act10d5

I'll...

I'm scared to think. I have to act.

Please. Let me go...

*Sigh.*

It's not like you're going to listen to me anyway.

Sorry...

Take this.

Hm?

What is it...?

It's supposed to connect to military comm networks. I'm not sure if it still works.

If you're lucky, you can make contact with the Army once you reach Peterheim. If you can report the situation to them from there, that would be a big help.

I know I can't stop you. Honestly, I have too much on my plate right now to worry about watching you. What you do now is entirely on you.

But... Zoya, bear in mind, you are not a public servant. We are here to protect you.

Don't be a hero. Protecting yourself is your first priority.

Your father wouldn't want to see you in danger.

...Thank you.

Thank you, Uncle Valery.

I'll definitely...

Definitely what?

I don't finish the sentence.

Because we both know that promises like that are just desperate attempts at mutual comfort.

I make my way through the crowd, dodging the collapsing rubble and avoiding the vicious men ruining the city.

I think of nothing. I dare not think. I just push on towards my goal.

(Phew, I'm here.)

(Peterheim Middle School... The last time I was here, it was an academic exchange thing.)

(Looks like the Reunion guys are pretty much the same. Hourly intervals using one patrol team... shouldn't be tough to clear them.)

(Nothing to worry about. But why is it so quiet?)

(Huh? What's that over there...?)

What is it?

(What the hell are they?!)

(These... these are... students?)

What in the world?

(Or, I guess I should say, these... were... students.)

(There's scorch marks on the floor and walls. Everything is charred... But these kids, they didn't burn to death...)

Edged weapons, blunt weapons, and trampling?

(Ugh, how could this have happened? And why?)

(Did Reunion do this? But these wounds don't look like those thugs' handiwork.)

(And these students should be useful to them. Reunion wouldn't want to hurt kids, would they?)

Hm? What's that...?

Huh...?

There on the scorched ground, among the many school uniforms, one note slips out of the score, crashing heavily on the piano keys.

It's a scene I never imagined. Not even in my darkest nightmares.

Isn't it about time for the weather to turn? Hey, Zoya, what do you think of this outfit?

Oh? Something I've been planning with your mom for a while now. *Sigh,* I'm always in uniform. It's so hard for me to find other things to wear.

You want to go too? No can do. Absolutely not.

It's a date for me and your mom.

Oh... oh...

Dad...?

Once the winter's over, when the weather turns, we'll have a little party, huh?

Drink some mead, cook some pancakes around the fire. We'll hold hands, sing, and dance in the muddy dirt. Even if the ground's still frozen, there'll be some little flowers blooming.

In this city, spring will come as usual.

Okay, formalities all taken care of.

Here's your registration card. You'll want to hold onto that.

Thanks.

(Great. All done.)

(It's easy enough, once you get used to it.)

(I'm hungry... Might as well refill my meal card.)

Hm?

That was super fun! The Doctor is so good at cards. Didn't lose a single hand! And then taught me how to 'poof' out a coin! Like this... 'poof!'

Hehe, that is a lot of fun indeed. Let's get Leto to join next time?

Huh? No thanks...

C'monnnn!

Hey... Gummy. Inside voice.

Hmph. Who cares if she doesn't wanna go? She's just scared she'll lose to me.

What? Who's gonna lose? You wanna bet?! Let's see who's scared of who!

Screw around and find out!

Those uniforms... They're——

They're from Peterheim...!