The echo of Radburn's footsteps fill the hall as he nonchalantly strides toward his chambers, showing no sign of disruption, he never once slows his pace. The two youngsters remain seated by the cold stone railing, shaken to their souls, marvelling at his ability to appear untouched by the events of just a few hours ago. Where is Jamie? Who is Radburn? Countless maddening questions reverberate in their minds, intensifying their panic and confusion.
They hear the door open, then swiftly close moments later. Radburn leaving the hub causes the air to decompress, and the environment brightens slightly, as if a cloud of shadows had departed. The sounds of his echoey footsteps fade out of earshot as he goes deeper down the tunnel into his quarters.
Devin and Afton, stirred by the departure slowly rise, their hands finding support on the worn railing. The children at the card table acknowledge them with a knowing nod before returning to their game. Silently, the two retreat to their sunken, rickety beds. Without exchanging another word, they succumb to another hour of contemplation before the weight of the day finally lulls them into a restless sleep.
The flickering light of a solitary lantern casts eerie shadows on the damp walls of the sewer hub. Devin lies still in his rickety bed, the day's events replaying in his mind like a haunting reel. He's afraid to surrender to sleep for fear of the nightmares that may visit him again. Every creak, every distant sound, sends shivers down his spine. The ambient echoes of the sewer, instead of providing a rhythm of comfort, amplify his anxiety. He tosses and turns, trying to ward off the encroaching nightmares, but it's a losing battle.
As the night wears on Devin's consciousness drifts into a fitful slumber. Yet, his mind refuses to grant him solace. Nightmares as vivid as they are terrifying, infiltrate his dreamscape. He's caught in a distorted reality where shadowy figures morph into menacing creatures, echoes transforming into haunting whispers. The horrors of the night interwound with the echoes of Radburn's transformations, creating a nightmarish symphony that holds Devin in its thrall.
Suddenly, Devin jolts awake with his heart pounding in his chest. Cold sweat beads on his forehead as he gasps for breath, disoriented and shaken by the remnants of his haunting dreams. The dim light of the lantern reveals the damp walls of the sewer around him, and for a moment he's unsure if he's truly escaped the clutches of the nightmares or if the twisted reality of his dreams still lingers. The sewer hub remains quiet, the echoes of Radburn's earlier departure replaced by an eerie stillness that leaves Devin grappling with the unsettling residue of his troubled sleep.
He realizes, through the pervasive silence and the dim glow of the lanterns in the room, that only a few hours have passed, everyone else remains in the fickle embrace of sleep. The individuals playing cards earlier have shifted from their earlier positions, and Cate isn't stationed at the door, the entire hub is submerged in an eerie silence. Carefully, he sits up, manoeuvring with utmost caution to avoid any disturbances that might rouse his slumbering companions. After rubbing the traces of sleep from his eyes and indulging in a satisfying stretch, he debates taking a stroll outside to help him clear his head. The events of the past day have left him fatigued and unsure of his next move. While he yearns for a peaceful night's rest, he's aware that such a thing remains unreachable.
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Devin manoeuvres out of his bed with the utmost care, aiming to silence the creaky protests of the worn mattress. He methodically shifts his weight to one foot, gradually rising to a standing position. Surveying the room to ensure his actions remain unnoticed, he moves cautiously, avoiding contact with other beds and personal belongings, careful not to disturb the silence of the sleeping hub.
Having secured his footing, Devin descends the cold stone staircase with deliberate steps, each one calculated to minimize noise. Upon reaching the bottom of the staircase he casts a final glance around, confirming the preservation of the peaceful slumber enveloping the hub.
Approaching the exit door, Devin glances at the mechanism then unlocks it, the mechanism yielding to his touch. As he steps outside into the stillness of the sewer tunnels, he takes a moment to relock the door, leaving behind the sleeping hub in a state of serene repose.
Ensuring a quiet closure behind him with a satisfying clink as the lock engaged. A silent hope lingered in his thoughts "Hopefully, no one will realize I'm gone now." The chilly air, laden with the tang of salt from the outside wind and water, greeted him abruptly, jolting him awake. A strong gust forced him to shield his face, the wind cunningly finding its way through the tunnels. After a moment to regain his composure he recalled the instructions for navigating the tunnels backward and set out into the expansive darkness, his destination, the entrance to the tunnels.
Emerging from the tunnel, he ascends the damp stone staircase, the wetness beneath his feet reminding him of the ever-present moisture in the air. At the top he surveyed the surroundings, opting to make his way towards the expansive docks that stretched far into the water. The sun, still veiled behind the crystal mountains across the water cast a mesmerizing rainbow sheen on the water and a small section of the docks.
Passing by workers who were beginning their day, Devin strolled toward the dock's end, passing a series of small warehouses and fishing boats returning after a night on the rainbow sea. He greeted the fishermen and women with waves, receiving friendly smiles in return. Some even waved back, but Devin, still unfamiliar with this part of the city, remained uncertain about the people around him.
Reaching the end of the dock Devin discovered a secluded spot at its very edge, seemingly tailor-made for quiet contemplation. Utilizing a couple of empty boxes positioning them behind himself, he fashioned a makeshift backrest, allowing him to lean back comfortably. Seated at the edge, he dangled his legs above the mesmerizing rainbow tides, the vibrant water reflecting on the bottom of the dock.