No Turning Back

Chapter Thirty-Six: Shadows In The Night

I was beginning to think my mind had played tricks on me. Perhaps the noise had not been real after all? It had been so low I could have easily mistook it for my own heartbeat. But the wave of shivers it had sent through me reassured me it was real. 

I pressed on and made my way down the stairs before I noticed a shadow dance along the shutters of the juggernog room. My breath caught as I crouched low and out of view. From my hiding place, I watched a figure leaving the crimson light of the juggernog machine as their face remained hidden in the darkness. 
They appeared not to see me as they took no note of my presence. I simply watched them walk off as the sound of their feet seemed to taper off. But then, I heard the sound of footsteps as they crescendoed towards me again. I anxiously eyed the double doors on the opposite side of the room as I began to see a shadow flow across the threshold. 

I managed to make my way back up the stairs as I masked the sound of my own footsteps behind the thudding ones which began echoing throughout the room. Once I was back up in the catwalk I turned to continue watching. But no one appeared. The footsteps seemed to come to an abrupt stop as the shadow which smeared across the floor eventually began to recede. 

I felt a rush of panic wondering whether the figure had known I was there all along. But they gave no indication of such. I calmed myself and quietly made my way back down the stairs - hiding around the corner before descending the last flight. My quickening heartbeat throbbed in my head as I tried to resist taking deeper breaths which would give away my position.

There appeared to be no sound coming from the room across the double doors before I heard the footsteps begin again. They loudly thudded back up the stairs towards the floor with the juggernog machine which lulled me into a false sense of security which I quickly shook off. Perhaps they thought they heard me and decided to call off the investigation? Or perhaps they were waiting for me to follow?

Once I descended the final flight of stairs I knew I would be out in the open with nothing to hide behind. So I quickly but quietly made a beeline towards the ruined lander that Richtofen was supposed to arrive on. The wall in front provided some cover for me to peer around before proceeding any further.

As I stood with my back against the wall; my body began to tremble with fear. My limbs began to feel like rubber before I mentally chastised myself for allowing myself to succumb to fear at a time like this
Finally, I managed to take back control before stealing a look to confirm that the room ahead was clear. The broken concrete barrier past the double doors had retained all its planks. The light bulb from the nearby room flickered as it swung in the wind - hanging from its tattered cable.

I tiptoed across the empty room before making my way to the stairs which would lead me to the juggernog machine. Still, there was no one around. I made my way to the vending machine itself before noticing a large boot print embedded into the dusty floor. It definitely was not a soldier's boot. The print left behind was far too wide to be made by a normal man's shoe.

I carried on and ascended the next set of stairs which led me me the ground floor - leading me to Dempsey and the others on the right. And of course, the stairs in front led to Richtofen's office. The imposing metal door which now sat atop was enough to discourage me from even entertaining the idea of a visit. I quietly made my way out to Dempsey and the others who all greeted me with a smile.

"So, how is he? Which one do you guys reckon it is?" I whispered eagerly.

"Heh, it's our Richtofen alright... But listen to me, Kiana", Dempsey began with worry in his voice.

"There is something that is troubling Richtofen. His eyes reflect fear and uncertainty. He has seen things which have shaken his very spirit", Takeo interrupted.