Chapter 14: Blood-stained Aprons
In an attempt to lighten the heavy atmosphere surrounding their investigation, Cholo proposed a rather unconventional idea.
Cholo, with a mischievous grin, said,
"Hey, how about we spice things up a bit? Why don't we take a ride on one of these abandoned shopping carts? It could be fun!"
Agnes and Jonas exchanged uncertain glances, caught between amusement and apprehension.
Agnes chuckled nervously,
"Cholo, are you serious? This is a closed mall, and we're here to solve a mystery, not engage in shopping cart shenanigans."
Cholo, undeterred, responded,
"Come on, Agnes! A little fun won't hurt. Plus, we might discover hidden corners of the mall while we're at it."
Jonas, intrigued, added,
"I suppose a brief break wouldn't hurt. But let's keep it quick. We have serious matters to attend to."
Cholo spotted an abandoned shopping cart near a deserted store. With a theatrical flourish, he gestured towards the cart, inviting Agnes and Jonas to join in the impromptu adventure.
Cholo declared, "Behold, our trusty steed awaits! Who's ready for a haunted shopping cart ride?"
The trio climbed onto the shopping cart, Agnes and Jonas hesitantly taking their seats while Cholo assumed the role of the cart's self-proclaimed captain.
Cholo shouted, "Hold on tight, mates! Captain Cholo is steering this ship to uncharted territories."
With a sudden push, they glided down the mall's empty corridors, the wheels of the shopping cart creaking in protest. Laughter echoed through the deserted halls as Cholo expertly navigated turns and corners.
Agnes, caught between amusement and mild terror, yelled,
"Cholo, slow down! We don't want to crash into anything."
Cholo, with an exaggerated salute, replied,
"Aye, aye, Captain Agnes! Navigating through treacherous waters with utmost caution."
As they zoomed through the mall, unexpected obstacles presented themselves. A janitorial cart appeared around a corner, prompting Cholo to steer the shopping cart skillfully to avoid a collision.
Jonas, holding onto the cart's edges, couldn't help but laugh, "This is surprisingly entertaining. But let's not get too carried away."
Their joyride took them past closed storefronts, dimly lit corridors, and eerily quiet spaces. The shopping cart's erratic journey brought moments of unexpected hilarity, and for a brief period, the trio relished the reprieve from the haunting mysteries that enveloped the food court.
Cholo, feeling adventurous, decided to take a detour into the mall's central atrium. The open space allowed them to pick up speed, creating a thrilling and comical escapade.
Agnes, her hair windswept, shouted, "Okay, this is kind of fun. But seriously, let's wrap this up before we get into trouble."
Just as Cholo attempted to steer the shopping cart towards an exit, they encountered an unexpected obstacle – an inflatable promotional display that had been left behind.
Cholo, attempting a last-minute maneuver, shouted, "Brace yourselves, mates! We've got a bumpy ride ahead!"
The shopping cart jolted as it collided with the inflatable display, sending Agnes, Cholo, and Jonas tumbling onto the mall floor in fits of laughter.
Agnes, catching her breath between giggles, remarked, "Well, that escalated quickly. Captain Cholo, I hope you've learned your lesson about reckless navigation."
Cholo, joining in the laughter, conceded, "Point taken, Captain Agnes. I suppose our haunted shopping cart adventure has come to an unexpected end."
As they picked themselves up from the mall floor, still chuckling, the trio realized that sometimes a spontaneous diversion could provide a much-needed break from the eerie investigations that consumed their nights.
In the dimly lit kitchen, the trio cautiously explored the eerie silence that replaced the usual bustling energy of the food court. Emergency exit signs cast a faint glow, guiding them through stainless steel surfaces and industrial appliances. The air was heavy with lingering aromas from various dishes, and an unsettling feeling settled over Agnes, Cholo, and Jonas.
Agnes's fingers traced the fabric of a stack of aprons on a shelf. The reddish-brown splotches on the fabric suggested a disturbing possibility.
Agnes expressed her concern,
"Guys, do you see this? These aprons... is that blood?"
Cholo grimaced, suggesting, "It sure looks like it. But it could be some kind of sauce, right?"
Jonas, with skepticism in his tone, added, "I've worked here for a while, and I've never seen any sauce that resembles blood. This is unsettling."
As they inspected the aprons, a low, guttural moan echoed through the kitchen, sending a chill down their spines. The trio exchanged worried glances.
Agnes nervously whispered,
"Okay, this is getting too creepy. We need to find out what's really going on here."
They continued their exploration, maneuvering through stainless steel tables and navigating around towering industrial ovens. The kitchen seemed to stretch endlessly, each step leading them deeper into the labyrinthine heart of the food court's culinary operations.
A shadowy figure appeared at the far end of the kitchen, wearing a chef's hat and seemingly holding a knife. Agnes's heart raced, and she instinctively grabbed Cholo's arm.
Agnes whispered,
"Is that... one of the chefs?"
Cholo, cautious, responded, "I don't know, but something feels off. Let's be careful."
Approaching the figure, they discovered a disheveled chef, apron stained with what seemed to be fresh blood. He turned slowly, his eyes vacant and devoid of life.
The chef frantically whispered,
"Help... they're everywhere."
Agnes alarmedly asked,
"Who's everywhere? What happened here?"
The chef stumbled away, disappearing into the shadows. The trio exchanged worried glances, their investigative mission taking an unexpectedly dark turn.
Jonas questioned,
"What did he mean? 'Before they find you too'?"
Cholo, serious, said, "I don't know, but I think we need to unravel the mystery behind this kitchen. It's not just about viral videos anymore."
Determined to uncover the truth, they pressed on, following the intricate layout of the kitchen. As they ventured deeper, the air became thick with an unpleasant metallic scent, intensifying their apprehension.
Agnes suggested,
"Look, there's another door. Let's check it out."
Approaching a nondescript door at the end of the kitchen, they discovered rows of large industrial freezers. Opening one revealed neatly organized shelves stocked with meat. A disturbing realization dawned upon them – the meat wasn't from typical sources.
Cholo, horrified, exclaimed,
"Are those... human limbs?"
Agnes stammered,
"This can't be real. It's like a nightmare."
The trio stood in shocked silence, their eyes fixed on the macabre contents of the freezer. The implications of what they had uncovered sent a wave of horror through their minds.
Jonas whispered,
"We need to document this. People need to know what's happening here."
Cholo, still processing the gruesome discovery, started recording with his smartphone. Agnes, despite her initial shock, composed herself to address the camera.
Agnes solemnly stated, "Foodies, what we've found here is beyond anything we could have imagined. The kitchen, the aprons, and now this... it's a horror story unfolding in the heart of the food court."
As they documented the chilling evidence, the trio became determined to expose the truth behind the distorted menus, the spectral occurrences, and now the grotesque secret hidden within the depths of the kitchen.
They doesn't know, their investigation would lead them to confront forces far more malevolent than they could have ever anticipated. The food court's dark secrets were beginning to unravel, and the trio was caught in a nightmarish web that threatened to consume them.