The rooms were now silent. There were no flashing lights or warnings, only the faint crackling of burned-out circuits and the distant hum of dying power systems. The tension from the previous several minutes hung like a ghost, and the air still smelled of dust and ozone.
We paused for a while, Anthony and I, to collect our breath.
He then gave me a shoulder clap. "Not bad, boss."
I exhaled. "You either."
"Come on, let's get out of here before this place decides to fall apart anyway."
With our footfall resonating across the chilly metal floor, we began walking back the way we had come. The structure itself was still remarkably intact—too intact, given that it had been left unoccupied for more than ten years.
As we proceeded, I rubbed my fingers over the wall, feeling the smooth, intact surface beneath the dust. "This place doesn't make sense."
Anthony glanced at me. "You noticed too, huh?"
