Just as we'd expected the place is empty, except for some empty boxes and one microwave on the shelf. The place also doesn't scream 'Cosy', but it definitely looks secure. A metal staircase winds up to the second floor at each end of the room, probably leading to some offices or some more storage rooms.
While everyone else starts to check the boxes downstairs, I head upstairs to see if I can find anything. For all we know, someone could've hidden some supplies up there when it started so that they wouldn't be stolen.
At the top of the stairs, there's a small corridor with a wooden door at the end, the words "Breakroom" carved at the top in small letters. The door opens easily to a room with two sofas, a few kitchen counters, a coffee table filled with empty mugs and a dirty looking fridge. I walk over to the windows and open the blinds, watching as sunlight fills the abandoned room, revealing the thick layer of dust covering every surface.
I leave my knife on the kitchen counter and walk over to the fridge, calmly opening the door as if I was just grabbing a quick snack. The smell of rotting food hits my nose and I slam the door shut, making a mental note to warn anyone else who might be checking for food later on.
I stagger over to check the first cupboard, still lightheaded from the powerful fridge odour. All I can find is dozens of mugs with various logos and patterns printed on them, some with pictures of the workers and their families. The next cupboard is filled with some packets of Uncle Ben's rice, half eaten packets of biscuits and a few cans of tomato soup. I happily toss them in my bag and advance to the third cupboard, which is filled with cleaning supplies and a rotten packet of bonbons at the back, which someone was probably hiding from their co-workers. Something that I noticed while checking the cupboards is that all of them have loose handles and open too easily, suggesting that whoever used to work here took too many breaks.
After thoroughly checking the rest of the room for anything useful, I grab my knife from the kitchen counter and wander back downstairs to see if anyone's found anything. Ripped cardboard boxes cover the floor and it looks like most of the people have left to explore somewhere else.
I jump when I notice two feet hanging off one of the shelves and pull out my knife, realizing with a smile that one of the kids has fallen asleep on it. I tap them on the shoulder and wait for their eyes flutter open.
"There's a sofa up there in the break room." They murmur in reply and slowly get off the shelf, obviously in pain from the uncomfortable surface. I continue to the second staircase, immediately spotting the muddy footprints leading all the way up. This must be where everyone is.
I reach a corridor almost identical to the one on the other side of the warehouse, but this one has five rooms leading from it, the one straight ahead labeled "Managers office". I hear talking from outside the door and walk in. Alex is sitting on the chair behind the desk, Ruby is leaning against the table, Isaac sitting on the floor with Carly and two other people are leaned against a wall talking to each other. They all look at me and smile while Ruby rushes over to hug me.
"Where've you been?" She asks, with the expression of an excited toddler on her face.
"Checking out the break room." Her smile is contagious and I smile with her, but not as widely as she is.
"Where's that?" Her eyes fill with the excitement of exploring somewhere new.
"It's up the other staircase at the end of the corridor. I found some food but there's nothing else that could be useful to us."
"I'll take a look later." She sits back down on the desk while Alex offers me his seat, but I stay by the door.
"Find anything?" He asks, staring out of the window as if he's seeing a flashback of a childhood memory. He looks utterly at peace.
"Some rice, soup, and biscuits, and if you ever want a mug there's about a hundred to choose from. And a word of warning, don't open the fridge."
"Noted." He flashes me a smile and quickly returns to the window. "It's getting late." He adds, his expression changing from zoned out to concerned.
"The gates should keep us safe. We won't have any beds to sleep in, but there are two sofas we could take turns sleeping in."
"I call dibs!" Ruby and Alex shout at the same time, laughing at their unison.
"I'm having the desk chair!" Isaac adds, making sure to say it quickly so that no one else takes it.
"Fine, I'll take the floor. Come downstairs soon, I want to talk to everyone." Carly helps me round up everyone from the different rooms to get them to listen to me, which was more difficult than I expected because everyone seems giddy from having somewhere new to stay.
"Alright everyone, there are a few things we need to sort out about this place. First thing, sleeping arrangements. There are two sofas upstairs, and I need someone to volunteer to make a rota so we know who's turn it is to sleep on them."
"I already called dibs!" Ruby shouts, receiving many groans in return.
"What do we do now though?" Isaac asks, his arm wrapped around Carly.
"Your mom!" One of the younger kids shouts, followed by an explosion of laughter and sighs. He stares down at the floor in shame when he notices all of the older kids glaring at him, his proud bubble quickly being burst.
"We need to organize some groups to go and look for food and medicine, we won't survive long without them." Everyone goes quiet, but I understand why. We haven't been here long, but they've already become so comfortable with the sense of safety- none of them wants to leave.
"I'll go." Alex raises his hand, sheepishly followed by Isaac, Adam, and Ruby. Seeing that Isaac's already volunteered, Carly raises her hand as well. I give Ruby a questionable look as I was sure she wasn't going to volunteer. When we first left the hospital she looked like she was about to collapse from fear so I assumed she'd want to stay here where it's safe.
"Are you sure about this?"
"Definitely. I need to help, I've been completely useless ever since this whole thing started. Please let me go." Her eyes are filled with a mixture of emotions: pride, fear, and shame.
"Anything could happen out there. None of us could make it back alive."
"I know." I take a few seconds to consider it. I know I can't stop her if she wants to go, she always seems to get what she wants. It's always something I've envied about her, once she has her mind set on something she won't stop until she does it.
"Fine. But stay close to me."
She laughs. "Don't worry, I'm not exactly gonna run away."
"Ok then, it's decided. Tomorrow we'll take a look around the area for supplies. Is everyone okay with that?" A chorus of replies fills the room. "Alright then. Night everyone."
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