m. The s

ulances or fire trucks, but something harsh – a mechanical s

electronic voice that followed: "Attention residents of Sector 7, Eastern Quarter. Mandatory evacuation order in effect. Exit bui

as repeated s

eared in the doorway, his fa

? What's

. But we can'

residents woke to the sirens. Shadows moved behind curtains. Doors opened. Peop

rn blocks, thick and black against the night

rlo

et Elena. We

los threw documents into a bag -IDs, passports, and the ba

nightclothes, carrying only the essentials. Old Mrs. Stephanie from 4C struggled with two suitcases. The

hildren, shouted questions no one could answer. Maria held Elena tight, shielding her from th

ged onto

ound and saw flames rising from structures thre

the same direction, herded by GCRI enforcement officers in tactical gear. Armoured vehicles

a megaphone. "Proceed to Collection Point Alpha. Have ide

ing over each other, clutching belongings, search

son! Has anyone seen

The crowd swal

he press from behind kept pushing forward. Someone stumbled over him. Then a

!" the soldi

ck, fighting against the current, scream

rs interce

The building is ma

s in there! She

or clearance. Move forwar

years old! Sh

r raised h

husband's arms, sobbing. The soldiers pushed them back int

barriers had been erected, creating a maze of checkpoints and holding areas. Thousan

s displayed EDEN's logo-the st

3. Elena was crying, picking up on her parents'

ia whispered. "It'

as cross-referenced against EDEN's databases. Some people passed through quickly. Others were pulled aside for second

checkpoint. The father presented their ID

please," the

Our papers ar

screening

r child

appeared, han

yes met Maria's as they were led away, a

ed the red light

s reached the f

e officer

ts. The officer scanned them, ey

d to stretch

n li

Transit Ar

ing their luck, not looking back

r holding pen, with buses

y taking us?"

e ans

quarter drifted overhead. Maria looked back and could see the f

were still in there, trapped, dying? Maria

ened. "First

bus with dozens of others, packed in like cargo. Elena cried t

re people being herded into checkpoi

doors

e rumbled

r blood freeze. Trucks arrived at the far end of the lot with reinforced sides and lo

rning Maria's face away from the w

nothing they could do ex