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\chapter{7}
It couldn't have been long, maybe a few moments and at most a couple minutes. He woke up with the same unpleasant feeling that he had gone under with --- nausea and a terrible headache ---, but something else had been added to the mix: He was shivering from the cold. He didn't have to raise his hand to his head to verify that he had a fever. He opened his eyes and realized with quiet surprise that they weren't in the hallway where he had gone unconscious. This corridor was much wider and there seemed to be a marble floor hidden under the layers of dust on which he was laying. Moaning he turned on his back and looked at Katts face. She seemed to have gotten more pale and her breath came in hard, short breaths. Her skin was glistening from sweat.
It couldn't have been long,
maybe a few moments and at most a couple minutes.
He woke up with the same unpleasant feeling that he had gone under with --- nausea and a terrible headache ---,
but something else had been added to the mix: He was shivering from the cold.
He didn't have to raise his hand to his head to verify that he had a fever.
He opened his eyes and realized with quiet surprise that they weren't in the hallway where he had gone unconscious.
This corridor was much wider and there seemed to be a marble floor hidden under the layers of dust on which he was laying.
Moaning he turned on his back and looked at Katts face.
She seemed to have gotten more pale and her breath came in hard,
short breaths.
Her skin was glistening from sweat.
``What \dots?'', mumbled Andrew.
``What \dots?'',
mumbled Andrew.
Katt silenced him with a rash gesture. ``Don't worry about it'', she said. ``We're safe, at least for right now.''
Katt silenced him with a rash gesture.
``Don't worry about it'',
she said.
``We're safe,
at least for right now.''
Andrew struggled to understand her. She was breathing so heavily that she could hardly speak. Andrew saw that she was shaking.
Andrew struggled to understand her.
She was breathing so heavily that she could hardly speak.
Andrew saw that she was shaking.
``Where \dots Where are we?'', he dazedly mumbled.
``Where \dots Where are we?'',
he dazedly mumbled.
``Almost at the safe place'',she answered. ``It isn't far any more.''
``Almost at the safe place'',she answered.
``It isn't far any more.''
``And how did we get here?'', asked Andrew.
``And how did we get here?'',
asked Andrew.
Katt raised her shoulders. ``I carried you.''
Katt raised her shoulders.
``I carried you.''
``Carried\textinterrobang'', ached Andrew. ``But I weigh twice as much as you!''
``Carried\textinterrobang'',
ached Andrew.
``But I weigh twice as much as you!''
``Oh really, I didn't notice'', answered Katt. The ironic laugh that she tried to underline her words with turned into a grimace due to the exhaustion. ``But I didn't have a choice. Everything was suddenly on fire and I was scared that the whole building was going to collapse. I haven't ever experienced anything like that! I don't know what happened.''
``Oh really,
I didn't notice'',
answered Katt.
The ironic laugh that she tried to underline her words with turned into a grimace due to the exhaustion.
``But I didn't have a choice.
Everything was suddenly on fire and I was scared that the whole building was going to collapse.
I haven't ever experienced anything like that! I don't know what happened.''
With those last words she looked at him quizzically, but Andrew ignored her gaze and acted as if he hadn't even heard her question. He had a \textit{pretty solid} explanation for what had happened. It had something to do with flying sharks that cut the air with buzzing sword blades and spit hell fire --- but how was he supposed to explain that to someone who didn't even know what a car was?
With those last words she looked at him quizzically,
but Andrew ignored her gaze and acted as if he hadn't even heard her question.
He had a \textit{pretty solid} explanation for what had happened.
It had something to do with flying sharks that cut the air with buzzing sword blades and spit hell fire --- but how was he supposed to explain that to someone who didn't even know what a car was?
``If it really isn't far, we should keep going'', he suggested.
``If it really isn't far,
we should keep going'',
he suggested.
``Are you able to?'', asked Katt.
``Are you able to?'',
asked Katt.
``Its not that bad'' Andrew claimed. Ridiculous. In spite of that he continued: ``I don't know what's going on with me. Normally I don't get worn out so quickly. I guess I'm not in shape.''
``Its not that bad'' Andrew claimed.
Ridiculous.
In spite of that he continued: ``I don't know what's going on with me.
Normally I don't get worn out so quickly.
I guess I'm not in shape.''
To prove his claim (mostly to himself), he tried standing up, which he was only successful at with Katts help. Everything that was further than ten or fifteen steps away didn't disappear into total darkness, but seemed to dissolve into grey streaks. He blinked a few times and took a clumsy step, fighting for his balance the whole time. And then the same thing happened as he had experienced before: As suddenly as if someone had flipped a switch inside of him, the nausea, vertigo, and pain disappeared and the only remnant was a faint dazed feeling; and a feeling of weakness that was going to increase very soon.
To prove his claim (mostly to himself),
he tried standing up,
which he was only successful at with Katts help.
Everything that was further than ten or fifteen steps away didn't disappear into total darkness,
but seemed to dissolve into grey streaks.
He blinked a few times and took a clumsy step,
fighting for his balance the whole time.
And then the same thing happened as he had experienced before: As suddenly as if someone had flipped a switch inside of him,
the nausea,
vertigo,
and pain disappeared and the only remnant was a faint dazed feeling;
and a feeling of weakness that was going to increase very soon.
``I think I'm okay'', he said.
``I think I'm okay'',
he said.
Katt nodded seriously. ``That's from the exertion. If you're careful we'll make it for sure.'' She smiled at him cheerily in a way that almost made him angry and in utter excess also stuck out her arm for him as if he were some frail old man. Andrew only granted her an insulted look, took a prideful step past her and requested that she show the way with a gesture. Katt inspected him again in the same dismissive but worried look, but turned around with a shrug and walked of, \textit{not} accidentally slightly faster than Andrew could effortlessly keep up with her.
Katt nodded seriously.
``That's from the exertion.
If you're careful we'll make it for sure.'' She smiled at him cheerily in a way that almost made him angry and in utter excess also stuck out her arm for him as if he were some frail old man.
Andrew only granted her an insulted look,
took a prideful step past her and requested that she show the way with a gesture.
Katt inspected him again in the same dismissive but worried look,
but turned around with a shrug and walked of,
\textit{not} accidentally slightly faster than Andrew could effortlessly keep up with her.
Even with her visible exhaustion she was moving so elegantly that Andrew felt a pang of jealousy when he looked at her. Her movements had lost most of their speed and effortlessness, but they still seemed just as sleek as those of a cat. Andrew would hadn't believed for a second that Katt was her given name --- but now he thought he knew why that was what she was called. That girl had something in common with cats. She was at least just as touchy.
Even with her visible exhaustion she was moving so elegantly that Andrew felt a pang of jealousy when he looked at her.
Her movements had lost most of their speed and effortlessness,
but they still seemed just as sleek as those of a cat.
Andrew would hadn't believed for a second that Katt was her given name --- but now he thought he knew why that was what she was called.
That girl had something in common with cats.
She was at least just as touchy.
After a few minutes Andrew lost his orientation, even though he was trying (for some reason) to remember the way that Katt was leading him through this maze that seemed to be mostly under ground. The crossed through multiple huge rooms and a myriad of hallways and corridors lined with doors that seemed to all be unique but sharing the same eerie quality: They were just as empty and lacking of life as the underground tunnels and canals that they had come through before.
After a few minutes Andrew lost his orientation,
even though he was trying (for some reason) to remember the way that Katt was leading him through this maze that seemed to be mostly under ground.
The crossed through multiple huge rooms and a myriad of hallways and corridors lined with doors that seemed to all be unique but sharing the same eerie quality: They were just as empty and lacking of life as the underground tunnels and canals that they had come through before.
Eventually Katt stopped and motioned towards a narrow metal door. ``Up that way, then we're there. Can you make it?''
Eventually Katt stopped and motioned towards a narrow metal door.
``Up that way,
then we're there.
Can you make it?''
Andrew just looked at her quizzically. Why wouldn't he be able to finish the last bit of the trip? He didn't exactly feel good, but after what he had just gone through it wasn't a surprise. He didn't even dignify the girl with an answer, instead reluctantly motioning at her to open the door. Without saying a word Katt shrugged her shoulders and continued onwards. Behind the door was a narrow staircase in which there were about a dozen concrete steps that led up to a door outlined in dim twilight. She glanced at him with a last, almost cold look and jogged up the stairs with a pep in her step.
Andrew just looked at her quizzically.
Why wouldn't he be able to finish the last bit of the trip? He didn't exactly feel good,
but after what he had just gone through it wasn't a surprise.
He didn't even dignify the girl with an answer,
instead reluctantly motioning at her to open the door.
Without saying a word Katt shrugged her shoulders and continued onwards.
Behind the door was a narrow staircase in which there were about a dozen concrete steps that led up to a door outlined in dim twilight.
She glanced at him with a last,
almost cold look and jogged up the stairs with a pep in her step.
Naturally it was clear to Andrew that he was behaving childishly. It just went against his ego that this unassuming girl was stronger and tougher than him --- and that his brain was showing him this fact with luxurious clarity right in front of him didn't change anything. Apparently the psychological strain wasn't enough to overwhelm his Ego.
Naturally it was clear to Andrew that he was behaving childishly.
It just went against his ego that this unassuming girl was stronger and tougher than him --- and that his brain was showing him this fact with luxurious clarity right in front of him didn't change anything.
Apparently the psychological strain wasn't enough to overwhelm his Ego.
He followed Katt. As he had ascended half of the steps he heard a sound and stopped moving. Nothing. He must have been imagining things. The only odd thing was that Katt had stopped too and tilted her head to pay attention. Andrew closed his eyes and concentrated, but there was only his own breathing and the beating of his heart. But then, right when he was going to keep going, he heard the same sound again: A scratching like fingernails on hard stone or glass. And to dispel even the last of his doubts, Katt recoiled lightly.
He followed Katt.
As he had ascended half of the steps he heard a sound and stopped moving.
Nothing.
He must have been imagining things.
The only odd thing was that Katt had stopped too and tilted her head to pay attention.
Andrew closed his eyes and concentrated,
but there was only his own breathing and the beating of his heart.
But then,
right when he was going to keep going,
he heard the same sound again: A scratching like fingernails on hard stone or glass.
And to dispel even the last of his doubts,
Katt recoiled lightly.
``What \dots?'', he started.
``What \dots?'',
he started.
Katt silenced him with a distinctively frightened gesture. He could see that she was concentrating even more on listening. The sound didn't repeat itself and she was still extremely alarmed as she turned around half way and nervously motioned for him to keep going. She stepped through the door but only took a single step before freezing up. Andrew could see from her shadow that something wasn't right. With two, three elongated leaps with which he stepped over multiple steps at a time he was next to her in moments and stood still as well.
Katt silenced him with a distinctively frightened gesture.
He could see that she was concentrating even more on listening.
The sound didn't repeat itself and she was still extremely alarmed as she turned around half way and nervously motioned for him to keep going.
She stepped through the door but only took a single step before freezing up.
Andrew could see from her shadow that something wasn't right.
With two,
three elongated leaps with which he stepped over multiple steps at a time he was next to her in moments and stood still as well.
In the next moment he incredulously looked from the floor in front of Katt's feet to her face. She had lost every last bit of color from her face. Her lips were slightly open and trembled and blank horror was in her eyes.
In the next moment he incredulously looked from the floor in front of Katt's feet to her face.
She had lost every last bit of color from her face.
Her lips were slightly open and trembled and blank horror was in her eyes.
It really wasn't a pretty sight. Just a hand width in front of her naked feet was the most repulsive creature that Andrew had ever seen: At first he thought it was a cockroach, then he thought it was a spider, until he realized that he was dealing with something equally impossible as grotesque mix of the two. The creature definitely had the eight legs that looked like bent metal and body made of two unequal spheres like a spider, but they also had a bluish black iridescent chitin\footnote{Primary component of cell walls in fungi, the exoskeletons of arthropods, such as crustaceans and insects, the radulae of molluscs, cephalopod beaks, and the scales of fish and lissamphibians} shell and oversized long bobbing feelers that swung side to side like small antennae, sweeping the air for the smell of its prey. A half dozen tiny beady eyes peeked out from underneath the carapace with a guileful intelligence that a being like this just shouldn't have, and the small pincers made the impression that they could bite down quite hard, especially if you were barefoot like Katt. But why was he wearing stable shoes with thick leather soles for?
It really wasn't a pretty sight.
Just a hand width in front of her naked feet was the most repulsive creature that Andrew had ever seen: At first he thought it was a cockroach,
then he thought it was a spider,
until he realized that he was dealing with something equally impossible as grotesque mix of the two.
The creature definitely had the eight legs that looked like bent metal and body made of two unequal spheres like a spider,
but they also had a bluish black iridescent chitin\footnote{Primary component of cell walls in fungi,
the exoskeletons of arthropods,
such as crustaceans and insects,
the radulae of molluscs,
cephalopod beaks,
and the scales of fish and lissamphibians} shell and oversized long bobbing feelers that swung side to side like small antennae,
sweeping the air for the smell of its prey.
A half dozen tiny beady eyes peeked out from underneath the carapace with a guileful intelligence that a being like this just shouldn't have,
and the small pincers made the impression that they could bite down quite hard,
especially if you were barefoot like Katt.
But why was he wearing stable shoes with thick leather soles for?
``Don't worry'', he said. ``That creature won't hurt you.'' And with that he raised his foot and stomped on the miniature monster, turning it into a slimy spot on the ground.
``Don't worry'',
he said.
``That creature won't hurt you.'' And with that he raised his foot and stomped on the miniature monster,
turning it into a slimy spot on the ground.
Katt screamed and tried pulling him back, but it was too late. Andrew fought for his balance for a few moments with windmilling arms, looked at her bewilderedly and scraped his boot over the doorstep to get the disgusting remains of the spider-cockroach off his shoe sole. He had squished the bug; but even though he had used considerable force, he was unable to break the chitin armor.
Katt screamed and tried pulling him back,
but it was too late.
Andrew fought for his balance for a few moments with windmilling arms,
looked at her bewilderedly and scraped his boot over the doorstep to get the disgusting remains of the spider-cockroach off his shoe sole.
He had squished the bug;
but even though he had used considerable force,
he was unable to break the chitin armor.
``Oh no, what did you do?'', whispered Katt. ``Andrew!''
``Oh no,
what did you do?'',
whispered Katt.
``Andrew!''
``Don't worry'', answered Andrew. ``That beast can be as poisonous as it wants, these shoes are very sturdy. They have steel toes, you know?''
``Don't worry'',
answered Andrew.
``That beast can be as poisonous as it wants,
these shoes are very sturdy.
They have steel toes,
you know?''
``But don't you understand?'', puffed Katt while staring at him with wide eyes. ``That was a scout!''
``But don't you understand?'',
puffed Katt while staring at him with wide eyes.
``That was a scout!''
Andrew blinked blankly. A strange feeling started to spread out in him. ``A \dots scout?'', he repeated her. ``You mean there \dots there are more of \dots of those things?''
Andrew blinked blankly.
A strange feeling started to spread out in him.
``A \dots scout?'',
he repeated her.
``You mean there \dots there are more of \dots of those things?''
Katt nodded and Andrew's inner eye replayed the scene of the garage entrance that seemed to have suddenly transformed into shimmering, eerie life. An ice cold shiver ran down his back that reminded him of countless spider legs running across his body.
Katt nodded and Andrew's inner eye replayed the scene of the garage entrance that seemed to have suddenly transformed into shimmering,
eerie life.
An ice cold shiver ran down his back that reminded him of countless spider legs running across his body.
``And this thing was their scout?'', he confirmed. ``Well then everything should be fine. I mean it's dead. You don't need to be scared that it can alarm its friends.''
``And this thing was their scout?'',
he confirmed.
``Well then everything should be fine.
I mean it's dead.
You don't need to be scared that it can alarm its friends.''
``But don't you understand, Andrew?'', ached Katt. ``If you kill the scout, at the moment it dies it alarms the rest of them!'' She hurriedly looked around. ``We can only hope that the are still far enough away!''
``But don't you understand,
Andrew?'',
ached Katt.
``If you kill the scout,
at the moment it dies it alarms the rest of them!'' She hurriedly looked around.
``We can only hope that the are still far enough away!''
``Nonsense!'', answered Andrew. ``Are you trying to tell me that these critters are telepathic or something?''
``Nonsense!'',
answered Andrew.
``Are you trying to tell me that these critters are telepathic or something?''
``I don't know what that word means, but it is like that, believe me.'', said Katt. ``You don't know anything! I'm gradually starting to believe that you just fell out of the sky!''
``I don't know what that word means,
but it is like that,
believe me.'',
said Katt.
``You don't know anything! I'm gradually starting to believe that you just fell out of the sky!''
Andrew started to answer, but Katt cut him off with an angry gesture. Despite everything she had just said she didn't make any effort to run away, instead closing her eyes and listening intently with her eyes closed. After a moment of listening with utter concentration, she nodded grimly. ``They're coming.''
Andrew started to answer,
but Katt cut him off with an angry gesture.
Despite everything she had just said she didn't make any effort to run away,
instead closing her eyes and listening intently with her eyes closed.
After a moment of listening with utter concentration,
she nodded grimly.
``They're coming.''
Andrew also listened for a moment, but he couldn't hear a single thing. Apparently Katt didn't just have better eyes, but she also had better ears. She motioned to the right. ``We can still make it. It isn't far to the safe space.''
Andrew also listened for a moment,
but he couldn't hear a single thing.
Apparently Katt didn't just have better eyes,
but she also had better ears.
She motioned to the right.
``We can still make it.
It isn't far to the safe space.''
Andrew wanted to turn around, but Katt just shook her head again and took a step in the opposite direction. ``This way. Come on.''
Andrew wanted to turn around,
but Katt just shook her head again and took a step in the opposite direction.
``This way.
Come on.''
Andrew obeyed, but made an unsure look in the direction she had just pointed. ``Isn't the safe place over there?''
Andrew obeyed,
but made an unsure look in the direction she had just pointed.
``Isn't the safe place over there?''
``Yeah'', answered Katt. ``But we can't go that way. Hurry up. And be quiet!''
``Yeah'',
answered Katt.
``But we can't go that way.
Hurry up.
And be quiet!''
In contrast to her own words she wasn't moving especially fast. She wasn't strolling along, but she wasn't going as fast as she could, let alone run. They crossed the room and stepped into a narrow burnt out corridor who's ceiling seemed to be more below their feet than above their heads. Katt didn't berate him until she had stopped to listen with her eyes closed.
In contrast to her own words she wasn't moving especially fast.
She wasn't strolling along,
but she wasn't going as fast as she could,
let alone run.
They crossed the room and stepped into a narrow burnt out corridor who's ceiling seemed to be more below their feet than above their heads.
Katt didn't berate him until she had stopped to listen with her eyes closed.
``They're getting closer'', she murmured. ``This will be close.''
``They're getting closer'',
she murmured.
``This will be close.''
``If we're in such a hurry'', asked Andrew, while he tried stepping over a meter-high concrete chunk \textit{without} injuring himself on the rusty spikes of metal that were poking out of it, ``why aren't we going faster?''
``If we're in such a hurry'',
asked Andrew,
while he tried stepping over a meter-high concrete chunk \textit{without} injuring himself on the rusty spikes of metal that were poking out of it,
``why aren't we going faster?''
``Because you might collapse again'', said Katt. ``And I don't have enough strength to carry you.``
``Because you might collapse again'',
said Katt.
``And I don't have enough strength to carry you.``
Andrew gave her a toxic look and swallowed any comment that he had. The little one was gradually getting on his nerves, even with the thankfulness that he was feeling. He had run out of steam once and he wasn't sure if he could have done for her what she had done for him, but that wasn't a good reason to ride his back about it all the time! As soon as they were out of here, they would need to have a clarifying conversation about it.
Andrew gave her a toxic look and swallowed any comment that he had.
The little one was gradually getting on his nerves,
even with the thankfulness that he was feeling.
He had run out of steam once and he wasn't sure if he could have done for her what she had done for him,
but that wasn't a good reason to ride his back about it all the time! As soon as they were out of here,
they would need to have a clarifying conversation about it.
At the end of the corridor it went to the left, then right, then left again. Katt was truly leading him through a labyrinth, and even though after a few minutes he had not only lost his orientation, but gradually the meaning of the word, he still had the feeling that they were more or less moving in a circle. What if Katt knew where they were just as little as him and was stumbling around the dark blind?
At the end of the corridor it went to the left,
then right,
then left again.
Katt was truly leading him through a labyrinth,
and even though after a few minutes he had not only lost his orientation,
but gradually the meaning of the word,
he still had the feeling that they were more or less moving in a circle.
What if Katt knew where they were just as little as him and was stumbling around the dark blind?
No, he didn't want to think these thoughts.
No,
he didn't want to think these thoughts.
Besides, he was wrong. They passed two or three more junctions that definitively killed any orientation he had, and stepped into a long hallway that disappeared into blue twilight in both directions. The fork to the right was completely empty, in the other direction Andrew saw a blurry outline that reminded him of something, but he wasn't quite sure what.
Besides,
he was wrong.
They passed two or three more junctions that definitively killed any orientation he had,
and stepped into a long hallway that disappeared into blue twilight in both directions.
The fork to the right was completely empty,
in the other direction Andrew saw a blurry outline that reminded him of something,
but he wasn't quite sure what.
Katt sighed with relief. ``Looks like we've had luck'', she said and pointed towards the shadow. ``Do you think you can make it?''
Katt sighed with relief.
``Looks like we've had luck'',
she said and pointed towards the shadow.
``Do you think you can make it?''
``That's enough'', answered Andrew in a huff. ``I am very thankful, but \dots''
``That's enough'',
answered Andrew in a huff.
``I am very thankful,
but \dots''
He stopped as Katt sucked in air between her teeth and stared to the right with wide eyes. He hastily turned his head and audibly gasped. Whoever was pulling the strings in this story had a deceitful sense of humor.
He stopped as Katt sucked in air between her teeth and stared to the right with wide eyes.
He hastily turned his head and audibly gasped.
Whoever was pulling the strings in this story had a deceitful sense of humor.
Out of the gray on gray blurry distance at the end of the hallway appeared three figures in shiny black rubber suits.
Katt screamed and whirled around and Andrew followed her as quickly as he could. Now they had to run, whether they wanted to or not.
Katt screamed and whirled around and Andrew followed her as quickly as he could.
Now they had to run,
whether they wanted to or not.
Behind them a blue lightning bolt lit up. The shot missed them by so much that it couldn't have been an accident, making a piece of the ceiling rain down in front of them. Katt made a quick hook to avoid the hail of debris and dust and Andrew followed her movements as well as he could to cover her with his body. This time it was a concious decision. The warning shot had made it clear that the men were specifically \textit{not} aiming at him and were probably wouldn't either. For whatever reason they had apparently decided to take him alive. Maybe they were taking the death of their squad mate worse than he had thought and had something special planned for him.
Behind them a blue lightning bolt lit up.
The shot missed them by so much that it couldn't have been an accident,
making a piece of the ceiling rain down in front of them.
Katt made a quick hook to avoid the hail of debris and dust and Andrew followed her movements as well as he could to cover her with his body.
This time it was a concious decision.
The warning shot had made it clear that the men were specifically \textit{not} aiming at him and were probably wouldn't either.
For whatever reason they had apparently decided to take him alive.
Maybe they were taking the death of their squad mate worse than he had thought and had something special planned for him.
Unfortunately they weren't dumb. His little trick to use his unexplainable untouchability to protect Katt worked, but the men had learned: A salvo of three shots missed them both by a wide margin and hammered into the ceiling halfway between them and the safe place.
Unfortunately they weren't dumb.
His little trick to use his unexplainable untouchability to protect Katt worked,
but the men had learned: A salvo of three shots missed them both by a wide margin and hammered into the ceiling halfway between them and the safe place.
This time it came down in almost the entire width, and while tonnes of dust and burning pieces of ceiling were raining down, a second salvo hammered into the sidewall of the hallway and made it collapse as well. Kicked up dust and flames filled the air to the point that they could hardly see any more, and even though they were twenty or twenty-five meters away from it Andrew could feel the deadly heat that was emanating from the glowing rocks. The men had laid a fire barrier through the hallway that they couldn't cross. Just two or three more of those and they would be trapped! If only Nick were here! He would have known how they could get out of here.
This time it came down in almost the entire width,
and while tonnes of dust and burning pieces of ceiling were raining down,
a second salvo hammered into the sidewall of the hallway and made it collapse as well.
Kicked up dust and flames filled the air to the point that they could hardly see any more,
and even though they were twenty or twenty-five meters away from it Andrew could feel the deadly heat that was emanating from the glowing rocks.
The men had laid a fire barrier through the hallway that they couldn't cross.
Just two or three more of those and they would be trapped! If only Nick were here! He would have known how they could get out of here.
But Nick wasn't here and the next salvo of dazzling blue light bolts destroyed the other side of the hallway as well, increasing the barricade of dust and glowing debris.
But Nick wasn't here and the next salvo of dazzling blue light bolts destroyed the other side of the hallway as well,
increasing the barricade of dust and glowing debris.
The fourth salvo didn't come.
Andrew took four, five, six steps before he turned his head.
Andrew took four,
five,
six steps before he turned his head.
He thought the it couldn't have gotten any worse, but of course he was wrong. It was worse. The men had stopped firing because they were suddenly focused on something more important: Running.
He thought the it couldn't have gotten any worse,
but of course he was wrong.
It was worse.
The men had stopped firing because they were suddenly focused on something more important: Running.
The ground behind them had awoken with glittering life.
It was like a faithful reproduction of the scene in the parking garage, just that he was a lot closer this time: There must have been millions of tiny armored, clicking and snapping spider-cockroaches that had appeared behind the men like a living carpet, getting closer and closer. They weren't particularly fast, maybe about as fast a running man, but their numbers seemed to be infinite and the living carpet didn't just cover the floor, it also sloshed up the sides of the walls and a not insignificant number of them crawled upside down on the ceiling without losing any of their speed.
It was like a faithful reproduction of the scene in the parking garage,
just that he was a lot closer this time: There must have been millions of tiny armored,
clicking and snapping spider-cockroaches that had appeared behind the men like a living carpet,
getting closer and closer.
They weren't particularly fast,
maybe about as fast a running man,
but their numbers seemed to be infinite and the living carpet didn't just cover the floor,
it also sloshed up the sides of the walls and a not insignificant number of them crawled upside down on the ceiling without losing any of their speed.
And this time there wouldn't be an attack helicopter\footnote{Send me something saying ``I sexually identify as an attack helicopter'' if you get this far.} outfitted with laser cannons to blast the living flood away at the last moment.
The men appeared to see it the same way since they didn't waste time shooting at the quickly approaching mass of insects, instead focusing on running away as quickly as possible. The distance between themselves and the monstrosities was melting away. Slowly, but relentlessly.
The men appeared to see it the same way since they didn't waste time shooting at the quickly approaching mass of insects,
instead focusing on running away as quickly as possible.
The distance between themselves and the monstrosities was melting away.
Slowly,
but relentlessly.
They had arrived at the pile of rubble. Katt tore her arms in front of her face and jumped into the wall of smoke and fire without hesitation. Andrew took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and followed her.
They had arrived at the pile of rubble.
Katt tore her arms in front of her face and jumped into the wall of smoke and fire without hesitation.
Andrew took a deep breath,
closed his eyes,
and followed her.
Something seemed to brush across his face and singed his hair and eyebrows. He stumbled, found his footing with a clumsy step and wheezed for air. Heat and thick smoke forced tears into his eyes, but he saw that they had almost arrived at the safe place. And now he knew why its outline seemed so eerily familiar: he had seen something like it before. It was the same type of construction that looked like a table with way too long of legs that Nick and him had seen before in the burnt-out factory. Even the legs and the home made ladder that led up to the platform stood in metal barrels that had been cut in half. One of them was spewing flames. Apparently the heat from one of the shots that missed had ignited the flammable liquid.
Something seemed to brush across his face and singed his hair and eyebrows.
He stumbled,
found his footing with a clumsy step and wheezed for air.
Heat and thick smoke forced tears into his eyes,
but he saw that they had almost arrived at the safe place.
And now he knew why its outline seemed so eerily familiar: he had seen something like it before.
It was the same type of construction that looked like a table with way too long of legs that Nick and him had seen before in the burnt-out factory.
Even the legs and the home made ladder that led up to the platform stood in metal barrels that had been cut in half.
One of them was spewing flames.
Apparently the heat from one of the shots that missed had ignited the flammable liquid.
``\textit{Up!}'', roared Katt. She hectically gesticulated towards the ladder and Andrew, who had finally gotten over the part where he was trusting his life to this curious girl, didn't hesitate to reach for the shaky steps and climb up them. He counted on Katt following him right away, but instead she reached underneath her shirt and pulled out what looked like a ball of tightly wound thread. While she was unwrapping a meter long piece with nimble fingers, she ran to the burning barrel, dropped to one knee, and held the end of it in the flames. She had to turn her face away from the flames so that she wouldn't singe her face. When she pulled it back out the tip was glowing red hot like a lit fuse. She hastily stood up and was at the next support in a bound and set the liquid in the barrel that it was sitting in on fire with her improvised fuse.
``\textit{Up!}'',
roared Katt.
She hectically gesticulated towards the ladder and Andrew,
who had finally gotten over the part where he was trusting his life to this curious girl,
didn't hesitate to reach for the shaky steps and climb up them.
He counted on Katt following him right away,
but instead she reached underneath her shirt and pulled out what looked like a ball of tightly wound thread.
While she was unwrapping a meter long piece with nimble fingers,
she ran to the burning barrel,
dropped to one knee,
and held the end of it in the flames.
She had to turn her face away from the flames so that she wouldn't singe her face.
When she pulled it back out the tip was glowing red hot like a lit fuse.
She hastily stood up and was at the next support in a bound and set the liquid in the barrel that it was sitting in on fire with her improvised fuse.
Andrew believed he had finally realized what she was planning and what the construction was for. Just the thought of it made his hair stand on end --- but as Nick had said so often: Drastic situations require drastic measures.
Andrew believed he had finally realized what she was planning and what the construction was for.
Just the thought of it made his hair stand on end --- but as Nick had said so often: Drastic situations require drastic measures.
While Katt was rushing to the next barrel, he raised his eyes and looked in the direction they came from. The hallway was closed off behind a wall of flame and boiling black smoke that reached almost all the way to the ceiling. So far none of the tiny monstrosities had been able to break through the barrier, but he also couldn't see any trace of the men in black HAZMAT suits. The flames were burning brighter and higher as a minute ago when Katt and he had jumped through the obstacle, and Andrew could feel how much hotter the flames had gotten. Without the slightest feeling of malice or satisfaction he realized that the men had fallen into their own trap.
While Katt was rushing to the next barrel,
he raised his eyes and looked in the direction they came from.
The hallway was closed off behind a wall of flame and boiling black smoke that reached almost all the way to the ceiling.
So far none of the tiny monstrosities had been able to break through the barrier,
but he also couldn't see any trace of the men in black HAZMAT suits.
The flames were burning brighter and higher as a minute ago when Katt and he had jumped through the obstacle,
and Andrew could feel how much hotter the flames had gotten.
Without the slightest feeling of malice or satisfaction he realized that the men had fallen into their own trap.
In the mean time the fourth barrel had caught on fire as well and Katt started to hastily climb the ladder. She still held the burning fuse and Andrew saw that it actually was some sort of ignition cord because it wasn't really burning, it was glowing very brightly and apparently was very hot.
In the mean time the fourth barrel had caught on fire as well and Katt started to hastily climb the ladder.
She still held the burning fuse and Andrew saw that it actually was some sort of ignition cord because it wasn't really burning,
it was glowing very brightly and apparently was very hot.
When she had barely reached the top she tore off the glowing end of the cord and tossed it below her, throwing herself to the side as the contents of the barrel the ladder was standing in went up in flames with an audible \textit{whoosh}. A jet of flame shot up to the edge of the platform and extinguished before it could get dangerous.
When she had barely reached the top she tore off the glowing end of the cord and tossed it below her,
throwing herself to the side as the contents of the barrel the ladder was standing in went up in flames with an audible \textit{whoosh}.
A jet of flame shot up to the edge of the platform and extinguished before it could get dangerous.
The first spider-cockroaches appeared at the ceiling above the barrier of fire and quite a few of the small beasts tried to use the wall to get past the obstacle, but were mostly engulfed by the flames and fell down to the grounds, charred. A lot of them started to glow and popped with the sound of popping popcorn, but Andrew didn't lie to himself: Even this wall of fire wouldn't hold up the incredible mass of killer insects.
The first spider-cockroaches appeared at the ceiling above the barrier of fire and quite a few of the small beasts tried to use the wall to get past the obstacle,
but were mostly engulfed by the flames and fell down to the grounds,
charred.
A lot of them started to glow and popped with the sound of popping popcorn,
but Andrew didn't lie to himself: Even this wall of fire wouldn't hold up the incredible mass of killer insects.
``That was close'', panted Katt. She righted herself with difficulty, wiped soot and sweat out of her face with the back of her hand and turned towards Andrew with a concerned look. ``Are you still good?''
``That was close'',
panted Katt.
She righted herself with difficulty,
wiped soot and sweat out of her face with the back of her hand and turned towards Andrew with a concerned look.
``Are you still good?''
Andrew didn't quite understand the question. He was a little queasy and his heart was racing, but that was understandable after what they had just done. Actually it should have been \textit{him} that was asking how \textit{she} was doing.
Andrew didn't quite understand the question.
He was a little queasy and his heart was racing,
but that was understandable after what they had just done.
Actually it should have been \textit{him} that was asking how \textit{she} was doing.
Behind the barrier of fire there was blue lightning. Suddenly they heard a screaming yell, and a piece of the pile of rubble collapsed in on itself throwing sparks everywhere, taking a heap of burning popcorn with it. Nevertheless more and more of the tiny monstrosities appeared and a mass of a thousand legs streamed through the gap. After that a man in a black rubber suit stumbled out of the fire, directly followed by second one. Behind them the hallway lit up with another two lightning bolts and again there was a screaming yell that was cut off with alarming abruptness. And then all of a sudden there were innumerable shiny, black, snapping monstrosities there, that were just flooding over the flames and suffocated them with their sheer mass. Thousands of them burned up or exploded in tiny yellow and red showers of sparks, but a disproportionate amount more stormed on behind them and raced over the carbonized remains of their brothers and sisters.
Behind the barrier of fire there was blue lightning.
Suddenly they heard a screaming yell,
and a piece of the pile of rubble collapsed in on itself throwing sparks everywhere,
taking a heap of burning popcorn with it.
Nevertheless more and more of the tiny monstrosities appeared and a mass of a thousand legs streamed through the gap.
After that a man in a black rubber suit stumbled out of the fire,
directly followed by second one.
Behind them the hallway lit up with another two lightning bolts and again there was a screaming yell that was cut off with alarming abruptness.
And then all of a sudden there were innumerable shiny,
black,
snapping monstrosities there,
that were just flooding over the flames and suffocated them with their sheer mass.
Thousands of them burned up or exploded in tiny yellow and red showers of sparks,
but a disproportionate amount more stormed on behind them and raced over the carbonized remains of their brothers and sisters.
The two men ran for their life. One of them ran past them with long-reaching steps and the fear of death lent him the speed to actually increase the distance between himself and the abominable pursuers.
The two men ran for their life.
One of them ran past them with long-reaching steps and the fear of death lent him the speed to actually increase the distance between himself and the abominable pursuers.
The other one made a fatal error. Instead of seeking rescue in escape, he swung around and headed towards the safe place. The spider-cockroaches caught up with him before he had even gotten through half of the eight to ten steps it was to the safe place. Countless little monsters exploded beneath his heavy boots, but Andrew also saw how dozens, if not hundreds of the tiny eight-legged fiends started to crawl up his legs, run across his suit, or tried to sink their tiny teeth into the tough material of his HAZMAT suit. While he was racing towards the safe place he desperately tried to wipe off the monstrosities. He was successful, but for each one that he squished or hurled away, three or four new ones appeared. And their numbers were only increasing. When he reached the ladder he was already wading through an ankle-deep layer of shimmering chitin and snatching pincers.
The other one made a fatal error.
Instead of seeking rescue in escape,
he swung around and headed towards the safe place.
The spider-cockroaches caught up with him before he had even gotten through half of the eight to ten steps it was to the safe place.
Countless little monsters exploded beneath his heavy boots,
but Andrew also saw how dozens,
if not hundreds of the tiny eight-legged fiends started to crawl up his legs,
run across his suit,
or tried to sink their tiny teeth into the tough material of his HAZMAT suit.
While he was racing towards the safe place he desperately tried to wipe off the monstrosities.
He was successful,
but for each one that he squished or hurled away,
three or four new ones appeared.
And their numbers were only increasing.
When he reached the ladder he was already wading through an ankle-deep layer of shimmering chitin and snatching pincers.
With a desperate motion he jumped forwards and closed his hands around the ladder rungs. The whole construction ached and swayed so much from his impact that Andrew was scared that the whole thing would collapse in on itself, and the man started to hurriedly climb upwards.
With a desperate motion he jumped forwards and closed his hands around the ladder rungs.
The whole construction ached and swayed so much from his impact that Andrew was scared that the whole thing would collapse in on itself,
and the man started to hurriedly climb upwards.
He didn't make it. Just as his hand had almost reached the edge of the platform, he froze. A mixture of a scream and an agonized moan came out of his helmet and he slid downwards. Andrew threw himself forwards and grabbed at his outstretched arm with both hands. He was torn forward a little bit and was almost torn off the platform before he found a foothold somewhere.
He didn't make it.
Just as his hand had almost reached the edge of the platform,
he froze.
A mixture of a scream and an agonized moan came out of his helmet and he slid downwards.
Andrew threw himself forwards and grabbed at his outstretched arm with both hands.
He was torn forward a little bit and was almost torn off the platform before he found a foothold somewhere.
And at the same time, he saw what had happened: The primitive defensive construction that the legs of the platform were sticking out of were performing their purpose with surprising efficiency. The burning liquid --- possibly more the heat that the metal of the glowing barrels was giving off --- kept the killer insects at a safe distance. The teeming stream parted in front of each of them only to close a few centimeters after it. The tiny spider-cockroaches that were dumb enough to try it anyway carbonized with a hiss as soon as they touched the hot metal.
And at the same time,
he saw what had happened: The primitive defensive construction that the legs of the platform were sticking out of were performing their purpose with surprising efficiency.
The burning liquid --- possibly more the heat that the metal of the glowing barrels was giving off --- kept the killer insects at a safe distance.
The teeming stream parted in front of each of them only to close a few centimeters after it.
The tiny spider-cockroaches that were dumb enough to try it anyway carbonized with a hiss as soon as they touched the hot metal.
The man in the HAZMAT suit must have knocked over the barrel that the ladder was standing in. The flames had gone out and hundreds and thousands of tiny monsters crawled over the hot remains, crawled along his suit, or started to climb the ladder with frightening dexterity. Not only was the stranger in danger, Andrew realized with horror, but their own stronghold that had seemed so impenetrable a moment ago was in danger of being overrun!
The man in the HAZMAT suit must have knocked over the barrel that the ladder was standing in.
The flames had gone out and hundreds and thousands of tiny monsters crawled over the hot remains,
crawled along his suit,
or started to climb the ladder with frightening dexterity.
Not only was the stranger in danger,
Andrew realized with horror,
but their own stronghold that had seemed so impenetrable a moment ago was in danger of being overrun!
Nevertheless he held on to the arm of the man with all his strength and tried to pull him up. But he was just too heavy. Slowly the man, who in the mean time had almost stopped moving entirely, slid back into the bubbling black depths and ultimately Andrews strength failed. He let go of his hand. The man tipped backward and just \textit{disappeared} underneath the swarming shimmering mass.
Nevertheless he held on to the arm of the man with all his strength and tried to pull him up.
But he was just too heavy.
Slowly the man,
who in the mean time had almost stopped moving entirely,
slid back into the bubbling black depths and ultimately Andrews strength failed.
He let go of his hand.
The man tipped backward and just \textit{disappeared} underneath the swarming shimmering mass.
Andrew sunk back with a sob, but he didn't even have enough time to process what had taken place in front of his very eyes. Katt tore him to the side with such force that he rolled over half of the platform and instinctively grabbed on to the grate, otherwise he might have fallen into the depths himself. Nevertheless he saw that the first spider-cockroaches had made their way over the edge of the platform and were tasting the air for pre with their greedily trembling feelers. Katt ignored them though. She suddenly held rusty wire cutters in her hands with which she hastily cut the wires that were holding the ladder to the edge of the platform . With a powerful push she pushed it back and made sure that it actually fell over instead of tipping back towards them, only then did she turn around and beat the remaining insect monsters that had made it up on the platform to death with the rusty wire cutters.
Andrew sunk back with a sob,
but he didn't even have enough time to process what had taken place in front of his very eyes.
Katt tore him to the side with such force that he rolled over half of the platform and instinctively grabbed on to the grate,
otherwise he might have fallen into the depths himself.
Nevertheless he saw that the first spider-cockroaches had made their way over the edge of the platform and were tasting the air for pre with their greedily trembling feelers.
Katt ignored them though.
She suddenly held rusty wire cutters in her hands with which she hastily cut the wires that were holding the ladder to the edge of the platform .
With a powerful push she pushed it back and made sure that it actually fell over instead of tipping back towards them,
only then did she turn around and beat the remaining insect monsters that had made it up on the platform to death with the rusty wire cutters.
Andrew had to fight with his sickness and pain again. It had chosen this moment to gang up on him, but this time he didn't lose conciousness, instead laying there for a couple seconds with his eyes closed and waited until the excruciating hammering in his head stopped and his stomach stopped trying to crawl out of his neck some how. When he opened his eyes, Katt seemed to have successfully eliminated the last members of the eight legged boarding party, since she was kneeling next to him with a mix of anger and relief on her face, which he didn't understand.
Andrew had to fight with his sickness and pain again.
It had chosen this moment to gang up on him,
but this time he didn't lose conciousness,
instead laying there for a couple seconds with his eyes closed and waited until the excruciating hammering in his head stopped and his stomach stopped trying to crawl out of his neck some how.
When he opened his eyes,
Katt seemed to have successfully eliminated the last members of the eight legged boarding party,
since she was kneeling next to him with a mix of anger and relief on her face,
which he didn't understand.
``Have you gone completely crazy?'', she asked.
``Have you gone completely crazy?'',
she asked.
``Yes, thanks'', murmured Andrew. ``I'm doing better. But I'm glad that you're worrying about me so much.''
``Yes,
thanks'',
murmured Andrew.
``I'm doing better.
But I'm glad that you're worrying about me so much.''
``We could have both been dead!'', Katt continued unimpressed and with a sharper tone. ``Why did you do that? He would have killed us without hesitation and you risked your life to save him!''
``We could have both been dead!'',
Katt continued unimpressed and with a sharper tone.
``Why did you do that? He would have killed us without hesitation and you risked your life to save him!''
Andrew painstakingly righted himself and crawled over to where the ladder had been attached before he answered. ``No human deserves that kind of death.'', he said with a shudder.
Andrew painstakingly righted himself and crawled over to where the ladder had been attached before he answered.
``No human deserves that kind of death.'',
he said with a shudder.
The ladder had disappeared, just like the man in the black HAZMAT suit. Below them was nothing but a seething, teeming mass that made a sound like a hundred thousand castanets that were clicking together. And not just in the depths below them. The walls were completely covered in the virtually endless stream of spider cockroaches. They were in the middle of a living tunnel, that stretched out in both directions as far as the eye could see. It could also be described a different way: They were in the middle of a digestion apparatus that was only waiting on them to follow their destiny.
The ladder had disappeared,
just like the man in the black HAZMAT suit.
Below them was nothing but a seething,
teeming mass that made a sound like a hundred thousand castanets that were clicking together.
And not just in the depths below them.
The walls were completely covered in the virtually endless stream of spider cockroaches.
They were in the middle of a living tunnel,
that stretched out in both directions as far as the eye could see.
It could also be described a different way: They were in the middle of a digestion apparatus that was only waiting on them to follow their destiny.
There was only one single interruption in the living, swarming, mass. As Andrew looked up, instead of a sweeping ceiling of spider cockroaches there was an enormous jagged hole that wasn't just in the ceiling of this hallway, but also in the one above it, and the one above that. He couldn't tell if it had been on purpose or if the safe place had been built underneath it. But at least it did its job and prevented the eight-legged attackers from dropping down on them from above. For now they were safe.
There was only one single interruption in the living,
swarming,
mass.
As Andrew looked up,
instead of a sweeping ceiling of spider cockroaches there was an enormous jagged hole that wasn't just in the ceiling of this hallway,
but also in the one above it,
and the one above that.
He couldn't tell if it had been on purpose or if the safe place had been built underneath it.
But at least it did its job and prevented the eight-legged attackers from dropping down on them from above.
For now they were safe.
The questions was, for how long.
The questions was,
for how long.
Andrew looked around the platform with a shudder. It wasn't empty, but had next to a number of tattered blankets two metal gas cans that each held about twenty liters, as well as a metal basket with tools, which is where Katt must have gotten the rusty wire cutters. Even if the construction wasn't particularly ingenious, its builder had definitely prepared for everything.
Andrew looked around the platform with a shudder.
It wasn't empty,
but had next to a number of tattered blankets two metal gas cans that each held about twenty liters,
as well as a metal basket with tools,
which is where Katt must have gotten the rusty wire cutters.
Even if the construction wasn't particularly ingenious,
its builder had definitely prepared for everything.
He glanced through the mesh floor at the burning oil barrels. Other than the part where the whole raised table was getting uncomfortably warm, something else was making him nervous: If he remembered the other safe place that he and Nick had examined correctly, then there wasn't much of the flammable liquid left in the containers.
He glanced through the mesh floor at the burning oil barrels.
Other than the part where the whole raised table was getting uncomfortably warm,
something else was making him nervous: If he remembered the other safe place that he and Nick had examined correctly,
then there wasn't much of the flammable liquid left in the containers.
He looked back up at the living carpet that the inside of the corridor was lined with. ``How long will this last?'', he asked.
He looked back up at the living carpet that the inside of the corridor was lined with.
``How long will this last?'',
he asked.
Katt shrugged. ``As long as it takes. There are lots of them.''
Katt shrugged.
``As long as it takes.
There are lots of them.''
``But that\dots'' Andrew hesitated a moment and started again, all though he was noticeably more nervous this time. ``But the fire will last long enough, right?''
``But that\dots'' Andrew hesitated a moment and started again,
all though he was noticeably more nervous this time.
``But the fire will last long enough,
right?''
Katt just shrugged again. She remained silent.
Katt just shrugged again.
She remained silent.

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\chapter{8}
It had only been about three or four minutes in between the first spider-cockroach breaking the barrier and when the living stream gradually subsided and then finally completely stopped, but even such a short time could feel like an eternity depending on the circumstances --- and these were \textit{definitely} the right circumstances for it. Even though all his senses were tense enough that they were about to tear Andrew had the feeling that he was waking up from a nightmare as the last stragglers of the insect army finally passed them and it was quiet again.
It had only been about three or four minutes in between the first spider-cockroach breaking the barrier and when the living stream gradually subsided and then finally completely stopped,
but even such a short time could feel like an eternity depending on the circumstances --- and these were \textit{definitely} the right circumstances for it.
Even though all his senses were tense enough that they were about to tear Andrew had the feeling that he was waking up from a nightmare as the last stragglers of the insect army finally passed them and it was quiet again.
He had counted on Katt waiting for a certain time just in case. Instead she impatiently gestured for him to climb off the platform as the last of the spider-cockroaches had barely disappeared into the twilight and Andrew obeyed silently. However he quickly gave up the attempt to climb down one of the metal legs. In the mean time the whole platform had gotten uncomfortably warm, but the iron support seemed to be downright glowing, even though the fire below it had gone out; only a few seconds after the last insect had disappeared.
He had counted on Katt waiting for a certain time just in case.
Instead she impatiently gestured for him to climb off the platform as the last of the spider-cockroaches had barely disappeared into the twilight and Andrew obeyed silently.
However he quickly gave up the attempt to climb down one of the metal legs.
In the mean time the whole platform had gotten uncomfortably warm,
but the iron support seemed to be downright glowing,
even though the fire below it had gone out;
only a few seconds after the last insect had disappeared.
He jumped the almost two meters and landed much to his own surprise safely on both feet. Even his bruised knee took the beating without complaining and Andrew quickly bent over to pick up the ladder so that Katt could get to the floor with greater ease. As he was leaning the ladder against the edge of the platform he looked around for the man in the black rubber suit.
He jumped the almost two meters and landed much to his own surprise safely on both feet.
Even his bruised knee took the beating without complaining and Andrew quickly bent over to pick up the ladder so that Katt could get to the floor with greater ease.
As he was leaning the ladder against the edge of the platform he looked around for the man in the black rubber suit.
He was astonished. Andrew didn't expect to find him alive or even somewhat whole. But he was just not there at all.
He was astonished.
Andrew didn't expect to find him alive or even somewhat whole.
But he was just not there at all.
At first he thought the living flood had just torn him along, and in a certain sense that was true. His strange firearm was on the other side of the safe place, a good three or four meters away and what was left of his black satchel created a trail of pieces that lead further down the hallway. Maybe ten or twelve meters away he found a hand-sized shard of glass that was mirrored on one side. It took him a couple seconds to recognize that it was what was left of the visor of the helmet. Right next to it was a watch that was missing its leather strap, just like the rubber seal of the window. Andrew was reminded of the skeletonized leftovers in the parking garage and shuddered inwards. He suddenly didn't want to see anything else, even though the trail of macabre kept going quite a bit. He turned on his heel and went back to Katt who in the meantime had climbed down the ladder as well.
At first he thought the living flood had just torn him along,
and in a certain sense that was true.
His strange firearm was on the other side of the safe place,
a good three or four meters away and what was left of his black satchel created a trail of pieces that lead further down the hallway.
Maybe ten or twelve meters away he found a hand-sized shard of glass that was mirrored on one side.
It took him a couple seconds to recognize that it was what was left of the visor of the helmet.
Right next to it was a watch that was missing its leather strap,
just like the rubber seal of the window.
Andrew was reminded of the skeletonized leftovers in the parking garage and shuddered inwards.
He suddenly didn't want to see anything else,
even though the trail of macabre kept going quite a bit.
He turned on his heel and went back to Katt who in the meantime had climbed down the ladder as well.
She hadn't come with empty hands nor had she been idle while he was following the gruesome scavenger hunt. She had hauled one of the rusty diesel canisters down and was just finishing filling the last of the four oil barrels with two fingers of the nose-burning liquid.
She hadn't come with empty hands nor had she been idle while he was following the gruesome scavenger hunt.
She had hauled one of the rusty diesel canisters down and was just finishing filling the last of the four oil barrels with two fingers of the nose-burning liquid.
``Are you scared that they'll come back?'', asked Andrew.
``Are you scared that they'll come back?'',
asked Andrew.
``They never come back'', answered Katt. She didn't look at him, but instead was inspecting her work critically and filled one of the barrels with a couple more gulps of the liquid. ``But the next person to come here might not have time for it. Whoever uses the safe place refills the fire water.''
``They never come back'',
answered Katt.
She didn't look at him,
but instead was inspecting her work critically and filled one of the barrels with a couple more gulps of the liquid.
``But the next person to come here might not have time for it.
Whoever uses the safe place refills the fire water.''
That seemed only logical to Andrew but as Katt was about to fill up the last container that was for the ladder he stopped her with a questioning motion. ``Why don't you just pull the ladder up?''
That seemed only logical to Andrew but as Katt was about to fill up the last container that was for the ladder he stopped her with a questioning motion.
``Why don't you just pull the ladder up?''
``Because then you can't get to it from below any more.''
Andrew didn't give up so easily. It had only taken him a few glances to know what the weakness of the whole structure was. ``This ladder is just a danger'', he said. ``Why don't you put steps on the legs?`` If he had constructed this peculiar structure, it would have only had one support that would have been a lot easier to defend than four.
Andrew didn't give up so easily.
It had only taken him a few glances to know what the weakness of the whole structure was.
``This ladder is just a danger'',
he said.
``Why don't you put steps on the legs?`` If he had constructed this peculiar structure,
it would have only had one support that would have been a lot easier to defend than four.
Katt considered him with and almost pitiful look and licked her fingertips, with which she touched one of the legs for a short moment. It audibly hissed. ``Because nobody wants to wait half an hour for it to cool down, smart ass.''
Katt considered him with and almost pitiful look and licked her fingertips,
with which she touched one of the legs for a short moment.
It audibly hissed.
``Because nobody wants to wait half an hour for it to cool down,
smart ass.''
``I had the feeling that we were being grilled anyway if we had waited any longer'', said Andrew. That wasn't an exaggeration. They had spent the last few minutes laying on the blankets that seemed to be up there for that specific reason, but the heat had been nigh unbearable at the end.``The steps would need to be made of some kind of metal that doesn't transfer heat quite as well``, he said in a slight lecturing tone. ``Just like the whole platform or at least a majority of it.''
``I had the feeling that we were being grilled anyway if we had waited any longer'',
said Andrew.
That wasn't an exaggeration.
They had spent the last few minutes laying on the blankets that seemed to be up there for that specific reason,
but the heat had been nigh unbearable at the end.``The steps would need to be made of some kind of metal that doesn't transfer heat quite as well``,
he said in a slight lecturing tone.
``Just like the whole platform or at least a majority of it.''
``Oh?'', Katt asked snappishly. ``And how would you know which metal didn't transfer the heat as well?''
``Oh?'',
Katt asked snappishly.
``And how would you know which metal didn't transfer the heat as well?''
``For example you could try it out'', Andrew suggested.
``For example you could try it out'',
Andrew suggested.
Katt prepared for another just as unquestionable question, but she let it go with a peculiar look and a contemplative wrinkling of her forehead. ``You are a strange person, huh?''
Katt prepared for another just as unquestionable question,
but she let it go with a peculiar look and a contemplative wrinkling of her forehead.
``You are a strange person,
huh?''
``No'', answered Andrew. ``Where I'm from they call that logic.''
``No'',
answered Andrew.
``Where I'm from they call that logic.''
``Where you're from'', repeated Katt thoughtfully. ``Where is that?''
``Where you're from'',
repeated Katt thoughtfully.
``Where is that?''
Andrew had almost answered openly --- and why not? After all he didn't have anything to hide! ---, but a voice in his head reminded him to be wary. ``Why don't you finally tell me where I am?'', he asked hesitantly.
Andrew had almost answered openly --- and why not? After all he didn't have anything to hide! ---,
but a voice in his head reminded him to be wary.
``Why don't you finally tell me where I am?'',
he asked hesitantly.
``In the dark land'', answered Katt. Aching and without even asking him for help she set the ladder back upright in its spot and filled the container up two fingers deep with the flammable liquid. The canister was as good as empty, but she carefully closed it and carried it up the ladder. Before she climbed back down to Andrew she carefully bound the top rung to the edge of the platform with wire.
``In the dark land'',
answered Katt.
Aching and without even asking him for help she set the ladder back upright in its spot and filled the container up two fingers deep with the flammable liquid.
The canister was as good as empty,
but she carefully closed it and carried it up the ladder.
Before she climbed back down to Andrew she carefully bound the top rung to the edge of the platform with wire.
``Who fills the canisters with the \textit{fire water} when they're empty?'', asked Andrew.
``Who fills the canisters with the \textit{fire water} when they're empty?'',
asked Andrew.
For some reason the question seemed to be uncomfortable for Katt since she didn't answer for a couple seconds and didn't look at him when she answered. ``Whoever comes by'', she said with a shrug. ``Sometimes its iron hunters.''
For some reason the question seemed to be uncomfortable for Katt since she didn't answer for a couple seconds and didn't look at him when she answered.
``Whoever comes by'',
she said with a shrug.
``Sometimes its iron hunters.''
``Iron hunters?''
``They look for iron'', explained Katt. ``Do you really not know anything?''
``They look for iron'',
explained Katt.
``Do you really not know anything?''
\textit{Iron hunters} \dots something about that bothered Andrew, but he couldn't tell what it was immediately. It sounded highly precise --- once you knew what it meant. But now that Andrew had picked up the right trail in his head it didn't take long for him to realize what had bothered him about the term: It fell in the same category as \textit{safe place}. There wasn't anything wrong with it, but it sounded like a kid had made them up.
\textit{Iron hunters} \dots something about that bothered Andrew,
but he couldn't tell what it was immediately.
It sounded highly precise --- once you knew what it meant.
But now that Andrew had picked up the right trail in his head it didn't take long for him to realize what had bothered him about the term: It fell in the same category as \textit{safe place}.
There wasn't anything wrong with it,
but it sounded like a kid had made them up.
``These little beasts'', he asked. ``what do you call them?''
``These little beasts'',
he asked.
``what do you call them?''
``Gobblers'', answered Katt. ``What else?''
``Gobblers'',
answered Katt.
``What else?''
Yeah, that fit. The word sounded just like \textit{safe place} and \textit{iron hunter}. He didn't say anything, instead going over to where the man had let his weapon go and squatted down in front of it. Even though he had immense respect for the equally frightening and bizarre weapon, he had a little bit of hope that it would still work and that he could figure out how it worked so that he could give their pursuers an unpleasant surprise when they saw them again.
Yeah,
that fit.
The word sounded just like \textit{safe place} and \textit{iron hunter}.
He didn't say anything,
instead going over to where the man had let his weapon go and squatted down in front of it.
Even though he had immense respect for the equally frightening and bizarre weapon,
he had a little bit of hope that it would still work and that he could figure out how it worked so that he could give their pursuers an unpleasant surprise when they saw them again.
The gun was only a skeleton now. Everything that wasn't made of resistant metal or glass was gone --- including the barrel and the sights that had apparently been made out of plastic. On the side there was a rectangular opening that looked like it had multiple printed circuits in it, but the gobblers hadn't stopped at the microprocessor.
The gun was only a skeleton now.
Everything that wasn't made of resistant metal or glass was gone --- including the barrel and the sights that had apparently been made out of plastic.
On the side there was a rectangular opening that looked like it had multiple printed circuits in it,
but the gobblers hadn't stopped at the microprocessor.
Disappointedly he let the weapon sink back to the ground; At the same time a little relieved. He wasn't sure if he would have had the guts to point that weapon at humans. And he was glad that he didn't have to make that choice.
Disappointedly he let the weapon sink back to the ground;
At the same time a little relieved.
He wasn't sure if he would have had the guts to point that weapon at humans.
And he was glad that he didn't have to make that choice.
Katt had fastened the ladder behind her and climbed down to him. ``They don't leave anything other than stone or metal behind'', she said as if reading his mind. ``You can leave that there. The Iron is too hard to melt down and that means we can't do anything with it.''
Katt had fastened the ladder behind her and climbed down to him.
``They don't leave anything other than stone or metal behind'',
she said as if reading his mind.
``You can leave that there.
The Iron is too hard to melt down and that means we can't do anything with it.''
Andrew didn't show it, but Katt had just given him valuable information --- namely that she or the people she belonged to had handled one of these weapons or at least their remains before.
Andrew didn't show it,
but Katt had just given him valuable information --- namely that she or the people she belonged to had handled one of these weapons or at least their remains before.
He stood up completely, took a few steps and bent over again to pick something up. It was a slim silver nail with a peculiar head and ribbed shaft, half as long as his little finger and almost weightless.
He stood up completely,
took a few steps and bent over again to pick something up.
It was a slim silver nail with a peculiar head and ribbed shaft,
half as long as his little finger and almost weightless.
``What is that?'', asked Katt.
``What is that?'',
asked Katt.
``I'm not entirely sure'', answered Andrew, ``but I think its a surgical nail''
``I'm not entirely sure'',
answered Andrew,
``but I think its a surgical nail''
``A what?''
``You need one of these to nail bones so they heal together'', answered Andrew. He closed his hand around his find and stuck it in his pocket. ``At least I know for sure that there are people in those suits now and not aliens.''
``You need one of these to nail bones so they heal together'',
answered Andrew.
He closed his hand around his find and stuck it in his pocket.
``At least I know for sure that there are people in those suits now and not aliens.''
Katt's uncomprehending expression made it clear that she didn't know where to start with some of those expressions. ``Shouldn't we keep going?'', she proposed. ``We aren't far, but its almost dark.''
Katt's uncomprehending expression made it clear that she didn't know where to start with some of those expressions.
``Shouldn't we keep going?'',
she proposed.
``We aren't far,
but its almost dark.''
``And the gobblers?'', asked Andrew.
``And the gobblers?'',
asked Andrew.
``No problem'', Katt said pretentiously. ``We just need to stay on their trail until we're close enough to the river. They never take the same route twice. They wouldn't find anything to eat.''
``No problem'',
Katt said pretentiously.
``We just need to stay on their trail until we're close enough to the river.
They never take the same route twice.
They wouldn't find anything to eat.''
After what Andrew had just seen that sounded like a convincing explanation. ``I'm asking myself what they eat either way'', he said. ``There doesn't seem to be too much here.''
After what Andrew had just seen that sounded like a convincing explanation.
``I'm asking myself what they eat either way'',
he said.
``There doesn't seem to be too much here.''
``Oh this and that'', answered Katt. ``Sometimes idiots who get lost here. Or a small animal. And in the end themselves.''
``Oh this and that'',
answered Katt.
``Sometimes idiots who get lost here.
Or a small animal.
And in the end themselves.''
As a precaution, Andrew didn't think about the last sentence. The knot in his head was big enough as is. He insisted that she kept walking with a gesture and followed her after she started walking.
As a precaution,
Andrew didn't think about the last sentence.
The knot in his head was big enough as is.
He insisted that she kept walking with a gesture and followed her after she started walking.
For the first while it was going well, but his bruised knee made itself noticed again and the nausea and racing headaches came back. Not as bad as they were before that he had to stop, but they were bad enough that he was slowly falling behind. His leader didn't seem to miss any of it, glancing back at him with worried looks. She didn't make any comments and altered her speed to match his sinking tempo without complaint.
For the first while it was going well,
but his bruised knee made itself noticed again and the nausea and racing headaches came back.
Not as bad as they were before that he had to stop,
but they were bad enough that he was slowly falling behind.
His leader didn't seem to miss any of it,
glancing back at him with worried looks.
She didn't make any comments and altered her speed to match his sinking tempo without complaint.
He was getting worse, not better. Andrew had been hoping that he would recover after a while like he had in the past when weakness and pain had overcome him, but the headaches were getting worse and the nausea and fever didn't let up either. He had a disgusting taste in his mouth. Bitter saliva was quickly collecting under his tongue and the fever seemed to be raising and not easing up.
He was getting worse,
not better.
Andrew had been hoping that he would recover after a while like he had in the past when weakness and pain had overcome him,
but the headaches were getting worse and the nausea and fever didn't let up either.
He had a disgusting taste in his mouth.
Bitter saliva was quickly collecting under his tongue and the fever seemed to be raising and not easing up.
Finally Katt stopped and motioned towards the last of about ten thousand doors that they had gone through in the last hour. Fresh air rushed towards them and behind that there wasn't another corridor, stairwell, hallway or hall, but the open sky. Relieved, Andrew took a deep breath and wanted to pass her, but Katt held him back with a swift movement and motioned for him to be quiet with her other hand. Carefully he stepped behind her into the open and almost immediately ducked behind a hill of rubble that was a couple steps from the door.
Finally Katt stopped and motioned towards the last of about ten thousand doors that they had gone through in the last hour.
Fresh air rushed towards them and behind that there wasn't another corridor,
stairwell,
hallway or hall,
but the open sky.
Relieved,
Andrew took a deep breath and wanted to pass her,
but Katt held him back with a swift movement and motioned for him to be quiet with her other hand.
Carefully he stepped behind her into the open and almost immediately ducked behind a hill of rubble that was a couple steps from the door.
In hindsight he was glad that Katt had warned him. Bit for the most part he was busy questioning what he was seeing.
In hindsight he was glad that Katt had warned him.
Bit for the most part he was busy questioning what he was seeing.
The factory building hadn't collapsed like he had expected, but it was noticeably more slanted than it was before, sticking out from the other misshapen ruins due to its odd deformations. The fire was nearly out. He only saw sparks fly up here and there.
The factory building hadn't collapsed like he had expected,
but it was noticeably more slanted than it was before,
sticking out from the other misshapen ruins due to its odd deformations.
The fire was nearly out.
He only saw sparks fly up here and there.
``We were \dots running in a circle\textinterrobang'', he wheezed. ``The whole time?''
``We were \dots running in a circle\textinterrobang'',
he wheezed.
``The whole time?''
``Complain to the gobblers``, said Katt laconically. ``Either way we need to get to the river, and the bridge is behind this blockade.''
``Complain to the gobblers``,
said Katt laconically.
``Either way we need to get to the river,
and the bridge is behind this blockade.''
``Then we'll find a different way!''
``Too dangerous'', answered Katt. ``If we run in to the gobblers again, we might not escape from them again. It won't take too long any more. We need to wait. They haven't ever stayed that long.''
``Too dangerous'',
answered Katt.
``If we run in to the gobblers again,
we might not escape from them again.
It won't take too long any more.
We need to wait.
They haven't ever stayed that long.''
That last remark was about the good dozen figures that were clothed in the color of the night that were lingering on the other end of the plaza. Quite a few of them were busy collecting the remains of the Cessna and loading them into the two shark helicopters that had landed next to each other in front of the building where their frantic escape had started. Most of the men were just standing around.
That last remark was about the good dozen figures that were clothed in the color of the night that were lingering on the other end of the plaza.
Quite a few of them were busy collecting the remains of the Cessna and loading them into the two shark helicopters that had landed next to each other in front of the building where their frantic escape had started.
Most of the men were just standing around.
Andrew laid his head in his neck and looked up. In the mean time the electrical storm had completely subsided, but it still was dark out. Above the ruined city there were neither stars nor the moon, just continuous, absolute, contour less black. And even though it felt like it had been forever since he and Nick had crashed into the plaza, more than a few hours couldn't have passed since then.
Andrew laid his head in his neck and looked up.
In the mean time the electrical storm had completely subsided,
but it still was dark out.
Above the ruined city there were neither stars nor the moon,
just continuous,
absolute,
contour less black.
And even though it felt like it had been forever since he and Nick had crashed into the plaza,
more than a few hours couldn't have passed since then.
``Didn't you just say something about \textit{day}?'', he turned to Katt.
``Didn't you just say something about \textit{day}?'',
he turned to Katt.
``On the other shore, yeah.'' The girl made a head movement in the direction of the burning building. Andrew strained to look in that direction, but the sky looked completely black behind the building.
``On the other shore,
yeah.'' The girl made a head movement in the direction of the burning building.
Andrew strained to look in that direction,
but the sky looked completely black behind the building.
``I understand'', he mumbled with a heavy tongue. His fever had gotten worse and his thoughts started to slowly get more and more confused. He had actually just imagined that she had told him it was daytime on the other side of the river.
``I understand'',
he mumbled with a heavy tongue.
His fever had gotten worse and his thoughts started to slowly get more and more confused.
He had actually just imagined that she had told him it was daytime on the other side of the river.
``Can you answer one more question for me?'', he mumbled.
``Can you answer one more question for me?'',
he mumbled.
``Gladly''
``When are the visiting hours here?''
Katt looked at him blankly. ``What hours?''
Katt looked at him blankly.
``What hours?''
``Visiting hours'', answered Andrew. ``Come on! We're living in the twenty-first century! You can have your family visit you every once in a while, even in the closed off wards.''
``Visiting hours'',
answered Andrew.
``Come on! We're living in the twenty-first century! You can have your family visit you every once in a while,
even in the closed off wards.''
Katt's looks were just getting more and more confused. She was getting ready to answer, but then sharply inhaled and looked toward the landed helicopters and their crews.
Katt's looks were just getting more and more confused.
She was getting ready to answer,
but then sharply inhaled and looked toward the landed helicopters and their crews.
The men had stopped whatever they were doing and were running towards the helicopters from all directions. Andrew heard a fine humming as the turbines started, then the oddly bent blades started spinning faster and faster, becoming nearly invisible after a few seconds.
The men had stopped whatever they were doing and were running towards the helicopters from all directions.
Andrew heard a fine humming as the turbines started,
then the oddly bent blades started spinning faster and faster,
becoming nearly invisible after a few seconds.
A few of the men fired, but most of them were rushing toward the open doors of the helicopters with long steps, jumping in before they turned around to give their comrades outside covering fire. Andrew couldn't tell what they were shooting at, but where their blazing blue bolts impacted burning popcorn seemed to be flung into the air.
A few of the men fired,
but most of them were rushing toward the open doors of the helicopters with long steps,
jumping in before they turned around to give their comrades outside covering fire.
Andrew couldn't tell what they were shooting at,
but where their blazing blue bolts impacted burning popcorn seemed to be flung into the air.
Even the combined fire power of a dozen of their odd weapons wasn't enough to repel or even keep back the millions of gobblers. The entire back third of the plaza had already awakened and was glitteringly, silently pushing towards them. Even before all the men were on board one of the helicopters took off, swiveled around a few meters off the ground, and used its unequally overpowered armaments to provide cover to the last few men.
Even the combined fire power of a dozen of their odd weapons wasn't enough to repel or even keep back the millions of gobblers.
The entire back third of the plaza had already awakened and was glitteringly,
silently pushing towards them.
Even before all the men were on board one of the helicopters took off,
swiveled around a few meters off the ground,
and used its unequally overpowered armaments to provide cover to the last few men.
It was still close. Only one of them didn't make it to the rescue helicopter. That one unfortunate soul grasped for the cabin door and missed it. But Andrew could see from this far away that his suit had caught on the landing skids and had ripped open on almost its entire length.
It was still close.
Only one of them didn't make it to the rescue helicopter.
That one unfortunate soul grasped for the cabin door and missed it.
But Andrew could see from this far away that his suit had caught on the landing skids and had ripped open on almost its entire length.
The helicopter took off before the man could even stand up, and two of his comrades bent over the side and shot him.
The helicopter took off before the man could even stand up,
and two of his comrades bent over the side and shot him.
Andrew cried out in disbelief. ``Good god! But \dots but why did they do that\textinterrobang''
Andrew cried out in disbelief.
``Good god! But \dots but why did they do that\textinterrobang''
``His suit was ripped'', said Katt.
``His suit was ripped'',
said Katt.
Andrew had nothing more to say. Other than the horror that had closed off his throat, he was awfully nauseous and had to suddenly fully concentrate on controlling himself so that he wouldn't vomit. Bewildered and lamed from dread he watched the two helicopters quickly gained height and then disappeared with such an acceleration that a fighter jet would have been jealous.
Andrew had nothing more to say.
Other than the horror that had closed off his throat,
he was awfully nauseous and had to suddenly fully concentrate on controlling himself so that he wouldn't vomit.
Bewildered and lamed from dread he watched the two helicopters quickly gained height and then disappeared with such an acceleration that a fighter jet would have been jealous.
``We should wait a moment'', said Katt. ``The gobblers will move on quickly, but it seems to be a pretty large swarm.''
``We should wait a moment'',
said Katt.
``The gobblers will move on quickly,
but it seems to be a pretty large swarm.''
Andrew was barely listening. He was still refusing to believe what he had just seen with his own eyes. The men had shot their own comrade just because his suit had ripped? All of a sudden he wasn't sure if those were actually humans in those HAZMAT suits.
Andrew was barely listening.
He was still refusing to believe what he had just seen with his own eyes.
The men had shot their own comrade just because his suit had ripped? All of a sudden he wasn't sure if those were actually humans in those HAZMAT suits.

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\chapter{9}
The nausea and pain let up for a moment, but in return Andrew felt like a newborn child. He visibly collapsed in on himself and had to fight to keep his eyes open.
The nausea and pain let up for a moment,
but in return Andrew felt like a newborn child.
He visibly collapsed in on himself and had to fight to keep his eyes open.
``Are you okay?'', asked Katt.
``Are you okay?'',
asked Katt.
``I don't know'', answered Andrew truthfully. Even speaking was hard for him now. The fever that was causing him increasing discomfort was probably the reason for this whole absurd story: He was laying in a hospital bed somewhere, had a twenty seven degree\footnote{Celsius} fever, and was hallucinating all of this nonsense.
``I don't know'',
answered Andrew truthfully.
Even speaking was hard for him now.
The fever that was causing him increasing discomfort was probably the reason for this whole absurd story: He was laying in a hospital bed somewhere,
had a twenty seven degree\footnote{Celsius} fever,
and was hallucinating all of this nonsense.
``I think they're gone'', said Katt.
``I think they're gone'',
said Katt.
Andrew couldn't remember if any measurable time had passed since the last time she had spoken, but it must have been because when he --- with Katt's help --- stood up and looked over the edge of his cover the plaza was completely empty. The girl gave him another doubtful look, but didn't say anything else, instead continuing on at a pace that he could barely keep up with. After she had taken a couple of steps, it got remarkably better. The fresh air felt good and the careful movements brought his circulation back in swing. In addition whatever he had seemed to come in waves and apparently the time between them seemed to be decreasing.
Andrew couldn't remember if any measurable time had passed since the last time she had spoken,
but it must have been because when he --- with Katt's help --- stood up and looked over the edge of his cover the plaza was completely empty.
The girl gave him another doubtful look,
but didn't say anything else,
instead continuing on at a pace that he could barely keep up with.
After she had taken a couple of steps,
it got remarkably better.
The fresh air felt good and the careful movements brought his circulation back in swing.
In addition whatever he had seemed to come in waves and apparently the time between them seemed to be decreasing.
``How far do we still have?'', he asked.
``How far do we still have?'',
he asked.
``Two blocks'', answered Katt. She corrected herself. ``Three. But the gobblers moved in a different direction. I haven't ever seen them turn around.''
``Two blocks'',
answered Katt.
She corrected herself.
``Three.
But the gobblers moved in a different direction.
I haven't ever seen them turn around.''
``And other than that there aren't any people-eating monsters here?'', asked Andrew.
``And other than that there aren't any people-eating monsters here?'',
asked Andrew.
He almost counted on a \textit{yeah} as the answer, but Katt just gave him a slanting glance and shook her head. ``Nothing that the gobblers have overlooked.'', she explained. She didn't say anything for a moment, then: ``You're from outside, am I right?''
He almost counted on a \textit{yeah} as the answer,
but Katt just gave him a slanting glance and shook her head.
``Nothing that the gobblers have overlooked.'',
she explained.
She didn't say anything for a moment,
then: ``You're from outside,
am I right?''
Why should he still lie? In any case Andrew was sure that he wouldn't survive the next hour. Either some bizarre twelve-armed and three-headed beast that Katt had forgotten to mention would eat him, or he would collapse after a few steps --- or finally wake up from this insane nightmare. And he still hesitated to answer.
Why should he still lie? In any case Andrew was sure that he wouldn't survive the next hour.
Either some bizarre twelve-armed and three-headed beast that Katt had forgotten to mention would eat him,
or he would collapse after a few steps --- or finally wake up from this insane nightmare.
And he still hesitated to answer.
``I'm not sure if we're talking about the same \textit{outside}'', he said.
``I'm not sure if we're talking about the same \textit{outside}'',
he said.
Katt looked at him unsettled. ``Is there more than one?''
Katt looked at him unsettled.
``Is there more than one?''
``If you mean the world that \textit{Men in Black} with their flying kitchen mixers are from, I'll have to disappoint you'', he replied. ``I haven't ever heard of these types before. And of their Science-Fiction-Helicopters and Star-Trek-Weapons definitely not.''
``If you mean the world that \textit{Men in Black} with their flying kitchen mixers are from,
I'll have to disappoint you'',
he replied.
``I haven't ever heard of these types before.
And of their Science-Fiction-Helicopters and Star-Trek-Weapons definitely not.''
``Aha'', said Katt.
``Aha'',
said Katt.
``We don't have any of that'', insisted Andrew. ``Other than that \dots'' He shrugged and looked back at the sky, that was still completely black and starless. A crazy thought crossed his mind: Could it be, that he had jumped through time from some unknown phenomenon? Had he ended up in a bleak and fear-inducing future or in some kind of terrible parallel universe? He thought about that possibility in earnest for a moment, but arrived at the conclusion that the combination of accident victim/brain damage/nuthouse was much more realistic.
``We don't have any of that'',
insisted Andrew.
``Other than that \dots'' He shrugged and looked back at the sky,
that was still completely black and starless.
A crazy thought crossed his mind: Could it be,
that he had jumped through time from some unknown phenomenon? Had he ended up in a bleak and fear-inducing future or in some kind of terrible parallel universe? He thought about that possibility in earnest for a moment,
but arrived at the conclusion that the combination of accident victim/brain damage/nuthouse was much more realistic.
``I think so.'', he said in the end.
``I think so.'',
he said in the end.
Again Katt looked at him for quite a while in a way that he didn't want to interpret --- even if it seemed to him that she wasn't especially happy about his answer. ``And how is it \dots there?'', she asked with hesitation.
Again Katt looked at him for quite a while in a way that he didn't want to interpret --- even if it seemed to him that she wasn't especially happy about his answer.
``And how is it \dots there?'',
she asked with hesitation.
``Its kinda like here'', answered Andrew. ``But completely different.''
``Its kinda like here'',
answered Andrew.
``But completely different.''
Katt seemed to be somewhat insulted, but she didn't say anything but walked a little faster so that he had to use what little strength he had left to keep up with her.
Katt seemed to be somewhat insulted,
but she didn't say anything but walked a little faster so that he had to use what little strength he had left to keep up with her.
In some regards Andrew was right. He needed some time to clear his thoughts, and Katt would just ask him more questions that he wouldn't or couldn't really answer. There were enough questions bouncing around his head that he didn't have any answers to. He was stranded in a place that shouldn't exist, was followed by men that fired at him for no reason with weapons that have even less reasons to exist and flew in helicopters out of the next century, and had almost been eaten by monstrosities that looked like they had been created by Roland Emmerich.
In some regards Andrew was right.
He needed some time to clear his thoughts,
and Katt would just ask him more questions that he wouldn't or couldn't really answer.
There were enough questions bouncing around his head that he didn't have any answers to.
He was stranded in a place that shouldn't exist,
was followed by men that fired at him for no reason with weapons that have even less reasons to exist and flew in helicopters out of the next century,
and had almost been eaten by monstrosities that looked like they had been created by Roland Emmerich.
Oh yeah, and just as an aside: Nick was dead.
Oh yeah,
and just as an aside: Nick was dead.
A deep sorrow overcame Andrew as he thought of his friend --- Nick hadn't been anything else. His friend. Maybe the only real friend he had ever had. He felt as if he had betrayed him, yes, as if he was at fault for what had happened to Nick, and in a certain sense it was true. If he hadn't convinced Nick to let him drive, then maybe the kidnappers wouldn't have been able to outrun them and hide in the Cessna \dots
A deep sorrow overcame Andrew as he thought of his friend --- Nick hadn't been anything else.
His friend.
Maybe the only real friend he had ever had.
He felt as if he had betrayed him,
yes,
as if he was at fault for what had happened to Nick,
and in a certain sense it was true.
If he hadn't convinced Nick to let him drive,
then maybe the kidnappers wouldn't have been able to outrun them and hide in the Cessna \dots
Andrew stopped that thought short. What-if thoughts wouldn't help him further. He didn't have any choice other than to keep going and to wait and see what happened.
Andrew stopped that thought short.
What-if thoughts wouldn't help him further.
He didn't have any choice other than to keep going and to wait and see what happened.
While he was walking two steps next to and a step behind Katt, he stealthily looked at her probably for the first time since they had met with actual attention. He had to think of the nightmarish face that he believed he had seen in the factory hall. So far he had automatically assumed that it was Katt, but now he realized how bitterly unjust that was to her. He corrected his estimate of her age down by at least one year, maybe two. And he noticed something else that so far he hadn't thought was possible, but also confused him a lot: He suddenly saw how pretty Katt was. Even hunger and lifelong hardships that emaciated her to the point of almost being a caricature, her natural elegance and grace hadn't been affected.
While he was walking two steps next to and a step behind Katt,
he stealthily looked at her probably for the first time since they had met with actual attention.
He had to think of the nightmarish face that he believed he had seen in the factory hall.
So far he had automatically assumed that it was Katt,
but now he realized how bitterly unjust that was to her.
He corrected his estimate of her age down by at least one year,
maybe two.
And he noticed something else that so far he hadn't thought was possible,
but also confused him a lot: He suddenly saw how pretty Katt was.
Even hunger and lifelong hardships that emaciated her to the point of almost being a caricature,
her natural elegance and grace hadn't been affected.
``We're almost there.''
Katt raised her hand, and as Andrew followed her gesture, he saw that they had passed the burning building a long time ago. In front of them was another block of ruins and behind that he recognized an unswerving line of darkness that divided the city in two halves. The river, that Katt had been talking about? He tried to discern what was on the other side, but he couldn't work it out. The ruined city seemed to continue there, but he couldn't really see anything other than more shadows. There were no signs of the \textit{day} that it seemed to be on the other side as far as he could see.
Katt raised her hand,
and as Andrew followed her gesture,
he saw that they had passed the burning building a long time ago.
In front of them was another block of ruins and behind that he recognized an unswerving line of darkness that divided the city in two halves.
The river,
that Katt had been talking about? He tried to discern what was on the other side,
but he couldn't work it out.
The ruined city seemed to continue there,
but he couldn't really see anything other than more shadows.
There were no signs of the \textit{day} that it seemed to be on the other side as far as he could see.
A sharp pain shot through the back of his head. At the last moment Andrew suppressed a yelp of pain, breathed in deeply and held on to the mad hope that it was just happenstance and that it would go away soon. Instead of that it slowly spread out like a spiderweb of white-hot threads, and after a few seconds his old friends nausea and dizziness added themselves to the mix. He didn't have much time.
A sharp pain shot through the back of his head.
At the last moment Andrew suppressed a yelp of pain,
breathed in deeply and held on to the mad hope that it was just happenstance and that it would go away soon.
Instead of that it slowly spread out like a spiderweb of white-hot threads,
and after a few seconds his old friends nausea and dizziness added themselves to the mix.
He didn't have much time.
Katt seemed to feel how he was doing because she quickened her pace, and Andrew trotted after her until they had reached the line of solid blackness that separated the city of ruins. By now he was in such a state that he would have stumbled right into the abyss had Katt not held him back at the last moment.
Katt seemed to feel how he was doing because she quickened her pace,
and Andrew trotted after her until they had reached the line of solid blackness that separated the city of ruins.
By now he was in such a state that he would have stumbled right into the abyss had Katt not held him back at the last moment.
``What\dots?'', he mumbled dazedly. He wasn't sure if his voice was still understandable. Or if he was speaking at all or if he had just imagined it.
``What\dots?'',
he mumbled dazedly.
He wasn't sure if his voice was still understandable.
Or if he was speaking at all or if he had just imagined it.
Katt just considered him with a pitiful glance. Her voice suddenly took on the tone that you only use with very young children (or very old people) and still weren't sure that they understood. ``Just stay right here and don't move, okay?''
Katt just considered him with a pitiful glance.
Her voice suddenly took on the tone that you only use with very young children (or very old people) and still weren't sure that they understood.
``Just stay right here and don't move,
okay?''
Andrew nodded obediently --- he probably would have also nodded if she had told him the lottery numbers from last week ---, and Katt made a funnel in front of her mouth with her hands and expelled an especially warbling scream; it wasn't especially loud, but it was so piercing that it must have been audible\footnote{\href{https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHMjD0Lp5DY}{this book sponsored by Audible\texttrademark, use code ANDERS or text ANDERS to 500 500 to learn more} \textsuperscript{/s}} throughout the whole city.
Andrew nodded obediently --- he probably would have also nodded if she had told him the lottery numbers from last week ---,
and Katt made a funnel in front of her mouth with her hands and expelled an especially warbling scream;
it wasn't especially loud,
but it was so piercing that it must have been audible\footnote{\href{https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHMjD0Lp5DY}{this book sponsored by Audible\texttrademark,
use code ANDERS or text ANDERS to 500 500 to learn more} \textsuperscript{/s}} throughout the whole city.
``My sister is waiting on the other side'', she said. ``She'll let the bridge down, don't worry.''
``My sister is waiting on the other side'',
she said.
``She'll let the bridge down,
don't worry.''
Andrew wasn't worried. He also couldn't remember if he had asked a corresponding question, but just in case he nodded anyway; Very carefully, as even that small movement made the headache he had explode.
Andrew wasn't worried.
He also couldn't remember if he had asked a corresponding question,
but just in case he nodded anyway;
Very carefully,
as even that small movement made the headache he had explode.
Katt raised her hands again and repeated the warbling sound, then stomped the ground madly and yelled. ``Ratt god damn it! Where are you?''
Katt raised her hands again and repeated the warbling sound,
then stomped the ground madly and yelled.
``Ratt god damn it! Where are you?''
``Ratt?'', asked Andrew. Did she have to yell like that? His head would explode if she kept yelling around like that.
``Ratt?'',
asked Andrew.
Did she have to yell like that? His head would explode if she kept yelling around like that.
``My sister'', explained Katt.
``My sister'',
explained Katt.
``Katt and Ratt'', giggled Andrew. ``How peculiar.''
``Katt and Ratt'',
giggled Andrew.
``How peculiar.''
``Does something about that bother you?'', asked Katt sharply. She glared at him defiantly for a moment and roared for her sister louder than before.
``Does something about that bother you?'',
asked Katt sharply.
She glared at him defiantly for a moment and roared for her sister louder than before.
Andrew distorted his face demonstratively and took a step away from her; however not a very big one and not without getting within two steps of the \textit{river}.
Andrew distorted his face demonstratively and took a step away from her;
however not a very big one and not without getting within two steps of the \textit{river}.
It wasn't a river. Apparently they were speaking the same language that used the same words, but meant different things. What lay in front of him had no similarities with a body of water. It was a good five meter wide canal of weather-beaten gray concrete that went down an indeterminate distance. Andrew precariously bent over and immediately righted himself. He had only had a short glimpse into the depths, but he didn't see anything that reminded him of water.
It wasn't a river.
Apparently they were speaking the same language that used the same words,
but meant different things.
What lay in front of him had no similarities with a body of water.
It was a good five meter wide canal of weather-beaten gray concrete that went down an indeterminate distance.
Andrew precariously bent over and immediately righted himself.
He had only had a short glimpse into the depths,
but he didn't see anything that reminded him of water.
``What's down there?'', he asked.
``What's down there?'',
he asked.
Katt shrugged. ``The gobblers don't cross'', she said. ``Isn't that enough?'' She didn't wait for Andrews answer, instead regarding him with an almost hostile look and roared as loud as she possibly could for her sister. This time she used a whole litany of insults and curses that would have made Andrew blush in any other circumstance.
Katt shrugged.
``The gobblers don't cross'',
she said.
``Isn't that enough?'' She didn't wait for Andrews answer,
instead regarding him with an almost hostile look and roared as loud as she possibly could for her sister.
This time she used a whole litany of insults and curses that would have made Andrew blush in any other circumstance.
It worked. This time it was just a moment before he heard a bright squeaking voice and a long spindly shadow appeared from the silhouette of the city ruins on the other side of the river. Andrew tried focusing on it with wide eyes for a few seconds, but he couldn't concentrate on one thing that long. His thoughts were increasingly revolving around himself. It was impossible to focus his thoughts on a single thing for more than a moment. He was more nauseous than he had ever been before in his whole life.
It worked.
This time it was just a moment before he heard a bright squeaking voice and a long spindly shadow appeared from the silhouette of the city ruins on the other side of the river.
Andrew tried focusing on it with wide eyes for a few seconds,
but he couldn't concentrate on one thing that long.
His thoughts were increasingly revolving around himself.
It was impossible to focus his thoughts on a single thing for more than a moment.
He was more nauseous than he had ever been before in his whole life.
``We've almost made it'', said Katt. ``I knew that I could rely on Ratt. Just one more moment. Can you keep it up that long?''
``We've almost made it'',
said Katt.
``I knew that I could rely on Ratt.
Just one more moment.
Can you keep it up that long?''
Of course not. He nodded. ``Yes.''
Of course not.
He nodded.
``Yes.''
Katt's facial expression explained very clearly what she thought of that answer. But she was diplomatic enough to not say anything, instead concentrating on the delicate shadow hat was slowly lowering over the river with a shrill screeching. Andrew followed her lead --- at least he tried.
Katt's facial expression explained very clearly what she thought of that answer.
But she was diplomatic enough to not say anything,
instead concentrating on the delicate shadow hat was slowly lowering over the river with a shrill screeching.
Andrew followed her lead --- at least he tried.
His thoughts were getting more and more confused. He was unimaginably nauseous. He had the worst headache on this side of the Andromeda galaxy and his fever had a good chance to break the Guinness world record; actually his blood had surpassed the boiling point and must have been steaming out of his ears like an overheated pressure cooker.
His thoughts were getting more and more confused.
He was unimaginably nauseous.
He had the worst headache on this side of the Andromeda galaxy and his fever had a good chance to break the Guinness world record;
actually his blood had surpassed the boiling point and must have been steaming out of his ears like an overheated pressure cooker.
For some reason he thought the whole thing exceptionally strange.
Squeaking and aching the spider-web-like outline lowered itself more before it impacted their side of the \textit{river} with a long echoing bang and Katt was suddenly very lively. ``Can you keep on going?'', she asked.
Squeaking and aching the spider-web-like outline lowered itself more before it impacted their side of the \textit{river} with a long echoing bang and Katt was suddenly very lively.
``Can you keep on going?'',
she asked.
``Sure'', answered Andrew and sunk to his knees. Katt caught him and did the most embarrassing thing to him that had ever happened: She bounced a bit in her knees and threw him over her shoulders with no hesitation. He could feel her sway under his weight for a moment, then found her balance again with a quick motion. She turned around and ran off with almost provocatively light steps.
``Sure'',
answered Andrew and sunk to his knees.
Katt caught him and did the most embarrassing thing to him that had ever happened: She bounced a bit in her knees and threw him over her shoulders with no hesitation.
He could feel her sway under his weight for a moment,
then found her balance again with a quick motion.
She turned around and ran off with almost provocatively light steps.
Andrew was almost glad that he wasn't currently understanding all that was going on around and especially \textit{to} him. If what he could recognize of the \textit{bridge} that Katt was prancing over with mischievous ease was real, then it was definitely a pure nightmare: a breakable structure of \textit{tied (!)} together rungs and struts that was aching under each of her steps, as if it wanted to collapse at any moment.
Andrew was almost glad that he wasn't currently understanding all that was going on around and especially \textit{to} him.
If what he could recognize of the \textit{bridge} that Katt was prancing over with mischievous ease was real,
then it was definitely a pure nightmare: a breakable structure of \textit{tied (!)} together rungs and struts that was aching under each of her steps,
as if it wanted to collapse at any moment.
Andrew looked into the deep, but he regretted that almost immediately. There was \textit{something} below them, but he couldn't say what. Whatever it was, it scared him to imagine what it was based on what he had seen so far.
Andrew looked into the deep,
but he regretted that almost immediately.
There was \textit{something} below them,
but he couldn't say what.
Whatever it was,
it scared him to imagine what it was based on what he had seen so far.
After what seemed like an eternity they arrived at the other bank. Katt stumbled two more steps on terra firma before she collapsed to her knees with an exhausted groan and let Andrew glide off her shoulders like a wet sack. He fell, which hurt less than he expected and rolled two, three times across the ground before he stopped, laying on his back. Underneath him was soft grass and earth, not hard stone. Through his closed eyelids he saw bright sunlight. But Katt had told him that the day wasn't over on that side of the river --- whatever that meant.
After what seemed like an eternity they arrived at the other bank.
Katt stumbled two more steps on terra firma before she collapsed to her knees with an exhausted groan and let Andrew glide off her shoulders like a wet sack.
He fell,
which hurt less than he expected and rolled two,
three times across the ground before he stopped,
laying on his back.
Underneath him was soft grass and earth,
not hard stone.
Through his closed eyelids he saw bright sunlight.
But Katt had told him that the day wasn't over on that side of the river --- whatever that meant.
He wanted to open his eyes, but he was only successful after his third try. Something really was wrong with him. Something was incredibly wrong with him.
He wanted to open his eyes,
but he was only successful after his third try.
Something really was wrong with him.
Something was incredibly wrong with him.
It looked like the effort was worth it. Above him a cloudless and almost obscenely radiant blue midsummer sky stretched out over the facades. Their slightly shifted to the left lines weren't any different than the ones on the other side. They were the same burnt-out soot-stained ruins like on the other side. It seemed that the destroyed city continued on this side of the river as well.
It looked like the effort was worth it.
Above him a cloudless and almost obscenely radiant blue midsummer sky stretched out over the facades.
Their slightly shifted to the left lines weren't any different than the ones on the other side.
They were the same burnt-out soot-stained ruins like on the other side.
It seemed that the destroyed city continued on this side of the river as well.
As if from a great distance he heard Katt's voice, but it wasn't talking to him; even though he was too dazed to comprehend any of the words that were being spoken, he could feel it. A different, more bright and somehow hissing sounding voice answered, then light steps that were hardly audible on the grass approached.
As if from a great distance he heard Katt's voice,
but it wasn't talking to him;
even though he was too dazed to comprehend any of the words that were being spoken,
he could feel it.
A different,
more bright and somehow hissing sounding voice answered,
then light steps that were hardly audible on the grass approached.
Katt appeared above him. She looked sweaty and so exhausted as if she had just done such extreme bodily exertion that hadn't just pushed her to her limit of what she was capable of, but possibly a little over it. And the concern in her gaze had grown so much that Andrew, in spite of his dazed state, asked himself if it weren't advisable for him to seriously worry as well.
Katt appeared above him.
She looked sweaty and so exhausted as if she had just done such extreme bodily exertion that hadn't just pushed her to her limit of what she was capable of,
but possibly a little over it.
And the concern in her gaze had grown so much that Andrew,
in spite of his dazed state,
asked himself if it weren't advisable for him to seriously worry as well.
``This is Ratt, my sister.'' She made a hand movement towards a shadow that was just outside of Andrew's field of view, making him use quite a bit of what energy he had left to turn his head and blink up at the figure that was approaching him from the other side. Katt's sister seemed to be somewhat smaller than her, and he had the crazy feeling that she had a type of shaggy fur coat, even though the sun on this side of the river was burning down so hot that it was almost uncomfortable. He couldn't really identify Ratt as the sun was directly above her, so that the glaring light actually drove tears into his eyes.
``This is Ratt,
my sister.'' She made a hand movement towards a shadow that was just outside of Andrew's field of view,
making him use quite a bit of what energy he had left to turn his head and blink up at the figure that was approaching him from the other side.
Katt's sister seemed to be somewhat smaller than her,
and he had the crazy feeling that she had a type of shaggy fur coat,
even though the sun on this side of the river was burning down so hot that it was almost uncomfortable.
He couldn't really identify Ratt as the sun was directly above her,
so that the glaring light actually drove tears into his eyes.
``This is Andrew, who I was talking to you about'', Katt continued, obviously turned toward her sister.
``This is Andrew,
who I was talking to you about'',
Katt continued,
obviously turned toward her sister.
Ratt came closer and bent over curiously. Andrew still couldn't really identify her, but something wasn't right about her head either. In spite of the head she seemed to be wearing not just a fur coat, but also a fur hat.
Ratt came closer and bent over curiously.
Andrew still couldn't really identify her,
but something wasn't right about her head either.
In spite of the head she seemed to be wearing not just a fur coat,
but also a fur hat.
``He says he's from outside'', Katt continued. ``I don't know if that's true, but he has the sickness\footnote{he got down with it}.''
``He says he's from outside'',
Katt continued.
``I don't know if that's true,
but he has the sickness\footnote{he got down with it}.''
Ratt bent down even further, and Andrew, who had just wanted to start to be frightened about Katt's last remark thought better of it and fainted.
Ratt bent down even further,
and Andrew,
who had just wanted to start to be frightened about Katt's last remark thought better of it and fainted.