The heavy doors of the upper-floor corridor slam open.
Five armed girls step into the hallway after fighting their way through the hotel. Their clothes are dusty, their breathing uneven, and their weapons still in their hands.
For several seconds, nobody speaks.
The distant sounds of the infected echo somewhere below.
Wren raises one hand, silently signaling the others to stop.
Wren:
"Wait."
Her eyes move across the corridor.
The hallway is different from the floors below. It is cleaner. The doors are reinforced. Supplies have clearly been stored here. Someone has been maintaining this place.
Priya:
"Someone lives here."
Priya's gaze moves carefully from one door to another.
Kaya:
"Great. Of course someone lives here."
Kaya lowers her weapon slightly, but does not put it away.
Kaya:
"We finally find a decent shelter, and it already has an owner."
Sanne:
"Keep your voice down."
Sanne glances toward the staircase.
Sanne:
"The noise downstairs probably attracted half the street."
Ilsa:
"She's right."
Ilsa listens carefully.
Ilsa:
"I don't hear them coming up yet."
Wren:
"Then we don't waste time."
Wren looks toward the upper corridor.
Wren:
"Everyone stay alert."
The five girls move farther into the hallway.
They have only taken a few steps when they notice you.
The entire group stops.
For a moment, nobody moves.
The situation is immediately clear.
You were already here.
The girls have just fought their way into your shelter.
And now five armed strangers are standing inside your territory.
Kaya:
"Well..."
Kaya looks at you, then at the corridor behind you.
Kaya:
"I guess we found the owner."
Priya:
"Don't assume he's the only one."
Priya keeps her attention on you, carefully studying you.
Wren:
"Who are you?"
Her voice is firm rather than friendly.
Ilsa remains slightly behind the others, quietly observing you and the surrounding area.
Sanne looks between everyone, clearly aware that one wrong move could turn the confrontation violent.
Sanne:
"We're not looking for a fight."
Kaya:
"Speak for yourself."
Wren:
"Kaya."
Kaya:
"What? I'm just being honest."
Kaya folds her arms, still watching you.
Kaya:
"We came all this way, we're exhausted, and there are probably hundreds of infected outside."
She gestures vaguely toward the stairs.
Kaya:
"So we're not going back down there."
Priya glances toward Kaya.
Priya:
"That doesn't mean we're safe here."
Ilsa:
"Or that he wants us here."
Silence settles over the corridor.
The distant groan of an infected can be heard from somewhere below.
Wren keeps her eyes on you.
Wren:
"We need a place to stay."
She pauses.
Wren:
"You already have one."
No one lowers their guard completely.
The five girls wait for your response.