Where the Sidewalk Ends (the story) - Part 9

They exit the bullet train at Old Town just as the tension around them shifts.

Instead of the steady flow of human traffic, people are gathering in groups, looks of uncertainty and murmurs of confusion filling the air.

Kayden doesn’t stop to investigate, as he has a pretty good idea of what’s going on. And when he spots what’s displayed on one of the tele-boards, he knows his efforts were successful.

The crowd thickens and tension rises as the truth spreads.

“What’s happening?” Astra pants as she matches his pace, her voice muffled behind her mask.

“People are finding out they’ve been lied to,” Kayden mumbles, pulling Astra out of the path of several angry looking men jogging past.

He knows it’s only going to get worse before it’ll get better, so he grips Astra’s hand tighter and breaks into a jog. Only a few blocks separate them from their exit, but those blocks are quickly becoming jammed with people.

The surrounding air is also becoming crowded as security drones take flight in response to the increase in activity. But there aren’t near enough drones to quash what’s happening.

As the drudgers gather, it’s apparent how outnumbered the elite and their security measures actually are. Even the arrival of security personal won’t change the tide.

Astra makes a sound of distress as she trips and nearly falls, but Kayden hardly slows as he scoops her up. She’s not much younger than him, but she’s light and her weight barely slows him.

His breath is coming in heavy pants when he finally turns down the street leading to the collapsed tunnel and he rips his mask off, he won’t be needing it soon, anyway. The crowds are a lot thinner here, as people continue to move inward.

Setting Astra down, Kayden points out their destination to her. “That’s where we need to go. A ton of rubble is blocking the way, but there’s a gap that we’re small enough to squeeze through.”

She eyes the ‘Do Not Enter’ signs. “Won’t someone see us?”

“Maybe, but they’ll probably be too busy with what’s happening to care about us.” At least he hopes so, as they don’t have time to dodge the camera’s location this time.

Before either of them can set foot beyond the off-limits area, a drone whirrs above their head.

Astra squeaks and ducks behind Kayden, her eyes wide. “Um, I think that one cares.”

“Shit!” Kayden watches as it spins in place before moving to hover above them.

“In accordance with Pinnacle law, you are required to remain where you are and wait for a human security detail,” the tinny AI voice commands.

“Astra, do you remember the wreck I pointed out?”

She nods, her face pale.

“On the count of three, we run there, got it? The security guards are all tied up, so no one is gonna stop us.”

She nods again. “Okay.”

“One… two… THREE!”

The two of them bolt, Kayden letting Astra lead. True to her word, she’s fast and dodges debris easily as she runs.

Whirling lights and noise erupt from the drone as its oblong shape chases after them. Kayden ignores it, knowing no guard will show up in time to stop them.

A loud hissing pop zips over his head and Astra screams as a blast from the drone hits the wreckage, causing a cloud of dirt to erupt.

Astra stumbles to a stop and Kayden nearly trips over her. “Don’t stop! It’s not firing at us!” Indeed. The stupid thing was firing at the tunnel and trying to collapse it further. “Quick! We need to get through that gap before everything caves in!”

Kayden gives the kid credit. Her eyes are wide, her face pale, but she doesn’t hesitate and once more starts running full speed towards their goal.

They are nearly there when another blast from the drone sends rock tumbling around them. Kayden winces as small pebbles raise welts on his cheeks, but neither of them slows this time.

The dust is heavy as they reach the hole in the pile of rubble and Kayden's heart sinks. Some rocks have shifted, and the gap is a lot smaller than it was when he last crawled through it.

Kayden shakes his head. Doesn’t matter. I’m squeezing through even if I have to rip my arms off to do it!

“Go, Astra! Before the drone shoots again!”

She climbs in headfirst, her slight frame easily clearing the tight space. Kayden ducks down, watching as she wiggles her way to the tunnel on the other side.

“Kayden, come on!” She yells, her face staring back at him.

Another blast has him ducking and throwing his arms over his head, sure that a boulder’s about to crush him. Thankfully, only a couple of stones nick him.

Astra screams his name, yelling at him to hurry.

“Yup,” he mutters. The hole is even smaller than he first thought, and it takes several tries to get his position just right to squeeze past the entrance.

He breathes shallowly as he drags himself along, his clothes snagging repeatedly on sharp debris.

“Hurry,” Astra repeats over and over.

The tunnel shakes as the drone lets loose another bolt and Kaden’s breath hitches as he feels the rock around him shift.

He’s nearly to the end, just another few feet! Forgetting caution, Kayden heaves himself forward, ignoring the sharp rocks and metal that rip at his skin.

His hands nearly clear the rubble when the walls shake again. Kayden stifles a scream when he feels a heavy weight settle on his ankle, pinning him in place.

“Come on, come on! You’re almost out!” Astra pleads, unaware of his predicament.

I was so close, Jace. Kayden’s eyes nearly well up with tears, but he bites his lip.

“Astra, listen. You need to go! This drone isn’t going to stop firing until this whole place comes down.”

“What? No! Not without you. Come on! Why aren’t you moving?” she’s yelling, her face contorted in anger.

“I’m trying! Look… something’s caught my ankle but I’ll follow as soon as I get myself unstuck.” The lie falls off his tongue so easily.

“Well… I’ll wait then! We’ll go together!”

He eyes the scraggly girl he just met a few hours ago and smiles. Oh, bud, you would have liked her! Kayden doesn’t know how he would have accomplished what he did without her today.

“Astra. Einith, the person I told you about is waiting outside this tunnel and you’ll need to tell her what we did. You’ve been so brave today. Can you be brave a little longer?”

Tears streak her dirty cheeks, but she wipes them away at his words. Her eyes find his and he can see she knows the truth. She nods. “Promise you’ll follow,” she whispers.

Kayden’s throat closes up. “Yup.”

Astra stands, her gaze studying the area around her.

“There’s a sewer hole behind you. Climb down and follow the chalk arrows all the way to the end. There’ll be a ladder that will lead to the surface. Someone will be waiting to greet you.” His voice is rough as he gives her instructions.

She nods, tears once more filling her eyes.

“Go!” Kayden yells, as the walls tremble from another blast.

Astra takes off at a run as larger chunks of rock fall from the ceiling this time, the sound of crashing stone nearly deafening.

Kayden watches her disappear into the dust and darkness and a sort of warm acceptance envelopes him. “At least I got to smell a flower, hey Jace? Oh, and eat real food!”

He closes his eyes as the shaking continues, letting his mind drift away into those happy memories.

Author's notes: Please see below for Part 10