Up

You have no idea what other horrors may lurk in the sewers and drains beneath the city, and you have no desire to find out, either. With that in mind, you grasp the rungs of the ladder and clamber to the top.

Placing a hand on the hatch, you push, only to find the hatch refuses to budge. Swearing softly, you brace yourself, and press with all your might against the hatch. It resists for a moment, then grudgingly budges, and you press harder. The hatch suddenly gives way, slamming into the ground next to the opening, and you scramble out of it, breathing heavily at your exertions.

Standing next to the hatch, you find yourself in what appears to be the far end of the park. Beneath your feet is cool, damp, grass, and a slight breeze blows through, helping to dry the slime covering you. Your nipples react to the breeze, turning into painfully hard nubs beneath the slime hanging off of them.

Equipment has to be a priority. Running around in nothing but a loincloth, with only a knife to defend yourself with, is bound to get you in trouble. Looking around, you can see the mall in the distance. It's been heavily looted, and there's the problem of your "friends" who are still there, but it's your nearest and best shot at finding something. There's also some options in the nearby commercial district, in a few of the hotels and smaller clothing shops there, but the likelihood of finding better weapons is much slimmer. You could also try your luck and attempt to get to the suburbs, where you're less likely to run into people, but gear will be really hit and miss there.