As the dust settles, you realize the key had been shifting in your hand as if it were full of gel. It stops moving as the vibrations in the building dissipate into the ground.
Everyone begins to crawl out from whatever hiding place they’d jumped to. Fred pops his head out from behind a reception desk, struggling to his feet.
“What is THAT?!” He shouts, staring at the key in your hand. You stammer, unable to answer him. He hobbles over to you as quickly as he can, grabbing your hand to give the item a look. The others regroup to investigate the noise.
“I don’t believe it, you found another one…” Says Fred in disbelief.
“Another… what?” You reply, despite knowing in your heart that it is a key. Something tells you that you shouldn’t tell him you know that.
“It’s just like the one Sam found all those months ago! I thought we’d missed our chance-”
Just then, Murphy runs down the stairs in a fervor. “FRED!” He yells breathlessly.
“Murphy, oh boy, you were right to let this one in--”
“Oh never mind that now, Fred, come here! You’re gonna wanna see this! You too, stranger!” Murphy is wide-eyed, gripping his bayonet in fear, but a grin has spread across his face. Fred reluctantly lets go of your hand, telling you to follow as he limps upstairs. Now that you have a clear view, you can tell his leg isn’t freshly injured- it must have been crippled in the war.
HEAD UPSTAIRS ==>
