Tension built up gradually as they approached the infamous building. Tom and Steven tried to lighten up the mood making remarks on the possible movie development and joking, but their hearts were

Tension built up gradually as they approached the infamous building. Tom and Steven tried to lighten up the mood making remarks on the possible movie development and joking, but their hearts were not really in it, so by the time the group reached the front stairs silence has fallen among them.

The vast structure spread to either side of the wide staircase leading to its entrance. Piles of rubbish and debris left after the SWAT cordon was removed could be seen here and there, but otherwise there were no more signs of recent presence of any people in the vicinity. All was quiet and atmosphere of complete abandonment ruled the site.

The group halted at the foot of the stairs, and people shared uncertain glances after taking in the picture in front of them. Nobody was truly looking forward to this, even if it was in the best interests of the movie they set out to film. A mix of drama and documentary that was supposed to depict one of the most tragic hostage situations ever known.

Most gazes finally settled on the young woman standing at the front of the group. Her face calm and composed, she was looking at the looming building as if not seeing it at all, or seeing something else entirely.

- Mm, so… do you think you’re ready for this? – Tom ventured and offered a hesitant smile.

- Yes. That’s what we’re here for, after all. – came the calm reply.

She started up the steps as if to go in through the front doors, but then stopped abruptly, cast a quick glance around and turned to Tom and the rest.

- What was that you wanted me to do? Retrace my steps?

Steve – the movie director – nodded.

- Would be really great if you did that.

- Alright…- She started off in the direction of the building’s right wing.

- Where are we going? It’d be really useful if you commented on…erm...the chronology of events, as we go. – Steve explained.

She slowed down a bit and gave him a thoughtful look over her shoulder.

- Do you think you’d feel more comfortable if we didn’t go in all together? Maybe just Tom, Nat and myself for starters? I will perfectly understand, Martha.

- No, it’s fine – was her clipped reply. – Just…do not record this in any way, OK? No video or sound, nothing.

- Yes, certainly... Although, I’d like to put down some scenery details and actual facts – only in writing, mind – if that’s alright with you.

- Agreed. Right now we’ll have to enter through a side door and walk through the building to where it all…began. I can take you all the way to the end of the story from there.

- Why not use the front door? – asked Nataly.

- Because that is where it all ended. – Martha said darkly.

They have reached the stone railing of the front porch. It was a dead-end and at this point Martha got atop of the railing half jumping over it and moving on without a pause. Tom followed suit helping Nataly climb down as soon as he was on the other side. Steve and the rest paused in puzzlement and then gingerly stormed the obstacle too.

Martha led them on down a narrow dirt path running along the wall of the building to a low unmarked door plated with rusty sheets of metal.

- This is where they got in, originally. A fire exit. The police said there was a padlock here that they cut off.

She then opened the door which gave a loud creak of rusted hinged. A slight echo of the sound came from within the building. Stepping in they found themselves temporary blinded by the contrast of the bright day outside and the twilight of the building’s interior. As their eyes adjusted they saw that they were at the bottom of yet another staircase – a fire escape route most probably – leading up. Martha set off, the others followed in silence. Up and up they went, passing several closed doors marking floors. On the fourth floor they finally stopped and entered the building proper. In front of them was a long corridor seemingly running all length of the outer wall of the building, lined with doors on the left-hand side and with windows on the right. The windows were boarded up, leaving only small gaps between unevenly nailed boards to let in slithers of daylight. Dust covered everything and the air was stale and heavy with it.

- This part of the building has been unused and shut off for almost a year before those events. I don’t think any security measures have been taken at the time to control this area – as well as other abandoned places around here. Proved to be a disastrous mistake, this.

- Yeah…I can’t begin to imagine why they decided to hold that party here – Steve mused looking around as they walked down the corridor.

- Quite obvious: a perfect place for creating artistic environment without the inconvenience of agreeing interior adjustments with the landlord. – said Tom. – Truth be told, what they’ve done – the decorations and layout – did look rather impressive. At least on the telly.

They reached the end of the corridor and turned left to descend a flight of stairs ending by a set of large wooden doors. Martha opened one of them and they stepped into a huge room which most resembled a medium-sized concert hall. Everything looked renovated; in fact, this place was so different from the rest of the building that it was hard to believe they were in the same place. Although, now this contrast was not so pronounced. A low semi-circular stage was arranged against the far wall. Pieces of cloth, broken furniture parts, pieces of rope and electrical cables were scattered all over it. The rest of the area was apparently meant for the audience…only it didn’t look like a party site anymore. Chairs and tables were pushed into a heap against one wall, the centre of the hall cleared as if for a show. The carpeting was torn and burned through in several places. There were also dark stains on it – many trailing in uneven lines from the doors to the stage. Tom followed these with his gaze and shivered inwardly. The only possible guess of their origin has risen in his mind and he tried to push this thought away. “This is going to be difficult” – he thought, contemplating what may yet await them.

Martha walked across the empty area heading to the furthest edge of the stage while the others trailed slowly behind taking in the scenery.

- What happened here exactly? – asked Steve, taking out a battered Moleskine notepad and a pen.

- This is where we…where the majority of the guests were assaulted. The terrorists rushed in from several directions simultaneously. That door we came in through, another one across the hall – you can’t see it now because of that furniture – and two more doors on the balcony. – Martha stopped to indicate the entrances. – We were at the point of a gun before we even realised something had gone wrong.

She was silent for a few moments. Then:

- The rest of the guests have been captured in other rooms and in the entry hall and brought here. Furniture was moved out of the way to make more free space…all hostages have been herded onto the stage and made to sit on the floor. Some people tried to put up a fight in the process but they were beaten down. Some of them have been wounded…men who presented the most threat have been bound and knocked out.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-04