"…Why?"
The question had barely left her lips when the grip on her shoulder tightened slightly, grounding her back into the moment. The martial artist leaned closer, his voice sharp and suspicious, completely unlike the fixed responses she remembered.
"So, girl… what are you looking at?"
Remedy's body tensed as she tried to pull away, but his hand didn't budge. Her eyes narrowed immediately, the initial shock fading as a more calculated reaction took over now that she wasn't bound by the memory's script.
She could respond.
So she did.
"Sir, please stop touching me!"
Her voice rang out clearly through the crowded shelter, cutting through the low murmurs and tension that had already been building among the survivors. The sudden outburst drew attention instantly, dozens of heads turning in their direction.
The atmosphere shifted.
People were already on edge.
Tired.
Frustrated.
Scared.
This was enough to push them further.
