The elevator doors opened with a soft mechanical sigh, and Bai Li stepped out first.
The hallway outside was quieter than it had been a few minutes ago. The building had its own strange kind of silence now, the kind that only existed after the world had already fallen apart and whatever was left inside had learned not to waste energy making noise. Dust drifted lazily through the weak light leaking in from a broken window at the far end. Somewhere below them, a loose metal panel clicked every few seconds, carried by the draft.
Yan Cijin came out behind Bai Li and looked down the corridor. "So this is the glamorous part of the trip?"
Bai Li glanced back at her. "You were expecting a red carpet?"
"I was expecting something less depressing."
"You are traveling with me. You should have adjusted your expectations by now."
Yan Cijin gave her a look, then followed without another complaint.
