I'll Keep You

Curiosity

"You shouldn't be here," he told himself out loud. Talking out loud to himself had become a comforting habit. He was usually alone. Working case after case took up a lot of his time. He had a partner but mostly kept to himself if he could. He knew that if anyone ever saw him talking outloud to no one would require endless amounts of explaining but so far he had been lucky.
He was oddly unaware of the last few people walking up and down the sidewalk making their way back to their homes or late night job shifts. "You are off the clock and this is against the rules." He knew that if anyone from the department found out that he was investigating the abandoned animation studio he'd be written up for sure.

The police station got random calls about the studio. Loud crashes coming from inside. Screams and yelling. The first few times they would send someone out to check it out but it always turned out to be nothing. The boards on the windows were still intact. Chains that were later put on the theater style doors to make sure that no one got in never seemed to be tampered with.

"Or out...," he chuckled.

After awhile the police station just took the calls and if someone was around on patrol in the area they would have them check it out but it was always the same thing. Nothing ever showed any sort or reason to further any kind of investigation.

"Mike, just go home. Relieving your curiosity isn't worth your job."

Deep down he knew that to be true but the curiosity he had in wanting to know more was too much to let go. He had felt his curiosity grow ever since he was sent out the first time to clear a call from a concerned citizen. With every call that he heard of that was dismissed it got stronger which led him to this moment. Standing on a mostly quiet sidewalk in front of Joey Drew Studios.

"If you are going to actually do this now is the time. The coast is clear, no one will see you." Nodding his head and taking a deep breath he took a quick look to his left and right before going to the doors and pulling out a keyring overloaded with keys of all sizes. He didn't even have to look at them to find the one he was looking for. He had it between his fingers the whole walk over. With nimble fingers he quickly put the key in the log and twisted it. The lock opened and fell into his waiting hand. The chain slipped from the handle but he caught it before it hit the floor. Mike held the chain and opened the door and slipped inside.

Once inside he closed the door behind him. He stood with the door at his back and waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. Small amounts of light snuck in through the cracks of the bards from the city street lamps outside but not enough for him to be able to walk confidently. Reaching for his belt he found his flashlight. Turning it on and pointing the beam of light before him he could see the room in parts.
He took a few steady steps forward while cautiously looking around him. He can upon a desk that he assumed must have been for the receptionist. It was covered in paper and dust. Passing the stream of light over he also saw black splotches and splatters in shapes that he thought seemed eerily like human-like hands.

Stepping away Mike headed towards the opposite side of the wide room where he found a hallway. Flashing his light against the walls he walked deeper and deeper into the abandoned studio. Mike carefully listened to the sounds around him as he walked yet dangerously unaware that he was being watched. A shadowy figure lurked in the shadows watching his every move.