"I think I should turn around."

The boy says.

"I don't want to risk getting lost."

He continues.

"Okay. Thank you for taking me this far. I'll continue on, on my own."

"Do you think you can find your way out?"

He asks.

"I should be okay. I'll go in one direction for a few minutes. If I don't find a way out. I'll turn around and try the other. I'll keep an arm on the wall to make sure it doesn't branch off."

I say.

"Alright. good luck Levi. I hope you make it where ever you're going on time."

With a wave goodbye the boy turns around and returns the way came. I decide to try my luck on the left tunnel.

Barely a minute passes before I spot another light ahead. Trying to keep from getting my hopes up. I brace myself for another light bulb and another fork, as I approach.

Instead I'm relived to find the light coming from the ceiling. A man hole opening that's already slid off to the side. Only half covering the hole.

With a little effort, I am able to push it off the rest of the way. Jumping I get a good hold of the ledge and pull myself up and out.

Looking around, I appear to be in an empty parking lot. Hidden between a few warehouses. I replace the cover over half the hole as I had found it, before heading out of the lot.

Exiting the lot and finding my way to the street, the area looks much more industrial than what I'd seen of the city so far. But it doesn't take me long to find a corner with the street names listed.

I dig out my map and search around to find exactly where I am. As luck would have it. I'm only a few blocks away from where I need to catch the subway. In order to meet the man that will hopefully be introducing me to a group of fellow survivors.

I begin walking in the direction I need to be. Only two blocks pass before the city starts looking like what I had been seeing before, again.

I pop into a small dinner. Waiting to order a muffin and a coffee to go. I glance at the wall and notice a clock hanging there. I've still got two hours to waste. So I decide to get a table and sit for a while.

After reading the menu. I listen to the waitresses banter with the patrons of another table. Herself and the three guests all seem to just be taking turns insulting each other. There's no doubt in my mind they're all MPs.

Once they're finished their script. She finally makes her way over to me.

"What'll it be hun?"

She asks. Leaning in a little too close.

Getting a bit flustered I Just say the number associated with my order. Instead of the full name.

"A um... A number two please. With coffee."

"How do you take it?"

"Black."

She leans in even closer. Brushing her hair back behind her ear.

"Aww, you sure you don't want any sugar?"

"Quite sure, thank you."

Shooting up erect again. She quickly starts to pace back to the kitchen. Saying.

"Suit yourself."

As she leaves.

Waiting for my breakfast to arrive, I spot a newspaper abandoned on a table across the room. As I'm grabbing it and heading back to my own table. The waitress comes out of the kitchen carry a mug in one hand and a pot of coffee in the other.

"That's today's issue."

She calls out.

I place the paper on the seat next to me as I sit down.

"Thank you."

I say. Both for the coffee and telling me about the paper.

Waiting for her to finish pouring the coffee and walk away before picking up the paper. So as not to be rude.

THE STAND

MONSTROUS MASKED MENACES MOONLIT MELEE

The headline catches my attention. I unfold the paper to find a picture of Manbug punching a child in the face. The bottom corner of the picture says full story on page three.

I quickly flip over to find several more pictures of Manbug beating children. Including one in which he is standing at the end of a pier. A child held with both arms above his head. Followed by another without the child. Where his arms are down and water at the end of the pier is splashing up.

Scanning the article, it's broken down into sections. The title of one jumps out and grabs my attention.

KNOWN ACCOMPLICES

underneath which is a picture of my face.

My attention is locked on the paper. I would not have noticed the waitress coming back again had she not called out on her way over.

"I got your eggs and toast here."

Quickly I fold the paper over and stuff it down on my seat. pushing it half way under my leg.

"You haven't read today's paper yet have you?"

I ask.

"Not yet."

She says, placing my order on the table.

"Why? You in it?"

She continues, laughing.

"No."

I freeze for a moment.

"Just making conversation."

eventually eeks out.

"Okay, well you let me know when you need a refill on that coffee."

She says with a smile, as she walks away.

I grab the paper again and continue reading.

"Citizen Levi should be considered armed and dangerous. This unhinged individual has been known to skulk around in alleyways, rooftops, construction sites, and sewers at night. There have also been reports of him chasing children through parks. And jumping out of the window of a very tall buildings. It is unknown at this time how he survives these falls. If seen, do not approach."