I'm Not 'Strange' You're Just Way Too 'Normal'

Chapter 2; Ahah--Oh, you're SERIOUS.

"You mean to say I have to climb into that shithole?" I asked incredulously, as he moved the big metal circle thing out of the hole. I was serious now.  

"Oh, come on, it doesn't lead to the sewer. And there's nothing gross down there, I promise. Well, maybe a few rats, but-"  

"Rats? RATS? I /LOVE/ rats!" I said happily. Chance looked at me strangely.  

"I seriously never know what to expect from you."  

"Well, that's good, isn't it? I don't want anybody to be able to predict what I'll say, or know what I'll do. That's just...I dunno, stupid." I shrugged, then deciding to climb into the m-manhole. I stuck a foot in, then another, then I decided actually climbing was a hassle, so I let go completely and landed on the hard concrete floor below.  

"Oh my god, Evelyn! Evelyn! Are you alright? Where are you? Are yo-" Chance was shouting into the hole.  

"You moron! I'm /fine/. I let go on purpose!" I yelled back up at him.  

"I, uh, okay! Never mind." Then; "I'm coming down now!"  

I could tell he was trying hard to come down fast, but he still took a good 5 minutes. My way was a whole lot simpler. When we were both down here, I decided to look around this unfamiliar territory. It was dark, but I could see perfectly, even though there was no visible light source. I suspected Chance had left the manhole open. Idiot.  

"Right. This way." He said, leading me off to the right. I trusted that he wasn't leading me into a trap, so I followed passively. To my surprise, the passage we were trudging down wasn't slime covered, or anything sewer-like.  

"How do you know humans won't come down here and find out about this place?" I asked, looking around as if humans might leap out of the shadows with guns. What can I say? I'm paranoid.  

"We keep them distracted. After all, they haven't worked on this site in a long time, because something always 'happens' that makes them leave. Some say it's haunted." He replied.  

"Lovely." I said sarcastically.  

We continued at a fast pace then on, and I was aware of adrenaline softly pumping through my veins.  

A soft glow was emanating from somewhere further down the tunnel, and soon we arrived at its source. Orangey light rimmed a door. A perfectly normal door. One you'd see on a suburban house. Strange. Okay, I'm guessing this is where they live.  

Chance pulled a normal-looking key out of one of his pockets, and slipped it into the door. I was beginning to be cautious. He wasn't acting like his sister was in trouble. He looked...uncertain. Or maybe glad? There was that excited look from earlier. Suddenly, I didn't trust Chance. I wanted to run back down the tunnel, climb up that stupid ladder, and run at a speed of 200 mph home.  

He turned the normal doorknob, and the door swung open.  

"Welcome to my humble home." He said, unnecessarily. It was a rectangular room, with couches on either side, lamps, a coffee table in the center of the room, and even a small fridge, sink, and stove. I looked at Chance with an untrustworthy look on my face. Where had he taken me? Where had I /let/ him take me? I was sure I could beat the living shit outta him, but that didn't mean I wanted to.  

"Ladies first." He said using his hand to indicate I should go into the room. Hell, if I got ambushed, well, I'd get ambushed in the hallway-thing too. Best see what the jerk wanted first. I glanced at the door quickly, and let out a breath I'd been holding as I realized it was just wood. Thank god.  

Or not, I thought as the door suddenly snapped shut behind Chance. Eira was leaning against the door with a smirk on her pale face.  

"Sit down, Evelyn." She said in a quiet, but commanding voice.