Larsen´s monitor shows activity in the parking garage again. The sports car comes driving into the mall, but it´s all shot up and the wind shield is completely ridden with webbed cracks. The driver, still wearing a gas mask exits the car after having stopped by the stairwell. He gets out quickly and escapes into the door of the stairs. Those stairs are located on the opposite side of the mall from here.
Other than that, all is quiet.
When
C.L. gets close to the double doors, the locking mechanism goes from red to green. The proximity of his access card triggered the lock to open. Also an automatic door opening device swing the two doors open. A surge of water a couple of inches deep pour out into the stair landing. Soft music comes from hidden speakers just outside the doors. Along with the water comes papers, toys and paper mugs. You gaze out to a large hall, well lit, clear tile, like the rest of the building, with stores everywhere, all with security blinds lowered.
Besides the musical thread of the center that is echoing unnaturally the only sound are your steps in the shallow water.
Then there are the bodies. Everywhere. Some alone, others in groups, all scattered around the area, so you have to move you around them. You try to avoid looking directly into their open eyes, trying not to think that only hours ago they were men, women, children, families, all innocents who thought this day would be just like any other.
But the worst is the smell. The stench of death, blood, vomit, shit and piss from all these people, who died in convulsions and excruciating pain. The mask may protect you from biohazardous agents, but does nothing to stop the stench that fills your nostrils and even your mind.
Hale and
Crawford walk up beside
C.L. and stare past him.
Nohman,
Larsen,
Weiss and
Collins come down to the landing.
Weiss being the last, checking the stairs above them for movement.
Collins continue halfway down the stairs to the first floor and waits there, securing that angle.
To all: Sanity checks!