TW: Attempted Sexual assault

The underground, how can one truly describe it? It's indescribable, not because of its beauty but because of how depressing the place is. No natural sunlight ever touches the underground, it's all warm artificial lighting that does what a sun would normally do for the human body on the surface, Roads are cracked with random bumps in between, and buildings are moldy as some are simply either concrete or brick. The electric cars all look rusted and worn down. There are a lot more neon signs either advertising bars and clubs or brothels. Women and men, walk in pairs or clusters, clutch their valuables close to them with their eyes trained forward, constantly glancing around them. 

The elevator walls turn opaque once more as we descend into the receiving building below. 

Stepping out of the elevator, and onto the oil-covered tile floors, was nerve-wracking. The goo stuck to my shoes as I raised my leg to inspect the liquid. The elevator doors close behind us, leaving me with a faint urge to run back and head back up to the surface, where I know I'll be safer. But I squared my shoulders and put on the best brave face I could muster and gathered all of my courage to leave the safety of the building. 

Hayden hasn't said anything as he just stared at what awaited us. Past the two smiling androids, were people briskly walking down the street, some of them you can see the permanent effects of the burning on their skin. Some more so limping than walking.

The ceiling where there should be a blue sky for people to look up to was nothing but soil with glass panes and cement pillars holding it in place. The streets were oily, the street lamps emanating a warm glow to them if they weren't busted like the rest. The rusting cars drove by one after the other, releasing fumes into the air, the vents doing their best to suck it up and release it to the Dreadlands.

"Enjoy your stay, optic," One of the androids said as they opened the door for us, much nicer than those from the surface.

Optics is the official term for the heir of the EYE council, so in this case it's Hayden. Some people, mostly from the 3rd district, will usually hurl insults at them but that usually ends with a broken bone or two, for the 3rd district dweller.  "Be careful of mobs."

When we stepped out of the building we were hit face-first with the stench of sweat and car fumes that pollute the stagnant air. We walked towards the location pinned on the map, with Hayden leading us but following my direction as to where we should go. The place was incredibly hot. Sweat dripped down my body in rivets and Anthony's shirt has turned a shade darker with all the sweat that was coming from him. Hayden kept glancing around him, avoiding touching or making eye contact with anyone.

"What are you looking for?" I asked as he kept patting his pockets and fidgeting every now and then.

"My stun gun, I thought I had it with me." His hand was frantic as he searched his other pockets. "Looks like I left it somewhere. But that's impossible cause I always bring that with me and-"

"Scared? Need me to hold your hand for you princess?" Anthony asked, mockingly but the crease lines across his face still tell me how tired he was, the 3rd district is pretty big, and we don't really want to chance on riding some random person's vehicle.

"No, I am not scared, maybe you are." Hayden stuck out his tongue like a kid and Anthony did the same. "Though I'd rather have my stun gun." I heard him whisper to himself but Anthony seemed to not have heard it at all since he was busy checking out some skimpy-clothed girls waiting under a street lamp, who were reciprocating the attention. Some people down here are "Matchless" basically the FARM has deemed them to not have chemistry with anyone, their match could either be dead or in some other circumstance. 

"So, What are you even planning to do once we get there?" Anthony whispered, stepping closer towards me as we followed Hayden. I checked the map that I downloaded into myself and relayed the next few alleyway turns to Hayden, who didn't even bother looking back toward us.

"I don't know, talk? Check up on how he's doing. I don't know Anthony, He's practically the only parent we have. I want to see him." After a few seconds of silence, I added, "I'm worried about him." 

We turned to another alleyway, each one looking like the last. Garbage littered the floor, some of the bins are tipped over, while some are occupied by sleeping individuals. Some strange muck is flowing down the sewage drain and I have a strong feeling that I do not want to know what substance is in that plastic bag.

The pink and blue hues of the neon light were the sole illumination of the dark alley. There were residential doors to our left and right, it would be a tight fit if one of the residents suddenly decided it was a nice day for a walk. Turning to an alleyway with much more space, there seem to be people camping out. Sadly, making out was the least innocent thing they were doing. 

"Damn, you think they'll let me join in?" Anthony said taking a quick peek at a rather bustling garbage bin.

"Ugh gross, let's just keep going, come on," Hayden said with ears as red as an apple and gaze flitting from left to right.

"Aw, first time seeing two people go at it?" Anthony said mockingly, slinging an arm over the embarrassed boy, poking his side repeatedly. 

"Ugh, get off." Hayden tried and failed to, push off Anthony's arm around him. "Unlike you, I prefer to keep myself pure for my match, such a low-quality match like you would receive a match of the same caliber. Though you'd probably turn out matchless and be thrown down here." Hayden whispered the last part to himself, which my brother didn't seem to hear, again.

That strange muck from the sewer gathered in pools, we were careful not to step on them and I had to pull Anthony back when he attempted to push Hayden into one. We don't know what that liquid is, who knows, it could be toxic the "Melt your skin upon touch" kind of toxic. 

 A group of guys sat just at the end of the alleyway, there were more or less seven of them, completely blocking our exit.  They were smoking electric junk when one of them noticed Hayden.

Hayden, the little snarky ass, still got a fair share of good looks no matter how much Anthony says otherwise. Some would consider Hayden's looks to be on par with that of some fair maiden. He's shorter than me, with a thin body, with skin as flawless and smooth as a baby's. He's got a v-shaped face, and his double eyelid, doe-shaped eyes, frames his striking light blue eyes, top it all off with a blonde mop of messy and voluminous hair that parts in the middle. How his father allows that is an absolute wonder.

Though I may be gay, he's not really my type. 

The three of us stopped as two of the guys stood and made their way towards us, we were about to turn around to leave but another two men caged us in from behind. We were completely surrounded in a matter of seconds, all of them looking predatorily at Hayden. Like starving hyenas served a hefty chunk of meat.

"Woooo boys! Look at this beauty right here!" Their supposed leader walked around us, getting uncomfortably close to Hayden, sniffing and touching his hair, who fought the guy off to the best of his abilities.

I kept my face blank and figured out what we can do, not only were we surrounded, but we were also outnumbered. One wrong move and we might as well all present our hearts on a platter.

"Hey, why don't my boys and I take you somewhere fun?" The man said grabbing Hayden by the waist and pulling the frightened boy towards him, who yelped in response.

"Get off of me, leave me alone!" Hayden tried to push the guy away but the other man was twice his size and is way too strong for him to handle. I looked around for any android that could help us, but there was none, not even in front of shops. There were no cop androids around to help us, and there definitely won't be any human cop to stop this.

"Fiesty, I like it when they fight back," The man took Hayden's head and push it against his own, crashing their lips together. I held back a grimace and turned to my brother who had an unreadable expression on his face.

"Let us go and you can have him," Anthony said with the same stoic and unreadable expression on his face. Hayden looked back at him, betrayal and desperation written across his expression. He was trying his best to shrug off the hold the men had on him. It was no use, seeing as the guys were ultimately bigger than him and they were just too many.

"What?! Anthon-"

"Let go of me you slimy lug!!!" Hayden thrashed, his clothes getting torn in places as two of the men groped him as they took him away slowly. His belt was already being undone, and his top unbuttoned.

"Fine we can't work with you anyways, let's go boys we hit the jackpot!!" The rest of the guys laughed as they dragged Hayden away, feeling up the skin that was slowly being exposed.

"Grab something and let's go," Anthony's jaw was set as he yanked a rusty pipe off of the wall and wielded it like a bat, twirling it in his grip a few times.

Giving him a tight nod, I looked for the nearest thing that looked like it could pass for a weapon, settling for some sharp rocks and whatever throwables I could see. Anthony looked back towards me before brisk walking towards the receding group of men.

"Don't touch there you dirty oaf!" Hayden shouted using his feet to kick at one of them, but it barely even made them falter.

"Hey, tough guy!" I gave one incredulous glance at Anthony, why would he scream before attacking was beyond me but nonetheless, I started throwing stuff that men's faces hitting them in the eye or on their noses. Unfortunately for Anthony, his rusty pipe broke as he swung on another guy's torso. Switching to his fists and legs, he was a whirlwind of rage throwing kicks and punches that gets in his way.

A guy was coming up behind him, so I grabbed a discarded stiletto, aiming it for the guy's head. Throwing it as hard as I  could it hit him squarely on the back of his head, catching him off guard and sending him toppling over. I saw my brother turn around, I assume was to thank me for saving his ass, but that's not the impression I got from seeing his face.

Shit. I muttered to myself as I turned around, my heart dropping to the floor as another dude dove towards me a shock blade in hand. Diving to the side, I narrowly felt the electric current of the blade tickle my sides. I kept doing my best to put distance between us as she kept lunging at me, his big body making it harder for him to catch up to me. Grabbing a "welcome" mat made of cotton, I dodged the next attack and lunged for the shock blade, wrapping it in the mat. I felt his other hand stroking my back. Twisting his arm, I felt his grip around the knife loosen as he yelped in shock. I removed the mat and brandished the blade in one hand, wasting no time to lunge and stab him in the leg with it. Causing him to convulse and pass out.

Glancing back at my brother, I saw him drop to the ground and swiftly swiped his leg underneath the guy in front of him. The guy landed on his butt, and that's when Anthony landed a crushing blow against his crotch. We walked back towards Hayden, who has his clothes disheveled, a stun gun in hand, and two men beneath him, twitching every so often.

"You ok-"

"YOU LEFT ME TO GET GROPED AND MANHANDLED BY - BY - BY A BUNCH OF PATHETIC MONGRELS!! NO I AM NOT OKAY!!" Hayden got up , dusted himself, giving the men beneath him a kick for final measure and then started walking away at a brisk pace.

Anthony, matching his pace, left me to start bickering with the smaller guy.

"Excuse me, but we saved you didn't we?!-"

A door creaked to my right and a couple steps out and over the incapacitated men, acting as if this was an everyday appearance to them. Following after the  two, who were still arguing among themselves. I followed suit behind them, occasionally directing them to take a turn when need be.

"My d1ck's definitely bigger than those losers-"

"Ha! That shrimp would be no match for theirs's. I felt it. they were huge down there, from what I heard yours' probably as small as -"

I wondered if it was to late to go back to one of the guys and tell them to take me, just take me with them and away from these two.

Turning into one of the main roads, Disfigured people pass us by, minding their own business. Commotion seems to happen every other store, from women enticing old men into their store, to a bunch of ruffians ganging up on a guy. Hayden and Anthony kept their angered voices and gazes onto each other, and I was smart enough to stay out of it and to also not make eye contact with anyone else.

Turning at a operational, but still run-down, convenience store, I finally recognize the row of town-homes where my father is currently located.

"We're here."