Two at a time, the clan swelled to almost their full size at the end of the station platform next to the underground tunnel portal.
Raven: Just Seb and Red to come now guys. Those with torches make sure you conserve the batteries, we’re gonna need them.
Samson: I’ve got a spare one if that helps.
The sound of running footsteps came echoing down the corridor that led to the platform. The group instinctively huddled closer together at the darkest part of the platform, if it wasn’t Seb or Red, then the only place to flee was the subway tunnel itself. Slowly out of the gloom they could make out one small shadowy shape emerging from the corridor. Definitely not adult – it could be Seb – they heard a trembly panicky voice call out.
Seb: Guys! Where are you? It’s Seb!
Raven flashed his torch down the platform for just a moment.
Raven: Seb down here! Where’s Red – is he with you? Be careful of the platform edge, don’t fall off!
Seb managed to slow his run to more of a jog-walk and turned down the platform to where he had seen the torch flash and the sound of Raven’s voice.
Seb: Guys! I can’t see you!
Raven left the others and started towards Seb, using his torch just enough so that he could see the edge of the platform and where he was going. Seb slowed to a walk and when eventually he and Raven met half-way down the platform, he collapsed into Raven’s arms sobbing.
Raven: Seb! What’s the matter? What happened? Where’s Red?
In his heart, Raven already knew, but between sobs, Seb managed to choke out the words.
Seb: He’s… Red… he’s… he’s dead.
Seb sniffed loudly and wiped his nose on his sleeve.
The Marauders saw him. He tried to run – but they shot him. I think… –sniff – I think, he knew what he was doing when he ran – he chose to make a diversion… to – to distract them from us.
For now, Seb could say no more, Raven with his arm around Seb, slowly led him to the end of the platform to meet up with the others.
For a while the boys just sat together in silence, some occasionally hugging the one next to them, or just putting out a hand to touch the arm beside them, they all needed a few moments to try and process the news that Red was gone.
There was a slight commotion, as one of the boys shuffled his way through the group and over to Seb. It was Lewis. He passed something over to Seb.
Lewis: Here. Take Dogger. He likes to be squished tight – he helps me when I feel sad.
Seb accepted and took Dogger and squished him tight.
Raven: Guys. We can’t stay here. We need to get moving. Those with torches, pair up with those that don’t.
He flashed his torch up on the subway map that showed where they were now at Bridge Street, and then all the stations to the end of the line. He counted along the line of stations – there were nine to the end.
This is the River Line – the last station is Barking Green. Red mentioned to me earlier that is where we need to get to; he said he’d heard there was a safe house there. Let’s get as far along, and as far away from here as we can before we take a rest.
The boys all stood and shook out the cold that seemed to have seeped into their bones while sitting on the platform. Carefully they climbed down off the platform and onto the tracks below. Keeping to one side, there was just enough room to walk single file through the tunnel, those with torches interspersed with those that were without.
The underground River Line went under and followed for some distance, the main arterial road they had crossed earlier. After passing several stations, the line turned and crossed under the river itself on its way to the outskirts of the city. Using their torches just enough to show the way, they were able to avoid (mostly), tripping over the rails and sleepers. Raven had cautioned them to keep conversation to a minimum, so to avoid their voices echoing down the tunnel. Not that any of them felt like talking anyway.
It took about fifteen minutes of solid walking before they came across the next station, Edgewater. Samson, one of the more confident boys, carefully scouted ahead and along the platform to make sure that there would be no surprise encounters. After cautiously passing through several stations, they had now checked off five stations down the line.
They had made it as far as East Houndsford – with just four more stations to go. It was now several hours since leaving the basement, and no one had yet eaten anything. Some of the boys were starting to trip and stumble more often on the sleepers as they walked along.
Raven: We better take a break, before someone trips and hurts themselves. Does anyone know what time it is?
Samson was one of the few boys who owned a watch, which had once belonged to his father. It had luminous hands which he could easily see in the darkness of the tunnel.
Samson: It’s just after one in the morning.
Raven sighed and yawned, which proved somewhat infectious, a number of the others yawned as well.
Raven: Let’s get some rest – I reckon we are far enough away from Bridge Street now.
The others wearily nodded their agreement, and they climbed up onto the platform of East Houndsford station. They made a camp of sorts at one end of the platform, those who had packed a sleeping bag or blanket rolling them out on the floor. After everyone had settled into a spot, and made themselves as comfortable as they could, some of them slipped off a little further down the platform to relieve themselves. On the way back Samson spotted something out of the corner of his eye, just a little way down one of the side corridors.
Samson: Hey! Look at that! I don’t believe it!
‘That’, turned out to be a vending machine, and amazingly, it still contained quite a few snack bars, candy, and packets of potato chips. Even more amazing was that the door had already been prised open, and some of the packets had spilled out onto the floor. The entire contents of the vending machine were soon scooped up and stuffed inside jackets to take back and share with the others.
The mood on the East Houndsford station platform had now lightened just a little, and after everyone had eaten their share, and with their eyes becoming too heavy to keep open a moment longer, they were all soon asleep.
Screw Pile Developments 