I open my eyes with a pang of pain from the light that invades the subway windows, trying to capture the last whispers of my dreams before they dissolve into oblivion. The dim light of dusk invades the subway car, revealing a city worn down by time and the haze of pollution. Decrepit skyscrapers rise like rusting giants, while holographic advertisements flash in saturated colors on the deteriorating facades. The metallic smell of the carriage is inescapable, a mixture of rust, cigarettes and old oil that seems to permeate every breath. 

Small tremors run through the ground beneath my feet, accompanied by the distant, monotonous sound of the voice in the hologram above, pouring out news in an apathetic tone.

The dust, almost a living presence, clings to my fingers, forming a thin, rough layer that resists the touch. It's the price of traveling to work every day. The bitter taste of biotech supplements still lingers in the back of my throat, a constant reminder of my precarious existence.

I remain on my seat while reality outside waits, ready to impose itself with all its adversities. But for now, I prefer to stay daydreaming, where the world still has a chance to be something more than a grotesque nightmare. Where my mother's whispers, sung in lullabies, echo softly in my mind, at least until I can't pay attention to anything but the terrible sound of the News.

With a sigh, I stretch my arms and legs. It's whe I notice something unusual. Looking down, I see that I'm still wearing my bunny slippers. My eyes widen in surprise and disbelief.

“Really?” I mutter to myself, embarrassed, as I quickly look around to see if anyone is staring at me.

Apparently my fellow travelers are too wrapped up in their own worlds to notice my choice of footwear. I try to compose myself, but embarrassment still warms my cheeks as I wait for the next station.

I run my gaze over my well-pressed suit, from the elegant blazer to the dress pants, and see that it ends at the ridiculously fluffy bunny slippers. The juxtaposition of professionalism with children's shoes makes me let out a sigh of frustration and resignation.

“Great way to start the day, Violet,” I murmur to myself, trying to stifle the mix of embarrassment and humor that threatens to escape in the form of laughter.

Composed, but still a little embarrassed, I decide to keep my head up. After all, it's not every day that you see someone in a suit and slippers on the subway. Hopefully, this will be just another forgotten quirk in the city's clutter.

The sound of the news on the holographic TV flows in a cacophony, fragments of words mixing with the noises of the subway. Something about a new government decree, a police raid, a shocking discovery at NeuroSync. Words are irrelevant; it's the tone that matters, that crushing monotony that promises more of the same. And I, foolishly, still find myself listening.

A background melody fades out abruptly, replaced by the holographic journalist's deep, urgent voice:

"We interrupt the program for breaking news: a devastating attack with fire on Rua Ícaro left several victims with worrisome burns on their body."

A tightness in my chest when I heard the journalist's words... It's the street close to my work. Before I can gather my thoughts, my cell phone vibrates in my bag. Carefully, I remove the cell phone and see that it is Zoey, my sister. I answer the call, my voice shaking slightly.

— Zoey? Are you okay?

— Violet! — Zoey replies, her voice anxious and breathless. — Yes, I'm fine, but... have you seen the news?

— I just heard, I'm on the subway. What happened? Are you safe?

— Yes, I'm safe. I'm a few blocks away, but the explosion was scary. The NeuroSync building was hit, Violet. It's a completely chaos here.

— My God... Have you seen anyone you know? Everyone is well?

— I still don't know the details, the police blocked the area, maybe I'll try to get closer to see what the situation is like.

— I'm getting off the subway at the next station. Go there so I can meet you, got it?!

— Right…please be careful. I'll see you there, Vivi.

— See you soon, Zozo. Stay safe.

I hang up the phone, feeling the adrenaline rising as the subway approaches the next station.

As I turn off the phone the feeling of adrenaline rising as the subway approaches the next station. My thoughts immediately turn to my colleagues at Biotech. Are they okay? The attack was so close there... I don't want to go, it's impossible not to worry. But shitty Charlie is going to fire me for good if I miss today, and that's the last thing I need. 

I remember the previous warnings, his stern look behind his glasses, as if that son of a bitch wasn't just a pawn like everyone else.

The subway begins to descend into the underground area, the late afternoon light gradually being replaced by the artificial darkness of the tunnels. I feel the cars shake more than usual, a tremor that reverberates through my bones, making every fiber of my body prepare for something bad.

The sound of metal wheels on the tracks echoes like muffled thunder, creating an unsettling rhythm in the growing silence. Suddenly, I hear screams echoing down the hall. The sound is sharp and desperate, cutting through the cold, heavy air like a sharp blade.

Suddenly, the sound of gunshots explodes into the air, echoing throughout the carriage. My body reacts before I can think. I fall to the floor, kneeling and almost sitting, instinctively hugging my legs along with the bag. My heart pounds so hard it feels like it's going to explode. I try to face the window of the carriage where the shots are coming from.

 My heart races as my eyes dart toward the screams coming from the next car. What is happening? Is this an organized fucking attack? A robbery? Damn, just today?!!

Fear invades me, a rush of adrenaline mixed with pure frustration. My fingers close around the bag, gripping it tightly as I try to reach for my phone again. I need to talk to Zoey, tell her not to come to the station, make sure she's okay. My finger slides across the screen, shaking, trying to turn it on. But, of course, the phone battery goes from one to zero percent before my eyes could process it.

"DAMMIT!" the scream is muffled through my clenched teeth, a frustrated, desperate sound that I can barely control. I try to keep quiet, but panic bubbles inside me, each second dragging by as I look around, looking for any sign of what's happening.

Shit, shit, shit. I need to think, I need to act. But all I can do is grip the bag tighter, my mind racing with frightening possibilities.

And then, right after that, came an eerie silence.

"Keep calm, Violet. You're not involved in this. You just need to find Zoey, get her somewhere safe, and then go to work." My mind starts repeating this a million times a second, as if it were some kind of command for an old computer. And as if a sentence ripped apart that thought, an idea appears in my mind: "I'm going to die." I CAN'T DIE, NOT BEFORE I PAY MY RENT, OR ELSE ZOEY WILL BE HOMELESS.

I close my eyes for a moment, seeking solace in the darkness, but it's brief. A sharp, piercing sound breaks the silence.

My eyes snap open, heart racing with confusion and fear. The sound still echoes in my ears, leaving me even more disoriented. My thoughts scramble as my gaze is drawn to the window. My breath catches in my throat as I see the horrific scene before me - the glass now covered in a thick, shiny red layer, creating a macabre image. Panic grips me, my mind struggling to comprehend the horrifying scene unfolding.

With shaky steps, I cautiously approach the window. The heat radiating from the glass chills me to the core, as if it carries an evil energy that makes me shiver.

I take a deep breath and peer through the blood-stained glass. The sight that unfolds before me is terrifying, a nightmare scenario.