of this, in some passages, Father would lock certain paths to prevent them from getting lost following routes that led nowhere or were compromised.
Turning to the other passage, he headed toward it.
It was a corridor of similar size to the other, leading to a path with pipes running along the walls, just like the chamber, but smaller in size.
Observing the sides of the passage, Seven noticed marks indicating there had once been a gate there, but it had been removed.
Entering the corridor, he continued his search for the exit.
The place wasn't much different from the areas he had passed through—both the water system chamber, due to the pipes, and the tunnel where his siblings remained, as the brick walls were fully exposed between the pipes.
But there, where the walls were made of stone, it suggested the place was built long before the other passage.
Looking ahead, Seven saw another gate in the distance.
I hope it's not locked…
Since the tunnel was completely straight, he could see far ahead.
As he approached it, taking a step, he felt his foot slip, but he regained his balance before falling to the ground.
Trying to understand what he had slipped on, crouching down, Seven ran his hand over the floor.
Is this mud?
For some reason, not only there but an entire section of the corridor ahead was covered in mud on the floor.
There must be a connection to the surface nearby…
Resuming his walk, this time more cautiously, he began searching for that passage until he found a ladder hidden among the pipes.
Besides the greater presence of dirt around it, compared to the ladder he had climbed earlier, this one was undeniably longer.
Since he couldn't climb while holding the bow, he slung it over his shoulder, securing it diagonally across his body, and stowed the arrow.
Before climbing, he looked at the first step, placed one foot on it, and tested it.
Seems safe enough…
All the steps were metal and fixed directly to the wall, but since it was an exit, the steps and the surrounding wall were wet. Consequently, they were also corroded by rust, though to a lesser degree than the surrounding metal.
Carefully, Seven began to climb, testing each step before putting his full weight on it.
The space he entered, not much different from the tunnel below, though smaller, also had pipes along the walls that ran its entire length.
The biggest difference, which caught his attention the most, was the roots on the walls, descending and intertwining with the pipes and bricks.
The higher he climbed, the thicker and more numerous they became.
"At least if a step breaks, I can hold onto the plants or the pipes."
Due to his caution, climbing the ladder took longer than usual, but it allowed him to reach the top safely, where he found a metal hatch sealing the exit.
With one hand, he tried to open it, but it remained immobile.
These roots must be holding it… and they don't look like they'll come loose easily.
Trying again, he applied a bit more force.
—Creak—
As he did so, the step he was standing on let out a metallic groan.
Feeling a chill, Seven stopped immediately.
"This isn't going to work…"
With the other passages blocked, if he couldn't get through here, he'd have to return to the maintenance tunnel to try finding another exit, which would take a long time.
But what if…
Looking at the vegetation growing abundantly around the tunnel at that point, Seven had an idea.
Using the roots and the pipes on the walls, he wedged one foot between them and kept the other on the ladder to distribute his weight.
This should be safer.
In this position, he began to push the hatch, this time not just with his hands but with his whole body.
However, despite his effort, it seemed to have no effect, remaining immobile.
Undeterred, Seven pushed even harder, until he started to hear the sound of roots snapping, and gradually, he noticed the hatch beginning to move.
"It's almost there!"
With most of the roots and plants holding it broken, it began to give way more easily, and finally, the exit was opened.
As he removed it, moonlight illuminated him.
Looking up, he saw a large metal structure covering everything around, forming squares, some of which held glass panes.
Few of them remained intact, with most either empty or with shards caught in the framework.
On the ground, creeping plants formed a thick layer, covering anything that might be beneath.
"I'm finally seeing the sky…"
Letting out a sigh, he felt relieved.
Setting the hatch aside, he stepped out of the passage.
Feeling his body slightly stiff and sore from the effort of opening the exit, he stretched his limbs before continuing.
Looking around, he tried to identify the place.
This is probably the greenhouse near the house…
The area was filled with plants, both medium and small, with a large number of creeping vines that not only covered the ground but climbed over the larger plants. They also wrapped around much of the metal structure, leaving some branches dangling, almost reaching the top of the greenhouse.
It was possible to make out the presence of some flowerbeds, but they had been overtaken by the vegetation, which grew everywhere.
While thinking, Seven heard someone speak.
"You're late today."
Startled, he turned toward the sound.
A few meters away, near the vegetation, faintly illuminated by the moonlight, stood an adult man who appeared to be around thirty years old, though his hair already had some white strands mixed with others still dark brown.
Wearing clothes similar to Seven's, he carried a scoped rifle and a backpack.
"Father!"
Running toward him, Seven had a wide smile on his face.
"I managed to hunt the white rabbit! After so long!"
His face, though neutral, had features that made him look stern, but that didn't bother Seven.
"That's great, son."
Raising his hand, he placed it on Seven's head.
Looking at the passage Seven had emerged from, noticing he was alone, he removed his hand and asked:
"Where are your siblings?"
"They stayed underground while I checked where this passage led, since I didn't quite remember, but I'm going to get them now."
Turning around, Seven headed back into the passage.
Left alone, Father approached the hatch, examining the thick layer of roots Seven had broken to get out.
"…"
***
In the middle of the night, a white, gaunt creature roamed the abandoned city.
With burns across its body and a wound on its face, it slowly moved through the buildings.
As it reached an avenue, it stopped abruptly when a gust of wind passed through.
—Snif Snif—
The creature tried to pick up the trail it had lost, but realizing the strong wind wouldn't allow it, it waited patiently.
After long minutes of waiting, the wind finally stopped.
—Snif Snif—
Sensing that the smell came from the ground just beneath him, he crouched, and, bringing his face close to the floor, licked the spot where he detected the odor.
Blood. Tasting it, the creature began to writhe, its face growing hot, until, from the wound on its face, a black eye opened.
Standing up, now with vision, he quickened his pace to follow the trail he sensed before the wind could interrupt again.
Swiftly weaving through the cars on the highway, he reached a plaza in its center.
But as he approached the entrance to a subway, he stopped again, having lost the trail he was following.
—Snif Snif—
There was no wind, but despite trying to find something, it seemed the trail ended there. This irritated him, making him stomp his foot on the ground.
—Clang—
The metallic sound caught the creature's attention.
Looking down, he saw a metal hatch that had shifted slightly.
As he stared at it, he noticed a strange smell coming from within, which, for some reason, drew him in.
As he began to crouch, another gust of wind swept through the avenue. This made him stop, as he caught a different scent in it, one he hadn't smelled in a long time.
Realizing it was close, the creature agilely darted to the ruined buildings and hid among them.
He knew what it was. The scent he caught was strong, indicating that it was not only nearby but heading his way.
Feeling adrenaline surge through his body, the creature began to tremble and opened its mouth, full of sharp teeth. Its wounded face started to emit vapor until another eye opened among the scars.
At that moment, his target arrived, alone, in the exact spot where he had been moments before, right in the middle of the avenue near the subway entrance.
Wearing a cloak that covered his entire body, he looked around, then crouched and ran his hand over the ground.
Seizing the opportunity, the creature prepared to approach but stopped upon sensing others.
Four more figures appeared, leaping over the cars with incredible speed and agility, making it look effortless.
"Found anything, sir?"
Though covered like the first, it was clear from her voice that this was a woman.
"…It's nothing. I thought I sensed something, but it was just my imagination."
The woman, slightly irritated, spoke:
"Sir, I know you're strong, but one of our groups disappeared in this city, so I ask that you not go off like this so suddenly. Please consider your position as the only one left of your family."
The man showed some discomfort with her words but merely nodded.
"I know. Let's head back."
With that, the group left, leaping over the cars toward the buildings.
Watching this, the creature did nothing but remain hidden.
He wanted to attack, but he knew he couldn't take on so many. He might kill half of them, but he felt the first figure would finish him in the end.
Retreating, he returned to the city center, but he hadn't given up on his new prey.