Hannah's world shattered the moment she was thrown out of the SiIvy base.
She stumbled in the dirt, palms scraping against gravel, and the warm air stung her cheeks as if mocking her.
She tried to crawl back toward the tall wall, the bitter smell of metal and dust filling her nose, but the guards blocked her instantly.
Their swords gleamed under the dim, clouded sunlight.
"Leave," one guard warned, his voice hard and indifferent. "If you step closer again, we'll drag you out and throw you straight into the zombie herd."
The words crashed into Hannah like icy water.
For a heartbeat, her fear swallowed her whole, but soon it erupted into anger that clawed up her throat.
She jabbed her finger toward the guards, her voice shrill with fury.
"You're bullying me! All of you... every single one of you!"
Her act, once so effective, fell flat this time. Not a single person reacted with sympathy. No one stepped forward. No one softened.
