Chapter 7: The Dark Streets

Chapter 7: The Dark Streets

(AN: If you read the previous version of this story, then from this point on, there will be a lot of changes.)

The girl in the plain white pajamas stood in the middle of the busy street.

The street bustled with festive people, no one even caring to look at her. In awe, she stared at the world around her. It was the first time she had seen anything like that. Her past life was in a different and much less advanced world of magic, and in her current one, she spent all her years sheltered in her expensive mansion or locked in the hospital.

"Look where you are standing, kiddo!" A man in a red tuxedo, blue cape, and suit of shiny, metallically looking fabric pushed her out of his way while murmuring, "Fucking, junkies..."

Initially, she had been concerned about standing out too much in her white pajamas. However, as she observed the passersby with their frequently amusing and diverse outfits, she came to the realization that her worries were unfounded.

'Thank goodness, it is a New Year festival. Streets are full of people, and everyone is drunk and dressed in festive clothes.' It was as if the goddess of luck herself stood on her side, helping her with her escape.

'This is not part of the city for me... Sooner or later, someone will spot and report me. Cameras are everywhere, so it is only a matter of time before they find me.'

Soon her eyes fell on a disheveled man in dirty and tattered clothes and long, greasy hair that looked like they had never seen even a droplet of shampoo, 'Follow the poor, and you will find a place where no guards dare to go.'

With unwavering determination, she seamlessly melded into the bustling crowd, discreetly shadowing the intoxicated man who stumbled through the tightly packed streets.

As she continued onward, she found herself venturing deeper and deeper into the heart of the city.

Gradually, the jubilant throngs of celebrants began to dwindle, replaced by a darker, more somber atmosphere.

Tia continued to walk deeper and deeper into the shady, poor parts of the city, shivers passing down her body under the cold evening air. Her nose wrenched at the disgusting smell of human filth in the air.

Human eyes constantly stared at her, but no one dared to move, the pulsing blue glow of her plasma pistol working as a strong deterrent.

'Where to go?' She escaped, but she was alone and wanted, without any money. Her stomach audibly grumbled in hunger.

Suddenly, a thunderclap rumbled above her head, and heavy rain descended. The raindrops drummed on the metal and concrete roofs.

'Are you kidding me?'

She looked around in search of shelter as the cold droplets of water soaked her hair and clothes.

Then the sound of rotors hummed in the sky, catching her attention. The bright red and blue light flashed above her head, the bright searchlight lighting the street behind her.

The crowds dispersed like rats in an instant, all people vanishing into buildings and stores, leaving only her, the dirty beggars outside as the planetary guard drone slowly approached.

The metal bars and shutters closed on the stores with loud ringing sounds, and the lights dimmed down.

With disgust, Tia looked in the direction of a dark and dirty sidestreet, the squealing of rats, moaning of junkies, and coughing of sick homeless coming out. She shuddered just at the thought of entering there, but there was no other solution as the drone quickly approached, the bright flashing light getting brighter and the humming of engines louder.

'On this main and empty street, there is no way they would not detect me here.'