Eventually, the group gathered their belongings and had made their way out of the casino base. The heavy, metallic doors of the casino creaked open as they went through it, revealing the outside world beyond. Dave blinked, momentarily squinting against the harsh light that flooded his eyes, the stark contrast to the dim, artificial lighting of the casino.
It was strange, but as his boots hit the cracked pavement outside, he felt a sense of relief settle over him. The oppressive, claustrophobic atmosphere of the casino base had weighed heavily on him, making every second inside feel longer than it truly was. And now, with the cold wind brushing against his skin, he realized something he hadn't fully acknowledged before.
He was glad to be out of the base.
Though it might sound insane to anyone else, especially given the state of the world outside, yet it felt like freedom to Dave. The base, with its locked doors and constant surveillance, had been suffocating for him.
