Time
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Post by Time on Aug 13, 2023 3:38:46 GMT
Roman stepped along, and forward only stopping when he stepped on something that cracked underfoot. Lifting his foot, he'd find eyeliner of all things.... As well as a file? Taking a closer look, he noticed and realized that it had been shaped into a makeshift shiv. Just what he needed, homeless guys who had weapons.
Everything in Roman's mind said that he should turn around, or at least get the power back on and perhaps a police escort to sweep the area. Would they even do that? He didn't know and wasn't sure himself. Still, he reassured himself, his recent stress having dulled his sense of self preservation a bit as he made sure he had his bottle of pepper spray. Raising the torch, he noticed that the rumbling sound seemed like it was avoiding his spotlight, almost taunting him.
The sudden blur of earthen colors made Roman wonder what the hell he saw run into a run down shoe store. Being without lights or electricity Roman knew that he needed to do something.... Then he wondered if the building had a backup generator. Some places that were old like this had those right? Maybe it ran off petrol and still had some good fuel. If the papers indicated anything, it was that they had been placed up recently as well. Heading deeper in, he kept the beam of his torch focused on the shoe store until he felt like he was safe enough to not get ran down by a crazy man with a shiv.
Roman would attempt to find a map of the place, one of those big, "you are here" things, to maybe get an idea of the building layout. Once he did, he'd head towards the general backroom where they would likely have kept such a thing, so long as nothing went wrong.
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Post by swapgo on Aug 13, 2023 4:27:48 GMT
The light scanned through the entrance of the shop, whatever went in there stopped moving and hid in a corner, as there was no more movement in sight. The torch would illuminate a flash of green and red before he heard something scamper behind him, and seemingly away from him. Nothing at the shoe shop was moving, but there were foot-height mirrors below the seats at the shelves. Behind him was nothing but a photo services stand, everything was removed from the shelves and walls, except the computers.
After finding one of these fortunately analog maps and not being disturbed in the slightest while perusing it, Roman would learn mall is an enclosed ovaloid structure, with stores all across the outer walls, as well as an inner circle, with more stores on that end. This inner circle was cross-cut through the middle, giving more space for shops and other doodads along the hallways while also giving direct access to all cardinal entrances. The second floor was accessible through elevators, and it mimicked this construction, save for using the entire middle space for the food court. Sadly, these kinds of maps do not give technical information. Emergency rooms like these tend to be sequestered past the hallways that lead to bathrooms, or near the emergency exits, claustrophobic places to be at, to say the least.
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Time
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Post by Time on Aug 13, 2023 13:42:48 GMT
Seeing the flash if green and red, as well as how fast this blur moved, Roman figured he was actually starting to go crazy, unless the homeless actually could move that fast.... "Yeah.... Just a homeless guy with a green jacket and maybe a red shirt......" Roman said to himself as he heard the individual somehow get behind him and scamper away. He was tempted to turn the flashlight towards said noise, but decided that it was better not to disturb the vagrant that was actually choosing to not bother him.
Seeing the map, his memories would come back. He had only been here a few times as a kid, and even then it was a faint memory. A sense of loss permeated his mind as he realized just how much time had actually passed since then. He wondered if perhaps his father had also felt this when seeing that thr building was being sold, or if he had noticed it while passing by it one day.
Roman felt the tears well up, as he quickly wiped his eyes before he began to cry again. Noticing the bathrooms farthest away from the entrances, Roman knew that the generator if there was one would be in the claustrophobic backroom towards the loading bay. He'd head towards the back, looking for inconspicuous double doors that were used to transport goods, knowing full well of the fact that he'd be in narrow hallways. Approaching the food court, Roman was glass that the area was more well lit, the building having a glass skylight dome above it.
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Post by swapgo on Aug 13, 2023 14:33:34 GMT
The mall seemed to respect this grief, as it offered naught but silence to his sobs.
Much like the rest of the place, every chair and table was removed from the food court save from those affixed to the pillars, and yet, the place didn't feel exactly vacated. The glass panes of the handrails were complete, or gone, none were shattered or in disrepair. At the very least, the shifting stopped, whatever vagrant, racoon, or ghost that inhabited this abandoned place, it didn't like the light. Once or twice, he might feel as if something moved behind the counters of the different joints, but it was clear that his imagination was doing him no favors.
He would be accompanied with naught but thoughts as he paced through the hallways that lead to the loading doors, initially at least, as he went further and further from the entrance, the droning would resume, and for the first time it was recognizable as something; a conversation. Words were not discernible at this distance, but there was a cadence to it, a questioning tone, a scolding, manifold hushes and whispers that echoed through the hallways and confirmed to him that he was no longer alone. He could, should he desire, silence them by flashing his light back at the entryway, it was a question of whether this focus would distract him from the small, jaunting steps coming from the women's bathroom next to him, and how they once again stopped abruptly at the left turn that one made to make oneself in.
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Time
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Post by Time on Aug 13, 2023 16:33:15 GMT
Roman was surprised at how most of the building was left intact. It was almost as if despite the amount of time that had passed, and the potential to have vandals destroy it, the building had withstood the test of time. Looking at everything, Roman now realized that out of everything that had seemed derelict, it was only the shelves and racks in the store stalls themselves.
Sure, there were things missing.... But there was no evidence of vagrancy. At least, not destructive vagrancy. No trash, outside of what he found in the first place, which he was actually certain had been abandoned there only because of his actions. With the sounds of shuffling and the occasional movement at the corner of his vision, Roman kept telling himself it was just his nerves. It wasn't until he was in the center if the food court that he realized he was hearing the droning once more. It wasn't until a bit later that he realized what exactly he was hearing. Voices... A conversation of some kind. He couldn't make out anything, but it was clear that it was speech, and perhaps an argument or discussion of some kind.
Roman would have shined his flashlight towards the entrance, if he hadn't heard the sudden jaunting steps coming from the woman's bathroom next to him, as he suddenly shone his light that way, "Who's there!" The young man demanded as he began to wonder if perhaps there was a homeless community here. "Listen, if you want to stay here for a few more days, I need someone to come forward to talk with me. Otherwise I'm going to call law enforcement. Final warning.". Roman stated as he kept his eyes on the entrance to the woman's bathroom. He also kept an ear out for where he had heard the voices, taking care to listen for the scampering sound, and would quickly rotate his torch towards the sound if it came closer, backing off if he needed to.
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Post by swapgo on Aug 13, 2023 17:36:30 GMT
The hallway felt silent with Roman's echoing voice for a moment, and he received no reply, however, the muttering started to pick up once more, and even though no one and nothing peeked through the hallway, the voices grew bolder. There was less doubt, whatever their bickering was, it was slowly dwindling, consensus was being reached, a word was being repeated, was it one word? It was three syllables, was it a name? Was it in English in the first place? It felt like it, despite the distorted echo and the shrill tone of the congregation. Eventually, a small head peeked through the hallway, hollering their thoughts, it was three words.
"IT'S NOT HIM!"
Hopefully Roman didn't turn to catch a glimpse of the perpetrator, as he would miss the green blur leaping from its cover upwards to bounce off of the doorframe and lunge at his face to assault him. No raccoon was this large, or had skin this rough, or claws this thick, but contemplation was not currently an option.
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Time
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Post by Time on Aug 13, 2023 18:05:19 GMT
Roman noticed the murmurs becoming more coherent, though he couldn't tell what language it was. It didn't sound like hispanic or even french, two classes he had taken in high school that he barely kept up with. He was tempted to shine his light back down the hallway before a single sentence was shouted. Instead of turning towards the sound, Roman realized who the voice had been directed to, as he kept his torch shining on the blur of green and red as something that was definitely NOT a racoon vault off the doorframe in an attempt to tear at his face.
Roman however was already on high alert. In his time in college in the big city, he had learned to adapt quickly, especially with the problem of drugs and vagrants that were willing to prey on the weak. As much as Roman wasn't one to prefer violence, he had his fair share of scraps, and one incident that had nearly put him in a hospital had been enough, as he stepped back and to the side before swinging down at the blur of green with the tire iron, as hard as he could. There was a time to get out of dodge, but this was not it. He was deep in bad territory, and was going to need to clarify that he was NOT some pushover, regardless of whatever this fucking thing was, as he aimed to hear the resounding sound of metal ring. "Fuck Off! he shouted as he did so.
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Post by swapgo on Aug 13, 2023 18:51:35 GMT
The metallic tang echoed as he managed to score a clean hit onto...something, whatever it was. It breathed heavily, but did not rise from its slump at the corner of the entryway. Should Ramon raise the torch to inspect his assailant, he would first see enormous three-toed nails, it was some sort of reptilian creature of earthly colors, of about 2 feet in height. Its tail, if any, was too small to see, and its fractured snout had few, but chunky teeth that protuded from its gasping maw. The creature's red pupils dilated with the torch, and it screamed in pain with whatever was left of its fading strength.
Roman didn't have to turn the torch towards the corridor to notice the dozen or so red-eyed silhouettes that had gained some ground with the distraction, he didn't really have to turn around, the soon-to-be-screeching avalanche of monsters was enough of a warning.
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Time
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THE ONE PIECE! THE ONE PIECE IS REAL!!
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Post by Time on Aug 13, 2023 19:07:05 GMT
Roman huffed as adrenaline pumped in his veins. He saw the feet first before his brain took a solid moment to register what he saw.... If course scrolling it up, Roman realized that he was looking at some sort of.... Lizard.... Thing?! Before his mind could think straight, Roman jumped a bit at the creature screaming in pain from the light, only to suddenly remember that this thing wasn't alone.....
The sound and sight of a dozen or so eyes made Roman decide that now was the time for flight, as he quickly sprinted back down the hallway towards away from the food court and deeper into the building, hoping and praying that these were the only things that were chasing him, and that all the other things he subjected as figments of his imagination were simply that..... But he already knew in his gut that they weren't. Seeing where they had come from was evidence enough.
Running deeper in Roman prayed that the doors to the storage and loading bay was unlocked, slamming as hard as he could against the bar that acted as a door knob to release the latch. As he turned his torch towards his pursuers. Seeing how the one that he had hit reacted so violently, Roman aimed and waved the bright beam at their glowing red eyes, hoping to deter them from jumping as he tried to retreat.
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Post by swapgo on Aug 13, 2023 19:47:11 GMT
Swinging the torch backwards would probably do more inconvenience to Roman than to the advancing swarm, highlighting their sharp teeth and claws with every flash of light. They were impeded individually, but they did not get in each other's way, it was even the opposite, as the blindsided brethren that were forced to slow down willingly served as springboards for the back of the pack, keeping the speed of the chase. The doors busted open with the hearty kick, and he could quickly find the implements to bar it behind him and impede the swarm's progress.
The loading bay looked familiar, part of it, anyhow. The fire emergency stuff was taken, but there were a couple of pallet cars still in position, however, should he point his torch deeper, he could see a more cavernous environment starting to take over, the paved ground giving way to sheer rock, with the odd glint of stone. Perhaps he would be pleased that the emergency energy system was also there on the civilized side of the bay, given its recognizable silhouette, and those of two pair of red eyes whose attention was drawn to him.
"Who is this?" Must be him. Him? Yes him? Why? Why not? Has to be him, there was a hurried conversation between the creatures in the dark, "Who can it be if not him? Hey!", a third set of eyes peeked from below, "What? Have you seen him before? Like the big guy? Yes? No. No? No. Who has? Uhhhh. Oh maybe he knows. Is he around? Uh he's inside. He's inside he let him in then, must be him", it was hard to follow who was who or who they were referring to, but it was clear that they were deciding on whether or not Roman was welcome or not in this loading bay, while the ones outside had already made their decision. The mass of claws and scales slammed against the door, probing their curiosity further.
"Hey what was that? What? That. "
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Time
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Post by Time on Aug 13, 2023 20:16:29 GMT
Roman would have shat his pants if he wasn't so terrified by how these things were not only able to talk, but coordinate, as he watched them use their own kin as springboards. If it weren't for the claws and teeth, and the fact they were aimed at him, he might have been more impressed than terrified. Kicking the door in, Roman turned around almost skidding as he slammed it shut, and barred it with a nearby implement, specifically a mop handle. He knew it wouldn't hold out for long, but as he turned he froze on the spot as his torch lit up the loading bay. He stared into a cavern of some sort. Looking at it, Roman blinked several times. Eventually, he pinched himself as he tried to figure out if he was dreaming, only to become all the more aware of his problems as he hear two, then three voices speaking in perfect English. Well, as perfect as these things could, their grammar barely understandable, as Roman shut his mouth and gripped the tire iron, his knuckles likely white from how hard he was gripping one of his only two means of defense.
Listening, he tried to piece things together. Him.... He had remembered hearing the shout from before. It's not him. Who was him? Had someone visited this place befo-
Suddenly he realized something, as he thought about it. The news papers. They had been put up recently, likely to block out the sun. His father had bought this place so suddenly, and what's more he had taken effort to not make the transaction wired, thus erasing existence that he owned the building..... And then there were the keys in his briefcase.
Hearing these things argue and talk, Roman felt the pressure as he realized he had leaned against the door and felt the creatures on the other side were trying to force their way in. He noticed immediately how these creatures noticed the noise. There was only one way he could possibly try and either survive this, or maybe just buy himself time.
"You're talking about George Dimitri right? He's my father.... My dad.... That's who you're talking about. He gave me the keys to this place. My name's Roman Dimitri!" he shouted, hoping that the creatures on the other side of the door could hear him as well.
In his panic he continued, "My Dad was murdered a week ago! This was all that he left for me! I have the keys right here!" he said, fishing the keys out after putting the tire iron into his armpit and held them out for these things to see. "One of your guys jumped at me and attacked! I just defended myself!"
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Post by swapgo on Aug 13, 2023 20:34:03 GMT
"Jorsh? What word is that?", one of them questioned, though the other two were a bit more inquisitive, "It's not him? Not him? Not sound like him. But you said you hadn't seen him. Yes but that's not him", they bickered again, it appears that these nocturnal critters were much better at listening than they were at seeing, which is why they confirmed Roman's non-identity once he made demands. "You know what he is saying? No. No? What did he do a week ago, week uhh, he was not here a week ago", the door slammed once more, in a show of apparent unison. "Hey what happened there", "He is dead!", "What?", "He killed him! It's not him!", the critters conversed with the body at the other side of the door, somehow they were able to unambiguously carry out a conversation despite not ushering a single name. "Hey! Get me the-, hey!", something metallic rubbed against the power plant while one set of eyes approached Roman with ill intent. It was clear that they weren't going to listen to his words.
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Time
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THE ONE PIECE! THE ONE PIECE IS REAL!!
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Post by Time on Aug 13, 2023 20:53:36 GMT
Roman listened and felt his stomach sink as he realized something. If they were talking about someone they didn't use names. Did these things even know what a name was? Had his dad even been here? If so, how had he convinced these things not to tear him apart?!
As Roman heard the voices converse it was clear that there was a misunderstanding. Still, Roman realized that if he moved he'd let the horde in, and if he didn't the three creatures in front of him would attack him as well.
He heard the sound of metal against metal, as a set of glowing red eyes came up. Roman gritted his teeth in fear, as he racked his brain. They used simple words. Spoke broken english. There had been a clear misunderstanding, and regardless he had apparently killed one of them
.....
Wait... Had he killed one? "Wrong! Not Kill! Not kill! He let me in! Big man let me in!". Roman said, despite the fact that they were likely well beyond speaking terms. He had one chance, but it was a stupidly risky one.
He just needed..... A sudden idea came as suddenly his phone rang, the sound of the Motorola Ringtone rang and echoed shrilly. He needed a distraction. Enough to maybe turn the generator on.... He still had the pepper spray after all. Setting the Torch down to where he had a clear path and sight to the generator's control panel, Roman braced himself. Ignoring the call in his shirt pocket. "I am Big him's son. Big him be angry if you attack!" Roman said, as he pulled out the pepper spray with one hand. "Him burn you if attack!" Roman said as a final warning.
Was this it? Was he going to get stabbed like his dad? Or could he somehow turn this into his favor? Could he even have a hope to escape after this?! He had to try, at the very least.
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Post by swapgo on Aug 13, 2023 22:48:10 GMT
The phone ringtone provided an adequate distraction, as it made the lizard second guess if there was some other critter in his pocket. "Sun? Sun is angry all the time. You're not suAAAAAAAAAAAGH!", the critter reeled as the light revealed him, prompting him to drop a small pickaxe, hopefully they hadn't been swinging that at the panel. "The sun attack! Attack the sun!", the creature asked, and the torch was violently shut off by a flying chisel breaking through the lens. "Sun don't matter, you're not him! We know you're not him!", the voices melded once more. Trying to piece this strange pseudo-language was too difficult at this moment, only George Dimitri could convince them he matter, and he wasn't here.
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Time
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Post by Time on Aug 13, 2023 22:58:35 GMT
Roman felt bewildered as the suddenly saw the thing fear thr light. As he looked at the cave he realized something. They were cave dwelling, and the fact that the sun hurt their eyes meant that it was what they feared. As he tried to grab the torch again, he shielded himself as plastic and glass littered where it was. He was plunged into darkness, before quickly pulling out his phone and shaking it. Instantly, the flashlight on the backside flared to life, this time not nearly as focused as the last one as he was quick to deny the caller. "He died! I am...." Roman paused as he quickly ran forward towards the lizard thing. He needed a simple word. Something that made sense. Things were literal to these lizards.
Then it struck him. As he finally knew what to say. "If I die, Sun burn everything! I am his blood, I am his Kin!" Roman said, as he aimed to kick the legs from under the lizard, before rushing past and to the generator.
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