Do I hear scutering?

I held my breath and looked to the twins gesturing to do the same and tried to find the sound's direction. Breathing... I still hear breathing not from the twins but from my right. I slowly turn my head and my eyes meet the sound maker.

The breath I was holding was swallowed painfully after seeing this creature the dark had distorted. The only light was from one of our last candles, flickering from the air and slowly escaping my lungs.

I was at a loss for words I couldn't scream I couldn't move it was like my body was being suffocated and crushed. Its eyes were human but its body was clockwork at least from what the slight light showed. It had an antenna protruding from its head and rusted bug-like legs. The scratches seemed to be coming from its chest as it got closer I tried to back away putting myself in front of the twins to protect them but I didn't move much just my arms in a defensive stance. As to not tick the creature off with sudden movements.

Its face slowly came into light and I could see the muddy face of a teenage boy with tan skin. He tilted his head back and let out a groan and a cough.

???: so den who are yous? He said, his voice sounding accented though I'm not sure what kind of accent.

I tried to speak but one of the twins beat me to it. In an excited voice, they told him their name and asked him his. Seeming amused by this the creature replied in a cocky manner.

Roach: da names Roach. Don't wear it out, I'm a big deal down here in the sewers. Now den names, I want all of yers not just the small birds!

Finally snapping out of my fear-struck body I sighed.

Copper: My name is Copper and the twins are named Annie and Will. We have others in our party but they are away right now.

Roach seemed to like my straightforward attitude yet was also curious as to why we were here in the first place. He also asked how many were in our group. I told him it wasn't important unless he intended to help us or kill us.

We were In silence for a few seconds before Roach broke it with a hardy laugh almost to the point of tears.

Roach: yous asking if I'm friend or foe den Ha didn't know I looked that dangerous dats a good one. I like you Miss Copper you sure know how to make a bloke laugh.

I was stunned at the laughter trying to gesture to keep it down worried about things finding us. He brushed my attempts off and eventually stopped laughing. He claimed he wouldn't hurt us as he only ate bugs, well more specifically roaches that lived down here.

Why not rats was my first question and he looked at me like I was stupid. Then just repeated the question in a mocking tone. He then told me that they were too fast, creepy, and gross in his opinion. Slightly annoyed yet not one to judge much I rolled my eyes just saying, "Of course how could I ever suggest such a thing".

We told Roach about our situation of how we all met in the past but not in too much detail.

He seemed to just nod slightly before changing the subject when we mentioned the orphanage. He said we needed to find our friends on the surface before they ran into any hunters or cogs aka infected.

I looked back at the twins and heard Roach say he would take care of them for me if I'd prefer to keep them safe. I apologized but explained politely I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him.

Roach seemingly shrugged and said that they would be coming with us then. Assuming he would be coming as well. I wanted to protest but yet again I was shut down. He said he knew the city better than anyone from how long he had been here.

I sighed annoyed and agreed, that we would go together.