He was the last one out as always, closing the store's shutters with his usual enthusiasm as he started the 15 minute walk to the basement car park. He always timed it so that the mall would shut for the night just as he reached his car, meaning security would always be too busy checking all the locks to bother him with empty platitudes.
By now every other store would be shut, all the lights dimmed and doors shut tight - not a single soul in sight save for the light patter of footsteps in the distance as the security lads did their rounds. Tonight, however was different. Tonight he walked towards the food court and saw someone asleep by the fountain, curled up along the stone wall.
From a distance they looked homeless but something about them, and the way the food court lights seemed brighter than normal, made the whole thing feel... off. He made a split second decision to stay on the upper level and take the staff elevator down to the car park instead of walking the more scenic route.
Just as the doors were closing he was the sleeping man sit up and look around.
He signalled to someone with his hand as a dozen more people peered over the ledges of the food stalls.
By now every other store would be shut, all the lights dimmed and doors shut tight - not a single soul in sight save for the light patter of footsteps in the distance as the security lads did their rounds. Tonight, however was different. Tonight he walked towards the food court and saw someone asleep by the fountain, curled up along the stone wall.
From a distance they looked homeless but something about them, and the way the food court lights seemed brighter than normal, made the whole thing feel... off. He made a split second decision to stay on the upper level and take the staff elevator down to the car park instead of walking the more scenic route.
Just as the doors were closing he was the sleeping man sit up and look around.
He signalled to someone with his hand as a dozen more people peered over the ledges of the food stalls.
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