It's been five years since many have seen the daylight. These days, people have decided that living underground was their only chance at survival against the burning heat due to the seasons never passing over, leaving life as we know it defenseless. To combat this, they try to simulate as much of the outside world as they could. Trees have been planted and altered so that artificial light can be used to help them grow and this logic is applied to other plants as well. Buildings, though they are smaller and wider, are cast from whatever material can be found and created to be as sturdy as possible. Though a challenge, animals have adjusted to their new environment, meaning no one will ever go hungry.
Something that many forget can happen is heavy rainfalls which can cause flash floods. Despite the sun being out for most of the day without faltering, unexpected rain storms still occur, and now the people are being put at risk.
At first, the signs weren't noticeable. Many would plaster mud over the holes and cover them with a small amount of tar to keep it from rushing in. Then the floors of the rooms started to fill with water. Again, the people decided on taking the water out in buckets and poured it out into the many rivers that were around. Over time, the river began to flood, but they didn't see this as much of a warning. To them, this meant more water that could be used for personal reasons and continued dumping the unused liquid into it.
One day, all the rivers simultaneously flooded over, leaving the area in ruins. The buildings that they once lived in were mercilessly destroyed by the water. Animals left and right were being swept from the waves and drowned before anyone could've gotten to them. People were finding it harder and harder to find dry places that have yet to be overtaken by water. That's when they decided they could no longer live in this area.
A young woman named Agatha decided to take it upon herself to lead the remaining people out from underground and into the unknown. Before, she used to feed the roaming chickens while taking care of her newborn child. She had the fabric around the baby and strapped it to her back in an attempt to create a harness. She blew out the candle she was once using and left the darkroom. Once in the narrow hallway, she walked through the ankle-deep waters, hoping that the levels wouldn't rise any higher. Knowing that the others had taken shelter on higher grounds, she decided to make her way there. She went up a muddied set of stairs, taking extra precaution not to slip. The stairs were in a whirly position, getting more compact as one continued to walk. No sound emitted from them, making them very useful when children used them to play on.
When she reached the top, the air around them began to get warmer. She walked down the large hallway, not seeing or hearing anyone. At the end of the hallway was a large wooden door that appeared to be damp. She walked over and opened the door, seeing many people huddled together. Some sat on the small bed in the corner and others sat on the floor, away from the door. Inside the room were six chickens. One of the chickens was being held by a girl as she sucked the blood out of it.
Agatha walked in and closed the door behind her. She stood in place for a moment before speaking out. "We need to leave and find somewhere else to go."
An elderly man looked at her with an irritated expression. "If we go out there, we'll die! There's no place for us other than here!" He scratched his chin and crossed his arms.
"Well, what if there was a place for us? Have you ever wondered what the world looks like now?" She took the harness off and held her daughter in her arms. She bounced the child up and down. "It's been five years, the sun probably has much less effect than it did before. And besides, we'll die if we stay here. Have you noticed the water?"
"Its just water! It can't hurt us, we'll be fine," the man looked at the ground.
Before he could say more, Agatha said, "I guess you don't want to live the rest of your miserable life somewhere safer." She took a breather before saying anything else. "Is there anyone in this room who's worried about the water?"
In response, all but the elderly man's hands shot up. "Is there anyone who would like to leave this place in pursuit of somewhere nicer?" Again, the same amount of hands shot up.
Agatha put the harness back on and opened the door. "Well, lets get going."
Slowly, people began to follow her out of the room. They made their way down the hallway and the whirling stairs. Now they're faced with the task of escaping. By now, the water was nearly knee-deep, and maneuvering around became difficult. Soon, the people began to split apart from one another, trying desperately to find a place where leaving was possible. Some made their way back upstairs while others tried their luck at the bottom. They began to believe that there was no way out until a man made a revelation.
"Hey, I think I found the way out!" He called out, pointing to the river that was near where the chicken coup once was.
"And how do you suppose that this will be our way out?" Someone on the stairs shouted back.
"I remember someone said that the water comes from a nearby lake, but no one believed them." He walked closer to it and examined it. "I mean, this lake goes out further than the others so it wouldn't hurt to try."
Very quickly, everyone began to crown around this very lake and looked outward, just like the man before them. Agatha quickly made her way to the front and began walking. Just like before, the people followed.
They walked in the dark corridor, feeling the sides as they descended. The man was correct, the river was much longer than many anticipated. The waters seemed to go on forever, with everyone having to take a break. After a while, they noticed a bright light on the other side.
"I'm not so sure about this anymore. What if we die out there?" Agatha heard someone whisper loudly. By now, they were a couple of feet away from what they believed was the exit.
"Guys, we'll be fine. There's no need to worry, it's just a bit of light. Nothing'll happen to us." She responded back.
They made their way to the light and left the river. The light they saw was the sun, but it did not have an effect on them. They walked out into the unknown, starting their life anew.