The car rolled to a smooth halt, the engine humming softly as the chaos outside buzzed to life. Beyond the windshield, a helicopter waited on the platform, its blades spinning slowly, soldiers hustling around in full military gear, shouting commands and moving supplies.
A soldier approached swiftly, his boots clicking against the pavement as he came to a sharp stop before Eli. He snapped a crisp salute, his voice raised to be heard over the growing roar of the rotors.
"Sir. We weren't expecting you until later."
Eli gave a casual nod, his expression unreadable. "Change of plans."
Without waiting for further explanation, Eli stepped out of the car, his coat billowing slightly in the wind as he strode forward with practiced ease. Ezra hurried to follow, pulling the cloak tighter around himself as the cool air hit him. The environment felt tense—whatever this place was, it wasn't just some casual visit.
They climbed into the helicopter, the low thrum of the engine vibrating beneath their feet. Ezra glanced around, noting the soldiers seated inside, each armed and armored, all of them giving Eli subtle nods of recognition and respect.
As soon as they were inside, the soldier who'd greeted them secured the door with a heavy slam, giving it two solid knocks to signal they were ready. The blades picked up speed, and within moments, the helicopter lifted into the air, the ground shrinking beneath them as they rose into the night sky.
Ezra looked over at Eli, who was already leaning back in his seat, arms crossed, eyes half-lidded as if this was all just another routine day.
Ezra shifted, uneasy. "You gonna tell me where we're going now?"
Ezra wasn't sure if Eli was ignoring him or just too focused, but either way, the silence stretched on. He turned to the window, watching as the scenery shifted around them. District 1 was everything people dreamed of—towering skyscrapers of gleaming glass and steel, luxury vehicles humming quietly down spotless roads.
Lavish mansions sat behind iron gates, draped in manicured vines and golden lights that glowed softly even in the daylight.
It felt surreal. Just months ago, this life felt unreachable. Now, somehow, he was here, tangled in a world he didn't belong to.
As they drove further, the change was gradual but clear.
Beyond the high walls, District 2 came into view. Neat suburban homes stretched across orderly streets, each with pristine gardens and carefully designed facades. It looked peaceful—too peaceful. Manufactured perfection. Ezra stared at the flawless homes, wondering what it was like to grow up somewhere without fear. Without chaos.
'This must be District 2,' he thought.
But the further they traveled, the sharper the contrast. The walls reappeared, taller this time, casting long shadows as they crossed into the next sector. Bustling streets replaced quiet suburbs. District 3 was alive with noise—endless markets, shouting vendors, people squeezing through narrow alleys between towering buildings, stacked so high they looked like they might collapse. The air here was thicker. Crowded. Restless.
And then came District 4, where the energy shifted again. Cramped streets turned into crumbling ones, littered with rubble and broken windows. People moved fast, eyes down, and tension hung in the air like smoke.
But nothing compared to District 5.
Ezra pressed his face closer to the window as the car slowed. What had once been a thriving district was now a wasteland. Entire buildings reduced to blackened shells, streets cracked and overgrown with weeds. No people. No lights. No sound. Just ruins.
It was as if something had wiped life off the map completely.
The helicopter lowered beside a barricade , and before Ezra could process the scene fully, soldiers moved into view—armed, armored, and moving with practiced urgency. The entire area felt like a war zone.
As the doors opened, Eli stepped out first. The moment his feet hit the ground, a soldier approached and snapped into a salute.
"Sir," the soldier greeted, voice sharp and formal. "Everything's been secured."
Eli gave a curt nod, his usual detached expression returning. "Good. We won't be long."
Ezra stepped out behind him, the air heavy with the scent of ash and dust. He glanced around, taking in the haunting emptiness of what was once a living, breathing district.
"What happened here?" he asked quietly, but no one answered.