The crowd moved and swayed as one, a writhing body invading the entryway to the shelter. Laney slipped between slowler people, working her way to the front for as long as she could. But eventually the crowd congested to a tight mass as the sea of civillians all tried to trickle in through an entrance too small to accomadate them all at one. Laney was already finding it hard to breathe with the fear and panic that settled in her chest, and it was even more difficult with the throng around her.<br/><br/>It had been impossible to not get jostled about, especially with her slight frame. A shoulder here, an elbow there, and the general mass of moving flesh threatened to knock her from her feet. Most people in the city were overweight, products of a society additcted to technology and comfort. They were slower, but their movements carried momentum. The stories about concert goers being knocked from their feet and trampled by fellow enthusiastic fans popped in her head, and Laney knew it would be extremely important to stay on her feet.<br/><br/>She had just come to such a conclusion when she felt a smack land on her shoulder blades, right in the middle of her back. Her torso flew forward, her neck snapping back, and she fell against the back of a man dressed in coveralls and a sleeveless t-shirt, his skin leather from the sun. A construction worker maybe. He had been solid, and barely moved as she bounced off of his back like a fly hitting a wall. "Sorry, sorry..." she mumbled to him a she regained her footing.<br/><br/>Looking over her shoulder for the source of the hit her eyes fell on a young pretty woman who was apologizing for getting blood on her. Laney shook her head and smiled softly, intending to indicate it was okay, no big deal. When she realized the woman was injured, her brow furrowed in concern. Her voice was very soft among the din of the crowd. Laney was naturally a soft speaker, and even as she tried to raise her voice she knew she needed to lean closer to be heard by the young woman. "Are you okay?"<br/><br/>Laney scanned the young woman's face with her blue eyes, trying to evaluate her condition. The girl looked like she was maybe feeling sick. "Here, let me help you, if that is alright." Laney positioned herself beside the girl, ready to grab her if it looked like she were about to pass out or fall, ready to support her if needed. Her sense of self preservation was high, but she couldn't in good concious leave the injured girl to fend for herself.