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ISN’T THAT ODD. Aubrey was struck by an ironic thought as she picked her way through the debris-littered tunnel. I was so glad to get out of these tunnels yesterday, and yet here I am, choosing to go even further underground. I’m not even sure why it’s so important I go this way—I just know it is.
The gaps where darkness reigned were growing longer, as the sporadic lighting fixtures became more irregular. She had only the teasing glimmer of the next light down the tunnel to draw her on.
Aubrey reluctantly curbed her reckless desire to put as much distance between herself and Jane as possible. The dim lighting and treacherous footing forced her to advance with caution.
The ebb and flow of her pace made it difficult to estimate how long she’d been moving or how much ground she’d covered.
If only Snake Lady could see me now, Aubrey gloated, in equal parts triumph and trepidation. Not so weak and defenseless after all, am I?
But the worried part of her mind asserted itself with more insistence the longer she walked. You know she’ll come after you, Aubs. Whatever else she might be, Snake Lady’s no quitter. And once she gets angry, she’ll hunt you like one of the Soul-less.
Aubrey harbored no doubts about Jane’s tenacity. Much as she disliked her, she had to admit Jane was a tough—very tough—and resourceful opponent. She wouldn’t take kindly to Aubrey striking off on her own.
Let her come. Aubrey’s thoughts slid easily from bitterness to malice. She’s underestimated me all along. I can do this. I don’t need Snake Lady. Or her attitude. If I see that smug look on her face one more time . . .
Aubrey paused mid-step, taken aback by her sudden craving for vengeance. She heard her own words, as if they were echoing around inside her head, and was alarmed by her uncharacteristic desire to inflict pain. Is this Snake Lady’s effect on me? Am I getting as cold and heartless as she is?
Aubrey squinted at the next patch of illumination, perhaps twenty meters or so ahead. She stepped forward cautiously, testing the ground ahead for tripping hazards. The inner pull to flee was greater than the desire to confront Jane—assuming she was right about Snake Lady following her.
Aubrey caught at the railing to her left, steeling herself against revulsion as she grasped its slimy surface. Nauseated, her sullen thoughts fastened on the maddening lack of light in the tunnel. The smell was bad enough, but without adequate lighting, she couldn’t increase her pace without risking injury.
As if to prove her point, her questing foot kicked away a chunk of unseen debris. The impact was bruising, and she stifled a sharp exclamation as she lifted her throbbing foot.
She reached down to massage her toes, until she remembered the filth covering the floor. She jerked her hand away, and spat on the floor in disgust.
Balanced on one foot, still grasping the noxious railing, she froze, her pain forgotten. She detected a sound behind her, all but imperceptible. What was that? A foot step? Or just some loose concrete crumbling down the wall?
Aubrey remained immobile, listening with an alertness she hadn’t known she was capable of. All of her senses seemed heightened—hearing, sight, smell. She realized she was scenting the dank air with exaggerated inhalations, like a hound on the trail, trying to catch a whiff of . . .
What? What could I possibly smell over the sewage? Aubrey shook her head, releasing her grip on the railing as she circled with excruciating slowness, listening intently.
There. She’d just barely been aware of it—the soft, stealthy sound of someone moving toward her.
Please, let it be Snake Lady. Aubrey surprised herself with her thoughts, suddenly alive with malicious anticipation. Please let it be her. I’d love to wipe that arrogant smirk off her face.
An unexpected shaft of light blazed around her, leaving her blinded. Her pursuer had brought a torch of some kind, an intense one. The holder of the light no longer made any pretense of stealth. The footsteps drew closer, confident and sure.
Then they stopped.
Aubrey shielded her eyes, dazzled by the harsh brilliance, doubly glaring after straining to see in the near-darkness of the tunnel. There was no mistaking the voice carrying to her.
“Well, well, Country Girl, where are you off to now?” Jane’s voice held its usual grating buzz-saw of superiority. Come a little closer, Snake Lady, and we’ll soon change that.
Aubrey was startled by the sound of her own breathing. She was almost growling at Jane. What’s happening to me? Has Snake Lady pushed me over some mental edge?
Her eyes began to adjust to the brightness of the light. She could see Jane’s silhouette, and as she continued to look past the shaft of brilliance, she could begin to make out the expression on her face.
Jane stared at Aubrey with a mixture of her usual arrogance and something else Aubrey couldn’t identify.
“Aubrey!” Jane raised her voice, sharp and demanding. “Didn’t you hear me? I asked you a question.”
Aubrey became aware of her own body language, poised like a panther about to leap on its prey, one of the long-bladed knives in her hand. It was pointed right at Jane.
Aubrey didn’t remember bringing one with her, and she had no recollection of pulling it out just now. Part of her trembled inwardly at her own actions, but she took a deliberate step toward Jane, daring her with her eyes. What’s happening to me?
She saw the sudden doubt on Jane’s face, the sweat appearing by her hairline, the slight tremble in the hand holding the light. Now Jane’s other hand came into view, holding a steel-blue handgun, braced against the light she held.
“Aubrey!” Jane’s voice held a new note in it. Was that fear? “Aubrey, talk to me! What’s happening? What are you feeling?”
Now who’s tough, Snake Lady? Now you’re scared, so you call me by my real name? Aubrey took another slow step, not breaking eye contact, a taunting smile spreading across her face. Finally, dear sweet Jane, you’re going to show me some respect.
There was a new resolve in Jane’s eyes, although Aubrey could detect just the slightest quiver in her voice as it raised a notch in stridency. “Aubrey, stop! I mean it. Put the knife down and let us help you before it’s too late.”
Aubrey heard herself laughing, but her voice sounded unnatural, strange. Oh, sure, put the knife down. That’s your offer? I’m not as stupid as you think.
Aubrey raised her weapon higher, the long blade above her head, like a sword-fighter moving in for the kill. The kill? What’s happening to me? I’m not like you, Snake Lady!
She took another convulsive step forward, taunting Jane with her eyes, mocking her with the upheld knife. Snake Lady flinched—she saw it. She didn’t back away from Aubrey’s slow advance, but she’d faltered and then caught herself.
The quiver in her voice spread to the hand holding the light, which began to waver. Aubrey laughed again, scornful this time, never breaking eye contact. She was enjoying the role reversal, exulting in her new-found power over her former nemesis.
“Aubrey, listen to me.” Jane’s grip tightened on the pistol. “It’s in your blood. You know I’ll shoot you if I have to . . .”
Snake Lady never had the chance to finish her threat. Aubrey charged forward, raising the long-bladed knife higher as she screamed in full-throated defiance.
There was a second, blinding explosion of light, a deafening roar.
And then only silence.