Jake's eyes went wide, and he snatched up the crowbar.<br/><br/>"I manage," he said, his demeanor changing from hesitant and nervous to one of resolution and readiness.  He had truly been surprised by how easily it had come to him, after that first time.  Somehow, his brain found a way to disconnect from humanity, however briefly, whenever these...these things showed up.  Maybe it was the adrenaline, maybe it was pure instinct...he didn't know.  With ease, he hopped over the counter and stepped into the back with Sophie.<br/><br/>It came then, stumbling into the room.  A week of decay marked the body...what had he been?  A security guard, a cop perhaps?  The uniform was ripped and tattered, the badge missing, the weapons belt stripped away.  The thing looked up with its dead gaze, and as it caught sight of the two living beings, it moaned a throaty, carrying moan before lurching forward in their direction.<br/><br/>"Shit!" Jake spat, "That moan...I don't know how, but it...it calls more of them.  We've got to get out of here..."