The sheriff's office in Sector Z-47 was located at a major intersection between three corridors, surrounded by grey metal walls covered in scratches and signs of age. The heavy steel door was always half-open, as if inviting anyone seeking justice or safety. Inside, old paper files and worn maps were scattered across a rickety wooden desk. Beside it sat an outdated radio, only functioning on one static-filled frequency, and a faded portrait of the Queen hung on the wall.
Sheriff Jacky sat on a torn leather chair, smoking slowly as he stared with weary eyes at an old surveillance screen. He was tall and broad-shouldered, wearing a tattered black coat bearing the insignia of the British police, though the emblem had faded with time. His light beard and thick grey hair reflected years of service and fatigue. Jacky had once been a police officer in the British government, serving in the London force before the outbreak of the biological war. After the collapse of the system, he never abandoned his oath to protect the innocent—becoming a symbol of security and order in a world overrun by chaos.
After the world ended as people knew it, Judge Marco appointed him as the official Sheriff tasked with maintaining safety and order in the Z-47 tunnel—a decision widely regarded as one of the wisest during a time when everyone else had lost their way.
He smoking slowly, his gaze fixed on the emptiness. He muttered to himself in a tense tone:
Jacky (muttering to himself):
What should I do about these assassinations? I need to act like a cop... and that bastard Marco refuses to let me take the case. Maybe he knows something about this."
Suddenly, the door opened, and Sarah, the deputy sheriff, entered. She was 29 years old, strong and confident, with short brown hair, wearing a dark military jacket and two pistols strapped to her waist. Her face was stern, but her eyes shone with intelligence. She had been a former fighter in the British anti-population unit, skilled in hand-to-hand combat and light weapons.
She walked towards Jacky, holding some files in her hands, and placed them on his desk with a sly smile:
Sarah:
Hello, Sheriff Jacky. Here are the issues from the sector's residents... and also the supplies and ammunition we need for this area."
Then, with a mischievous grin, she added:
Sarah: "
You better send Mohamed and put me in his team... so we can succeed in the mission."
Jacky slowly raised his head, staring at her sharply, then spoke in a low, but firm voice:
Jacky:
"I know what you're thinking, Sarah... If you're trying to play with fire, he's a married man... and a Muslim. Sex outside of marriage is forbidden in his religion, and it's considered one of the seven major sins. I won't be part of any wrongdoing... don't try that again
Sarah looked slightly confused for a moment but quickly regained her composure, then cleared her throat and pulled out another paper from her pocket, saying seriously:
Sarah:
Alright, let's change the subject... this is bigger than you think. These assassinations are not random crimes. Mayor Gerard is behind them... and Marco is involved too."
Jacky was stunned for a moment but remained silent, and Sarah continued:
Sarah: "
Secret laws have been put in place... they plan to eliminate the poor to achieve self-sufficiency in this sector. They want to reduce consumption by removing those they deem useless. Even Judge George is afraid of one person in this sector... a man no one dares to face... not the mayor, not Marco, not even the guards."
Jacky (irritated):
And who is this man?"
Sarah (in a low voice): "
Mohamed... the only one who can reach him is Mohamed."
Jackie:
Mohammed? Are you sure?
Sarah (hesitating):
Yes.
Jackie (in a harsh tone):
How?
Sarah (stammering, holding her breath):
....
Jackie (yelling in anger, slamming his hands on the desk):
How?!
Sarah freezes in place for a moment, realizing she's facing Jackie, knowing she can't stand as an equal to him. A heavy silence falls between them, then she answers, her voice filled with sorrow.
Sarah (sadly):
He was my only love, the one I adored... but he made a difficult choice to protect his older brother, Mohammed.
Jackie (surprised):
Mohammed has a brother? Why didn't he tell me about that
Sarah (without certainty):
I don't know, ask him yourself.
Sarah restrains her anger, but suddenly, it explodes like a volcano, her eyes burning with fury.
Sarah (angrily):
I will take revenge on Mohammed... because he deprived me of living in love and kept me away from my lover. I won't let him get away with this so easily!
(Jackie stares at her, trying to calm her down).
Jackie (firmly):
Listen, Sarah... this is extremely dangerous. You're being reckless.
But Sarah ignores his warning, slamming a paper down on the desk. She then stands up and rushes out, wiping her tears from her face).
Sarah (as she exits, her voice full of determination) :
I will meet him again... even if it means stepping over his older brother's body or this entire society!
She added :
I will call Mohammad to come to your office .
She leaves the office, disappearing into the darkness, while Jackie remains where he is, lost in thought.
After Sarah left the office, Jacky sat behind his desk and picked up the paper she had thrown on it. The paper was filled with handwritten words, seemingly written by Judge Marco in haste. He looked at it with suspicion, then read it aloud, wanting to hear himself clearly.
Jacky (reading aloud):
"Jacky,
Send Mohamed and his team to gather the necessary equipment. We are in dire need of vegetables and some other food supplies, and you need to make sure they are available as soon as possible.
As for Mohamed, as you know, he's just a tool in my hands, nothing more. Don't think of him as anything other than a compliant puppet, following orders and doing what's asked of him without hesitation. This Amazigh Arab is thought of as a hero, but in reality, he's just a twig in the wind, moving wherever told.
Everything must be gathered immediately; we don't have time to wait.
Marco."
Jacky, after finishing reading the message, felt anger rise within him. He knew Marco held no respect for anyone, not even Mohamed. But to describe him in such a way, as if Mohamed were nothing more than a tool to be used when needed, was unacceptable to him. He quickly gathered the papers and returned to pondering what needed to be done next.
After Jacky put out his cigarette, he sat back in his chair, a deep frown marking his face. He was angry, his thoughts swirling.
Jacky (muttering to himself angrily):
"Marco, you're as good as dead. If Mohamed doesn't take care of it, I'll make sure I do."
He paused for a moment, a dark determination in his eyes as he continued.
Jacky (firmly):
"One of the things I admire most about Mohamed is that he's a man who honors his word. If he says he'll do something, he follows through. But if he refuses this time, I will make sure Marco pays the price, whether it's with his life or something worse."
He stood up, moving around the office, his mind made up. The only question was whether Mohamed would step up or if Jacky would have to take matters into his own hands.