Time flies back in Emma's life. The streets were void of life and the sky was light grey. The empty streets were filled with makeshift barricades of wire, wood, and scorched vehicles. Buildings were damaged with craters shaped like a human. Plastic sheets block the alleyways and cracks in the road were sometimes large enough to be a small fissure.

Up in a rundown apartment, Emma was getting ready to go outside. She was slipping on a pair of sneakers and grabbing a large backpack. Checking inside, it had everything she needed, a suit, folders, a few box meals and water, and some metal cans with pins. She looked at the time and saw it was 8:40am. “It's almost time,” she thought to herself. She wore a light grey tracksuit and a white wristband on her left arm. Her husband stood beside her with a worried look. He was a charming man with a clean shave and an apron. His left arm was in a cast and there were bandages on his other fingers.

“Will you be fine sweetie? Are you sure I shouldn't come,” the man asked.

Emma replies, “You haven't recovered. I'll be fine.”

“But dear-” He coughs violently which made Emma rush over to him.

“Hey! Don't push yourself.”

“It's fine. I got this.” He stood up straight and took a deep breath. “Just make it to the bus terminal safe.”

“I know.” She pats her back to make sure she had her gun. “I just hope the SWAT won't be out early.”

“I rather they were. That thing could go chew on them. They both stood silently. He says, “I wish I can go with you.”

“I know.” She checks her watch and realized that she has to go. “Break time, wish me luck.” They share a kiss before she takes the gas mask and leaves. Once she makes it to the lobby, she spots a totem pole beside the entrance. It blinks twice as if to say good luck. As she leaves the building, a family of four runs out of the alley posed at her backpack. Emma pulls a pin which releases a musty cloud of smoke. As the can drops to the ground, the family staggers out of the cloud covering their eyes.

She runs through the street without looking back. The plastic covers open up and several eyes peer out. Though no one comes out of the alley, the eyes followed her before closing itself again. Minutes later, a rough looking woman sprints out of a house. She wore a similar tracksuit and runs up to Emma in no time. Looking closely, she had a strong jawline and her hair was done in a ponytail. She has broad shoulders and was budging with muscles.

“Hi ya luv. You going to the bus terminal too?” The woman's voice was deep. The smell of cigarettes blew out of her mouth as she talked.

Exasperated, she replies, “Ya. Interview?”

“You bet. Name's Margaret.”

“Emma.”

“Nice to meet ya. If we get there in one piece, let's go for some grub together.” They both exchange a coy smile. Both knew the risk of what could happen to them but were thrilled in their shared goal. “Wish the blokes would just pick us up instead.”

Emma looks around. People were starting to look out of the window, curious what was outside. However, the plastic covers no longer opened up. “You thinking what I'm thinking?”

“Ya. Break's almost over. Gotta run faster.” Someone comes out of the alley and charges at the two women. Whatever they were, they weren't nearly as fast. Their face was buried in tangled hair and in their left hand was a long knife. Both women charge forward and outrun the mysterious person who trips and lays motionless. Spurred by the failure of the first, others run out of the alley and chase the women. Emma and Margaret both toss out a can from their backpack. It erupts into another smoke cloud and there were sounds of screams inside. As the smoke clears, the people that chased them were muddled in a sticky web.

Margaret asked, “Tear gas?”

Emma added, “Homemade. Yours?”

“Slime mix. Made it when I used my brother's chemicals with my gumbo.” Both exchanged a laugh before they hear an ominous sound. Far away, a bell rings nine times and a flock of birds flew away. They shudder from a loud roar ahead of them.

In unison, both said, “Juggernaut!”

Emma continues, “Sorry, I'm not a fast runner.”

Margaret replies, “Just run!” She pulls out a gun and unlocks the safety. Unfortunately, they meet with something which shook them to their core. Far away, an oversized beast stood in the middle of the road. Sharp tusks protruded out of its muscular body.

As it turns to them, they saw its left arm was dripping red liquid. Behind it were two deformed halves of a body. The beast runs at them with vigour and Margaret returns fire with two gunshots. It doesn't falter to the shots.

Margaret lets out, “Looks like luck ain't with us. Got anything for that?” Emma takes out a pair of sunglasses from her pocket and tosses it to Margaret who puts it on immediately.

“Let's gamble to god this works.” She takes out a bubbly soft ball. The two women run at the beast and Emma throws the ball onto the ground. Light and smoke fills the street. Both of them make it through the cloud, leaving the confused beast inside. A truck turns around the corner and nearly runs them over. Moments later, the sound of gunfire, roars, and bone-breaking screams filled whatever was behind them. Neither wanted to look back at whatever scene unfolded.

They reach the bus terminal and enter through a small door and see others waiting around. Most were in the same attire, though some wore a blue wristband. They took a seat on the floor and let out a sigh of relief. Emma sees Margaret's leg was bleeding.

Emma exclaimed, “Margaret!”

“Don't worry. It ain't deep.” Margaret groans slightly. “Just a little rest and I'll be good.”

“You need first aid.” She stood up and shouted, “Does anyone have bandages!” The people were despondent to her. Worried, she looked back at Margaret.

“Hey, got a nice drink in my bag if you-” Emma tore off the sleeve of her tracksuit and rummaged Margaret's bag. She took out a can and a bottle of water. She poured the water on the tracksuit and pressed it firmly onto the wound and used the sticky gunk from the can to glue it. Margaret was surprised but gave a chuckle. She poured some water on their bloodied hands and drank the rest.

They took a look around the terminal. It was a filthy rusted-brown terminal with writings on the wall. Rundown buses were battered and seem to fall apart from years of neglect. The large garage door was blocked by several chassis and car lifts. “Do you think the bus will be here,” Emma asked.

“Better be. Risked our necks for this.”

“How is it going to get past that thing? The city is a ghost town because of it.”

“Dunno luv.” She takes out a bottle of vodka from her bag and drank. “Just got to pray.” After a few minutes, everyone hears a loud roar. The tension in the terminal became palpable as everyone pulls out a gun and aims it at the sound. Margaret struggles to stand up. Emma lent her a shoulder and carried her behind a large toolbox. “Look luv. Leave me here, and go hide.”

“I can't leave you. It's going to find me anyway.” She can still smell blood on her hands. “Best we can do is fight.” She takes a swig from the bottle, knowing it could be her last.

“Been a good run Emma.” They both give each other a fist bump and ready their guns. The garage door is puncture by a white spike and torn open. The makeshift barricade is pushed aside. The whole group fires at the monster entering the building. The bullets bounce off its skin and one by one the guns make a clicking noise. A body hung off a spike on its shoulders as it entered. Fear took over and the group backs away. The beast tore the body into two and threw it. In a moment, two people were on the floor and covered in blood while everyone else tried to run and hide. But there was nowhere to hide, and nowhere to escape.

“Honk honk!” The beast stops and gazes at the entrance to see a bus with the letters SDA printed on its side. Its doors open and two people step out. One of them was a young woman wearing a plain black robe with a headdress and held a thick tome. The other person was an old man wearing black cargo pants with an open black leather vest with a steel spike in his hand. He had a 5'o clock shadow and an eyepatch over his left eye.

The old man spoke as though he had a dry throat. “This the dump?”

The woman replied in a calm voice, “And that's the juggernaut.” They enter the terminal and look around.

“That thing? Easy.” He prepares his spike poised to thrust.

“Get on with it then.” The juggernaut sensed the new visitors were dangerous and runs at them.

“Ha, why are you here then?” The old man effortlessly dodges the juggernaut's barrage of attacks and breaks off several tusks from its body with a lightning fast stab. It looks at the woman who aims a gun at it which makes a click. Nothing came out but the beast roars in pain. Each click the gun made seem to cause more anguish. The beast falls to its knee and flailed wildly.

“To speed up the job. 4^th rib.” The old man jump on top of the beast and runs his spike through the beast's back. It crumbles to the ground motionless making a loud thud. The people stare at the visitors in awe, unsure what will happen to them now.

The old man jumps down and checks the two bloodied people. “Good news. Just a few broken bones. Anyone else hurt?” Margaret and Emma hobble forward to him. He notices the track suit patch on Margaret's leg. “Get me the med box.”

The woman shouts, “Get that yourself, meathead!” She looks at the group. “Anyone doing an interview, line up at the bus. Prepare your documents.” They did as they told and boarded the bus. It was very spacious and comfortable inside. After Margaret was treated for her wounds, the two women doze off in their seat. Emma's memory blurred. She remember about a long trip across the land and sea. Making friends with the others. Talking about their future plans.

Her memory focuses to a traditional eastern style room with paper walls, floor plants, and a solid wooden floor. There was a long table with an empty chair on one side, and on the other, three people waiting. Each person was memorable in their own way. The person on the left was the largest person she ever saw. The person on the right was a Minotaur. However, the person at the centre was the most intimidating. His yellow eyes seem to glow in the dim light and pierce into her. Once she took a look at his suit, her worst fear was realized. The person in front of her was the leader of operations for all Dreads in the world. His reputation as a powerful leader could not describe the aura he radiated. She nervously took a seat to hide her quivering legs.

Sensing her unease, the left person spoke in a friendly tone. “My name is Sal. What's yours?”

She replied, “Emma.”

“How are you doing? It's been a long journey for you after all.”

Emma replied, “I'm good.”

“Did you have any of the snacks in the lobby? Any favourites?”

“I like the chocolate biscuit cookies. Were they freshly made?”

“Ah, I'm glad you noticed. Boris was quite proud. He had his team work all night.” She relaxed slightly.

A deep growling voice stopped the conversation. “Sorry. Jin no much time.” The Minotaur looked over at Salvador. It was hard to tell its expression but she figured he was just trying to steer them back on track at least.

The SDA Head calmly replied, “It's fine. Boris will appreciate the attention.” His voice was gentler than expected, yet the words carried far too much weight to be mere words. Was it his tone? Presence? Pacing? Or something unexplainable. Curiosity seem to overtake her for a moment before it was snuffed out by Sal's unease.

Sal continued, “Alright. Alright. I'll start introductions. My name is Salvador. You can call me Sal. Beside me is my boss, Jin. And the far right over there is Asterius. You're here for an interview for citizenship. Just answer honestly. No wrong answers.” He gave a wide grin which seem to hide something underneath. “Are you ready Emma?”

“Yes sir,” Emma replied. Her voice quivered at the end.

Salvador asked, “Do you know any gifted on a personal level?”

“I did.”

“Are they doing well?”

She stayed silent for a moment. “She died during a Dread Riot a few years back. She was a good friend and struggled a lot to make ends meet.” The room was silent for a while. Emotions were welling up inside her, but she held back her tears.

“Sorry to hear. Take your time, and tell us when you are ready to continue Emma.”

“I can keep going.” She had a long time to get over the loss. Though the memory hurts, she knew she must keep going.

Salvador gave a slight cough and asked, “Last question. Can you open your heart to gifted again?”

The question was odd to her. Of course she was open to them. As she was about to say yes, nothing came out of her mouth. The reaction surprised herself and, at first, she didn't understand why she couldn't say the word. Then she remembered her belated friend, the many stories of acquaintances being attacked, and the grotesque scenes hidden away from the main street. Unable to bear it, she muttered, “I'm not sure.”

“Understandable. With everything that happened, opening up to the gifted is difficult. But I have a hunch you can do it with time.” The words were meant to motivate her. Yet it felt as though she threw away the only chance for a better life. Even still, Jin still continues to stare intently. Salvador continues, “Emma. Do you have any questions?” Regret washed over her. Her chest felt heavy and the fear of being sent back home made her shiver. In the end, she struggled to her feet and gave a flat no. They bid farewell and as she was about to walk out, she heard a voice.

“Take this.” Jin threw something at her. She turns and fumbles to catch the object, but it falls to the ground. It was a silver card with the SDA logo on it. Etched into it were the words “Temporary Citizenship Permit”. Jin continues, “You pass.”

The sound of the office returns her to reality. She turned around to see a familiar face hovering over her. “Morning luv. Daydreaming again?” She felt lucky to be given the chance that day and was thankful she does not need to be involved with him further.

“A little.” Emma lets out a smile. When she looked at the picture of Jin again, one thought passed her mind. Never in her lifetime does she ever want to catch the SDA's attention.