Axiomatic (adjective)
Self-evident, Obvious
Chapter 18
(Mako's P.O.V)
We stand between two separate tunnels, the reeking smell emitting from everywhere.
"Which one leads to your house?" Arin asks. A giggle escapes my lips,
"How am I supposed to know? we need to get out of here first... we need to head up." I elaborate pointing at the city above us. A smile stretches on Arin's face at the mention of the city.
"Let's keep looking for a ladder that helps us get out of here..." I hiss, my stomach grunting in hunger... as if that's a priority now.
After finding a staircase, we head up, Arin first; water dripping from his clothes straight down on my face. He pushes at a square metal and pulls himself out. I follow and help Ana out.
"Whoa..." I hear Arin exclaim voice ringing with amusement. I glance up, the city not as lively as the first time I came to it despite the dark night. A couple of people stop in their tracks, ogling at us in confusion. I hide my face under my fallen wet hair in embarrassment.
"So many lights... but kinda empty!" Arin exclaims again, a smile plastering against his dirt smudged face. I glance around, few people rushing about their way. Why is it so deserted?... where is everyone?
"Trust me, that's a good thing. The more people witness this, the more are thinking you're a psycho emerging from a sewer." I prod placing the metal cover back in its place as Ana helps.
.
They both stand looking around, amazed by the city view... I bite at my lip; how am I going to get home? I definitely don't know the way... I don't even know where we are.... the only clue is that the house is on a hill...
"So... which one of these is your place." Ana asks pointing at the buildings surrounding us. I raise my eyebrows at her question,
"None... it's not here." I answer brushing at my hair as a group of girls pass by, glancing at my shoeless feet and nudging each other.
"Whoa! what is that?!" Arin beams, eyes set on a shop window. He saunters over,
"Wait! comeback!" I call; not wanting to get any attention... even though there isn't much attention to go around. I follow him. Stopping in our tracks we stare at a video playing on the screen on the window shop; some girl in many outfit layers dances on the digital window; Ana begins to copy the dancer playfully.
I glance up at Arin as his smile slips away, pursing his lips in disappointment. He shakes his head; placing his hands on his hips.
"Wahhh..." He exclaims, disappointment eating at his voice.
"What's... wrong?" I ask itching at my bitten arm, not giving it the time to check it out.
"While everyone else is starving back at the dot... fsheks are here dancing, doesn't look too good." He whines. I find myself rolling my eyes,
"Yeah, they're all about saving their own skin...." I blur glaring at him.
"Like you!" I prod slapping at his arm. He rubs it peeking at me,
"Seriously, I want to kill you right now." I prick shaking my head at him.
"Where's your home Mako, let's go!" Ana presses as I brush at my forehead.
"I kind of... don't know the way." I declare a giggle escaping my lips. Ana's eyes widen,
"But I kind of have an idea..." I run on as I spot a young man in the force attire.
.
We head towards the boy and he watches us through his glasses. He licks his lips a few times; pushing in a few jittery smiles.
"How... how can... can I help you? You're supposed to be making your way home; curfew in thirty minutes." He stutters not meeting our eyes. I raise my eyebrows at his performance... this is supposed to be the Hand-Force? that keep the city safe? wow... we're doomed.
"Um... Why the curfew? we're kind of lost. Do you know the way to the Chancellor's house?" I ask. Maybe my father being the chancellor would help us find home easier than I thought, people know him... they probably know where he lives... right?
"No questions to be answered about the curfew... I was told. The Chancellor? why do you want to know?" He asks raising his eyebrows at me. Arin's eyes dart from me to the guy.
"We uh... I'm his daughter. Do you know the way?" I tell him smiling softly.
"I don't know girl... It's my first week in the job. Don't wanna get meddled with the chancellor's daughter or anything." He declares backing away his hands up in defense. I glance at Arin; lips pursing in annoyance. He moves quickly and pushes the guy to the wall behind him, hand clasped on the neck.
"You shlocking tell us the way or I swear I'll rip out your throat and make it tell me!" Arin hisses, attacking the guy out of patience. He glances over at me his eyebrows rising in question. A smile forms on my face and I give him a thumbs up as Ana rolls her eyes calling him stupid. Before I call him names too; Arin begins to vibrate gritting his teeth and falls to ground. The Hand-Force guy watches him fall and runs away glancing around, throwing whatever he attacked Arin with on the floor. I hurry over, looking down at his frozen stiff body.
"What did he do?!" Ana shouts glancing over as the guy runs off. I pick the hand weapon... it says stun-gun...
"I think he electrocuted him." I inform her, a little giggle escaping my lips as I glance at his shook stone face that's turning red. After several minutes of me moaning on how much I wish I had my camera to photograph him in this state; he groans and sits up rubbing his sides.
"That was so shlocking painful. I'll find that shlocking hastard and break him." He rants getting up on his feet.
"Right, good luck finding him in this big city." I mock standing up as well.
"Oh look, maybe they can get us to your house." Ana says pointing at a car coming towards us. I look around, and now no one in sight. Just us and this Hand-Force car. It stops before us, big and violent looking. A door opens up and a man in Force attire steps down, chest crusting out. He glances around first then lays eyes on us... squinting. Two others steps down from the car in helmets, almost with no hesitation, come our way. Are they with the ones on the other side of this city? trying to take us back to the dot?
The man stands in the middle with his green plastic cloak floating in the warm wind, biting down on what seems a gum, loudly and obnoxiously as he stares between us pulling a device from his chest pocket; all the while he other two stand beside him in silence. He glances down at his device for a moment then lays eyes on me.... chewing.
"She's the last one." He nods his head in my direction. The helmet guys march forward grabbing me from the arms, each one from a side. My eyes dart between them as they pull me away towards the back of their huge black car.