Chapter 22: Breaking point
The voting was about to begin when a deep, piercing sound echoed off the concrete walls. The entire city seemed to vibrate with its echo. For a second, everyone fell silent, paralyzed by what the alarm meant. And then, the room erupted into motion.
"A Rift!" someone shouted.
"Everyone get to their positions!" Milo raised his voice above the chaos. "Make sure everyone gets to the shelters!"
As if they had rehearsed it hundreds of times, the rebels acted on instinct. Chairs were pushed aside, backpacks of supplies were placed on their shoulders, and weapons hidden in crates were distributed among the most trained. Some were old; others were stolen from Blackwood’s soldiers.
"Come on," Rhys muttered, turning toward the exit with Caelan. "We have to find Jae and Eun-woo."
But before they could take a step out of the room, Gunnar intercepted them.
"Listen," he said. "If this is a Rift, Blackwood soldiers will be there soon. Be careful."
"We know," Caelan responded quickly.
"Then prepare for the worst," Gunnar said.
When they stepped out into the hallway, the transformation of The Burrow was evident. The space that had once seemed like an organized hive had become a hive of chaos. The people who had once been sorting supplies were now running, dragging boxes, guiding children, and supporting elderly people who could barely walk. Orders rang through the air, fast, sharp, and desperate.
"Jae! Eun-woo!" Rhys shouted.