[ That distant patter is turning into a roar, fast, the sound of a stampede - and still nearly drowned out by the mob's overlapping shrieks, and the growing noise of fully stocked shelves being overturned, glass shattering and plastic crunching, as many goods grabbed as trampled in the rush.
Heading back the way he came would be the smart thing, potentially escaping into the wider mall, but they're already surrounded. That limits safe choices somewhat, but there's another out Joel has in mind.
He knocks another raving, eyeless monster to the ground when it tries to dart down the aisle toward them - or maybe some meaningless item on the shelves beyond. Either way, he steps over the body without a second thought, pausing only to check the way is clear before crossing another gap between aisles.
Tucked back into the corner, behind more camping gear displays, there's a plain door marked Employees Only. He saw it earlier, but didn't have any reason to give it a try - now that he does, of course, it's locked. He almost reaches for a shiv in his back pocket that isn't there, before glancing back at the other man. And the knife in his hand. ]
You know how to use that? [ He gestures to the door as he takes a hasty step back, gaze flinching away as another few shoppers race past the end of the far aisle. Luckily they're looking for something a little further on. ]
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Heading back the way he came would be the smart thing, potentially escaping into the wider mall, but they're already surrounded. That limits safe choices somewhat, but there's another out Joel has in mind.
He knocks another raving, eyeless monster to the ground when it tries to dart down the aisle toward them - or maybe some meaningless item on the shelves beyond. Either way, he steps over the body without a second thought, pausing only to check the way is clear before crossing another gap between aisles.
Tucked back into the corner, behind more camping gear displays, there's a plain door marked Employees Only. He saw it earlier, but didn't have any reason to give it a try - now that he does, of course, it's locked. He almost reaches for a shiv in his back pocket that isn't there, before glancing back at the other man. And the knife in his hand. ]
You know how to use that? [ He gestures to the door as he takes a hasty step back, gaze flinching away as another few shoppers race past the end of the far aisle. Luckily they're looking for something a little further on. ]