At the first light of dawn, the entire Safe Zone began to stir.
The Safe Zone had more than forty thousand people in total, only a small fraction of whom were Ability Users. The younger, able-bodied adults had it relatively easy, nearly all carrying a large backpack or pulling a suitcase.
Some of the elderly and children had either been separated from their families or lost them altogether. Their eyes were vacant, and they looked like the walking dead.
As the crowd slowly moved along.
They followed wherever everyone else went, with little motivation to keep living, yet unwilling to die so easily-or lacking the courage to do so.
The wind began to howl, carrying a biting chill that swept away every last trace of the oppressive warmth left by the Extreme Heat.
The leaves of the few unmutated trees along the road rustled loudly. Overnight, their vibrant green had turned to withered yellow.
A few children held hands as they stomped on the fallen leaves, their laughter drawing glances from everyone nearby. It had been so long since anyone had heard such a delightful sound.
The entire Safe Zone resembled a painting of desolation and despair, yet still yearning for life.
"Move faster! The elderly and children board first! Everyone else, don't rush!"
"What are you doing? Aren't you ashamed of cutting in line, young man?"
"I'm a minor! Didn't you say the elderly and children go first?"
"Please stop pushing! My wife's pregnant!"
"I'm not pushing! The people behind me are! I can't help it!"
Dark Night had been enjoying a leisurely breakfast at the rear, but the clamor drifting over left them feeling a little restless despite themselves.
"Sister Yao, they're so noisy! Makes me want to kill them!" A-Dai muttered with a pout.
Bai Yaoyao