A Crumbling Society

Part 3-4

In a split second I made sure there were no bystanders and casted my hand on the ghoul causing it to shatter. Guts and black blood flew in the opposite direction, and I was alone again. Before any of the others could arrive, I decided to leave, fighting them all wouldn't help anyone. I'll figure out why they came to Earthworld later since I already had plans. This time I half ran down the sidewalk to make up for lost time, my internal navigation told me I was five blocks away. This wasn't bad considering, however, the new additions to the city might make things harder. Hoping to not run into more ghouls I changed to a full sprint. Two blocks down the civilians looked confused, the groups that fled must have made it over here. Four blocks and things looked normal, and life was still happening untouched by monsters. I slowed down to a walk to keep things looking normal and so I could catch my breath. Businesses were operating like normal; this appearance must be the first if it hasn't spread so quickly. People on their phones talking about groceries and dinner, client meetings and interviews. Totally off kilter considering what was down the street, but it might help me out. If any of the ghouls get up this way then the meeting might be called off, I was so close. Now that I had made my way up the road the building was just across the street, having caught my breath I made sure nobody was coming. Crossing the street, I ended up stuck on the center plant bed because the light turned green earlier than expected. You could see a group filing in from a line along the side entrance area, there were a lot of people. I also made sure to keep my head facing away from the cars just in case anybody might recognize me. They either thought I was homeless or shy but taking interest in my shoes helped keep my head down as well. Listening in on the reporters and members checking into the place, still not knowing what it was. Seeing what I had originally seen on the news only from here the writing on the front wasn't legible. Popping up to red, the traffic light finally halted the cars for me to walk over, now you could see the title of the building. A man's name followed by "Hall of Literature" which confirmed it was connected to a college. The central grounds for the university must be nearby. Following the line down to the end I scanned the structures for other entrances and found two. This line ended a great deal before reaching the trim of the front, so I was able to go around the side. It was larger in person on my left, and there were a lot of windows looking out to the trees on my right. Sixteen windows I counted and then another turn to the back revealed the first of two doors. Using my magic to see if anybody was guarding this door, I could see three men. Guns drawn and radios beeping coded sounds, this might be trouble. Deciding to not try to fight my way through this entrance I checked the second one. Around the next corner I went and there was another backside. This one was a patio with lounge chairs in the corner and tables placed around mathematically. A few people were standing out here and I hid behind the wall right before the bushes started.

A man in a suit was speaking to two women dressed in formal business attire about the meeting. He told them that once it was over then "the lady" will go to office three on the fifth floor. Adding that she will be collecting her notes and looking over additional materials that are being included whilst they discuss policies and the future of the union. One of the women wearing maroon asked about bringing her food and the man told her not to. "She likes being alone after affairs", he said to her, and she responded by saying "ah". The other woman, whom was in a powder blue, noted that the meeting was almost over by checking her watch. I was the tiniest bit questioning why they were out here until they had made a comment about how it's awful being assistants. Strange that they would be out here and not in the meeting, but it was most likely a tactic so that they stayed in the dark. Neither of them knowing what is really being talked about in a meeting regarding the union means that something wicked is going on. On the other hand, it seemed to be perfect timing that the meeting was almost done. That line in the front must be here to catch the first word after for the news. I sensed where exactly office three was and it ended up being right above the set of windows I passed earlier. Stepping back through the grass I returned to the spot, checking inside the windows showed an empty study. Multiple bookcases and a massive wooden desk with elegant carvings sat waiting to get attention. Covering my chest with my palm the image of my normal self quickly shifted back to the black suit. Carefully launching in the air to enter the room I shifted the density of my body. This allows me to alter the mass of how solid my body is to be able to pass through the building's structure. The window sat in place while I passed through without breaking it, my foot however made a thud on the floor in my landing. Almost immediately the door flung open revealing that the men I saw guarding a door were also standing outside this one. It must lead to that one from the hall, with no time to think my magic kicked in, I couldn't see my hand while frozen in place. I must have gone invisible just in time, the man searched the room sensibly like his life depended on it. Hanging out in place never bothering to breathe too heavily he eventually found nothing and left. Filling out and being visible again I walked around the room to feel for the floors above. One person stood alone and then there were two empty spaces. This side only went to five floors so the last one was the office; it lay dormant awaiting company. Reassuring the person by themselves wasn't paying attention I flew myself up to the designated place passing my body through the ceilings and floors making my way up. Finding a dark corner, I waited with the room for her to arrive.