They don't make it three blocks before the attack.
Arden sees them first. Seven figures. Standing at the end of the street. Blocking the path.
Margaret in front. Dmitri beside her. Marcus. Four others Arden doesn't recognize. Survivors from other Games. Other support groups. Margaret's recruited.
"Split up," Arden whispers. "Find cover."
But it's too late. They're surrounded. More figures appearing from alleys. Side streets. Windows above.
Fifteen total. Maybe twenty. All survivors. All people who should be allies.
All holding weapons.
"Hello, Arden." Margaret's voice carries. Calm. Cold. "We need to talk."
"We have nothing to say." Arden positions herself between Margaret and her team. Protective. Ready.
"I disagree." Margaret walks closer. Knife in hand. Not threatening yet. Just present. "You've killed two fragments. Made the Entity angry. Put all of us at risk. That needs to stop."
"We're ending the Game. Ending the Entity. Saving everyone."
