Heads hung in shame which they don't quite understand, Devin and Afton wondered back to the sewer in a random convoluted path to avoid anyone following them to their new home. Radburn explained in the plan that some rival groups may try to find out the location of their sewer home so they should avoid people and try to blend in where needed, not standing out.
They descend the wet, slippery stone staircase with cautious steps, being awfully aware of every steps placement to assure sure they didn't fall into the water besides them. The aggressive waves bashing against the stone walls underneath them, a constant reminder of the damp surroundings. As they reach the bottom of the staircase the graffitied tunnel greets them just as it did the night before.
Taking a few steps inside the tunnel, where the feeble glow of the outside world gives way to shadow, they pause. The air feels cooler here, and a subtle sense of anticipation hangs in the salty air. Silence stretches, and they exchange glances, ensuring the absence of any unwanted company that may have followed them there. A few minutes pass, they both agree its a necessary pause to confirm they remain untracked. Satisfied that they are alone, they turn, and with a shared understanding venture deeper into the labyrinth of damp tunnels.
When Afton spots the last corner before they reach the door she speaks up, breaking the silence the two have walked home with "We have to talk about what just happened before we go back inside, we don't know who knows her secret, his secret? RADBURNS secret". Afton nods in agreement, seeming incredibly unsettled by Afton shouting Radburn's name "I, I agree but I don't know how we should handle this"
They both pause, debating what to say, Afton opening her mouth over and over again unsure how to start this confusing and outright nonsensical conversation. "I don't think we should bring the whole transformation thing up to anyone, if we aren't supposed to tell anyone I don't want to face the punishment"
Devin leans back against the wall debating the situation "I think I agree but if Jamie asks us, I want to talk about what we saw. I'm not sure how long I can hold this in."
The unspoken agreement passed between Afton and Devin like a secret handshake, a silent understanding etched in their shared glances. Nodding in unison they approached the door, their knuckles drumming out a gentle rhythm on its surface. The doors slit opened, revealing Cate's inquisitive eyes. "Where are Radburn and Jamie?" she asked, a blend of curiosity and concern in her voice. Afton and Devin, sharing an uncertain look shrugged, uttering a simultaneous, "Don't know". Cate, observing them through the narrow opening, closes the viewing slit after a moment. The metallic click of the lock followed and with a decisive motion, she swung the door wide open using both hands.
Stepping into the room they are greeted by the refreshing scent of soap and water, a notable departure from the lingering staleness of the previous times they were there. The atmosphere was charged with the energy of industrious children, each one diligently engaged in the task of scrubbing floors, brushing surfaces, and generally cleaning up the environment. This concerted effort had not only cleaned the physical environment but had seemingly shifted its entire aura of the hub. What was once a sombre and dull environment now radiated with brightness.
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Afton and Devin assisted Cate in closing the door, leaving her to manage her responsibilities. They weaved through the bustling hall encountering a few children committed to cleaning the area. Among them was a surprising figure, a tall brown-haired girl holding a brush. Afton and Devin exchanged glances of mutual surprise, struck by the girl's height which seemed odd with her apparent age. Ascending the staircase, they made their way to the familiar spot where their beds awaited. As they settled into their seats, a collective sigh of relief escaped them offering a brief respite from the uncertainties that had marked their past 24 hours.
Seated on their beds the weight of the past day settled upon them. The worn mattress beneath them seemed to absorb the echoes of the chaotic escapade they have just experienced. Thoughts about Jamie lingered in the air, a tangible uncertainty enveloped them. What fate awaited their impulsive comrade? the unanswered questions haunted them.
They mull over the enigma that is Radburn, the lines between man and woman blurred in their perception. The image of Radburn transforming into a woman lingered, leaving them to question the nature of the person who has guided them through the shadows. In the midst of this contemplation they found themselves caught in a delicate balance between curiosity and apprehension, pondering the layers of complexity that defined the world they had willingly stepped into.
A few hours pass with nothing of note happening, the late afternoon turns to evening.
A thunderous BANG echoed throughout the sewer hub as the door swung open aggressively, its metal handle colliding with the cold stone wall beside it. The impact sent reverberations through the rest of the door, causing it to shake. Oddly, most of the children seemed unfazed, either deliberately ignoring the disruptive sound or too petrified to acknowledge it. It was as though this disruptive entrance was a routine occurrence and the children knew better than to react.
Afton and Devin, however couldn't ignore the disturbance. They leaned forward out of their bed, kneeling next to the railing beside them, their eyes fixed on the open floor where Radburn stood. Nearby a group of older children sat around a small wooden table engrossed in a card game. As Radburn forcefully closed the door with another resounding slam, the cards on the table shook, yet none of the children playing batted an eyelid.
Radburn turned away from the door, revealing his face to both Devin and Afton. To their surprise, he was a man again. The sudden transformation left them questioning what they thought they had witnessed. Was it all a misunderstanding? Perhaps they hadn't seen what they thought they had seen.
As Radburn's eyes sweep across the room, he spots Afton and Devin peering over the railing. A ominous grin stretches across his face, and in that moment, the eerie stillness is broken. The two children, catching the gleam in Radburn's eyes immediately duck, cowering from the unsettling and unpredictable nature of the enigmatic man. They shook... not entirely sure what move to make next.