The first thing I did before I started my tour was to change my outfit in an abandoned building I found. I didn't want to waste time or risk being attacked, but I also didn't want to be walking around in such revealing pajamas.
The family had put a couple of sets of clothes, a sheet, food, water, and a flashlight inside the backpack. They wouldn't last forever but at least they'll last me a couple of days without having to stop to look for something to eat. I felt like I hadn't thanked them enough for their help and deep down I hope I can do so in the future.
«'Next time I see them I'll ask them about their ancestors»
I'm not a person who is too interested in asking about people's nationality. Rather, I'm not a person who is interested in others. But certainly, not to mention Kumiko, Mr. Ren and both brothers don't look like Japanese. Not only because of the color of their hair, but their features don't look like an Asian person.
I followed the route marked on the map and just as they said, the route was safe. I wondered how they knew this but remembering their job I could only deduce that their men had checked the area before marking the path.
«'What a good service»
I only came across a couple of small rabbits with horns that seemed harmless, but I still stayed away and waited until they disappeared. The walking route was further than it seemed, normally it would take me an hour and a half to get to downtown from where we live (that is if there is not so much traffic). Now, walking, the time increases considerably.
«'I have to be careful. It will probably take me a whole day to get there»
After walking for a long time and hiding from the little monsters I decided to take a break to eat since my stomach protested for food. I barely had time to savor my food when I got back on the road.
Immersed in the printed paper I turned a corner and when my surroundings darkened I looked up to find a dead end.
I looked back and then checked the map to make sure I hadn't strayed.
–That's weird, this is the way.
A small scribble written in marker in the area where I am caught my attention. I had to focus my eyes to be able to read it.
"Down is safer."
–¿Down?
I looked at the concrete floor without understanding what he meant. My eyes flew to the center of the street where I had come from and I saw an open manhole. I was surprised and terrified by the fact that if I had walked straight instead of turning I would have most likely fallen into it.
I approached and saw the dark abyss through the circle on the ground.
«'Do I really have to go down there?»
I ignored the voice telling me that this was a bad idea and that this could be a trap, and entered the sewer. I slowly made my way down the cold metal steps.
The atmosphere became increasingly colder as I went down. Once down, I looked at the site expecting to see the typical sewers you see on television. But instead, the walls that should have been smooth were made of large, dark, wet stones. Black pebbles crunched under my feet and what should have been water with waste, it shows a bright turquoise color, illuminating much of the sewer.
There was no smell at all and I felt a certain attraction that asked me to get closer to the water. When I noticed that I was starting to feel hypnotized by the gentle flow of the current I blinked rapidly and looked away.
«'I'm not an expert, but I know that this is not an ordinary sewer. Could it be because of those monsters?»
The mere thought that they had enough power to do such a thing sent shivers down my spine. Thanks to the brightness, I didn't need to take out my flashlight to see the map. I quickened my pace, fearing that some creature might suddenly come out.
I walked for what seemed like hours until I reached the point on the map where it said I should go back up.
According to the map, I still had at least half of the way to downtown. But seeing as they've kept me safe so far, I can't help but trust that they have some reason for asking me to go back to land instead of staying down below where the route is faster.
I looked for the stairs that would take me to the surface and approached them. As soon as I touched the metal, the sound of splashing was heard behind me. I turned quickly, finding myself in nothingness. Everything was quiet... too quiet.
The water current had completely disappeared and now remained motionless. The atmosphere began to feel increasingly heavy and I don't plan on waiting to find out if anything else is happening.
I looked up at the ceiling as I put my foot on the first step and the air left my mouth in a gasp as I saw that there was only stone.
«'The manhole cover. Where is it?»
The sound of the moving water made my body tense. Small ripples soon turned into a fast whirlpool and the beautiful turquoise water began to take on a more pasty color. As the water turned dark green, thin but sharp spikes appeared. Soon more appeared, all carried along by the whirlpool.
The deadly spikes reminded me of sharks when they show their dorsal fin above the water just before attacking.
I tightened my hand around the step and looked up again as if the manhole cover would magically appear. Nothing.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw a figure hiding in the darkness. My body began to shake and I held my breath. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears.
I refused to move a single muscle until I heard a sob.
«'A woman?' I turned very slowly to get a better look at the hunched figure in the distance. 'What is she doing here, was she hiding in the sewers?»
I know it's a little silly to think that. But when I got there the sewer was completely open. Maybe she saw it and decided to hide from the monsters here. Right?
My feet got wet when suddenly the water level began to rise.
«'If I try to fight underwater I'll die. I have to get out of here»'
I looked at the woman and my instinct told me to leave her and try to find a way out. But the images of those poor women that I had already abandoned before came to my mind and the guilt ate at me again, this time much more than before.
I clicked my tongue and, squeezing the step one last time, let go and ran towards the woman.
—Run! If we stay here we will die.
The closer I got, the more the water rose up my legs and the harder it was to run.
—Hey! – I shouted desperately trying to get her attention, but the woman continued to ignore me.
I kept running but as the seconds passed I realized that the distance between us was the same, I would even dare to say that it was greater than before.
«'Why can't I get closer?»
Suddenly something grabbed my ankle and I barely had time to firmly place my other foot to avoid falling. I looked down, a slimy greenish webbed hand with long sharp nails was firmly clinging to me. I prepared to pierce the limb with the katana to make her let go, but a whisper in front of me stopped me.
—¿Why did you do it?
A pale woman with pitch-black eyes stared at me resentfully. Before I realized what was happening, her face began to disfigure. Her eyes widened, her teeth turned into fangs, and her skin changed to a greenish color.
Without warning, the lizard-like creature leaped toward me. The last thing I could see before I fell into the water was a golden mark on her forehead.
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