They’ve lived with us for years. A few hours ago, they took a walk down the Lexington Avenue Line. They never returned.”
Lexington Avenue Line? How come I didn’t see them?
“Maybe they got sidetracked,” I suggested. “Or maybe they went somewhere else altogether.”
“I doubt it. We’ve lost five people in similar fashion over the past few months.”
“Maybe they got sick of the crappy existence your colony seems to offer. Seriously, what the hell happened to you people?”
He clenched his fists. “It’s just a bug. The worst of it has passed. Maybe the others weren’t so lucky, but the rest of us are going to make it.”
“Wait, are you saying that people died down here too?”
“That’s enough questions. You need to leave.”
I tried to read his face but it was a mask of blankness. In my travels, I’d seen other communities with similar characteristics to his colony. Most of them functioned just fine in good times. But when things got tough, they tended to put their faith in the wrong sort of leaders. They chose smooth-talking charlatans who promised easy answers and quick fixes. More often than not, those things led the people into even greater disaster.
Was that the story behind Ghost and his colony? It made sense. Outcast by society and ravaged by disease, the survivors would’ve been tempted to turn to a charismatic leader. Ghost, with his fame, strong presence, raspy voice, and lively eyes, was a natural choice. As he consolidated his power, some people left on their own volition. The ones who stayed behind lost the capacity to act on their own.
But even as I considered the scenario, I found myself rejecting it. Despite his prickly attitude, I sensed that Ghost wasn’t interested in acquiring power. Instead, he seemed legitimately concerned for the welfare of his people.
I decided to extend an olive branch. “Are you sure…?”
“Go. Now. And don’t come back.”
“I’m not leaving without my stuff.”
He considered me for a moment. Then, he shrugged and handed me my gun and machete. After returning them to their rightful places, I retrieved my satchel from the ground.
At Ghost’s nod, the two men holding Beverly released her. Slowly, we backed out of the layup yard, keeping a close watch on the colonists.
“You okay?” I asked her.
“A few bruises but I’ll manage. You?”
“Nothing a couple of shots won’t fix.”
“They look sick. What do you make of it?”
“No clue. Let’s just hope they aren’t contagious.”
“Agreed.” She glanced at me. “Do you think we should get checked out?”
“Not yet. I want to take another look at the Lexington Avenue Line.”
“Now?”
“Especially now. Ghost mentioned that two people recently went missing while walking through the tunnel.”
“So what? They probably fled this hellhole.”
“Communities like this one are built on longstanding relationships and trust. People don’t just leave, even if they are sick. No, I think they vanished. And if we find them, we might just find Kolen and Adcock too.”
“Do you think something bad happened to them?”
I thought for a moment. “Yes. Yes, I do.”
Chapter 17
Inch by inch, I worked my way through the tunnel system, examining every single crack, cranny, and nook. I knew I was missing something.
But what exactly?
My foot splashed in water. My gaze shot to the ground. Under my boots, I saw a small stream running next to the tracks. It wasn’t deep enough to reach the third rail. Still, I didn’t feel particularly comfortable standing in it.
Beverly pointed her flashlight to the other side of the tunnel. “It’s over there too. Where’s it coming from?”
“The storm,” I replied. “The rain must’ve raised the water levels in the Hudson and East Rivers. That overwhelmed the pumps, assuming they’re even still operating. Probably parts of the sewer system too.”
She edged to the side, as far away from the third rail as space permitted. I
Lexington Avenue Line? How come I didn’t see them?
“Maybe they got sidetracked,” I suggested. “Or maybe they went somewhere else altogether.”
“I doubt it. We’ve lost five people in similar fashion over the past few months.”
“Maybe they got sick of the crappy existence your colony seems to offer. Seriously, what the hell happened to you people?”
He clenched his fists. “It’s just a bug. The worst of it has passed. Maybe the others weren’t so lucky, but the rest of us are going to make it.”
“Wait, are you saying that people died down here too?”
“That’s enough questions. You need to leave.”
I tried to read his face but it was a mask of blankness. In my travels, I’d seen other communities with similar characteristics to his colony. Most of them functioned just fine in good times. But when things got tough, they tended to put their faith in the wrong sort of leaders. They chose smooth-talking charlatans who promised easy answers and quick fixes. More often than not, those things led the people into even greater disaster.
Was that the story behind Ghost and his colony? It made sense. Outcast by society and ravaged by disease, the survivors would’ve been tempted to turn to a charismatic leader. Ghost, with his fame, strong presence, raspy voice, and lively eyes, was a natural choice. As he consolidated his power, some people left on their own volition. The ones who stayed behind lost the capacity to act on their own.
But even as I considered the scenario, I found myself rejecting it. Despite his prickly attitude, I sensed that Ghost wasn’t interested in acquiring power. Instead, he seemed legitimately concerned for the welfare of his people.
I decided to extend an olive branch. “Are you sure…?”
“Go. Now. And don’t come back.”
“I’m not leaving without my stuff.”
He considered me for a moment. Then, he shrugged and handed me my gun and machete. After returning them to their rightful places, I retrieved my satchel from the ground.
At Ghost’s nod, the two men holding Beverly released her. Slowly, we backed out of the layup yard, keeping a close watch on the colonists.
“You okay?” I asked her.
“A few bruises but I’ll manage. You?”
“Nothing a couple of shots won’t fix.”
“They look sick. What do you make of it?”
“No clue. Let’s just hope they aren’t contagious.”
“Agreed.” She glanced at me. “Do you think we should get checked out?”
“Not yet. I want to take another look at the Lexington Avenue Line.”
“Now?”
“Especially now. Ghost mentioned that two people recently went missing while walking through the tunnel.”
“So what? They probably fled this hellhole.”
“Communities like this one are built on longstanding relationships and trust. People don’t just leave, even if they are sick. No, I think they vanished. And if we find them, we might just find Kolen and Adcock too.”
“Do you think something bad happened to them?”
I thought for a moment. “Yes. Yes, I do.”
Chapter 17
Inch by inch, I worked my way through the tunnel system, examining every single crack, cranny, and nook. I knew I was missing something.
But what exactly?
My foot splashed in water. My gaze shot to the ground. Under my boots, I saw a small stream running next to the tracks. It wasn’t deep enough to reach the third rail. Still, I didn’t feel particularly comfortable standing in it.
Beverly pointed her flashlight to the other side of the tunnel. “It’s over there too. Where’s it coming from?”
“The storm,” I replied. “The rain must’ve raised the water levels in the Hudson and East Rivers. That overwhelmed the pumps, assuming they’re even still operating. Probably parts of the sewer system too.”
She edged to the side, as far away from the third rail as space permitted. I
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