Rain of blood (light rain)

I trudged on carefully, careful not to disturb any of the items on the floor that posed a threat to the silence, or things that hung from the roof, I was even careful with my breathing, as the good doctor told me

"their sense of hearing is their one and only means of finding you"

That aside, I had a hard time figuring out what the room used to be. To me it seemed like something out of a horror movie, blood splatter and smears seemed to be everywhere. I could see that the place was once kept tidy. That there used to be shelves lined against one wall stacked with tools of various uses, that the low hanging long Florissant lightbulbs were changed frequently, that the door leaving the room and it's glass panels were always intact, at least.

None of which seemed to be in place.

One of the shelves were pushed back against the door.

So they're here after all.

The room was clear, since there wasn't much of anything left to hide behind.

I holstered my pistol and tried the shelf that blockade the door, but it was too heavy and moving it would probably cause a racket.

I looked around.

Think I told myself.

My eyes caught the air vent and it seemed big enough for me to crawl through.

I stepped on one of the overturned shelves and placed my fingers through the grill

Holding it firmly and then with a sharp tug it came loose.

I stepped down and shone my flash light along the duct.

I couldn't see all the way.

I placed the flashlight in my mouth so I could use both hands while still having the just as helpful beam of light.

I didn't feel safe without my katana but bringing it would probably have been counter productive and even though I had the pistol I still didn't feel at ease, those bastards are tough. And the last time I had to completely empty the clip in one before it stopped moving.

The air duct proved smaller than I first anticipated.

Even though out smarting them is less than child's play. They're primal creatures, their instincts as predators far outrank any recorded animal but they're still just that, like animals. No matter how terrifying they might seem...

There was just enough room for me to crawl through the dark and humid space.

At that moment my thoughts drifted to eve. I don't know why.

After a while the vent came to an assent, it went up. Without any means of following it. Luckily there was an opening right below.

Bracing with my left hand I took hold of the grill and pushed down, it came off without much force.

Below was a carpeted passageway with paintings hung on either side, and there seemed to be entrances to offices too.

Save the flash light I had, lights below flickered on and off though mostly off.

Determined not to let it fall I pulled the grill into the air vent and jumped down rolling to avoid making too much noise then pulling the pistol as soon as I got upright.

I held my breath looking up and down the passage all the while listening for any sound to indicated that I'd been discovered.

I sighed. Doesn't seem that I stirred them up.

Are there even any on this floor?

I readied the pistol, releasing the safety.

Ok, where did she say the stairs were again?

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