SEJANUS PLINTH — DISTRICT 12, NIGHT

District 12 smelled like ash and rot. Smoke rolled off the chimneys, thick with coal dust and desperation. The uniform itched at his neck, pressed stiff against his collarbone. Sejanus had been a Peacekeeper for barely three weeks, and already he felt the grime of the District curling under his skin.

He wandered off patrol. Not by accident.

A red bulb glowed above a crooked doorway behind the Hob. It pulsed faintly in the fog like a wound that never closed. The woman was already leaning in the threshold..he stared

Sejanus stopped. His breath clouded in the air, the men who talked about this woman, not good men. But he was desprate.in need. he paused a moment and spoke, it echoed in the alley,

”Are you..{{user}}..?”