foolishwren | 70. [DREAM/DREAM/DREAM/DREAM]

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70. [DREAM/DREAM/DREAM/DREAM]

_{[So while the rest of Johto alternately panics, cries, or rushes around trying to capture as many of the soulstealing insects as possible, there are dozens of souls floating around in that dream limbo, drifting in and out of each other's slumbering thoughts and visions. Whether it's nightmarish flashbacks or just those dreams where you're at school taking a really hard test, and then Dracula shows up, and then everybody's naked ... anything is possible when it comes to what people see in their sleep.]

[But what appears in the darkness in this particular spot in the spaceless, shifting mass of dreaming souls... is a door.]

[It's old, and covered with boards and bolts, rusted near-through in some places. The lock is broken-- mangled and half-melted and wrenched out of the keyhole. The only thing on it that doesn't look ancient is a scrap of torn notebook-paper that's taped up on it at roughly eye-level. It reads only a single phrase:]}

Fear of blood tends to create fear for the flesh.

_{[More importantly, though... the door is ajar. Through the gap come the scents of rust and metal-- and something organic, fleshy-- and a low, deep hum of industrial machinery. It's not a door that anyone in their right mind would want to go through. ... But for anyone who may have stumbled this far into the dreams of their fellow lost souls, either in flight from some other nightmare or just pure, wandering curiosity... there's just no other place to go but through the door.]}

_{[Go on. Open it. After all.... it's only a dream.]}

[ooc: SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG, GUYS. Thanks for being patient! If you commented on that planning post, there's something spooky planned for your character to do here so please feel free to tag or not tag as it pleases you!]

~*~

[ooc: This is the IC post for what was announced over here! Even if you didn't comment there, feel free to participate! I'm still happy to whip up Silent Hill scenarios for folks!]

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[THANKS FOR THAT UGH]

Shit--!

[The curse echoes across the walls as he finally manages to catch his footing, leaping up as fast as he can and firing right at the creature he had knocked down earlier. He doesn't stop there, not with an entire hoard stomping over the one he knocked over right at him, and his breath catches in his throat as they approach, far too close for his comfort, before he fires again, trying to slow as many of them down as he can.

... but he knows that won't be enough, not with the sheer volume of them, and once a few shots are fired, but before any of them can actually reach him, he whips around and darts in the opposite direction, trying to put as much distance between him and those things as he can.

Persistent little bastards...]

_{[The shots topple a few more of them, but like people in a crowded theater where someone just yelled 'FIRE!', the others seem to think nothing of scrambling straight over the fallen ones. But fortunately, now that the path is clear, he can run his heart out.]

[It's not like they're fast, after all-- .... oh. well wait a second. Is that a great big grate across the entire tunnel up ahead...?]

[... Yep. Yep, it's a great big grate. Not even a limber fellow like Kaito can fit through those little gaps-- ... but there's something else, once he reaches it-- a small opening, it looks like-- set in the opposite side of the tunnel. It's not very big, but... he could make it through if he tried.]}

[A grate. A grate, blocking his escape at the worst possible moment. Kaito lets out a few more surprised and panicked curses as he skids to a stop, nearly crashing into the metal barrier in the process. He reaches out with his free hand to grab the cool bars and give them a good, hard shake, and when it doesn't budge, he whips around to face his pursuers again, sweat already beginning to run down his temple.

... they were still approaching, like a hoard of hungry predators, and if he stood here, he probably wasn't going to be living through this dream much longer. His heart is pounding in his throat, blood and adrenaline rushing through his ears. There had to be a way out of this, there just had to be. This couldn't be the end, he refused to go out like this, attacked by a mob of disgusting, naked things --

And as though it was a beacon of light in the middle of a dark alleyway, his gaze is drawn toward the tunnel across the water, suddenly and inexplicably. He thinks it's large enough for him to pass through, but he'd have to get closer to see. The only problem is the water separating him from the only viable escape option. The very same water teeming with slimy creatures from god knows where.

He didn't want to risk being pulled under. But hell, it's not like he had much of a choice, did he?

Without hesitation, he whips away from his pursuers and takes a running leap at the chasm, trying to clear as much of the smelly sewer water as he could to minimize how much he had to slosh through himself. Unfortunately, his jump isn't powerful due to how narrow the walkway is, and it's only enough to get him about halfway across before he lands splashing in the disgusting sewer river.

Gross...

There wasn't any time to think about that now. He quickly splashes his way across to the other side of the tunnel, shooting at any creatures who might try to come near him as he does so, hopefully keeping them at bay long enough for him to reach the tunnel and duck inside... to safety]

Edited 2011-06-26 08:56 (UTC)

_{[Don't worry, Kaito, it's not the end. Because it's not okay yet. If it's not okay, it's not the end.]

[But all the same, those strange beasts are still clambering towards him like an army of deformed amphibians. They honestly don't seem to have sharp teeth or claws, or even mouths for that matter, but if the WHACK that single one trying to get to its feet gave him was any indication, they packed some punch and probably wouldn't be very pleasant to get trampled under... which was absolutely what would happen if he stayed where he was, which thankfully was not what was happening.]

[The water is cold and rank, reeking of ammonia and other smells best left unmentioned, but though it soaks partway up his torso, at least it's shallow enough that he can make his way to the little escape route without slipping under. A couple of times he may brush against something cold and slimy in the water-- but his nimbleness will carry him past them without incident, although a series of plops and splashes behind him will confirm beyond doubt that the beasts are still in pursuit.]

[The hole in the side of the canal is small, but definitely man-made-- it belches water that seems a LITTLE fresher than what he's wading through, but not by much-- and once he's inside, the current running around his wrists, knees, and ankles is weak enough that it doesn't put him in danger of slipping right back out the way he came.]

[The bleats of the creatures soon sound around the mouth of the hole, but although they're small enough to get in, they... don't... seem to be succeeding very well at it. Note to monsters: if you tried going in ONE BY ONE, you could probably do it. Climbing all over each other and trying to get in five at a time? NOT THE RIGHT STRATEGY.]}

[He bites his tongue to keep himself from yelling out in surprise as he brushes against those slimy things in the water, knowing that he has to keep his cool as he makes his escape... or else. Once he's out of the water, he dives for that hole without a second thought, barely acknowledging the water that was gently flowing from it and into the sewers. He was lucky-- it was large enough for him to fit inside, albeit a bit cramped, and despite the fact that he's soaked and smelly, he worms his way through, leaving the disgusting bleats of those strange creatures behind.

He knows better than to breathe easily just yet.

The tunnel is cramped, but there's enough room for him to glance over his shoulder in order to see if any of those things are following him. Thankfully... it doesn't seem that way, especially since they're dumb enough to crowd about the entrance. Still... just in case one happens to sneak through, he alternates between glancing behind him and keeping his eyes on the trail in front of him, just in case he needs to use his card gun to shoot more of them down]

_{[Sure enough, between the fired cards and the fact that they seem to have the collective mental capacity of a jelly bean, Kaito will soon find himself leaving the horde behind as they crowd around the entrance to the hole, crying out and trampling each other.]

[It might be dark, smelly, and completely uncertain as to where this leads, but... at least it's safe. For now.]

[The tunnel does seem to be going upwards, at least... there's no guarantee that it goes to the surface, but hope is better than nothing. Unfortunately, he'll probably be wriggling slowly upwards for a good long while before he encounters anything... but eventually-- eventually!-- a dim light starts to filter in from somewhere ahead. Light from the surface! ... Or, well, maybe-- wherever the original source is, it still seems awfully far off-- but it's something!]

[The more IMMEDIATE source, of course, is something he'll find when he reaches a level spot in the tunnel-- and a fork in the metaphorical road. The light is coming from a grate (ANOTHER one...)-- beyond which the tunnel continues to slope upwards, towards a far-off bright opening. The OTHER path is a semi-steep drop just like the one he just climbed up-- the water coursing through the grate rushes down both the downhill inclines.]

[The grate, though still an obstacle... looks rusty as hell. He could probably kick some of it loose if he tries!]}

[He allows his heartbeat to return to normal once he's positive those strange things aren't following him anymore... but as the tunnel stretches on and on before him with seemingly no end in sight, he begins to wonder if he had just leaped out of the frying pan and right into the fire.

His back and neck are cramped by the time that light begins to shine through the darkness, and he feels himself reflexively let out a relief sigh. Choosing a path at the fork isn't difficult-- if he just climbed up from the sewers to get here, then the downward incline probably led right back to them.

He approaches the grate, frowning as he peers at the bars, but taking note of that rust. It's cramped, but he manages to shift until he's on his back and able to aim a powerful kick at the rusted bars. Freedom looks like it's so close...]

_{[SUCCESS! A couple of kicks causes the old, rusty metal to crumble and patter into the water-- it'll be a tight squeeze through, and he might accumulate a few scrapes in the process, but he'll be able to get through.]

[The sound of the grate breaking is screechy and echoes up and down the three tunnels like nails on a chalkboard.... bouncing a few times before fading out.]

[... But then there's another sound... coming from the second downhill tunnel.]}

... Hello? ... Is someone up there?

_{[... A voice. A hoarse, male voice.]}

[Sweet, sweet freedom--

... except maybe not yet. Kaito freezes just before he crawls through the hole he made in the grate, glancing over his shoulder at the second tunnel. The voice is unfamiliar, but never being the type to leave someone behind, stranger or not...]

Ooooooi!

[He crawls back toward the downhill tunnel, but doesn't quite crawl through it just yet] I'm up here!

_{[It's far away, but not too far to hear-- what sounds like a sigh of relief floats up from the darkness far below.]}

Thank God...

I thought I would never hear another decent human voice again. I've been trapped down here so long...

[Kaito lets out a sigh too, calling back down the chute but still not quite ready to go down there himself]

Geez, how long have you been stuck down there? Need someone to pull you up?

Long enough that I've lost track of the days.

_{[There's a pause, silent broken only by the sound of labored breathing. Sounds like he's sort of having a hard time down there...]}

Will you... help me?

[Kaito picks up on that... he glances over his shoulder, at the light of the grate he had just broken through, and nods. He knows the strange man can't see it, but... it's more for himself.

He's not the type of guy to leave someone behind. However gross and disturbing this sewer is... he can do it]

I'll be right down!

[With that, he starts his slow and careful descent down the tunnel]

Good... good...

_{[The voice sounds relieved, but it falls silent once more as Kaito makes his way down. It's slippery as hell, but he should be able to keep steady without losing his balance and sliding all the way to the bottom like the world's grossest waterslide.]

[When he eventually reaches the mouth of the tunnel at the very bottom, it may take him a moment to adjust to the much-dimmer light once more... but what little is filtering down from above is enough to grant him a rough vision of the place. It's wide, and somewhat open-- there's a much-higher ceiling than the tunnel he had entered this strange, dank place in. In fact, it's not a tunnel down here at all. The water comes to about halfway up his thighs, and somewhere beyond, there's a great rushing sound of falling water and whirring machinery.]

[But there doesn't appear to be anybody in sight... it is incredibly dark, though, so maybe it's just hard to see...?]}

[Kaito takes the descent carefully, bracing himself on the sides of the tunnel as he inches his way downward. It feels strange, moving away from the light of freedom, but hey, at least when he finally reaches the end things aren't so cramped anymore. A little bit of space goes a long way.

As soon as he slides feet-first out of the tunnel, he lifts his arms above his head and stretches. No one in sight, huh... well, he just made it down here. The person he was speaking to is probably ducked behind a piece of that machinery he can hear]

Oooooi! Where are you?

_{[The answer comes after a brief pause.]}

There you are...

They've kept me ... stuck in this disgusting place for longer than I care to know...

I'm back here-- back where the water gets deeper.

There's something chaining me down...

A chain?

[Kaito immediately takes a step forward, testing the depth of the water to make sure he's heading toward the deeper end. His eyes have adjusted to the dark by now, but even so it's difficult to make out anything other than the outlines of the mechanical equipment that flanks the side of this room]

Who the hell-- do you remember who chained you down?

_{[Sure enough, there's a bit of the slope-- the water DOES get deeper. It starts creeping up past Kaito's knee and up to his thighs-- then, before long, his waist. It's cold... colder than the water he'd jumped into to escape the Numb Bodies...]

[But not as cold as the speaker's voice grows when he answers the question-- he sounds pissed. But really, who can blame him?]}

Who? Who?

That little brat did it... She may not have put me down here to begin with, but she sealed my fate when she tricked me into believing she was my ally... only to steal what was mine and leave me for dead. Disgusting whelp...

_{[The voice trails into a wet cough in its anger, then trails off, appearing to calm slightly.]}

But that was a long time ago...

Finally, someone must have remembered I was here... and sent-- ... ah, well... it doesn't matter.

What's your name, boy?

[Kaito stops short once the water reaches his waist, and he stares in the direction that the voice seems to be coming from with a contemplative expression. Something seemed... off about this entire situation, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it]

Me? Er... [His hesitation was brief] Kaito. 'M Kaito Kuroba.

Who, exactly, trapped you here?

... Kuroba?

_{[The voice sounds surprised.]}

... A foreigner, eh? ... But why would they send...

_{[A pause, as though the speaker is shaking his head.]}

I suppose it doesn't matter. Perhaps things have changed since I was...

_{[A heavy sigh follows.]}

My ... delusional daughter. Somehow, somewhere, I made a grave mistake while raising her... her ego grew too great, and she thought she could speak for God and claim to know Her will. I found out about and opposed the foolish plan she was hatching, and in retaliation, she had me sent here... out of her way.

_{[The voice had dipped once again into a growl.]}

And then, when I thought I had found an ally... my trust only resulted in being chained down here even more thoroughly than before... left to rot. Well, I hope the traitor is happy... probably joined my daughter in her foolish mission...

[... that honestly just makes Kaito more wary, but after another hesitation, he wades forward again, following the sound of this man's voice]

So you were betrayed by the person who was gonna help you-- uh. Keep your daughter from doing something... bad?

[His wariness is evident in his voice. This man is speaking vaguely, and he's not sure what to make of it]

_{[Trust your instincts c'mon man, the guy's been chained in a sewer for god only knows how long... of course he sounds a little nuts! It's incredible he's sane enough to even string two words together, at this point...]

[He does sound like he's getting more frustrated, though.]}

Enough... enough!

I don't want to answer any more questions... I need to see light again. I need to get OUT of this place!

The chain is over there-- attached to the side of the wall! Do you see it?

_{[If Kaito does look (instead of possibly wading back in the direction that he came), sure enough... a length of chain, covered in weeds and sewer sludge, rises from the water over in the very corner of the chamber-- dangerously close to where the threshing machines whir. It's attached to the sewer wall.]}

[... well on the bright side, his hostile reaction to his questions makes him less inclined to remove that chain 8T He searches the dark room for said restraint, noticing it connected to the wall close to those whirring machines. That chain is... suspiciously large. Almost too large for a normal human male.

He doesn't move toward it, though. But he doesn't move away either]

I see it.

[A beat, and despite the man specifically saying he didn't want to answer any more questions, Kaito shoots him another one. There is something not right about this situation, and he isn't going to do anything until he has all of the information he needs.]

What's the first thing you're gonna do when you get out of here?

_{[There's a sort of silence from the unseen man, and when he speaks again, there's a definite coldness. He seems to at least realize that he's at the mercy of the 'foreigner', though.]}

I am losing patience...

But...

Water. Fresh water.

I've been trapped in this filth for so long I can hardly remember the taste.

[... all right, that's an answer. Slowly, he starts wading his way to the chain, careful not to get too close to those whirring machines]

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