Excerpt-1: The Apocalypse

Progress has been slow on this story. Here is an excerpt from part 1:

Suddenly there was an incredibly loud BOOM and pebbles of the safety glass covered the two men. The building shook and a few ceiling tiles fell, followed by clouds of dust. The knot of young women screamed and ran out the door, followed by the rest of the patrons of the parlor.

The window lit up again. “Over here!” said Dorelin. “We’ll be safer underground!” Ti’con followed Dorelin as he headed for the stairway door, but they were met by a young woman exiting the restroom.

“What’s happened? Did something explode?” she said.

“Come with us! It’s safer down here.” Dorelin opened the stairway door and motioned for her to enter.

“I don’t know…”

Another explosion shook the building and threw them all to the floor. Ceiling tiles and clouds of dust covered them.

Ti’con was the first to regain his feet.  He pulled the door open and barked, “Everyone in and down!”

The windows were illuminated by bright light again. The woman immediately stood up and headed down the stairs, followed by Dorelin and Ti’con. There was another loud boom and the stairway shook slightly. The lights flickered to dimness a few times. They all kept going down.

“Where are we going?” said Ti’con.

“Down to the tube-way,” said Dorelin between breaths. “It’s safer than a bomb-shelter down here–from everything!” The woman was now a full flight below the men, despite the clanking of her fancy shoes on the metal steps.

“Wait, what’s a bomb shelter?” said Ti’con.

Dorelin replied, “Ancient history, my friend, from another time and another world.”

They heard another boom, but it was muffled by distance. They met the young woman at a large steel door at the bottom of the steps.

Ti’con brushed some dust from his shoulders. “We haven’t been introduced, Miss. I am Darrone Ti’con.”

“And I’m Dorelin Barinium.”

She looked at him and said softly, “I am Shengek Barinium.”

Dorelin said, “The Council Chair’s daughter?”

She nodded slowly. Then she cleared her throat and said,“What’s going on?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know.  Meteor strikes, maybe. We’re safe here and we can make our way through the tubes.”

“Can you get me to my father?”
    “It will take time, but yes I can.”

Ti’con said,” You say that with such confidence. Do you know the transport tube system that well?”

Dorelin looked at his friend and smiled. “I was a tunnel rat in my youth.” He pulled the metal door open to reveal a dimly lit passageway. “Shall we?”

Ti’con extended his hand, indicating to his friend. “Lead on.”

Dorelin went through the door first, followed by Shengek and finally by Ti’con. Moments later a boom resounded in the stairwell followed by sounds of rock and metal crashing down. Dorelin ran to the door and tried opening it. “Blocked,” he said.

“No way but forward then,” agreed Ti’con.

Shengek looked displeased, but followed as Dorelin led them through the passageway.