The deeper they went, the quieter the sewers became.
Which somehow felt worse.
Kai preferred hearing things.
Water.
Footsteps.
Voices.
Anything.
Silence usually meant trouble.
Eric walked in front this time.
Partly because he knew the layout.
Partly because Andre had somehow gotten distracted trying to throw pebbles at sleeping alligators.
"You know those things can eat you, right?"
Kai whispered.
Andre shrugged.
"They haven't yet."
One of the alligators opened an eye.
Andre immediately stopped throwing pebbles.
"Smart creature."
The alligator closed its eye again.
The trio continued onward.
The sewer tunnels gradually changed.
The old stone walls disappeared.
Newer construction appeared instead.
Metal supports.
Reinforced pillars.
Maintenance markings.
Eric slowed.
His expression becoming more serious.
Kai noticed immediately.
"You recognize something?"
"Unfortunately."
Eric pointed at a support beam.
"I designed this section."
Andre looked around.
"You designed sewers?"
"I designed half the city."
Andre whistled.
"Show off."
Eric ignored him.
The architect walked toward one of the pillars.
Running his fingers along the metal surface.
The moment he touched it, his expression darkened.
"Someone's been modifying these."
Kai stepped closer.
"What do you mean?"
Eric pointed.
Small scratches.
Fresh weld marks.
Metal plates that clearly weren't part of the original design.
"This wasn't here before."