12 At the Zales District, New Cica

5th of December

I am standing in front of a closed store of hats and accessories run by a middle-class family. Two blocks away from the district plaza. The rain is pouring hard, making my clothes heavy.

Suddenly, a bang of a door opening was welcomed by the store in front of me. A child running, hugging her stuff toy, and fear is visible through her teary eyes. Her eyes landed on mine. Without a second thought, she ran fast as she could towards my direction, and she stumbled a meter away. Setting aside her wounded knees, palm, and dropped toy, she cried loudly.

"H-he-he…" She can't finish her word. I just looked at her, feeling nothing.

A woman runs in our direction in a long dress and umbrella and pulls the little girl to stand. But the latter didn't move an inch.

"Get up, sweetheart. Let's go inside," the woman worriedly plead. Still, the girl didn't listen.

"Agatha! Be back after you finish your thing there!" A man in his coat and tie shouted at the doorway of the store. Anger can be seen on his face.

Minutes passed, and the rain poured heavily. The man got angry and walk his way inside the store. Seconds after, he came back with a kitchen knife in his left hand.

"I already told you to finish your business here abruptly!"

"E-ed…gar. I-we…we could talk t-this o…out." But the man didn't hear a thing.

"Not anymore! Let's finish this NOW!" And he stabbed the woman multiple times. Blood gushed from those wounds and splashing on the man's face. He also seconded the innocent child.

Bloodshed covered the wet and cold cement. The man was tirelessly stabbing the two corps until his eyes met mine.

"I already did what you've wanted me to do. Just spare me."

"I'll spare you to live."

***

"Leave!" A civil guard in a megaphone commanded. "Leave now, everyone. Move to Catcade District through the Capitol's rented cars."

We're having our training here at Zales District and got interrupted by the civil guards running and commanding us to evacuate.

"These are strange." I heard my schoolmate commented in a low voice. I agreed. They're just telling us to leave, not giving us the idea or hint of why and what for.

Even someone attempted to ask, they've answered politely, "order from the Capitol." And because of that, no one questioned after. If it's from the Capitol, people should obey. If not, legal charges applied.

Like I've said earlier, civil guards here at Zales District are well disciplined and trained. From their posture, uniform, queue, attitude, somewhat professional, I may say.

We, students, obey as we all hear that the command was from the Capitol. Riding the Capitol's rented vehicles for us gives me the chance to experience it firsthand. Not all of these happened for about 20 years, and none occurred at New Cica for over 30 years.

Watching from the window, some citizens were also rescued, guided responsibly and gently by the civil guards stationed here at Zales District. But strange civil guards with some civilians in an alley got by my keen eyes. They're being held with some persons in an overall white protective gear, complete from head to shoe and hands. Like they're protecting themselves from being contaminated by a virus or disease. Until they have been entered a mobile.

That strangely odd for my observance. If someone emerged being covered with gears, I might say health issue is the problem. Those civil guards securing the alley are 3 meters away from those people with loads and some civilians.

As we are all inside here keeping silent and never had questioned the other because of the civil guards riding with us. No conversation indulged until we arrived at the gates of Catcade District.

"We'll give you to the Catcade District civil guards," announced one of the civil guards from Zales District. We simultaneously nodded without asking. We all know and trust the government with this, but I, myself at this very moment, doubted.

"Please fall in line and follow me. I'll usher you to your temporary quarter." As the civil guard here in Catcade District said, we followed immediately.

We were just on our lunch break when Zales District guards interrupted, so I might conclude that some of us never been full. As on cue, entering the quarter assigned for us, foods are already served and placed inside this tent-made room.

After savoring the continued lunch, a civil guard entered and talked to us. Explaining our situation confirmed my assumption a while ago.

"There's a variant of unknown virus roaming around Zales District," the officer started.