Chapter 4 The Subway (Ray and Gavin)

Stale chips. Who would think that they’d taste so heavenly? Ray looked down at the bag. It was a cheap product, wasn’t a big brand name, but it still tasted good. They were a little spicy though. ‘Well, it’s what you get for finding the spiced barbeque type, Ray.’ He told himself. Ray got up from his seat and ate the last chip. He observed his surroundings.

The tunnel was dark, it’s only light source was a flickering overhead lamp. It was a creepy kind of dark. Like an ‘I’m going to murder you in this subway’ kind of dark. It reminded Ray of a scene from “American WerePony in London”.

“Gavin?” He asked. Ray tried not to raise his voice. He didn’t need any unwanted attention.

“Yeah X-Ray?” He heard his friend’s voice not too far away. “Where are you at?” He asked.

“I’m in the clothing store looking for stuff.”

Ray began walking to the store Gavin was in. The tile floor was cold and unwelcoming, just like the rest of the subway. An overturned bench was flopped a few feet away from Ray. A few damaged and looted vending machines along with crumpled food and napkins as well. There weren’t any trains on the tracks but Ray knew that they would be one further down the tunnel.

Finally the red unicorn reached the store Gavin was in. He stopped in front of it to access the damage taken.

Very few letters remained spelling: OE S PP REL. From the letters remained and the ones on the floor, Ray knew it spelled JOE’S APPAREL. The floor was carpeted an unattractive blue and the walls were a disgusting yellow. Shelves once stocked with shirts and caps and hoodies were picked clean.

“Come on in. I found some stuff.” He heard Gavin said. Ray entered, trying to look for his friend. A blue head popped up from behind the counter. Gavin was grinning.

His mane was a dirty blonde and his eyes were the purest green. Side burns ran down by his ears. He wore a dangling necklace of a creeper’s face. Michael had given it to him. Gavin didn’t like to hear the others’ names, especially Michael. The blue earth pony was missing his boi bad and everyday he felt like he was going to refuse to go further. He still kept a positive act up, though.

“Hey Vav, watcha’ find?” He asked. Gavin stuck his tongue out in a goofy fashion and went below the counter. Ray tilted his head in confusion. Gavin popped back up with a baseball cap. “What is it?” He asked. Gavin dropped the cap on the counter and gestured for Ray to come closer.

Ray trotted up to it and got a closer look. Ray smiled. It was a New York Mets cap. It was mainly black but the visor was a navy blue. NY was sketched on the front. It was blue with a white and orange outline.

Gavin knew Ray’s life in New York had been tough but sometimes it was good to be proud of where you’re from. The unicorn gave him a smile and levitated the cap. He placed it on his head. “Thanks Gavin. I needed that.”

Gavin smiled and nodded. “You’re welcome. Now,” Gavin spun around and stood next to a boarded door. Ray quirked an eyebrow. “We need to get this door down.” Gavin tried to balance himself on his bottom hooves. He ended up unbalanced and landed flat on his rump. “You alright?” Ray asked, not bothering to hide his laugh.

“Yeah, I guess I am.” Gavin rubbed the back of his neck. He got to his hooves and beckoned for Ray to help him. Ray leapt over the counter and examined the door. “The hinges look rusted.” The door was-or used to be-a strong iron door that locked for anyone besides employees. The ‘Employees Only’ writing was scratched out but Ray could tell it was there.

The hinges were rusted and Ray couldn’t believe how the door had stayed that way for so long. “How about before we try to balance ourselves out, we hold on to the door?” Ray suggested with a smile. Gavin lightly blushed and placed his fore hooves on the metal.

Ray did the same and moved his left fore hoof to the top of the door. He squeezed it in between the wall and the door and said, “Alright, pull.” Gavin looked confused. “Pull? Shouldn’t we push?” He asked. Ray moved his head to point to the other corner. “Wedge your hoof between door and the wall. Then pull.” Gavin nodded and did as told.

“One.”

“Two.”

“Three!”

The two stallions were sent on their backs as the door came down. Dust flew out at them as a dark hallway was revealed. Ray got to his hooves and peeked inside. Gavin joined him. “Come on. Be careful, something might be in here.” Ray said. He grabbed his baseball bat from his pack. Gavin grabbed a wrench that was strapped to his side.

Both cautiously walked inside the room. Ray took a sniff of the room. It wasn’t putrid but it certainly didn’t smell like a Yankee Candle. “Smells like stale coffee and cigarettes.” Gavin observed. The red unicorn nodded.

On the left wall was a line of TVs. Most were broken, things smashed into them or wires yanked from their sockets. Ray counted five TVs still working. Though two of them had static inferences and were gray and black. The other three, however, were black and white security cameras placed somewhere in the subway. Ray held his bat close and walked close to the system.

A limp body was sprawled on the red swivel chairs. Gavin poked it with his wrench. “Dobkiss, stop poking it.” Ray chuckled. Gavin looked up confused. “What? I’m not-,” “Shh!” Ray shushed him. “There’s activity in Railway Five.” He raised a red hoof to point at the track. “Are those…zombies?” Gavin asked. Ray nodded.

Dozens of zombies were barreling down the track, running each other over and hitting each other. “It looks like they’re Black Friday shopping.” Ray said, getting a chuckle out of Gavin. “What Railway are we on?”

Ray studied the map. “Here. Railway Three.” “Oh bullocks, that’s close.” Gavin stated. Ray nodded. “Any trains down here? You spot any?” Gavin shook his head. “Crap. We don’t have time to go exploring. Grab a flashlight and follow me.”
………

Squish.

Squelch.

Splash!

Squish.

Squelch.

Splash!

The mud was gross and smelled disgusting under their hooves. “How would’ve it gotten wet? It obviously doesn’t rain underground.” Gavin wondered. “It’s damp.” Ray responded. “I know that but it’s soaked! Flooded, even.” Ray shrugged. “Maybe a leak in the sewers.” He responded calmly. Gavin gagged. “Toss! You’re telling me I’ve been waltzing in poo and piss this entire time?” Gavin asked, disgusted. “Probably.” Ray grinned.

“Any subs yet?” Gavin looked under his hooves. “None.” The New Yorker responded. The hat was still on his head. “Though I’d like one. Pretty hungry.” Ray’s stomach growled. “What? Oh never mind. I meant-,” “I know you meant a train. But here, a sub’s a sandwich. Not a locomotive.”

Gavin shrugged. “Michael used to call them hoagies.” Ray nodded. “New Jersey thing.” Gavin trotted next to Ray. “Have you ever been?” The unicorn looked to Gavin. “To New Jersey? Nah. Well I’ve been to Morey’s Pier. God. I wonder what that looks like now.” Ray said.

“I wonder what Cambridge looks like. Or Trottingham. Or Hampshire for that matter. I’d love to see EuroDisney.” Ray chucked. “EuroDisney sucks!” “Does not!” Gavin defended. “Does it have Animal Kingdom? Epcot? Disney World’s the best.” Silence followed.

“Remember when we went to Six Flags?” Gavin asked. “Yeah it was a ‘Great Adventure’.” He mocked. “Yeah…Michael took me on Kingda Ka.” Gavin shuddered. “Really high up…but nothing’s a challenge for Team Nice Dyna-,” “Shh! I hear them!” Ray put his hoof in Gavin’s mouth. The blue pony batted it away.

“Stay quiet and stick to the shadows.” Ray whispered. “Like ninjas!” Gavin added. Ray shot him a glare. “Sorry…” The two quietly snuck around side of the tunnel. Ray motioned for them to stick to the right side. When the duo got further up, Gavin spotted a train. “Ray! Psst!” He whispered. Ray’s head swung towards him. “Look! There’s a train up there.” He gestured to a gray, yellow, and blue locomotive. “Yeah…come on. Let’s check it out.” The two trotted up to the machinery.

Ray raised a hoof to pull apart the doors but he didn’t need to pull hard. The door practically opened on its own, making Ray shrug. The unicorn leapt up onto it and motioned for Gavin to join him. The earth pony followed him on.

Inside the train, poles ran from the bottom to top for people without seats, blue seats lined the sides, and the floor was carpeted a dark blue. The room smelled like something had died or was decaying. Ray looked down at floor to see something had died. The carpet was soaking with blood. A weapon was lying next to the body.

It was a gun. A small pistol. Maybe a desert eagle. But it was a gun nonetheless. Ray levitated the gun, checking for any bullets. “It’s still loaded with a few bullets. Maybe seven or eight.” He placed a gun on a seat for Gavin to see.

The body was a young colt with a brown mane and tail. He was a dark blue unicorn. Glasses were placed on his little snout. He had a trowel and a potato as a cutie mark. “What does that mean?” Gavin gestured to his flank. “My guess, some type of farmer. Maybe a potato farmer.”

The colt looked to be a good ten years younger than Ray. “He killed himself.” Ray stated. “W-why?” Gavin asked with teary eyes. “Maybe he couldn’t take it. It’s a lot of pressure for a young colt to handle.” Gavin pointed to his right hoof. “I-I think t-that’s why.” Ray held the hoof.

A large bite mark was around his back right hoof. “He didn’t…want to turn. Poor soul.” Ray said, now feeling saddened. The young pony had a large gaping wound near his ear. Ray held out a hoof to feel around it. “What are you doing?” Gavin asked. “Looking for the bullet.” Ray looked into the wound.

“To salvage? Ray! That’s disrespectful!” Gavin snorted. Ray looked back. “Why? He’s not using it anymore.” “What if Geoff had been stabbed. Would you pull the knife from his chest to use it?” Ray shook his head. “Don’t desecrate the body. Leave the poor colt as he is.” Ray nodded and got off the body.

“We should bury him.” “In the sewers? He’ll be sleeping with the decaying fishes.” Ray said. “But it’d be proper. The poor boy could’ve gone through what we’ve gone through. Or worse!” Gavin defended. “Gavin, yeah everypony does deserve a proper burial but here’s the thing: is a proper burial really under these conditions? The colt’ll be laying in shit and rats. And we don’t have the time to lug his body around. Sorry Gavin.” Ray said.

Gavin looked at the floor dejectedly. He scanned the room. “We can at least pay him some respect.” The earth pony grabbed a leather jacket from one of the chairs. He wrapped the colt in it. Ray rolled his eyes.

“Please Ray?” He put on the best puppy eyes he could bear. Ray huffed. “Fine.” The two lifted the young Pegasus off the ground and slid him off the train. They placed him nicely on the ground, further away from the train. “Come on then, lad. Let’s go!” Ray gathered the English pony up and they got back on the train.

………

Shzick!

Szzt!

Shzick!

Szzt!

Schzick!

Sz-
“Uh Ray? Could you stop?” Gavin asked. He was trying to sleep. Ray smiled sheepishly and apologized. “Sorry.” He was flipping his pocket knife in and out with his hoof. Gavin smiled and rested his head on an edge of his seat. He closed his eyes.

They had gotten the train working and they were currently riding it who knows where. They just had to keep going. Find the others.

Ray ran his hoof around the blade. It wasn’t too sharp but it was useful. It kind of reminded Ray of a sword. Maybe not a really cool one like knights used but still a sword. The way the blade formed, it resembled a ninja’s sword. What were they called? Katanas. Yeah…that was it. Like some samurai. A Ronin. A samurai with no master.

Ray shook his head and looked up. “Do we have any books?” One hazel eye opened up. “Huh?” Ray asked again. “Any books to read? I need to pass the time.” Gavin yawned and straightened himself out. “Uh…maybe. Let me check my pack.” Gavin opened up his leather pack and searched insides. A canteen, a watch, a screwdriver…ah! “Hey what do you know I do! I think I might have found it back in the city. In Austin. When it all started.”

He handed Ray a dark covered novel entitled ‘And Then There Were Nine’. Ray raised an eyebrow at the book. “I’m assuming this isn’t a comedy?” Gavin chuckled. “Well…thanks.”

Thomas studied the country side. The mountains were graced with large evergreens and the lake glistened beautifully. The sky was blue and rarely dotted with clouds. Birds explored the beauty of it, making him jealous. Such an easy life. Why was their life so easy? Why did he have to attend ridiculous dinner parties with people he didn’t know?

“What are you thinking, brother?” Thomas looked to his right. He brother, Nikolas, was looking at him. He had emerald eyes and a freckled light brown face. A short brown man accompanied his head. Nikolas wore black thin glasses and a black tux.

Thomas was wearing a black under piece with a navy blue coat. His hair was blonde with an orange stripe through the top. His fur was a light green. “Just how I don’t want to be here. London is where I belong.” True to his word, the industrial city was Thomas’ home. He often didn’t like traveling out of his own city, even.

“Oh come on, Tom! A little adventure never hurts anybody.” Nikolas assured. “I promise you a little dinner party and then we’ll be back on the train to home. Alright?” Tom huffed but nodded.
“Why are we even going?” the green pony asked.
“For Great Aunt Jan’s sake. Ma said she knew this guy ‘Rohiender’ back when she lived in the country. This guy’s rich now.” Money did sound good to Thomas.

“Who else is going to be here?” Tom still studied the mountains and the lake. “Seven others, not counting Sir Rohiender and us. I believe two are already there and four are on this train.” Nikolas took a sip of his tea. “The other?” Tom raised an eyebrow.

“Mmm…not quite sure. He’s an American, you know. The other one. Here, let me check there names.” The brown earth pony picked up a small note and scanned it over.

“Sir Gustav Herdio of Spain, Madam Alyda Mossiuelle and Sir Ugar Killivo of France, Sir Jahz Fruiz of Russia, Miss Anita Keohan of Ireland, Miss Ava Lucinuel of Italy, and Jonathan Baker of America.” He handed me the note. “Are all these ‘of’s really necessary?” I asked. He shrugged.

Ray yawned and closed the book. He made sure to bend the tip of the page slightly so he wouldn’t lose his page. He looked up to see Gavin sprawled out against the seats. He was sleeping soundly. Ray laughed to himself and placed the book down. The unicorn used his hoof as a pillow and closed his eyes.
………

“Mhmm…” Ray murmured. He felt an immense head ache. He rubbed his eyes and tried to get up. He shouldn’t have slept in that position. The book was on the floor. He must have kicked it off in his sleep. The unicorn got to his hooves and looked out. The train had stopped. Was he asleep that long? Was Gavin still asleep?

Ray turned to his right to see the blue earth pony still resting peacefully. If they hadn’t stopped it manually why wouldn’t just continue? It wasn’t on automatic. Ray felt a slight sting on his neck. He searched for his bag and picked it up. Rummaging through the front he found an old mirror he used to use.

Ray tried to get a good view of his neck and his eyes widened in surprise. The number “5” was printed. He put the mirror away and looked to Gavin. Was that a number on him, too?

He approached his friend and batted away at one of his front fore hooves. There was a number on his neck, too! It was the number “2”!

The stallion looked to his book. A small piece of paper was jutting out of the front. ‘I didn’t use a bookmark.’ Ray reminded himself. He picked up the book and pulled out the piece of paper. The manuscript was hoof written and sloppy but Ray could still read it.

“Life is a mystery. Answers must be found. Find them.” Nothing else. No hints. No clues. Ray felt like he was thrown into a mystery novel. Except in this case, there was no freaking way the butler did it…

Author's Note

So Chapter 4 is done. This chapter is really long for my standard (of ME writing). That's why it took so long to come out. Surprisingly not due to my laziness. Huh...who knew. Well I hope its worth it!
not the real VAV out!