The narrow alley between the buildings felt like a forgotten crack in the city. It was cluttered with overflowing trash bags, a broken shopping cart lying on its side, and the sour smell of rotting food and wet concrete. The entrance to the old cannery wasn't a real door. It was a damaged section of the wall where a huge, heavy loading door had rusted away and collapsed, leaving a rough, dark opening just big enough to squeeze through.
Ace went first, every muscle in his body tight with nervous energy. The mysterious System in his mind was silent, but his own instincts screamed that this was dangerous. Evelyn followed right behind him, her backpack holding her most important tools—her laptop and a portable battery. Silva came last, constantly looking behind them, his grip tight on a large metal flashlight he carried for protection.
