The Thought Traveler: A Tale of Mischief, Wonder, and Woe. Part V

I quietly enter the first room, and create a mechanical alarm at the door which I close behind me. I then edge my way to each room, checking to see what is locked, shut, closed, and open. All seems as I left it, the lockable doors locked, the other doors closed. Still, I check each room, finding nothing and seeing no disturbances, the goods I found and stowed remain. I close and lock what I can, again, as before, save for the office. I go into the office, find and abscond with the Legos, then close and lock that door too. The Legos I take to the first room and set to the right of the door. I am looking forward to seeing what I can make with these.

I ease out of the apartment, go into a squat, pause, and attempt to master the feel of the building again. I hear the air conditioning sounds, feel the air movement and fullness, and pick up what of the rest of the hum of the building, that which may be heard over the ac unit. I then listen for anything else. With no reason to worry, I shut and lock the door behind me, and begin my ascent to the main entrance hall level. Again, and again, as I ascend to the first apartment level, I squat and listen. No sound, no feel, nothing but the complexes life sounds and quiet.

I reach the first level, and pull out my map. The simple rectangular outer dimensions are betrayed by the intricate lay of the interior halls. It appears to be a labyrinth, and an irregular one. Each area is different and each floor is self-styled. A complication for thieves or other outsiders, I suppose. I brought markers which are invisible without the goggles, yet I would like to see if I can find my path without them as daylight might reveal my presence through them. I head in my pre-selected path and arrive at the first of my choice apartments.

The door is locked, a good time to test the master key. As good as gold, the key opens the lock. I listen, and then open the door. I step in and do a quick survey. No one is here, the place is a bit of a mess, and most items are gone. I find a food items, several sets of tools, some bedding and towels, and a some other minor potential wants and needs. I note these on a pad, collect the items, then store them in the main closet. I complete several apartments, listing, collecting, stashing, then moving on when I hear her approach. “Isabelle”, I whisper. I have a treat, which I proffer. She smells, licks, then finally takes the food. “Meow”? “More, later”, I say. She follows me through the rest of this floor, and as I near the stairs to the next floor, something beyond my senses attracts her attention, and she departs without so much as a look. As I am musing about why such a thing pleases me, I hear something. A door closed loudly, or a heavy item set down slightly clumsily, probably from the third floor, by the dimension of the sound and common sense, though that last being a tricky thing. I take the steps up slowly and with care.