The hallways of the underground shelter were in chaos. People wandered in and out, disoriented. The entire place was painted white, and the dormitory doors looked exactly the same, differentiated only by a number above them. Doctors and nurses rushed back and forth to tend to the wounded — and there were many. Amid the confusion, Amara spotted an elderly woman on a stretcher in the middle of the hallway, her right arm had a horrible open wound dripping blood. The woman moaned in pain.
— Ma'am, are you alright? I'm a nurse. Can I help? — Amara approached her and touched her arm to get a better look at the cut.
However, when the elderly woman looked at her, a mix of horror and disgust took over her expression, and she didn't hesitate to scream:
— Get your hands off me, you half-breed!!
Amara stepped back quickly, stunned.
— Who allowed you in here, and worse, to touch me?
— The Hinoken army, ma'am — Amara quickly responded, chin held high. — And I'm a trained nurse from Khalawa trying to help you. You should show more respect.
— I don't owe respect to your kind! I'd rather die than be touched by you! — The old woman practically spat those words, and people around them stopped to watch the scene.
— If you don't want my help, fine. But I demand to be treated with respect. I am a citizen of Aokai and a human being above all else.
— You'll never be like us, pure Aokai citizens. Go back to your country! — the woman dared to shout again while holding her wounded arm. It was clear that, for her, being near a half-breed hurt more than a wound caused by a Nefari.
— Go back to your country, half-breed! — A man who had overheard the conversation shouted angrily, and others joined in, forming a circle around Amara and hurling insults.
Paralyzed, Amara found herself cornered like a deer surrounded by starving lions. Her eyes filled with tears, and memories surfaced of similar moments from her childhood and teenage years when she was hunted down by Aokai citizens who couldn't stand studying at the same school as her. Amara remembered she was now an adult and could defend herself, but her mouth remained shut and her legs trembled, making it impossible for her to leave.
— Get out of the way, you bunch of bigots! — Miyu's voice burst through the small crowd. She had noticed the commotion and came to help, but when she saw it was Amara, her eyes widened and she became even angrier. — Get away from my friend now! — Miyu stepped in front of Amara to protect her. — I hope the Nefaris eat you all alive or that you choke to death on your own hatred!
Miyu pulled Amara away from those people amid protests and slurs. They walked briskly through the corridors until Miyu suddenly stopped, turned, and hugged her friend as if she hadn't seen her in years. Amara's abdomen throbbed with pain from the embrace, but she didn't complain — she returned the hug, as her friend sobbed uncontrollably.
— I thought you were dead, you maniac! — Miyu said between sobs.
— I wouldn't dare die before turning twenty-five. — Amara joked while wiping away her own tears. The fear still echoing in her chest faded with her best friend's comforting presence.
— You idiot… — Miyu pulled back just enough to look Amara in the eyes. — Are you okay? Did those jerks hurt you?
— No, they didn't do anything…
— And were you attacked by Sombros? That blonde girl from the Hinoken group said she rescued you!
— Yes, she and… — Amara swallowed hard — the Hinoken leader helped me when I was attacked, but I'm okay now. I was treated in the rescue van, and I even took a shower already. I only left the dorm to look for you.
— My God, you shouldn't be walking around all hurt like this! Where's your wound? Does it still hurt?
— Calm down, calm down. Let's go back to the dorm first, and then I'll tell you everything.
— Ugh, okay, let's go quickly then! Come on, lean on me! — Miyu offered her shoulder for Amara to lean on as they walked.
— Don't be silly, I can walk just fine! — Amara couldn't help but laugh at her friend.
— You can't, I saw you limping!
— Then you were hallucinating, Miyu.
— Stop laughing and let me help you, come on.
Amara allowed Miyu to help her walk, even though neither of her legs were actually hurt.
— Ah, and later you have to tell me all about this encounter with the Hinoken leader, because I want to hear every detail, okay! I've seen him and the other Cobalt Flames, wow, they're so handsome and strong. They were the ones who ordered that the half-breeds and foreigners be allowed in — the guards were shaking with fear and...
Miyu began to chatter nonstop, and Amara remained silent, just listening. It felt so good to see her safe, without a single scratch... She allowed herself to enjoy the moment and get lost in her friend's voice, pushing away the horrors of that day.