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

I take a great deal of time moving along the hall. At every third door, I stop, listen, unlock, then investigate the suites. The master key, so far, has not failed me. All of the apartments seem to be turned into open bedrooms, with only the kitchen and bathrooms serving their intended purposes. Most beds are made, some look unused, others used and made, while a few are used and unmade. Partially filled hampers are in some sleeping quarters, towels on racks to dry, more stored in cabinets. Occasionally, apartments are set up for occupancy, yet seem completely unused. These I keep unlocked, as emergency hideaways or safe rooms, locking all the others as I leave them, noting them on my pad. I find nothing of use in the rooms, no food though signs of recent cooking, limited toiletries, no tools, even the bedding items seem a bit worn.

I look at my map, and then look up. I am just around the corner from where I believe the man entered the room. I remember where the last safe room is and orientate myself this side of the hall corner so that should I need to move swiftly, I will know where to go. I settle into a squat, leaning into the wall as well, I slide my goggles back, then ease over to glance around the corner and down the hall. I take stock of what I am seeing for a moment, then I regain the safety of the corner. There are two small light sources, one this side and the other on the far side of the suspected door. The door itself is to my left, though it seems as though there might be an alcove on the right hand of the hallway, across from the door. Something tells me someone is in that alcove. There is not a better place to attempt a peak, as the opposite end of the lighted hall is a mirror image of this one. One more glance, and I realize my suspicions. I can see just enough of the peaked alcove roof descending to be sure it is not a door, and then I see a part of a shoe sticking out from the floor of it. Decisions, guesses.

I pull back to my last safe room, enter, close and lock the door, and think. These people do not seem aggressive, or of the worst or basest nature, and yet there is nothing indicating they are friendly. Still, this door down the hall seems to be guarded and the man who entered that door seems to be a man in charge, not someone who would necessarily negotiate or give out information. The rooms with the workers, on the other hand, seems a bit safer. Worst case scenario, at least I am closer to the stairwell should I need to attempt an escape. Facing a potentially hostile female and boy is less of a risk than facing at least two probably both adult males as well as having to potentially face the female and juvenile should I succeed here in a bad scene. Yes, a plan forms.

I listen at the door. It seems no one is the wiser. I unlock the door, and head back the way I had come. I close on the door in question, and as I am passing a door to my closest safe room, I check it. Unlocked and ready. I enter this one, shut and lock the door, and listen, again. The workers are no longer working. I can hear no sound at first. Then I hear some voices, quietly talking, perhaps a recording, I just cannot tell. I hear nothing else, save a slight hum from the heart of the building, the slight amount that reaches all this way, or perhaps is generated closer. Yet, I have a feeling my presence is known. I am sure I have either been spotted, heard, or found out in some other manner. I just know it. Decisions, guesses.

The obvious safest play would be to attempt to escape. Perhaps taking one of the other routs. The middle play would be to attempt to make contact with the workers. The last choice, one which has already been set aside, and more so now, is to attempt to make contact with the man, though more likely his guard first. To the workers, I decide. I am reaching for the door when I hear the door to the workers room being unlocked. I do so, as well, though quietly. I open my door and begin toward their door. Some voices, something about not yet, I have to, please, it will be trouble. I grab the handle, turn it gently, and open the door. The woman’s eyes widen in surprise and fear, she almost screams. Tim, it seems, spins and almost topples backwards into and onto the woman. They seem to catch each others stumble. She recovers the quickest, eyes calming though still wary, “Yes, what is it?”. I love the way women speak when they know the game just left their court. Not meaning to intrude, I suggest. I merely needed supplies and was searching buildings. I had arrived here and started looking around when I came upon you. Could we speak?

Her eyes are hard, unyielding, yet she agrees. I step forward to get out of the hallway, and she means to stand her ground but yields at the last moment. She leads Tim over and away, and corals him to their mutual safety. I close the door and lock it. As I have said, I begin, I am merely scavenging food, tools, supplies, and such. I mean you no harm. I must admit to being curious about what all is going on here. And I am a bit surprised you have not scavenged the rest of this building yourselves. Would you care to discuss any of this? “You will need to speak with Jim, James actually”. James is not here, and I would like to hear your version, or what you feel you can share, or I would have a difficult time trusting someone named James or you just because you suggest it would be best. Can you see my dilemma? “We are working here. The area and recent events are being researched. We are merely storage and housekeeping workers, so we do not know more”. What is your name, by the way? “I am Sarah and this”, she indicates to the young man, “is Tim”. What is your policy toward locals? Do you have a force with you, or are you also your own defense? “What do you mean, we.. they are scientists, nothing more. There might be a firearm or two, just in case mind you, but we expect no trouble”. What channel are you using? “What”? On your radio, what channel? “Oh, channel 9”. Ok, I will leave now. I will make a channel check at 20:00 tomorrow evening. I will do that for three days running. If he is interested in talking, he’ll find a way to be on that channel at that time.