I steel myself as we track through the dark sewer. The smell and rats made my stomach twist, but that was nothing I couldn't handle. Thomas and the reporter named James Welsey led the way. I hope this man knows his shit. We couldn't afford to run into one of those burning creatures. Things spiraled out of control after Henry died. Thomas and I are far from figuring out what is happening on Earth. Racheal, Hannah, and Emiko gracefully navigated the slippery sewer. I should have broken out some combat boots like Detective Sano did before we moved out. Aside from running a good pair of dress shoes, it was a minor detail. I was more concerned with what was waiting for us at City Hall. For the Mayor's Office to be cordoned off like it was didn't make one shred of sense. Our own police forces were acting like an armed terrorist group. What's worse, the media wasn't reporting the attacks on the city's emergency services except for two channels.
James and Thomas stopped under an access point that led to somewhere near City Hall. Bob and I took up flanking positions while Thomas headed up. Detective Giannetti watched the rear as we waited for my brother to give the all-clear. Daylight shines down into the sewer as Thomas pushes the manhole cover open. I step on the ladder, ready to go up behind him. A moment later, he gives me a thumbs up. I climb up out of the opening into an alleyway. 'It looks like the reporter was right.' Across the street was City Hall. The alarming lack of pedestrians or anyone at all was concerning. City Hall would be busy on a typical day, which should be more so from this city crisis. There wasn't even a reporter or journalist in sight, let alone any police presence.
We're talking New York City here, and there isn't a soul for blocks. Aside from the checkpoints in the distance, I was getting a bad feeling. Why have roadblocks if there was no one near City Hall?' Thomas and I post opposite each other, peering into the street. As I had figured, it was devoid of life. The others came out of the sewer and lined up next to us.
"Looks like it's clear to cross over," Thomas said.
"No, we better take one of the side streets," James said.
Thomas nods in agreement, at the reporter's sound sense. I wasn't the only one getting bad vibes about this situation. The words 'too easy' popped into my head like a movie trope. I didn't want this to turn into some twist in a movie that got half or all of us murdered savagely. Taking a detour now might save our lives in the long run. I hope that there's someone in there who can help the city. James takes us back down the alley to a connecting passage. We had to backtrack a block before crossing over, but the coast was clear. The whole stealth approach reminded me of my combat days. James takes us in through a service entrance. Once inside, everyone let out a sigh of relief. There's no one near our immediate area.
"Eddie, Take Hannah, Racheal, and Emiko to the Mayor's Office. The rest of us will sweep the first floor and make our way up. Keep your eyes open and stay alert. I help us if we run into those monsters again," Thomas said.
I agree with him, and the four of my group make our way to the stairwell. Taking an elevator was out of the question. Besides that, we may need to save that route for a hasty escape. The three sultry women took the lead as I brought up the rear, letting them lead the way. For just a moment, my mind briefly wanders to each of the three women's round rumps in their tight pencil skirts as I watch them ascend the stairs from behind. I thanked them for keeping those form-fitted skirts and pantyhose on. At least I had something to take my mind off of the unreal situation we were experiencing. The appeal would have been greater if they wore heels, but I couldn't blame them for that. I just enjoyed it while I could before the shit hit the fan. If my family's luck was any indication, trouble was on the horizon, and the shit would definitely hit the fan. Still, I almost wanted to hang back a little to get a peek up those skirts, but my better judgment canceled that dumb idea out.
Rachael and Emiko flank the door leading to the floor the Mayor's office was on. Hannah and I stood with our carbine rifles ready. I thanked Uncle Sam for providing these deadly and accurate rifles. New York's finest had the best equipment possible after the last Presidential and Mayor's elections respectively. Emiko gave a count of three, and she swung the door open. I move in with my barrel scanning both sides of the hall with Hannah close behind. Emiko and Rachael enter and secure the door behind us.
"Empty and no power," I whispered.
"It's down the hall to the right," Hannah whispered.
Hell, everyone on the force knew where the Mayor's Office was. I knew I'd been here one too many times. We move steadily down the hallway, checking inside each room quietly. There was no one here. Yet, this building should be bustling with civil servants and city officials. Now we knew why the response today was so abysmal. What the city needed right now was strong leadership, yet the city was in short supply today. I bet One Police Plaza was no different. In fact, it didn't look like anyone had occupied the building for days or weeks. I think back to the last time I saw a press conference from City Hall or the Mayor. But nothing came to my mind. Emiko and Rachael repeat their breaching positions for the door of the Mayor's Office. Another three count, and Hannah and I rush in, sweeping both sides of the room. We weren't surprised that the Front Office was empty, as no one was inside.
For the third time, we set to breach another door. Emiko pushes the door, but it doesn't move much. It isn't locked because something is blocking the door from the inside. That's when I noticed the busted lock. Someone tried getting inside this room by force. The four of us pause when something moves inside the room. I look at Hannah, then to Emiko and signal them to watch the other door. Emiko and I move back behind the secretary's desk. If anyone had a weapon inside, we didn't want to get blown away due to the thin walls. Detective Sano puts up four then five fingers indicating there may be that many people inside. These might not be the crazies considering what was happening just a few blocks away. I took a chance on this hunch and made myself known.
"This is Detective Eddie Hunt with the NYPD. If anyone is in there, identify yourself," I said firmly.
I waited for a few minutes, but no response. We did hear whispering coming from inside. People were in there but didn't trust what I was saying.
"Listen, some bad shit is going down today. I don't know who's in there, but I hate to break it to you like this. It isn't safe here. We have emergency shelters in Bellevue, Mount Sinai West, and Gracie Square. All other civilians are urged to leave the city. The National Guard is already evacuating the schools. We might be your last chance to get to safety," I explained.
The whispering grew louder until there was a flurry of movement. It sounded like the people inside were moving furniture. A couple of minutes later, the door opened. Mayor Erica Barnes, two young women, and a man. I recognized the two women as the Mayor's nieces, Eliana Evan and Hallie Pearson. Every tween, teen, and college student knew who these two sweet belles were. They wore a matching pink and sky-blue tweed blazer, a pencil skirt with white pantyhose, and color-matching Mary Jane heels. The Mayor herself wore a black version of the same outfit. They clearly intended to match. Mrs. Barnes was still stunningly gorgeous and was around my age. The dirty blonde and her nieces have some bountiful melons, and the three worked those pencil skirts. The man with them was her Chief of staff, Olivier Roberts. He was a stoic and lanky man that didn't fit his job title. His salty gray hairstyle gave me the impression he'd worked in private security. The carefully concealed vest was confirmed by suspicion. He was the only one armed too. I got a good look inside, and it looked like they'd been here for days. The stockpile of food and water that clear.
"Are you armed?" I asked.
Mr. Roberts confirms and draws a pistol. "You say it's not safe here anymore?" the man asked.
"Yeah, something strange is happening. Half the force is gone Gestapo while there are other threats roaming the city," I explained.
"Okay, can you escort us to one of the shelters?" Mayor Barnes asked.
"That's what we are here for," I said.
"Stay close, and keep quiet. We don't know what else is inside the building," Rachael stated.
I clicked my radio to let Thomas and his team know we had the package. I didn't want to do any more communicating than that. In case there was danger close by. With an extra gun now, the plan was going smoothly.