The warehouse smelled like rust , wet stone and fear. The ten cots lined the cold concrete floor, one for each of them - members of team echo . The one foolish or desperate enough to walk the hollow road.
No one was talking loudly .Voices stayed low, barely louder than the sound of rain tapping the metal roof above . It wasn't just nervousness .It was respect. The road they were walking tomorrow had taken people before - taken them , twisted them , broke them
kaito sat on the edge of his cot , packaging his bag for the third time .Flashlight, batteries , dull survival knife , dried food and hidden in the inner pocket - a small crumbled photo of two boys laughing in the summer light .
He glanced a look at ren. Ren was new in a team echo . He just came to the group three days ago so he wasn't much familiar with any of them - except . Team echo was very famous . They have went to many mysterious and dangerous places but the hollow road is the most dangerous place they have or will ever go to . Ren was sitting in hall looking outside while smoking . The smoke curled around him like a fog, rising past his sharp jaw and unreadable eyes.
kaito hadn't spoken to him for 12 years . Not since everything changed .He still looked the same - just quieter ,taller , sharper and more handsome . He has a mole in his left cheek which makes him even more handsome.
"Don't bother ", said mai. the team's field leader , walking past and tossing a pack of snack onto her cot . "He doesn't talk much not to anyone not even me" . kaito shrugged , eyes still fixed on ren . "Wasn't going to ". " sure you weren't ", she muttered with a smirk , then moved on. Ren flicked ash onto the floor . He didn't look at kaito not even once , didn't acknowledge him , Just stared out the broken glass into the blackness beyond , something out there was calling him silently .
The other kept themselves busy.
Dr. Ishida , the group's researcher, recorded notes into hand- recorder .
Kenji and Aya , the twins , were arguing in hushed tone about what gear they needed.
Marco , the quiet engineer , checked their comms unit . Marco and Ren were pretty familiar. Although Ren doesn't talk to anyone he talks to Marco a bit more than other.
Leina sharpened a knife , her hand too steady for someone her age .
Since it was winter, it was pretty cold out there . Ren lit another cigarette . kaito stood , took a hesistant step forward but he changes his mind and went straight his room .
Everybody went to sleep. The whole cottage was filled with silent . Not knowing what may or will happen after this night .