Word Count : 883

Warning : Strong Language

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The sun was at its peak in the sky. Glaring down on the beautiful city of Terris. Home to nearly a fourth of a million people. Everyone strode through the streets with confidence and with purpose. Everyone had something to live for in Terris. 

Rush hour was the busiest time. Vehicles were going left, right and center. Bicyclists rode around with little care and people walked from destination to destination. 

For three individuals in particular, rush hour was a pain, but that's how life was in one of the best cities on the planet. It's something one is supposed to expect from living in a big city. 

These three individuals walked and weaved their way through the massive crowds. Chattering away over previous events. 

One of them, being much taller than the other two was practically skipping about and laughing. “Oh come on Iskall! I totally beat you in that race yesterday! Don't you deny it.” 

Iskall85 shook his head, not being able to help but to smile as he pointed an index finger at the taller man. His friend StressMonster giggled beside him as he replied to his friend’s cockiness. “Don't you even try that you sly dog!” He accused playfully. 

"Ladies, ladies-" Stress started, gesturing with her hands. “-If it makes you both happy, you tied.” 

That caused both of them to stop and look at the girl. 

“What?! No way!” They both proclaimed in unison. 

Iskall rolled his eyes, laughing as he looked at Stress. “Sure, I'll accept we tied. But Mr. Mumbo Jumbo? Come on Stress, do you not know how the Mumbo of the Jumbo works? He’s gotta have all that glory!” 

Mumbo went and gave Iskall a friendly punch to the arm at the reply; the sunlight reflecting off his glasses lenses. “Shut up, you! Besides, I wouldn't take all of the glory, you'd gain about a fourth of it." 

"That's not even possible to win in a foot race dude!" 

The three all simultaneously burst into laughter and giggles. Then broke into a run to get to City Square faster. 

Traffic was busy as usual, possibly more busy than usual but every once and a while the traffic and population being overly active was bound to happen right? A normal person would have given the thought a shrug of the shoulders and continued on. But Iskall was one to note this odd event. People were more aggressive on the roads today, even running red lights on more occasions than he had normally seen.

Mumbo and Stress both slowed to a walk once again and continued on chattering away. Neither of them seemed as aware as Iskall was. Not that the Swede minded. He was used to seeing and catching sight of things more often than his friends. 

Iskall merely hung back a little ways, smiling fondly at the two ahead of him and quietly spectated their conversation. 

Taking one more note of his and his friends' surroundings, Iskall also noticed the sudden silence on the streets. 

Iskall stopped. 

Stress was laughing, but then stopped and turned around, looking back at her friend. “Iskall? You coming?” 

Mumbo had walked a little further till he realized that his peers weren’t following him anymore. He stopped and turned around as well. “Huh? What's up dude?” 

Iskall frowned, looking around before looking at the other two. “It’s quiet. Almost deathly quiet. In the middle of rush hour.” 

Mumbo and Stress both looked at each other before also looking around. 

“What's that about?” Mumbo questioned aloud, looking at the two brunettes. 

"Maybe everyone got to where they were going on time today?" Stress replied with a meek shrug to represent her own cluelessness. 

Iskall shook his head, doing a full three sixty and taking a few steps off the sidewalk and into the empty road. There was nothing. Nobody. It was like the entirety of Terris had become deserted in seconds. 

Seconds was all it really took. 

Seconds felt like an eternity as harsh feeling shakes and trembles ripped through the grounded cement. Buildings and their windows shook and swayed as car alarms suddenly went off by the hundreds. 

Mumbo covered his ears, looking around. "What's going on!?" He shrieked out as he stumbled against the earthquake shaking. 

Stress also raised her hands up to cover her own ears as well to block the car alarms. "I don't know!" She shouted back. 

"Is this an earthquake?!" Iskall yelled out. 

"Like I said I don't know!" Mumbo yelled back in retort. 

The three stumbled against the shaking. Cracks in the cement formed at their feet and broke away, revealing a very high drop below and exposing a variety of vast tunnel routes. 

Two shrieks shot through the air. 

Jerking his head up, Iskall's world felt like it suddenly came to a stand still. Two frightened and fear filled eyes met his own. Both Mumbo and Stress were slowly sinking through the cracks that had opened up beneath their feet. They both would most likely fall to their deaths in the tunnels below. And he'd soon follow if he didn't move.

Fuck.

Iskall had to choose between two of his best friends.

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Save Mumbo

Or

Save Stress

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If you wanna find this story over on Ao3

Weeeeeeee!