The sound of the music reverberates from my toes to my head, sending an electrifying shiver down my spine. It has been two years since the world turned chaotic, two years since I last saw a band live. Two years since anything truly made sense.

Everyone just works as if that were all that can be done. I'm sick of working, sick of having to rush home to make curfew of having to spend whatever time remains a slave to the system.

Ma believes it'll get better; I say it'll only get worse.

Someone taps my shoulder. The acrid stench of cigarette smoke clings to the stranger the smell amplified the moment he leans down to whisper in my ear, "wanna go have some fun?" the stranger's raspy voice makes me think of a dog with a bad cough.

I take a step back, bumping my back against someone's shoulder, "Sorry not interested," I say, turning to apologize to the person I bump into. A girl with cat-like eyes smiles at me, but when the stranger tries to reach for me, she hisses. The man's eyes widen uncertainty fills his slightly glossed over eyes.

"Who sent you?" the girl asks, but the stranger doesn't get to answer as he starts to convulse.

The girl lets out a sigh before taking my hand and pulling through the crowd. "You don't want to be caught," she says the sea of people part for us. Someone notices the convulsing man, and next thing you know, everyone is trying to get out.

Concerts like most things are currently forbidden, the Enforcers will show up soon and lock everyone up. We make it outside just in time to duck into an alley the bands already loaded up.

"You two want a lift?" the drummer asks.

"I'm good," I say, breaking free of the girl's hold, "thanks."

"To him or me?" the girl asks.

"Both," I walk past the band's van and duck into a separate alley. Having decided I no longer care if I live or die. I've taken it upon myself to learn the city's ins and outs like all the shortcuts and even the entrance to the Forgotten City.

As I'm about to make the final turn, something pulls me back sharp pain spreading from my throat to my heart. Something like claws digs into my abdomen and shoulder, my vision blurs as my knees go weak. The last thing I remember is the taste of something metallic flooding my mouth and dripping down my throat.