The day of departure arrived beneath a gray morning sky that felt heavier than usual over Sector 11.

The square had not yet filled completely, but movement had already begun in every street leading toward it. People stepped out of their homes quietly, many still wearing the same tired clothes from daily work, as though even on a day like this no one possessed enough spirit to dress differently.

Tyler walked alone through one of the side streets toward the square, his pace steady and his expression calm.

He had already left behind the abandoned garage, the copied batteries, the leaking machine, and the notes of his experiments. For now, nothing more could be done inside Sector 11.

As he turned past a narrow alley, Old Lady Veena appeared from the side as if she had been waiting specifically for him.

She still carried her faded umbrella despite there being no rain, and her old circular drone floated quietly near her shoulder.

"I already met the Embers," she said without greeting.

Tyler stopped immediately and looked at her with surprise.

"They moved that fast?" he asked. "I gave you my findings only yesterday."

Veena smirked as though she had expected that reaction.

"The Embers have their own ways of communication," she said. "They do not survive this long by moving slowly."

Tyler studied her for a moment. He had expected at least a few days before any answer came back, but clearly the rebels had channels that ordinary people never saw.

Veena lowered her voice slightly and added, "Anyway, good luck in the Capital Games. I will be watching from here, and if you survive long enough, someone in the Capital will meet you and deliver what you asked for."

That made Tyler narrow his eyes slightly.

"So they agreed."

"They agreed enough," Veena replied. "Do not expect kindness from rebels either. They help only when they see value."

Tyler gave a small nod.

"That is already more than enough."

He thanked her and continued toward the square.

By the time he arrived, the atmosphere had become much heavier than before.

Families had gathered again, but unlike the previous selection day, there was no fear mixed with uncertainty now. What filled the square this morning was grief that everyone could already feel but no one could stop.

Near the center, Tansy and Rose stood locked in their parents’ embrace.

Both sisters were crying openly. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Even Tansy, who usually controlled herself better than Rose, could no longer hide her tears.

Their mother looked as though she had not slept all night.

Their father, Doran, kept one hand on each daughter’s shoulder, his jaw clenched tightly as if he were forcing himself not to break down in front of them.

A short distance away stood Kennedy with his wife and young son.

His son held tightly to his leg, unwilling to let go, while Kennedy bent slightly and kept speaking softly to him, though even he clearly did not know what words could make this easier.

Only Victor was missing.

Tyler noticed that immediately.

A few minutes later, Victor finally appeared, but he did not come from the crowd where families stood.

He came from behind the stage.

His face looked pale and exhausted, and his steps were stiff as though he had not rested at all. Behind him walked Aruna wearing her usual bright smile, as if nothing unusual had happened.

Tyler looked at Victor once and understood enough from that single glance.

He chose not to say anything.

Soon the guards signaled for all five chosen participants to gather.

No one was allowed to carry bags, keepsakes, or personal belongings. They could only take the clothes they were already wearing.

The five chosen stood once more before the stage.

Tyler stood first.

Victor stood beside him.

Kennedy took his place next.

Then Tansy and Rose stood together.

Aruna stepped forward dramatically and raised one hand toward the crowd.

"Let us all hope," she announced brightly into the microphone, "that these chosen ones return after the Capital Games with glory."

The crowd remained almost completely silent.

There were only a few scattered claps, and even those sounded weak and forced.

Then the guards led the chosen away from the stage toward the waiting transport.

Beyond the square stood a vehicle unlike anything commonly seen in Sector 11.

It was a long black limousine, polished so perfectly that even the dull morning light reflected clearly across its surface.

The doors opened upward with smooth mechanical precision.

Tyler entered first.

Victor followed him.

Kennedy stepped inside next.

Then Tansy and Rose entered together.

Finally Aruna entered last, settling herself comfortably as though she were beginning a leisurely journey rather than escorting people toward uncertain survival.

The doors closed.

The limousine began moving slowly through Sector 11.

People stood along both sides of the road and watched in silence as it passed.

There were no cheers, and no one waved.

Mothers held children close. Old men stood with lowered heads. Miners watched with empty expressions as the black vehicle crossed the edge of the sector and disappeared beyond the boundary road.

The limousine left the road of Sector 11 and continued toward Sector 12, where one of the restricted train stations stood near the outer transport line.

Unlike the crowded square they had just left behind, the station was almost empty. There were no waiting passengers, no vendors, and no ordinary workers. Only a few cleaning robots moved silently across the polished floor, their mechanical arms wiping surfaces that already looked spotless.

When the vehicle stopped, Tyler and the others stepped out under the guidance of Aruna.

The station itself looked far cleaner than anything found in Sector 11, with smooth metallic walls, bright lighting, and screens displaying symbols none of them could fully understand.

A few moments later, a bluish-silver train arrived.

It appeared almost soundlessly, gliding along the rail with unnatural smoothness before stopping directly in front of them.

The side doors opened in perfect silence.

Aruna entered first without looking back, and Tyler followed with the others.

Inside, the space was bright and sleek, far beyond anything Sector citizens normally saw.

"You," Aruna said to one of the guards, "take the chosen ones to their section."

The guard nodded immediately and led Tyler, Tansy, Rose, Victor, and Kennedy toward the left side of the train, while Aruna and her attendants walked toward the right.

The doors closed behind them, and the train began moving.

Tyler immediately noticed something strange.

Despite the speed, he felt almost no momentum inside at all.

Their journey toward the Capital had begun.