Five people ascended the steps, with Sam in the lead and Chen Ke at the rear.
To get from the subway platform into the hall smoothly, they had to first clear the sandbags blocking the entrance.
There was a massive quantity of these sandbags, stacked one on top of another, almost reaching the ceiling. And that wasn't all; behind the sandbags were more sandbags, with the passage nearly filled to capacity, allowing only slivers of natural light to penetrate through the gaps, bringing in wisps of cold air.
The people below the steps were drawn to the natural light at the stairwell entrance, looking up with expressions filled with unease and anticipation.
Some red dust accumulated on top of these sandbags. Out of caution, both Chen Ke and Sam refrained from touching them immediately upon arrival.
"Could it be poisonous?" Sam asked.