The back alleys.

After giving it a moment's thought, Rebecca decided they would take the back alleys. While it was possibly a risky move, Rebecca figured the quicker they reached the rendezvous site the better. Besides, she had confidence the two of them could take on whatever they encountered, or at the very least escape from it. With their next course of action set, Julie and Rebecca steeled their resolve and stepped into the dark alley, with Rebecca taking point and Julie covering the rear.

The alley was quite dark and narrow with numerous bits of trash littering the sides, making it difficult to get through. Due to her training, Rebecca was able to navigate in the dark with ease, but Julie struggled. Stumbling as she walked, the young woman had to press her hand against the cold concrete wall to guide herself along. Bits of discarded paper and aluminum cans clattered under her feet as she followed Rebecca, doing her best to keep up. The alley went in and then split off behind several rows of buildings, widening up so the two could pass easier and were provided a bit more light. Rebecca glanced back at Julie, then headed to the left, her rifle at the ready.

While they traveled down the alleyway, the pair could hear the sound of loud buzzing in the air, coming from the way they were going. Rebecca motioned for her to stop, and pointed to a nearby trash bin while the redhead ducked behind a pile of boxes. Taking the hint, Julie hid herself as well, and they waited. The buzzing grew louder and above their heads flew a swarm of several Ovi-wasps. Julie trembled in fear as the swarm tore through the sky, but thankfully they did not see the two young women hiding. Once the last of the giant flying bugs passed, Rebecca came out of hiding and sighed in relief. Julie came out as well and went to speak, but Rebecca hushed her, motioning with her hands to move forward and wasting no time resuming their trek.

Julie gulped and followed after her, glad they had chosen the alleyways despite how dark it was. Lots of Pseudosects took to the skies, and while she was sure there were others stalking in the dark places, with Rebecca here she was much more confident about her survival. Despite her situation she felt herself smiling a little. A part of her thought about her companion, and if the two of them had met in different circumstances... Maybe they would have been friends? Sure, she had a prickly personality, if they got to know each other better they might have a lot in common. With pleasant thoughts in mind, she followed closely to Rebecca.

Half way to their next turn, Julie was interrupted from her thoughts as... She thought she heard something, like something faintly sliding over wet ground. But it was so faint that it could have been nothing, and Rebecca did not react at all, continuing on down the alley... Julie felt a shiver run down her spine, something felt wrong but she was uncertain as to what. If the trained soldier didn't notice anything than it must have been nothing, just her jumpy civilian nerves getting the better of her... Right?