[ Joel's expecting more of a struggle - at the very least, being forced to lift some heavy, rusted gate that'll scream so loud on its tracks they'll have half the horde down on them in seconds. But then, he's used to living in a world fallen into far greater disrepair than this one. A door that swings open easily, leaving them unimpeded in their path to the outside, is all but unheard of.

He nods stiffly, following along without a word, still waiting for the other shoe to drop.

But the world outside the mall is the same as it was, before, empty and vast - an island of concrete, lampposts and parking spaces. No crazed mobs to be seen. ]

Better find a way to block that door. If those things haven't gotten around the whole mall, yet, then we definitely don't want 'em out here.