After the fire, Cemetery Street was surprisingly hot.
The howling wind on the top ensured they didn't die of suffocation, but it did nothing to lessen the heat wave.
The fire company had come and gone, their contract only covering putting out the fire, not cleaning up after it. Once they had extinguished the blaze, they drove off, indifferent to what happened here next.
Children injured in the fire lay on the streets, while other children stood around them, helpless and uncertain, looking hopefully towards the cabins next to the apartments, wishing their teachers and principal would come and save them, not daring to approach the charred ruins nearby. Gang members and street drifters stood quietly nearby, weapons in hand, ready to whisk the children away at the first opportunity, as fresh children could fetch a good price.
"Come with me," Seeking Shadow said to the Rat Sentinel behind her.
"Humans are strong, rats are afraid," it said nervously.
