Erik (DarKnyht) and I had been in contact about something he was working on, and I was intrigued. I was curious to see it for myself. Because I was in DC at the time, it was simple for me to travel to Pittsburg to meet him and see things for myself. This took place back in early March.
Erik picked me up from the airport and drove me into Pittsburg.
I had seen the city from the air, but the airport is in the suburbs. We were driving for a while without seeing anything. I had lost one of my contact lenses so I was wearing my glasses. I was looking out my window, being all quiet as normal. I am very shy in person, so I was not saying anything.
Then we passed through the Fort Pitt Tunnel and there the horizon took the shape of a city. The buildings and skyscrapers provided a beautiful contrast to the pale blue sky behind it.
I was feeling anxious and excited at the same time. I knew it would be dangerous, but my curiosity is usually stronger than my sense of fear. This was no different. I pushed some hair to the side of my forehead, pushed my glasses on my nose, and turned to Erik. "So what's the plan?" I asked.
Monsters taken out in Pittsburg
Monsters taken out in Pittsburg
Last edited by Natasha on Fri May 11, 2007 9:29 am, edited 1 time in total.
Natasha was riding in the passenger seat with her headphones on. She looked to be in her own world at the moment taking in the view of Pittsburgh as you enter into the city. It is quite a view the first time you come in, and I thought of the times as a kid coming here to watch Pirates games with my dad. It was always an adventure to drive the distance to the big city. I was there lost in my memories when she spoke up making me jump a little.
"So what's the plain?" She asked.
"The plan is simple, to try to track down what had been causing all the disappearances. If we can we will deal with it, otherwise we will just try to get anyone there to safety," I replied. "I got lucky the other night and was able to track whatever is behind this to an old steel mill. It is watched by a security guard that makes rounds between a few other locations in town. So we should be able to get into the place unnoticed."
"Since it is still a few hours until dark, I thought we could go get you checked into the hotel. You probably want to leave some of your stuff behind and get a bite to eat. The hotel is located in the middle of a shopping area so there good selection of places to eat, and we can walk to there so you can stretch your legs back out."
"So what's the plain?" She asked.
"The plan is simple, to try to track down what had been causing all the disappearances. If we can we will deal with it, otherwise we will just try to get anyone there to safety," I replied. "I got lucky the other night and was able to track whatever is behind this to an old steel mill. It is watched by a security guard that makes rounds between a few other locations in town. So we should be able to get into the place unnoticed."
"Since it is still a few hours until dark, I thought we could go get you checked into the hotel. You probably want to leave some of your stuff behind and get a bite to eat. The hotel is located in the middle of a shopping area so there good selection of places to eat, and we can walk to there so you can stretch your legs back out."
“Whoever starts out toward the unknown must consent to venture alone.” - Andre Gide
I tugged the cord of my player and my headphones popped out of my ears. I gathered them up and put them in the bag.
"That all sounds very good to me. I just need this bag," I said as I patted my shoulder bag. I paused for a second, "And something to eat." It was only an hour flight, but I felt like I had been sitting for a long time, at the airport, in the plane, in the car. My legs could use the walk. Another pause, I felt stupid to ask, but, anyhow, I asked, "is Pittsburg famous for some type of food?" I sort of laughed at myself as I realised I was behaving a little different than even a few months ago.
"That all sounds very good to me. I just need this bag," I said as I patted my shoulder bag. I paused for a second, "And something to eat." It was only an hour flight, but I felt like I had been sitting for a long time, at the airport, in the plane, in the car. My legs could use the walk. Another pause, I felt stupid to ask, but, anyhow, I asked, "is Pittsburg famous for some type of food?" I sort of laughed at myself as I realised I was behaving a little different than even a few months ago.
"Is Pittsburgh famous for some type of food?" she asked.
I couldn't help but smile at that question. "You probably will be familiar with Pittsburgh's local food. Most of it is Eastern European in origin. You might be familiar with the pirogies and Halušky. There is a local restaurant near the hotel that serves both."
It was about that time that we turned to cross the bridge that led into the waterfront area in Homestead. Below the bridge you could see all the shops and restaurants running along the river underneath. It never ceased to amaze me how many bridges existed in the city. I have been told once that there are over 1500 of them in the county and I could easily believe it.
We chatted about the local history and I tried to remember what little I could from so long ago. The last time I lived here, the place I we were pulling into did not exist. For that matter, nor did either of the new stadiums downtown. A lot changed but I could still hear the city calling me to come back home.
Finally we pulled into the hotel, and it was only a matter of a few minutes before we got checked in. The front desk person had difficulty understanding Natasha's accented English. I loaded the luggage onto a cart and led her to her room. It was a suite like mine, with a living/kitchenette area in one room and the private bedroom/bath. We moved her stuff into the room and then we agreed to meet downstairs in a half an hour for food and to talk seriously about the night ahead.
As I headed off to my own room, I started playing over the facts again in my head. At least 12 homeless had disappeared in the past three months if the other homeless were to be trusted. Some said that one of their own was murdering them, but those details were conflicting at best. Then there was the event that got me looking into it, a teenage girl had disappeared from around the same area three nights ago and her friend had been killed, brutally.
Also playing on the area was a series of bizarre mechanical failures and accidents. So far no one had been seriously hurt, but they seemed to be getting more deadly each time. The last one was a bus that had just received new brakes that morning, losing them on a hill barely missing a kid in a stroller before slamming into a abandoned building. Somehow the two of them had to be connected.
I couldn't help but smile at that question. "You probably will be familiar with Pittsburgh's local food. Most of it is Eastern European in origin. You might be familiar with the pirogies and Halušky. There is a local restaurant near the hotel that serves both."
It was about that time that we turned to cross the bridge that led into the waterfront area in Homestead. Below the bridge you could see all the shops and restaurants running along the river underneath. It never ceased to amaze me how many bridges existed in the city. I have been told once that there are over 1500 of them in the county and I could easily believe it.
We chatted about the local history and I tried to remember what little I could from so long ago. The last time I lived here, the place I we were pulling into did not exist. For that matter, nor did either of the new stadiums downtown. A lot changed but I could still hear the city calling me to come back home.
Finally we pulled into the hotel, and it was only a matter of a few minutes before we got checked in. The front desk person had difficulty understanding Natasha's accented English. I loaded the luggage onto a cart and led her to her room. It was a suite like mine, with a living/kitchenette area in one room and the private bedroom/bath. We moved her stuff into the room and then we agreed to meet downstairs in a half an hour for food and to talk seriously about the night ahead.
As I headed off to my own room, I started playing over the facts again in my head. At least 12 homeless had disappeared in the past three months if the other homeless were to be trusted. Some said that one of their own was murdering them, but those details were conflicting at best. Then there was the event that got me looking into it, a teenage girl had disappeared from around the same area three nights ago and her friend had been killed, brutally.
Also playing on the area was a series of bizarre mechanical failures and accidents. So far no one had been seriously hurt, but they seemed to be getting more deadly each time. The last one was a bus that had just received new brakes that morning, losing them on a hill barely missing a kid in a stroller before slamming into a abandoned building. Somehow the two of them had to be connected.
“Whoever starts out toward the unknown must consent to venture alone.” - Andre Gide
I was feeling calmer with this life. I mentioned before on these boards how it feels strange to shop for toothpaste and toilet paper or try to figure out where to get some food in between fighting supernatural threats. Strange is becoming more normal.
I figured we could talk some more about the details while we ate. In Russia we can sit in the kitchen and eat snacks and drink tea or coffee all day long, just talking. Well, at least we from St. Petersburg can. Ambition is a disease you catch if you spend too much in Moscow. Anyway, I was looking forward to learning everything Erik had gathered about this situation because already my mind was going over different scenarios of what might be behind the disappearances.
The Lazlo Society boards serve as repository of encounters and information. I was anxious to add some more to it.
I mentioned that I wanted to try halusky. I had only heard about it before, but never actually ate it. So that was were we would eat. When Erik mentioned the bridges, I mentioned that my city had loads of bridges, too. St. Petersburg, of course, was build by Peter the Great on a Finnish swamp. At last count, I heard that St. Petersburg consists from 101 islands. Some of our bridges raise so boats can pass them. It was fun listening to Erik recall things, sometimes little things, but they can be just as interesting as anything else.
The hotel room was amazing. I seriously never knew such rooms in a hotel existed. It was about as big as my apartment in Moscow, and a thousand times better. I hopped onto the bed and just laid there for a few seconds. Yep, better than my bed. I rolled around a bit... bigger, too. The shower, which had soap, shampoo, and conditioner all for me also actually had noticable water pressure. And the towels were fluffy. Ah, life in America.
Well, I admit, I actually said "bye" to the bed as I walked out the door. I slowly shut behind me and I smiled to myself. I went to the stairs and sat in the lobby where Erik was waiting for me. I smiled and motioned my head towards the door, indicating I was ready to go. As he opened the door I walked through, and then the seriousness hit me.
We got seated in the restaurant and Erik ordered for me, sparing the server my accent. I never stop being amazed how much asking for "water with lemon" is so not understandable. Erik filled me in on the background, so it was just down to the details, you know, where the devil is.
I figured we could talk some more about the details while we ate. In Russia we can sit in the kitchen and eat snacks and drink tea or coffee all day long, just talking. Well, at least we from St. Petersburg can. Ambition is a disease you catch if you spend too much in Moscow. Anyway, I was looking forward to learning everything Erik had gathered about this situation because already my mind was going over different scenarios of what might be behind the disappearances.
The Lazlo Society boards serve as repository of encounters and information. I was anxious to add some more to it.
I mentioned that I wanted to try halusky. I had only heard about it before, but never actually ate it. So that was were we would eat. When Erik mentioned the bridges, I mentioned that my city had loads of bridges, too. St. Petersburg, of course, was build by Peter the Great on a Finnish swamp. At last count, I heard that St. Petersburg consists from 101 islands. Some of our bridges raise so boats can pass them. It was fun listening to Erik recall things, sometimes little things, but they can be just as interesting as anything else.
The hotel room was amazing. I seriously never knew such rooms in a hotel existed. It was about as big as my apartment in Moscow, and a thousand times better. I hopped onto the bed and just laid there for a few seconds. Yep, better than my bed. I rolled around a bit... bigger, too. The shower, which had soap, shampoo, and conditioner all for me also actually had noticable water pressure. And the towels were fluffy. Ah, life in America.
Well, I admit, I actually said "bye" to the bed as I walked out the door. I slowly shut behind me and I smiled to myself. I went to the stairs and sat in the lobby where Erik was waiting for me. I smiled and motioned my head towards the door, indicating I was ready to go. As he opened the door I walked through, and then the seriousness hit me.
We got seated in the restaurant and Erik ordered for me, sparing the server my accent. I never stop being amazed how much asking for "water with lemon" is so not understandable. Erik filled me in on the background, so it was just down to the details, you know, where the devil is.
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Bert_the_Turtle
- Posts: 3618
- Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2006 8:50 pm
- Location: In Between the Supernatural and the Innocent
Dinner was interesting. I have never heard the history of Russia related the way that Natasha told it. I grew up reading about it from the history books, but there was an American slant to everything because the cold war was not quite finished. We also finalized our plans for checking out the abandoned steel mill.
We were going to time the security guard's first round and then go in after he when by the second time. That way we would know how much time we would have before he returned. The area was fairly deserted at night so I didn't see anyone else bothering us. It took another hour and half for the guard to make his rounds, so I figured we had about the same until he would be back to check again. I had learned to trust my abilities to help me track things supernatural, so I was sure that we could confirm if that was the problem quickly. That would leave us plenty of time to deal with it and get out again.
I Thought between the two of us, I was the better prepared for combat. The thought of that worried me, because I only have basic training. I had brought the shotgun, my unique handgun, knife, sword and plenty of ammo. I would take point as I could not willingly put Natasha in the way of harm before me. There is that much to my login.
By the time we left the restaurant the sun had gone down past the hills and the city was starting to embrace the night. We did a final check of our equipment and headed towards the location.
We were going to time the security guard's first round and then go in after he when by the second time. That way we would know how much time we would have before he returned. The area was fairly deserted at night so I didn't see anyone else bothering us. It took another hour and half for the guard to make his rounds, so I figured we had about the same until he would be back to check again. I had learned to trust my abilities to help me track things supernatural, so I was sure that we could confirm if that was the problem quickly. That would leave us plenty of time to deal with it and get out again.
I Thought between the two of us, I was the better prepared for combat. The thought of that worried me, because I only have basic training. I had brought the shotgun, my unique handgun, knife, sword and plenty of ammo. I would take point as I could not willingly put Natasha in the way of harm before me. There is that much to my login.
By the time we left the restaurant the sun had gone down past the hills and the city was starting to embrace the night. We did a final check of our equipment and headed towards the location.
“Whoever starts out toward the unknown must consent to venture alone.” - Andre Gide
Well, let's say I have had tastier food, but this was not bad. After the friendly talk - which was much better than the food - we started on the business we came here for.
Erik was armed to the teeth. I noticed his pistol. I had seen guys carrying such weapons before. I mean, it not looked like the other guys, specifically, but its style was familiar. The kind of handgun you see in computer games and movies. Pretty cool looking weapon. There where was the shotgun, blades, and hell-a-lot of ammo.
I had prepared some wards, and he had given me a Glock (.40 caliber) with some extra ammo to carry, too. I trained with pistols, so I can shoot them pretty good.
But I had also brought some wards that I managed to put together before my arrival in Pittsburg. They mostly put creatures to sleep (in my case for about 6 minutes). My thinking was that it if we came across something, we would not have to kill it right away, but put it to sleep and give us some extra time to ponder "what to do about this thing?" If that is destroy it, all the easier to kill a sleeping monster. I brought a few that could do damage, too, just in case.
This is my strength. As Erik said, I am not the fighter. Besides, he can sense things that I cannot.
Erik was armed to the teeth. I noticed his pistol. I had seen guys carrying such weapons before. I mean, it not looked like the other guys, specifically, but its style was familiar. The kind of handgun you see in computer games and movies. Pretty cool looking weapon. There where was the shotgun, blades, and hell-a-lot of ammo.
I had prepared some wards, and he had given me a Glock (.40 caliber) with some extra ammo to carry, too. I trained with pistols, so I can shoot them pretty good.
But I had also brought some wards that I managed to put together before my arrival in Pittsburg. They mostly put creatures to sleep (in my case for about 6 minutes). My thinking was that it if we came across something, we would not have to kill it right away, but put it to sleep and give us some extra time to ponder "what to do about this thing?" If that is destroy it, all the easier to kill a sleeping monster. I brought a few that could do damage, too, just in case.
This is my strength. As Erik said, I am not the fighter. Besides, he can sense things that I cannot.
The wards caught me completely off guard when Natasha finally did start putting them to use. One thing this adventure taught me was that there is more than one way to fight. I will never underestimate her ability again.
The plant itself was old, built back before automation took over the more dangerous jobs in a steel mill. I wondered how many people had lost their lives forging steel in this forgotten place. I could see where railroad tracks once fed the mill with raw materials, and then carried away the finished product. There was a decaying rail car parked along it's tracks, and garbage that had accumulated over the years scattered about.
Anyways, entering the fenced in area was not difficult. The fence was put up probably in the 60's and rust had claimed parts of it over the years. Likewise the buildings it enclosed looked neglected. Only the roof over the refining plant still had plating, the rest was opened up to the night sky.
We crossed the yard towards the plant and entered.
The plant itself was old, built back before automation took over the more dangerous jobs in a steel mill. I wondered how many people had lost their lives forging steel in this forgotten place. I could see where railroad tracks once fed the mill with raw materials, and then carried away the finished product. There was a decaying rail car parked along it's tracks, and garbage that had accumulated over the years scattered about.
Anyways, entering the fenced in area was not difficult. The fence was put up probably in the 60's and rust had claimed parts of it over the years. Likewise the buildings it enclosed looked neglected. Only the roof over the refining plant still had plating, the rest was opened up to the night sky.
We crossed the yard towards the plant and entered.
“Whoever starts out toward the unknown must consent to venture alone.” - Andre Gide
Although dark, we could see a lot of detail as we approached. The plant looked like a giant monster, perhaps a tectonic entity. There was nothing about the look of the building that said it should still be standing. The closer we got the more foreboding it became. Whether entering a dungeon, dark mysterious cavern, or a very old abandoned steel plant, the sensation of fear was the same. I felt some hestitation. I remember wondering if others like Erik or Ron or Bert feel this very brief hestitation before throwing themselves into the dark unknown. If Erik did, I never noticed. And that was reassuring to me.
I had come here to investigate and I had the feeling deep inside me that we would be doing more than investigating. I pressed my back close to my hip with one hand, hoping that I had brought enough wards, or even the proper wards. In my other hand was a Glock, and I hoped that it would be enough if the wards were not.
Once we reached the plant we stopped for a moment outside to reset ourselves. Erik was right in front me, he turned his head to me, and, strangely, I remember seeing his soul patch first and somehow watched only it move as he spoke, "ready?"
I was not, really. This building gave me the creeps. Going into dark places test my psyche more than anything else given my childhood. But Erik's confidence energised me, and encouraged me. In that moment I was trying to think of an excuse to leave, but I knew I could not. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and nodded. I exhaled, opened my eyes, "I'm ready," I responded to Erik.
Prowling through this old plant, eyes trying to pick out anything that is a threat, every muscle in my body was tense as I walked a few paces behind Erik. Would we find homeless guys? Would they be dangerous? Probably if there so many homeless missing lately they would not be hanging around here. "Try not to think," I repeat myself, remembering Sasha's advice, "if you think, you're dead." That was not reassuring. How am I not supposed to think? It would come with experience, but I would have to live through this first. And then I began to understand. But understanding and doing are not always the same thing.
The shapes, shadows, and lack of sound started messing with me as they moved. I blinked and they stopped, for a few seconds anyway. Erik was not reacting, everything was alright. "Stay calm," I said to myself. I had to trust Erik's instincts and ability to guide us through this situation. He looked relaxed, so I tried to relax.
I had come here to investigate and I had the feeling deep inside me that we would be doing more than investigating. I pressed my back close to my hip with one hand, hoping that I had brought enough wards, or even the proper wards. In my other hand was a Glock, and I hoped that it would be enough if the wards were not.
Once we reached the plant we stopped for a moment outside to reset ourselves. Erik was right in front me, he turned his head to me, and, strangely, I remember seeing his soul patch first and somehow watched only it move as he spoke, "ready?"
I was not, really. This building gave me the creeps. Going into dark places test my psyche more than anything else given my childhood. But Erik's confidence energised me, and encouraged me. In that moment I was trying to think of an excuse to leave, but I knew I could not. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and nodded. I exhaled, opened my eyes, "I'm ready," I responded to Erik.
Prowling through this old plant, eyes trying to pick out anything that is a threat, every muscle in my body was tense as I walked a few paces behind Erik. Would we find homeless guys? Would they be dangerous? Probably if there so many homeless missing lately they would not be hanging around here. "Try not to think," I repeat myself, remembering Sasha's advice, "if you think, you're dead." That was not reassuring. How am I not supposed to think? It would come with experience, but I would have to live through this first. And then I began to understand. But understanding and doing are not always the same thing.
The shapes, shadows, and lack of sound started messing with me as they moved. I blinked and they stopped, for a few seconds anyway. Erik was not reacting, everything was alright. "Stay calm," I said to myself. I had to trust Erik's instincts and ability to guide us through this situation. He looked relaxed, so I tried to relax.
I might of looked relaxed, but I felt like a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Once we were about halfway to the entrance of the remaining building, I could feel the presence of multiple creatures. Most were right around us, but one seemed to be a little further away. I was not able to make mind focus enough to get a better idea, but I knew they were there.
I asked Natasha if she was ready. There was a slight pause before she replied, and in that moment I almost called it off until there were more of us. However, when she did respond her voice was one of calm determination.
When we entered it took a minute for my eyes to adjust to the lower light, and the sides of the building muffled the sounds of the city. My eyes have always seemed more at ease in the darkness, and the grey shapes finally settled into the old equipment of a mill. I turned on the flashlight at the end of my shotgun and red light brought more definition to equipment.
I reached into my jacket pocket, grabbed the flashlight there and turned it on. It's red beam was added to the first and I handed it to Natasha. I smiled as I quietly said, "A friend of mine was an amateur astronomer. The red light doesn't mess with your night vision."
I asked Natasha if she was ready. There was a slight pause before she replied, and in that moment I almost called it off until there were more of us. However, when she did respond her voice was one of calm determination.
When we entered it took a minute for my eyes to adjust to the lower light, and the sides of the building muffled the sounds of the city. My eyes have always seemed more at ease in the darkness, and the grey shapes finally settled into the old equipment of a mill. I turned on the flashlight at the end of my shotgun and red light brought more definition to equipment.
I reached into my jacket pocket, grabbed the flashlight there and turned it on. It's red beam was added to the first and I handed it to Natasha. I smiled as I quietly said, "A friend of mine was an amateur astronomer. The red light doesn't mess with your night vision."
“Whoever starts out toward the unknown must consent to venture alone.” - Andre Gide
Finally, something that was very familiar to me. They use red lights in the observatories so that they do not trip over a cable or something else, or for sketching, or for anything other than peering through the eye piece of the telescope. It is used in other places, too - military vehicles and so forth.
I actually smiled. I was relaxing. For some reason this minor connection between my astronomy background and Erik's friend helped to assuage my anxiety. I remember thinking, "ah well he must know the old night time observation trick." At night you do not look directly at something you want to observe or it turns dark; you look around it quickly darting your eyes in a sort of circle around the object.
But that was a split second of time - from the time he spoke to the time it was in my hands - as the red beams bathing the old equipment snapped me real quick back to reality. As helpful as the red light was for us to move around, it also helped to deepen the creepiness of the place. Here we were prowling around in total darkness and the only light is red. If that just does not shout 'vampire', I am not sure what does.
We trained for operating in darkness with pistols and flashlights - we do not always have nightvision devices available, so the training is important. They always talk about training taking over, and for the first time I really felt it for myself. It felt good, and I started to understand some of the things I hear warriors say. The adrenaline and fear were sharpening my fight and dulling my flight response.
The invisible cord attaching me to Erik disappeared and I was moving with him rather than merely following him. I was ready for whatever was down a flight of stairs, around the next corner, or wherever whatever it was were chasing was hiding. I was ready for a fight.
I actually smiled. I was relaxing. For some reason this minor connection between my astronomy background and Erik's friend helped to assuage my anxiety. I remember thinking, "ah well he must know the old night time observation trick." At night you do not look directly at something you want to observe or it turns dark; you look around it quickly darting your eyes in a sort of circle around the object.
But that was a split second of time - from the time he spoke to the time it was in my hands - as the red beams bathing the old equipment snapped me real quick back to reality. As helpful as the red light was for us to move around, it also helped to deepen the creepiness of the place. Here we were prowling around in total darkness and the only light is red. If that just does not shout 'vampire', I am not sure what does.
We trained for operating in darkness with pistols and flashlights - we do not always have nightvision devices available, so the training is important. They always talk about training taking over, and for the first time I really felt it for myself. It felt good, and I started to understand some of the things I hear warriors say. The adrenaline and fear were sharpening my fight and dulling my flight response.
The invisible cord attaching me to Erik disappeared and I was moving with him rather than merely following him. I was ready for whatever was down a flight of stairs, around the next corner, or wherever whatever it was were chasing was hiding. I was ready for a fight.
It was when we had got about 30 feet into the place when the first noises above started. At first it was a scurrying, as if rats where in the rafters. Then, it took on a more ominous sound as metal began to creek and groan. I quickly shouldered my shotgun and pulled the pistol, knowing that the range was too far for the shotgun to be effective. I turned the smaller red light attached to the pistol up on the rafters and began searching for the source of the noise.
It was lucky that I did because no sooner than I looked up, I caught the sight of a metal i-beam coming down at us. I pushed Natasha one way and dove the other as the metal crashed down between us. The scurrying resumed and seemed to head off in a half dozen directions. I tried to follow one of the noises but only caught shadows moving.
Natasha seemed to be looking in the other direction. Probably following a different set of noises. I had almost gave up when an odd looking creature ran right through my light. I let my reflexes work and did fired a double tap at the creature.
It was lucky that I did because no sooner than I looked up, I caught the sight of a metal i-beam coming down at us. I pushed Natasha one way and dove the other as the metal crashed down between us. The scurrying resumed and seemed to head off in a half dozen directions. I tried to follow one of the noises but only caught shadows moving.
Natasha seemed to be looking in the other direction. Probably following a different set of noises. I had almost gave up when an odd looking creature ran right through my light. I let my reflexes work and did fired a double tap at the creature.
“Whoever starts out toward the unknown must consent to venture alone.” - Andre Gide
The noises of the city had been replaced by these scurrying noises. I had not noticed until the last second that Erik had looked up, as I started to look up, not noticing anything, he spun around quickly and gave a strong shove after letting go of the pump on his shotgun. I stumbled backwards and tripped over some stuff on the ground and fell to my back, my flashlight fell out of my hands and rolled away and then I heard an extremely loud crash that echoed a bit in my ears. I had no idea what it was. I rolled to my front side. "Erik?" I shouted looking around in the darkness. The response was two gun shots in rapid succession and the muzzle flash burned in my eyes destroying my nightvision. I quickly crawled as fast as I could to the flashlight and started flashing it around, ending it on Erik who was focused on something. I guessed he was looking for whatever it was that he had shot.
I stood up at last and looked around, but I did not see anything. "Erik?"
I stood up at last and looked around, but I did not see anything. "Erik?"
The afterglow of the shots I fired were still in my eyes, and it was after this night that I applied to get the suppressors that I now own. The heavy thud on the ground told me that I at least winged the creature enough to cause it to fall. When the light fell on it I saw that it was a creature of about two feet tall. It looked like an imp from fantasy books, and seemed more terrified of me than combative. It was then that I heard Natasha calling my name.
"It's some sort of imp-like creature. I think there are more up in the rafters of this place."
The pause was all the creature needed and ran back into the darkness. I let it go, knowing that the shots would just mess up our night vision again. I did not want to do that unless necessary. We needed to know what we where dealing with.
I closed my eyes briefly and concentrated once more. This time the ability I was grasping for opened up to me. There were the four things above but they moving away quickly. The imp creature and his friends. I could also now feel two other presences below us somehow. I opened my eyes back up to the darkness and looked at Natasha.
"I think we need to find a way down. But be on your guard, because there are at least three things down there that could be dangerous. I can track them for now, but they are probably doing the same to us."
"It's some sort of imp-like creature. I think there are more up in the rafters of this place."
The pause was all the creature needed and ran back into the darkness. I let it go, knowing that the shots would just mess up our night vision again. I did not want to do that unless necessary. We needed to know what we where dealing with.
I closed my eyes briefly and concentrated once more. This time the ability I was grasping for opened up to me. There were the four things above but they moving away quickly. The imp creature and his friends. I could also now feel two other presences below us somehow. I opened my eyes back up to the darkness and looked at Natasha.
"I think we need to find a way down. But be on your guard, because there are at least three things down there that could be dangerous. I can track them for now, but they are probably doing the same to us."
“Whoever starts out toward the unknown must consent to venture alone.” - Andre Gide
I was wide-eyed at this point. After Erik had responded I had walked over to where he was standing. I was looking up and around, but not that it was going to change anything. Then I looked down and I saw that large hunk of metal that had would have simply flattened me to about 1 milimeter thick if Erik had not shoved me. Really made it impossible to be worried about the scrapes as a result of falling down because of his shove. I checked my bag and all my wards and spare ammo were still there, so nothing was lost.
I was breathing a little heavy, pretty much entirely from the adrenaline, and some sweat had formed on my forehead. When Erik said we needed to find a way down and that we were being tracked, I, well, I felt really good about that. Before I would have sat down and said, "I really don't like the sound of that" or something in that line of thought (think Robot Marvin). But not this time. I nodded with determination and said with conviction, "Alright, let's go." I shocked myself, seriously. I even wiped the sweat from my forehead calmly.
We made our way through the old mill looking for someway down, shining the light under large pieces of metal and other scrap. I saw something that looked like it might have been a handrail poking out of a mound of metal. I walked over bits and pieces of scrap like someone stepping over waves while walking out into the ocean. I felt a very slight draft of wind there. I was able to pull away the tiny bits of junk, but there was a big piece that my arms just were not strong enough to lift. "Ooff," I grunted trying to move it. "Erik!" I called out as quietly as I could, "here!"
I was breathing a little heavy, pretty much entirely from the adrenaline, and some sweat had formed on my forehead. When Erik said we needed to find a way down and that we were being tracked, I, well, I felt really good about that. Before I would have sat down and said, "I really don't like the sound of that" or something in that line of thought (think Robot Marvin). But not this time. I nodded with determination and said with conviction, "Alright, let's go." I shocked myself, seriously. I even wiped the sweat from my forehead calmly.
We made our way through the old mill looking for someway down, shining the light under large pieces of metal and other scrap. I saw something that looked like it might have been a handrail poking out of a mound of metal. I walked over bits and pieces of scrap like someone stepping over waves while walking out into the ocean. I felt a very slight draft of wind there. I was able to pull away the tiny bits of junk, but there was a big piece that my arms just were not strong enough to lift. "Ooff," I grunted trying to move it. "Erik!" I called out as quietly as I could, "here!"
After Natasha agreed to move on we started looking for a way down. I watched as the light played over bits of metal and garbage on the ground. I noticed worn graffiti on the walls and support beams, showing that teens or gangs had once used this place. The empty bottles, rags, and empty food containers spoke of homeless taking shelter here once.
I was starting to think there was not a way down when I heard Natasha call my name. I moved over to her side of the mill and saw what made her call out. She was trying to move an old piece of sheet metal off of a railing. Between the two of us, we were able to lift it just enough to slide it out of the way. It was apparent that something or someone had tried hard to disguise this entrance to a basement level.
The two creatures were closer but still away from our location, but three rats scurried away from the light as we looked down the stairs. From where we stood it looked like the steps led to a storage room. There were exposed pipes running along the stairs, probably once carrying water and steam throughout the plant. The stairs themselves were metal and looked to still be reliable despite the flecks of rust on them. I told Natasha to cover my decent and started slowly down the stairs, hoping that they didn't collapse under my weight.
I was starting to think there was not a way down when I heard Natasha call my name. I moved over to her side of the mill and saw what made her call out. She was trying to move an old piece of sheet metal off of a railing. Between the two of us, we were able to lift it just enough to slide it out of the way. It was apparent that something or someone had tried hard to disguise this entrance to a basement level.
The two creatures were closer but still away from our location, but three rats scurried away from the light as we looked down the stairs. From where we stood it looked like the steps led to a storage room. There were exposed pipes running along the stairs, probably once carrying water and steam throughout the plant. The stairs themselves were metal and looked to still be reliable despite the flecks of rust on them. I told Natasha to cover my decent and started slowly down the stairs, hoping that they didn't collapse under my weight.
“Whoever starts out toward the unknown must consent to venture alone.” - Andre Gide
I squatted down with my pistol and light trying my best to cover Erik. The stairs protested under him and wobbled maybe a full 5 centimeters to one side, but it seemed that they would hold as he slowly descended into the storage room. He made it to the bottom and I could see him scanning the room. He motioned for me to come down as he took up a position to cover me. The stairs protested and wobbled as I slowly and deliberately took step after step. At each step I was pretty sure I was going to go crashing down, perhaps impaling myself on some nice rusty part of the handrail or something like that. But that did not happen. I made it down without incident.
The room was cleared of pretty much everything. There was no trash or any others signs of the punks and homeless ever being there. The floor was perhaps too clean, actually. Between intentionally covering up this entrance, some one (or some thing) had been sweeping up the dust here. There were no visible tracks to follow whatsoever.
I was standing in front of Erik. He pointed two times quickly with his finger to his left. I looked and there was a door there. He then held up two fingers, motioned quickly with his head, and then nodded as if to say, "understood?"
I nodded in return, and he spun towards the door. He knew that we were being supernaturally tracked, but we could still achieve some degree of surprise if we moved quick enough. And apparently we did exactly that as Erik walked towards the door and got close he picked up the pace and slammed all of his weight behind his shoulder, ripping the door open. I heard three distinct blasts from his shotgun: BOOM, CHACHAK, BOOM, CHACHAK, BOOM, CHACHAK. The coast was clear. The direct action caught me even by surprise somewhat. By the time I had made it up to his position he has finished sliding the the third shell into the shotgun's magazine. And I was just in time to catch the Hell Hound he just killed discorporate.
The room was cleared of pretty much everything. There was no trash or any others signs of the punks and homeless ever being there. The floor was perhaps too clean, actually. Between intentionally covering up this entrance, some one (or some thing) had been sweeping up the dust here. There were no visible tracks to follow whatsoever.
I was standing in front of Erik. He pointed two times quickly with his finger to his left. I looked and there was a door there. He then held up two fingers, motioned quickly with his head, and then nodded as if to say, "understood?"
I nodded in return, and he spun towards the door. He knew that we were being supernaturally tracked, but we could still achieve some degree of surprise if we moved quick enough. And apparently we did exactly that as Erik walked towards the door and got close he picked up the pace and slammed all of his weight behind his shoulder, ripping the door open. I heard three distinct blasts from his shotgun: BOOM, CHACHAK, BOOM, CHACHAK, BOOM, CHACHAK. The coast was clear. The direct action caught me even by surprise somewhat. By the time I had made it up to his position he has finished sliding the the third shell into the shotgun's magazine. And I was just in time to catch the Hell Hound he just killed discorporate.
Наташа Крылова .:. Natasha Krilova
As soon as my feet had touched the solid ground I let out a breath of relief. I don't care for heights and having stairs wobble got my nerves keyed up. The area looked preserved to me. If the lights had worked I would have sworn I walked into the past. Natasha moved a little into the room when I felt one of the creatures moving rapidly towards us. The distance it was coming from gave us time, but we were going to have to act fast. I glanced in the direction it was in and noticed the door.
I got Natasha's attention and signalled. I hope she would understand what I was trying to say. I started in the direction of the door, hoping to get set up to ambush it. Whatever it was, it was moving faster than me and was going to get there first. I picked up my pace and hoped that Natasha would be getting herself ready. There was no time for a pretty plan now, just brute strength. I broke into my full speed and hit the door with my shoulder.
The creature was one that I had seen before. I had killed its twin in the woods a few weeks prior. I levelled and fired three shots into its charging bulk. However, the creature still hit me as the third blast went off. It made enough contact to make me lose my balance and fall onto my back.
I got Natasha's attention and signalled. I hope she would understand what I was trying to say. I started in the direction of the door, hoping to get set up to ambush it. Whatever it was, it was moving faster than me and was going to get there first. I picked up my pace and hoped that Natasha would be getting herself ready. There was no time for a pretty plan now, just brute strength. I broke into my full speed and hit the door with my shoulder.
The creature was one that I had seen before. I had killed its twin in the woods a few weeks prior. I levelled and fired three shots into its charging bulk. However, the creature still hit me as the third blast went off. It made enough contact to make me lose my balance and fall onto my back.
“Whoever starts out toward the unknown must consent to venture alone.” - Andre Gide
I was already moving to Erik when he started blasting. The report of his shotgun startled me somewhat, but not stopped me. Whatever he was attacking was powerful enough to get to him and knock him down as the third blast went off.
"Chert!" I exclaimed (the Russian equivalent, roughly, of "damn"). I stopped and began to aim my pistol, but the last blast from Erik's shotgun hurled the creature back. I moved forward some more just in time to see the Hell Hound's corpse disappear. I scanned the little corridor while going down to one knee next to Erik. "Are you alright?" I asked giving him a quick look for any obviously serious wounds. Then I pointed my flashlight and pistol down the corridor.
"I'm fine," he groaned.
"Anything else coming this way?" I asked.
"Not yet," he replied, half in pain half in humour, and perhaps something else.
I took the opportunity to look down the corridor in detail while Erik was regaining his feet. The door had actually opened up into a tunnel passage of some sort. Erik had explained a little and I had read a little, too, that Pittsburgh has a rich underground, literally speaking. So I assumed this was a mine tunnel leading into a storage room (the room where we can come down the rickety old stairs).
Ok, so here is the thing with me. I am deeply afraid of dark enclosed spaces since childhood. Sasha, in his way of making me face my fears, upon learning this, carried me into a cave once. "Nothing to fear," he said, as he carried me beyond the entrance into the so-called dark zone. I was kicking and screaming and pummelling my little fists on his back as he carried me further into the pitch blackness. Of course in a cave this sounded like he was trying to cut off my head with an old butter knife. But after I was done kicking and screaming, exhausted and worn out, he put me down and gave me a helmet with a light on it and a flashlight. I considered bashing his head open with it, but I needed him to get me out. I would kill him later. He stood there until I got my breath back.
"Alright, ptichka, we can go further or we can walk out of here," he said, giving me the option I wanted to hear.
After a brief delay, I said, defeated, "further."
"Excellent," he replied.
We did a lot of caving and it forced me to face this fear of mine. So today I thought to myself, "Look, you entered the dark scarey building, you climbed down the stairs into the dark scarey room knowing there were some real bad things down here. So?" I then I said out loud but fairly quietly, "further." I was not sure Erik had heard me. He was still counting his ribs. That Hell Hound really ploughed into him hard.
So now my secondary fear was getting lost in the mines. I took a few steps forward and saw an arrow in yellow paint pointing behind me. That was reassuring, the miners had painted directions on the walls. Unfortunately, all the humidity of the underground sometimes cleans off the grafitti, so there was no guarantee that there would be more arrows deeper in the mine. That was not reassuring. But we had a trump card. Erik had established top cover before we descended on the old mill. Eventually, someone would come looking for us if we did not make it back at the pre-arranged time and day.
My primary fear? It was not the darkness anymore. It was getting eatten by one of those Hell Hounds, or, as Erik suspected, something much worse hiding down there.
"Chert!" I exclaimed (the Russian equivalent, roughly, of "damn"). I stopped and began to aim my pistol, but the last blast from Erik's shotgun hurled the creature back. I moved forward some more just in time to see the Hell Hound's corpse disappear. I scanned the little corridor while going down to one knee next to Erik. "Are you alright?" I asked giving him a quick look for any obviously serious wounds. Then I pointed my flashlight and pistol down the corridor.
"I'm fine," he groaned.
"Anything else coming this way?" I asked.
"Not yet," he replied, half in pain half in humour, and perhaps something else.
I took the opportunity to look down the corridor in detail while Erik was regaining his feet. The door had actually opened up into a tunnel passage of some sort. Erik had explained a little and I had read a little, too, that Pittsburgh has a rich underground, literally speaking. So I assumed this was a mine tunnel leading into a storage room (the room where we can come down the rickety old stairs).
Ok, so here is the thing with me. I am deeply afraid of dark enclosed spaces since childhood. Sasha, in his way of making me face my fears, upon learning this, carried me into a cave once. "Nothing to fear," he said, as he carried me beyond the entrance into the so-called dark zone. I was kicking and screaming and pummelling my little fists on his back as he carried me further into the pitch blackness. Of course in a cave this sounded like he was trying to cut off my head with an old butter knife. But after I was done kicking and screaming, exhausted and worn out, he put me down and gave me a helmet with a light on it and a flashlight. I considered bashing his head open with it, but I needed him to get me out. I would kill him later. He stood there until I got my breath back.
"Alright, ptichka, we can go further or we can walk out of here," he said, giving me the option I wanted to hear.
After a brief delay, I said, defeated, "further."
"Excellent," he replied.
We did a lot of caving and it forced me to face this fear of mine. So today I thought to myself, "Look, you entered the dark scarey building, you climbed down the stairs into the dark scarey room knowing there were some real bad things down here. So?" I then I said out loud but fairly quietly, "further." I was not sure Erik had heard me. He was still counting his ribs. That Hell Hound really ploughed into him hard.
So now my secondary fear was getting lost in the mines. I took a few steps forward and saw an arrow in yellow paint pointing behind me. That was reassuring, the miners had painted directions on the walls. Unfortunately, all the humidity of the underground sometimes cleans off the grafitti, so there was no guarantee that there would be more arrows deeper in the mine. That was not reassuring. But we had a trump card. Erik had established top cover before we descended on the old mill. Eventually, someone would come looking for us if we did not make it back at the pre-arranged time and day.
My primary fear? It was not the darkness anymore. It was getting eatten by one of those Hell Hounds, or, as Erik suspected, something much worse hiding down there.
Наташа Крылова .:. Natasha Krilova
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