The gritty cement platform has the classic sleek oil platform that says unless you watch where you're going there's going to be nothing but shit to step through from here on out. If you walk further into the waiting area the neon welcome sign calls you into the unknown. Clara left the gate with sense that road to hell was paved with something like this. A warm hand clutching hers said at least she wouldn't be alone.
They stepped out into the haze of the afternoon. A grey overcast ushered them into the busy streets. Cars rushed passed and suits with cell phones whisked by with the speed of traffic. Clara tightly wound herself around Kurt's arm like a child lost in a crowded shopping mall.
"It's going to be okay, we're almost there."
Clara's eyes widened. "There are so many people. Everything here is so big."
"I suppose there is no point telling you not to worry. In this crowd no one will notice us."
Kurt urged her forward with an urgent tug on her sleeve. Clara's legs dragged along the sidewalk at the pace of frozen syrup.
"Are you sure? I mean anything could astray in the end…"
"We've made it this far I'm sure we can handle anything that might come up between here and the next few blocks."
"What if we can't?"
"Well it…" Kurt sighed, "We'll deal with whatever comes our way."
"You won't leave me right?"
"Never, not if Elvis himself came out of his grave and asked me."
"That's a relief." Clara paused "Who's Elvis?"
Kurt tried to repress his laughter. "I'll tell you later."
Clara glared at him with uncertainty but kept a firm grip on his arm. She walked following his walking pattern as close as she could. Kurt seemed so certain and so determined that everything would work out for the best.
"I had no idea a space could be this big."
"It is easier to hide in a big space, believe it or not."
"I believe it. Its hard hiding in small town, but at least there are less people who hate you."
Kurt pondered her logic for a moment. Would she really be safer somewhere else? Could bringing Clara here be out of some selfish desire to perform a good deed? No. This was scary for both of them though he would tape his mouth shut before saying anything to scare her. "Everything will be fine."
"You keep on saying that."
"Only because I keep hoping you'll believe me."
"Its not you I don't believe. It's the rest of the world I find impossible."
Clara clung a little closer to Kurt if such a thing were possible. She was already dragging on him like a scared child clinging to a teddy bear. The suits had disappeared and the streets were getting smaller and darker. Clara felt like running, but Kurt's even pace kept her from acting on fear.
"We're almost there."
Clara slowly looked up from the ground and looked at the scaffolding over their heads. The wall next to them was made up of broken bricks and more solid areas of cement. If work was being done on the building they were doing a poor job usually you have to tear something to rebuild it. Clara didn't know much about construction but she guessed this was the general course of things.
"We're here." Kurt said simply and stopped walking.
Clara looked around them. They were still under the scaffolding. At first glance the building looked like all the other warehouses and abandoned buildings they had passed before. With a closer examination the sidewalk was swept, most of the graffiti was cleaned off, and there was an ashtray tucked into the doorway.
"What is it?" said Clara taking a step back from the door.
"This building is a lot of things for a lot of different people."
"What is it for you?"
Kurt smiled and said, "A place of peace."
"Sounds too good to be true."
"We'll find out together." Kurt raised his hand and knocked on the worn out door.
"We don't want any!" said a voice from inside.
Clara looked at Kurt with a raised eyebrow. "A place of peace huh?"
Kurt laughed softly and knocked again until a small panel on the door fell out. Behind the panel was small white button below a peephole. Kurt pressed the button and waited.
"Well," said the same voice again, " I think we can help you then."
The door rattled and swung into the entry way, letting a little day light inside.
"Well come on in."
"You first." Said Clara.