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

The second floor is clear, or at least, currently. I begin my trek to the stairwell and I hear a door close, above me, and perhaps near the center rear of the building. I will save that area for last. I look at the map, take my bearings, then go. The first three places are empty. As I approach the fourth, I realize someone is inside the place. Perhaps several people from the sounds of things. I cannot tell what they are doing, though they sound rather active. I move cautiously to the door, check for light under the door, none noted, and listen for voices or a more definite idea of what is happening inside.

Boxes are being moved from one of the side rooms to the main and entrance room, then they are being stacked. They do not sound very heavy, and the workers do not sound very large. Bothersome, they must have some light or, like me, goggles. A candle in the off room might not be bright enough for me to detect yet be bright enough to enable their effort. *slam* I believe that door I heard earlier closes and footsteps approach. I back away, back down the hall and around a corner. I thought about using my mirror, but that might reflect too much in this situation. I listen, and as I had hoped, the footfalls end at the door I had been eavesdropping. A jingle as keys are brought out and searched, as I hear the key inserted into the lock, I peel my goggles back and take a peak around the corner. A slightly larger than average man, with a candle in a jug, is entering the room, then gone. I hear work in the room end, and voices. I edge closer to try and make out what is being said. A little closer, closer, there…

“… yesterday. Didn’t James already tell you that?”, a man’s voice speaks. “Yes, but it wasn’t possible” says a woman’s voice. “We can only do so much. You tell James he either needs to send others to help, or he will just have to be patient”. Then something I can’t quite make out, and the door handle turns and the door opens quickly. I begin scooting backwards, when the man’s exit is arrested by a young, probably late teen, male voice, “Where is Jane? I thought she was supposed to visit and bring a few supplies?”. A long pause ensues as the man slowly turns to face the boy. I get around the corner, then to the next door, which I unlock with the master’s key, just in case. I return to the corner just as the man begins to speak, I can now hear well with the door open. “Jane was shot. Hold on, hold on, Tim. We think she will be fine. We are doing what we can for her, but she is weak and will not be up and about for a few weeks perhaps. She tried to find some spices at the grocery store on 5th, in spite of being warned off. I will send someone over to replace you tonight so that you can go see her”. Tim is irate, “And, when exactly where you going to tell me!” he shouts. The woman comes forward and everyone does their little part in the drama until the boy is calmed enough to let it go and the man is done. He exits, shuts the door, locks it, and leaves the way he came.

Decisions. Did I ever mention the fact that I really do not like making them? They all seem faked, even if one uses his best effort, searches for the best information, studies math and science so as to define the parameters in such a way that the decision should be the best, well, it just is what it is. Yes, guessing would be the best term. I think it is just called a decision because it seems more empowering, noble, or suggestive of leadership. I do not need power, I am not noble, and I am alone, I think I will call it guessing for myself. Great, procrastination through definition. Hey, actually, I like that. Still, back to guessing before I begin pondering some other foolish intricacy.

Well, he locked the door when he left, so I am guessing, the people in the room are not going anywhere. Not that they could not unlock the door, only that the actions seem contrary. No one up here is being quiet, particularly, so either they are or feel secure… weapons? devices? guards? the cat? *laughs* I suppose the cat could be a guard of sorts. I had best be paying attention here. I move toward the now shut and locked apartment door and quietly move past, looking closely at the walls and floor ahead of me. I can hear the noises of work as I near then pass the door. No work stoppage on my account, so I continue on. I have a decent idea of where the man is heading, and since I am following, I should be able to pinpoint the place with my map and the sound added to my current knowledge gained from working this floor so far. *slam* Yes, I look at the map and I believe I have it. I had best be careful here though.