the gaudy red-and-green flashing signs were off , and no patrons milled around the front of the building but the scent of blood and the sense of wrongness were stronger than ever i stopped near the trunk of a gum tree and raised my nose , tasting the slight breeze , searching for odors that might give a hint as to what was happening up ahead beneath the richness of blood came three other scents - excrement , sweat , and fear .