Chapter 13: Rina’s Encounter
The bus wheezed to a stop at Sector 3’s main terminal, its hydraulic doors sighing open with mechanical exhaustion. Rina gathered her bag and stepped onto the pristine sidewalk, breathing in the familiar scent of jasmine from the perfectly manicured planters lining the boulevard.
Sector 3 stood as testament to visionary urban planning. The current chairman’s grandfather had spent decades designing these interwoven networks of roads and rail lines, creating what residents still called "the masterpiece." Even now, three generations later, commuters moved through the sector with clockwork efficiency.
But today, Rina barely noticed the architectural marvel around her. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she walked toward home. Finally, she thought, I can spend time with Mom and Dad without buried in textbooks. Thanks to Liam’s help with her family’s finances, she no longer needed to work through every visit home.
The thought brought warmth to her chest, and she found herself humming softly.
"Miss. Stop right there."
The sharp command cut through her daydream. Two officers approached from their post at the intersection—a middle-aged man with graying temples and a younger woman whose hand rested casually on her radio.
Rina’s stomach clenched, but she forced herself to stay calm. "Is something wrong, officer?"
"Routine check," the male officer said, his tone professionally neutral. "We’re conducting drug sweeps in the area. Lot of academy students getting mixed up with enhanced stimulants lately."
He gestured toward another intersection where additional officers were searching bags and questioning pedestrians. Rina had heard rumors about the crackdown but hadn’t realized how extensive it had become.
"I understand," she said, offering her bag. "What do you need from me?"
The female officer took the bag while her partner pulled out a tablet. "Name and age?"
"Rina Mehra. Eighteen."