All is quiet

You grab the duffel bag out of the boot before locking the car. With Hina standing at your side you push through the door leading to the stairwell. There are two car parks on opposite sides of the large shopping mall that allow access to the building from the ground floor via large automatic doors that slide to the side to open. On each level of the car park is an emergency fire exit for the shopping mall. There is only one other door for customers to enter from which heads out onto Ashfield's central road that cuts through the centre of the city, and what used to be the busiest road anytime of day.

The whole complex is a big cylindrical building with eight floors filled with a variety of various shops with the base of the building being as wide as a stadium. The space between the floors leaves enough space for hanging lights that remain just out of reach. In the centre of the building is a large fountain display, with a multitude of water shows that splash and sprinkle water in it's large basin, with a wide open ring on each floor that cuts through the middle of the building all the way to the roof. The roof is made of thick, clear glass to catch the sun throughout most of the day which helps with lighting the complex, despite the amount of lights on every floor.

On every floor is three sets of double escalators that rotate up or down a floor on the edges of the building plus single strips of escalators that cross over the open gap per floor. In the building there are also four glass elevator's for customers to use within the central area of the building, there are also a few other smaller elevators per floor that cover less floors.

As you step into the open floor your footsteps echo around you. The ground floor has signs of looting and fighting all around. "I've never been here for these kind of stuff. You got any idea where to start?" You ask only to turn around after hearing silence. Hina stands a few metres away looking at an interactive map of the complex.

"I think this shop might have what we need, there on the fourth floor." She points to the highlighted section. Gazing wistfully up the centre, at least what you can see, you let out a sigh.

"At least the power is still on. I'd hate to have to carry the bags back down." Hina smiles at your words and follows as you make your way to the escalators nearby. "Tell me Hina, you ever come here before?"

"Oh no. I did not have any reason to come here."

"What about hanging out with some friends? You do live close by." You arrive at the next floor with more destruction around yet again.

"I do not have friends who invite me to stuff like that." Getting on the next set of escalators she blushes as you look at her quizzically. "No, no. Do n-not mistake me Michael. I had friends it is just we did not enjoy crowded places and people."

"Yeah, you do seem pretty shy around everyone at home. It's part of the reason I asked you to come with me. I thought you might've... I don't know, enjoyed it more?" You ask yourself, not that you have the answer. You notice the floor you're on has less destruction than the previous as you glance around.

"I would not say I do not enjoy spending time alone at home..." There's a brief pause as she steps closer to you, on your step, and stares into your eyes. "But I feel special when I am with you. There is something in you that I feel so close to." Her hand had rested itself upon your chest as she spoke. Your heart pounds against it and your face starts to heat up unexpectedly.

"Well, yeah. That's me." You chuckle nervously. "Always making people feel special." She inches closer so her face is right in front of you.

"There is something familiar about you. You just remind me so much of-" You trip as you reach the fourth floor. You fall back with Hina in your arms and land heavily with a thud onto the smooth tiles. You look down at her between your arms. She takes a deep breath in, sniffing at your chest. "I miss you so much." She says with a hint of sadness as she crawls up your body with a glazed look over her wide brown eyes. "I just want you back." She murmurs before hugging you tightly.

"Hina?" You ask as you lay still underneath her. She looks down at you.

"Oh Michael... I got a little distracted... You just smell like." She shakes her head and stands up over your chest, the hem of her skirt just blocking a perfect up skirt shot of her tights covering panties view. "It does not matter now." Before getting a chance to respond a clattering of metal resonates from nearby. Nearby as in the shop you're lay in front of.