S a l e t é I V

XLIII - Décoloration - Dix

Something wasn't right.

It didn't take much time at all for Cassia to see that Lower Merveille was under the effects of a grim haze, regardless of what Sabre's recent intentions may have actually been. 

More people were actually out and about during their journey through the housing sector, which only meant that she was able to see some of the effects that it was all having on some of them. Friends, neighbours and strangers had regularly stopped to talk to one another, their conversations hushed, their faces fraught with everything from contemplation to concern, from anger to intrigue. Those who hadn't paused for any reason went about their business quickly, never lingering in the same place for long.

Navigating hadn't proved especially difficult in any way, with no problems waiting for them other than the usual obstacles - cluttered lanes, dirty paths, dingy corners and the like - with no Sabre officers or personnel making themselves known along the way. She was grateful for the lack of interruptions, although even then, that feeling of something being off persisted. 

Whilst such a sensation was easily explained by everything that had befallen them recently, along with everything they'd witnessed, she felt that there was more to it than that, as if whatever was happening was something bad. She had a strange, chilling feeling that the longer they went without knowing, the more ugly the truth would become when it made itself known.

Maybe she was paranoid. Maybe everything had a simple explanation. Whatever the truth was, she just wanted to know.

Chief led the way with a mixture of haste and discretion, avoiding anything that may have caused noise, his steps light and planned. Spending much of the trip walking in single file, they didn't attract as much in the way of attention as Cassia had expected, the presence of four children slipping quietly through the darkened reaches of the zone doing little to garner the gazes of its residents, most of whom were all ready well and truly absorbed in their own views and ideas.

No one really said much, outside of general warnings about particular obstructions. Normally, Cassia would have had time to think, only nothing came to her. There were so many things to be done, and so many things to consider, and yet all she could focus upon was whatever was immediately in front of or around her. 

Perhaps that was for the best.

Chief only slowed down once they came to a familiar stretch of road that gave way to slopes, the hub of activity it had once led to now nothing more than an inky blotch on the earth that served as a foundation for the underground. 

No sounds of industry, no collection of voices, no cheer, no protests. Nothing.

"It's not much further. Everyone okay?" He asked, stopping briefly before stepping out in favour of checking on the girls.

"All good." Connie replied.

"Yes." Monet said.

"Mhm, yes sir." Cassie answered.

"Alright. I'll head up the street real quick and see what the roads up ahead are like. If you hear a whistle, that's me saying it's clear."

With the small scheme devised, he went on ahead, leaving them in that last alleyway for the time being as he tucked his hands into his pockets. Monet observed from the corner, emerging no further than she had to in order to be able to do so, her vigilant streak forbidding her from merely waiting for the signal.

"See anything?" Connie asked, leaving such surveillance up to the girl in red.

"Nothing untoward. With any luck, any Sabre officials normally in the area will be stationed at the depot today." Monet replied, her observations not ceasing yet.