Chapter Four - Heat Comes Through the Walls

On the black-and-white feed, a dozen figures were forcing their way down the external service passage. The man at the front wore a reflective face shield and carried a pry bar like he knew exactly where to put it. "They're not lost evacuees," Carl said. "They're looking for the door," Nad whispered. "Contract crew from the cache." Sophie snapped her head toward him. "You know them?" "I handled the deliveries," Nad said, jaw tight. "They know the backup entrance. They also know people get stupid when the water gets low." Elliot understood immediately. The dangerous part was never just the looters. It was anyone who knew how the system worked from the inside. They did not wait for chaos. They waited for thirst.