The Vault
Chapter II
Inside the building was very spacious and open. Looking around, she could see that all the inner walls had been knocked down, the inside converted into a large warehouse. Up above she could see holes in the roof, the moonlight so clear she could see the dust particles falling past the support beams.
Listening carefully, she could hear muffled screams. Crouching low, she followed the sound to an open trap door in the ground with stone steps leading from it. Leaning over it, she could hear the muffled sounds a little clearer. And then they stopped completely.
Breathing deeply, she calmed herself. There’s no turning back now, she whispered to herself although with each passing second, she started to fear the worst. She should have called the police, not that they would have done anything. She took out her phone to check for signal; no bars. So much for that plan, she sighed to herself, onwards she must go.
All the knowledge she had heard about this alley and how dangerous it was was fighting to make her leave, but once more she called upon the thrill seeker within her and took a step down the trap door.
One step, two steps, three steps. The moonlight faded with each step, replaced by a warm glow. The clean fresh air was also being replaced with the stench of filth and rotting flesh. It soon became unbearable and she threw-up in the corner on the steps. She felt dizzy and was sick again, the only noise being the splash on the concrete.
“Hello?” the voice full of fear echoed from deep below. It was only a hushed whisper, unclear as if their throat hurt from crying.
Leah didn’t dare to answer but pulling herself together she walked slowly down the rest of the steps and down the corridor, letting her nostrils get accustomed to the vile smell.
She kept walking, following the voice, turning where the corridor turned. She passed door upon door, mostly shut; the ones which were open, it took her minutes of concentrated breathing before she got the courage to take a glance and even longer to go past them. The only light was the orange glow from up ahead.
Finally she saw it, a few metres ahead of her on her left was an arch, the source of the light.
“Help…somebody…” The gravelly voice echoed off the walls.
After another few minutes, she whispered courage into her and called upon what adrenaline she had left. She clutched her stomach, praying that she would be safe.
Finally, she stepped out under the arch.
Her heart stopped and she staggered backwards, her legs turning to jelly. All the excitement disappeared, her face drained completely of colour. Like a delayed reaction, her eyes widened and her jaw fell open only to snap shut again as bile rose to her throat. It was only the sudden fear which swept over her body that stopped her from vomiting everything left inside of her.
Listening carefully, she could hear muffled screams. Crouching low, she followed the sound to an open trap door in the ground with stone steps leading from it. Leaning over it, she could hear the muffled sounds a little clearer. And then they stopped completely.
Breathing deeply, she calmed herself. There’s no turning back now, she whispered to herself although with each passing second, she started to fear the worst. She should have called the police, not that they would have done anything. She took out her phone to check for signal; no bars. So much for that plan, she sighed to herself, onwards she must go.
All the knowledge she had heard about this alley and how dangerous it was was fighting to make her leave, but once more she called upon the thrill seeker within her and took a step down the trap door.
One step, two steps, three steps. The moonlight faded with each step, replaced by a warm glow. The clean fresh air was also being replaced with the stench of filth and rotting flesh. It soon became unbearable and she threw-up in the corner on the steps. She felt dizzy and was sick again, the only noise being the splash on the concrete.
“Hello?” the voice full of fear echoed from deep below. It was only a hushed whisper, unclear as if their throat hurt from crying.
Leah didn’t dare to answer but pulling herself together she walked slowly down the rest of the steps and down the corridor, letting her nostrils get accustomed to the vile smell.
She kept walking, following the voice, turning where the corridor turned. She passed door upon door, mostly shut; the ones which were open, it took her minutes of concentrated breathing before she got the courage to take a glance and even longer to go past them. The only light was the orange glow from up ahead.
Finally she saw it, a few metres ahead of her on her left was an arch, the source of the light.
“Help…somebody…” The gravelly voice echoed off the walls.
After another few minutes, she whispered courage into her and called upon what adrenaline she had left. She clutched her stomach, praying that she would be safe.
Finally, she stepped out under the arch.
Her heart stopped and she staggered backwards, her legs turning to jelly. All the excitement disappeared, her face drained completely of colour. Like a delayed reaction, her eyes widened and her jaw fell open only to snap shut again as bile rose to her throat. It was only the sudden fear which swept over her body that stopped her from vomiting everything left inside of her.