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The sky was as red as it had been that morning on the balcony. Not a pretty sunrise red, either, but a dirty, seething palette of ruddy haze. Ash was sifting down, adding to the speckles in Irina’s hair, collecting in swirling piles in the street. Darica could feel the tickle starting in her throat as they crossed, and found herself hoping the group Irina was looking for would be close by. The two of them were the only people visible, although enough daylight remained for just about anyone to make a normal errand on foot. It didn’t seem as though people wanted to go out, and she didn’t blame them. With the extra drop in temperature the smoke in the air had brought, everyone who hadn’t left was probably staying as warm as they could inside. She was beginning to kick herself for forgetting to grab a proper coat.

Irina led her across the two-lane street and between two apartment buildings on the other side. There was usually grass there, but without proper light and water, it was starting to fade. People had been using the space for disposal of all sorts, and she had to step carefully. As if that weren’t enough, Irina insisted on stopping every few steps, to be sure nobody at a window would see them. Between the ash and the smell, it was getting hazardous to breathe. More than once, Darica nearly turned back to go lock herself in, but she made it to the gate at the end of the alley just as Irina pushed it open.