The outskirts sounded as much like a heartbeat as the city. The heat came down like rain and the populous marched through the streets, continuing on their rails without pause. It was a miserable existence.

Rosemarie looked at her left and saw Sariah there. Her friend smiled, a stark white strip between dark lips. Next to Sariah sat her mutt, panting further back in the shade. A blue plastic bowl lay next to both of them. For the dog, so neither of them would drip a foot in to cool off.

“Are you ready?”

“No,” Rosemarie admitted. Her sweat made the air humid, she couldn’t tell if it actually was humid or if it was only her. Sariah looked barely comfortable, but that was leagues ahead of where she was now.

The dog lapped at the water. The mindless horde passed them by continuously. No wind to move their shade away. That was good, despite how nice a breeze might feel.

“We have to,” said Sariah

Rosemarie pulled in air between her teeth. “Me first then.” She stepped out. All stared at her, moving as one. Sariah readied her bow.

The fight began.