By sunset, he was already on his way, moving through alleyways that smelled of mold and rot. The city was falling apart in slow motion, one forgotten street at a time. The sky above turned amber, then deep crimson, casting the city in surreal, dying light. A group of kids ran past him once, barefoot, laughing, chasing each other with empty cans and sticks. He didn't know where they came from. They vanished just as quickly.
He reached the edge of Sector Nine by nightfall. This part of the city was industrial, long roads lined with old factories, their chimneys like giant tombstones against the sky. He found the substation easily enough, a low concrete building with a rusted fence and warning signs that hadn't meant anything in decades.
Jude waited outside. Midnight came.
Then the gate creaked open.
Nira appeared, hooded, her cloak patched and stained, but her stance calm and sharp as ever. She didn't speak. Just nodded, motioning him inside.
