Swamped

It's a rope. You can't see what it's attached to, though it looks like it might trigger a bell.

Maybe this is another alarm? Would make sense to have one people can actually use down here, rather than forcing them to set off the one in the drain.

Well, you don't have many options, considering something noisy and apparently invisible is behind you. You start pulling, and you hear a bell ringing.

And then you sit up straight and open your eyes, seeing the face of Mr. Resk with a breather mask on.

"How many fingers am I holding up?" he asks you, holding his hand in your face.

"Um, three, I think?" You've got a breather on too, you realize. Rather hastily applied.

"Name?"

"Lex," you mutter. "What's going on?"

"You seem at least reasonably lucid now, good," Resk says. "Seems whoever's responsible for the glaxin used one of the water tanks here to make it. And then someone started letting the water out, which released the glaxin. We've found three of you down here, all taking heavy doses. The breather masks are mainly to keep your exposure from getting worse; we'll be taking you to the infirmary shortly." His face seems to brighten. "Though it seems we have you to thank for the alarm, Mr. Lex."

You glance around, and you can see that the grate is nearby. You also see your wet sock sitting in the hall a few feet away.

"So there wasn't a man made out of dead bugs," you mutter. "Or a talking chicken. Or someone in an unfamiliar military uniform."

Resk looks confused.

"Wait. We did find someone in a strange military uniform. Perhaps you overheard us talking and worked it into the illusion."

"Maybe," you mutter. "I only heard about it. Who'd you find, then?" You feel like there's something off about that count, but maybe you're just still dazed.

"You, Mr. Lou, and the as-yet unidentified soldier. Is there a problem, Mr. Lex?"

"Yeah," you mutter. "I came here chasing someone. A lady who looked like Ms. Rebecca. Pretty sure I didn't hallucinate that part."

Resk looks concerned.

"So maybe he did have a breather mask after all," he mutters.

"Sorry?"

"Nothing. I'll get a search going. Meanwhile, you sit tight until we can get you to the infirmary. I have to warn you, though, it's not going to be a pleasant stay."

"Beats the hallucinations," you mutter.

You lie down again. You're not sure you can trust your senses at this point. You suppose you'll just have to lie here and wait.

You absentmindedly shove your hands in your pockets and feel something odd. You pull it out.

Wait, what is that?