It doesn't take long before they make it outside, and the man stays on guard as he now takes out his phone.
Though. He pauses over a particular contact.
He is quiet as they trek down the flights of stairs, as he is clearly weary of them using the elevators at this moment.
This isn't the dream world, but the spirits --- he can sense them just as strongly as he does when he is asleep.
"You ask a lot of questions."
+
She is nodding at the given instructions and question, then pausing to take a good look at her surroundings.
It is desperately that she tries to pinpoint exactly what sight had made the situation turn dangerous for them, what he had seen.
+
"I used to be a police officer. Once we exit, it would be best to report this in any case. Hurry."
He gestures again toward the door. He will allow her to go first as to keep an eye on her safety.
He is respectful and rather than taking her hand, he motions toward the door closest toward the direction of the exit.
"We'll take the stairs to the first floor. Do you have everything you need with you?"
He pauses. To her, he looks like an ordinary citizen.
+
Her wandering gaze finally stops at him again, noticing now the ominous shift in his behavior. It's alarming, even more after having heard his last few words โ they make her get closer and hold tighter on to the files.
โ Why, why is . . . that? โ
+
This urges him to quickly move past her and peek into the surrounding rooms, checking the area to see if there are any abnormalities.
as the area was clear, he returned his attention toward her. this could potentially be the cause of a nightmare.
"it isn't safe here."
disappeared?
this pauses the man as he looks over his shoulder toward the hallway he had just entered, recalling that he had just spoken to a doctor, or so he thought.
looking back toward her after his momentary observation, he finally inquires aloud, "Disappeared?"
+
Her frantic steps slow down at the mention of music; a big smile breaking through her tense expression. The comment alone had dragged her closer to the stranger now.
โ Music? I do enjoy music . . . More than it shows while I'm in this uniform. โ
+
the solemness made more sense now. her colleagues weren't just out for the day, rather they had supposedly vanished, and considering the familiar verbiage on the files she carried... frustration trying to solve this alone is evident.
+
and it's even more difficult to reassure a stranger, so he frowns without much thought and purses his lips.
" Do you enjoy music? Ah, my apologies for the unwarranted suggestion, but it could help to step away from everything for a while. Maybe listen to some music on a walk? "
" It can be troubling. . . " as someone who typically handles everything alone, Odaka knew this more than anyone.
having just finished his personal visit to the hospital, it wasn't clear why he was there, but since strangers don't often intrude in that area,
+
โ It's difficult to explain, sir, but . . . many problems keep piling up, I can't handle them myself alone ! โ
She had not stopped pacing around the room, clearly looking stressed while in her civilian form.
he was likely safe approaching this younger woman about her more public concerns.
his bag is gently tossed over his shoulder, further tucking the paperwork inside. " when words can't describe how you're feeling. " he pauses. comforting someone else isn't his strong suit --