Chapter 12: The Old Community Center
Leon felt an overwhelming pressure under Lewis’s gaze. He quickly nodded in agreement, hastening his eating pace. As soon as he finished, he made a suggestion.
“I think we should go check out the old Community Center.”
“Alright.” Lewis didn’t seem very hungry. He put down the half-eaten sandwich in his hand, stood up, and led Leon outside.
This time, they didn’t drive. Lewis walked north with Leon, crossing Pelican Town’s square. After about twenty minutes on foot, they arrived at a building half-covered in creeping vines, its exterior looking worn and shabby.
“Here it is. This used to be the Community Center. I haven’t been here in a long time. Every time I see it abandoned and in disrepair, I feel ashamed,” Lewis said awkwardly as they stood at the entrance.
Leon said nothing, just stepped closer to the tightly locked door. “Can we see inside?”
“Of course.” Lewis quickly pulled out a key, unlocking the rusted padlock and tossing it aside. “I’m not planning to lock it anymore. If you ever want to impress a lady from town with an adventurous date, you could use this place. The mice in here will definitely bring you two closer together.”
Leon gave a helpless look at the offhand but oddly reasonable joke, then stepped in first.
The moment he entered, the pungent scent of damp wood hit him. Sunlight streamed in through the open door, catching the floating dust in the air, forming a bright path—textbook Tyndall effect.