Garrion City

Everything was utterly still, no one dared make any sudden movements in fear of being detected by the thermal scanners.

The drones hovered beside the building for a couple of minutes. Detecting no movements inside, one by one they left.

They wait for a minute more to make they won't come back. The drones did not and everyone was relieved.

Aristia consoled the silently crying and trembling Calista in her arms. Snow and Rowan went over to ask if they were okay while Green picked up the troublesome can and set into a corner, a displeased look on his face.

I can understand him. They are risking their lives in this run and they can't afford to make any mistakes. They were lucky this time that the drones aren't sentient, if it was one of the Zarkenians they would surely search the area and their sorry little party would have probably been herded to the big flying ships by now.

Snow sighed, her face full of concern. "We have to be careful from now on. Those things are smart and we have to be smarter than them. Take a good rest, we will depart by daybreak."

The night flew by with them sleeping fitfully. Maybe they were a bit traumatized by the incident that they hadn't had a good night of sleep or troubled by what would be in store for them tomorrow.

As dawn breaks from the horizon, they packed up in silence. They spray another layer of foul-smelling perfumes and set out.

Green and Rowan said drones do not patrol the city by day, instead, the Zarkenian army surveys Garrion until twilight. She was puzzled why they had to loot at daylight when Zarkenians are lurking in the vicinity.

"In our past runs here, Zarkenians never patrols the border of the city. Their base is at the center of Garrion and their armed forces are much denser in there. They probably neglect the borders thinking no human would dare come near the city if they see Zarkenian flags flying everywhere." Green explained.

Snow narrowed her eyes at him, "So you are saying we won't run into the Zarkenians because we are only at the border of the city, and no one patrols here, right?"

Green nodded his head, his usual playfulness gone amid their impending expedition, "The probability of encountering the Zarkenians is low but it is still there. And take what is said as a grain of salt since this is only from our observation every time we come here."

Calista, Snow, and Aristia contemplated what Green had discussed with them. There is a possibility but it is low. They look at each other. It's not like they could back out now, they are already here, why not take a chance just this once?

They set out, each of them scouring the surrounding areas for any golden-skinned humanoids. They entered small pharmacies and Rowan was fortunate enough to find the medicine for her mother. Aristia's luck was low today though, they had been to several small pharmacies but couldn't find the medication for severe asthma that Quinn needed.

Rowan knocked on the counter while she and Calista searched the shelves for the medicine.

Aristia shook her head dejectedly.

Green and Snow are outside patrolling the place.

Rowan tapped on the glass window and motion for the two outside to enter. The two entered and they all crouched in one corner to discuss their next step.

"It's nearing lunchtime and we still have other stuff to look for. Why don't we hit the mall just three streets from here? All we need are probably in there anyway."

Calista hesitates, "Is it safe there?"

Green look at her pointedly, "Safe as any place in this city."

Snow pondered their options for a bit and nodded her head, "They are right, it's nearing noontime and we can't dally here anymore. Let's get in there in groups of two."

Calista clung to Aristia, "I'll go with Tia."

"Good, look for the pharmacy first and when you get what you are looking for, head to the grocery area immediately. If you can't find any, head to the grocery area still. We will use the time we could spare tomorrow, before departing, to look for pharmacies on the east side. Are we clear?"

Everyone nodded and sprinted towards the mall. Green and Snow went directly to the grocery department while Aristia, Rowan, and Calista head to the upper level of the mall where the pharmacy was. They took the non-working escalator stairs two at a time.

They went directly to the drug store and searched the place.

"Tia! It's here!" Calista exclaimed as she raised two white boxes of medicine.

Aristia rushed over, her heart pounding out of her chest. She read the name to make sure it truly was what they are looking for. It is!

Rowan emerged from the backroom. "Found at least a dozen of them in there."

Aristia's eyes trembled. Who said her luck is out of turn? This pile alone would for a year. Quinn has his medicine now!

Beaming, she hugged the two tightly. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"

Rowan patted her shoulder. "Let's put it in your backpack and go to the groceries."

They did so and made haste. They were passing a boutique along the way that made Calista stop. It has been five years and some articles of clothing inside the shops had gone bad without anyone maintaining it. But the clothes in this store still looked pristine. A sign of good quality.

She looks at the name of the brand and sure enough, it was one of the renowned clothing brands before the invasion.

She turned to Calista and saw the longing in her sixteen-year-old eyes. She turned to Rowan, the girl understood, and nodded her head, "We could spare five minutes here. Grab anything you want but make sure you still have space for the goods."

Calista became excited and entered the store.

"You have somewhere you want to go for five minutes?" Aristia asked Rowan. The girl was a bit tomboyish and she was sure the designs of the clothing inside the store would not appeal to her.

"Yeah, I might as well get a new backpack over there. I'll see you here in five." Rowan said and sprinted towards the general merch department.

Aristia accompanied Calista in choosing some shirts and pants. They were browsing the racks of clothing when a whirring sound came from the distance.

The clanking of the metallic hangers stopped and Calista looked at her in pure horror. "Tia, i-is that what I think it is?"

"Shhh!" Aristia grabbed the younger woman's arm and they both duck behind the store counter. A whirring sound came outside of the store.

Those damned drones. She had seen one from a distance in the past they were as big as those hoover kind of vacuums. Its black metallic body glinting when the sun hits the surface. They were fast and swift, and you are dead once you are spotted.

Aristia's mind is in chaos. Why is there a drone in broad daylight? Didn't Green say drones are only dispatched at night?

And why does the whirring sound became more distinct?

Shit! Their backpacks and coats are on the store floor. They both took them off when they were trying clothes. They must have emitted a heat signal and the drone was drawn to them.

Shit! Double shit!

Calista looks at her with fear in her eyes, she also heard the drone coming inside the store and must have been feeling frightened.

She motioned for her to keep quiet and to make no sudden movements. And then goosebumps erupted all over their body as the whirring sounded again but much closer this time. It moved closer and closer.

The drone was just right above their heads.

It's above their heads!

They both held their breaths and closed their eyes, praying for any gods who are still listening to come and save them.