Rising, they thanked her for the tea and headed towards the library. Ghost knew what the park had once looked like and took a moment to compare in his mind’s eye what it had once been with what it had become. They soon reached the exit Silver had spoken of. This was the first tricky part. The library had its own community and Guardian. People had been surprised at how little value things that they took for granted had. Knowledge, however, had a way of keeping its value. These days knowing how to start a fire or mend a jacket could mean the difference between life and death.
Slowly, being careful to make no sudden movements, they made as wide a berth of the library entrance as they could. They both knew that running back past it to the park would be problematic at best. For now though, it was best to deal with the immediate problems. The shopping mall was directly in front of them, with only 40 feet of pedestrianised zone between them. There were a number of ways in, one of which was almost directly in front of them. That particular shop would lead them through to the inside of the mall. Although it was the fastest route, Ghost shook his head. Too many unknowns, including, in particular, the possibility of the structure collapsing on them.
That still left a number of possible entrances to choose from. Ghost nodded to his right and they started walking down the street. Although the shops had been deserted for years, they hadn't been looted. The combination of the dangers of coming here and then having to find someone who was willing to pay for what amounted to so much junk meant that it was mainly time that had taken its toll on the shops. Even the pavement was still fairly easy to walk along or, Ghost reflected, to run along.
It only took them a minute’s brisk walk around the building to reach the main entrance. It had been designed like a giant stained-glass window and, although rust stained, the supports and glass still seemed to be intact. Cautiously they entered one of the doors and closed it gently behind them. There were no alarms to worry about here. On the other hand, the slow shuffling noise that echoed through the mall told them that the rumours were true.
Next
