As it turned out, blending into the crowd was a lot easier than she imagined. While it did mean walking around with her shoes getting soaked through and possibly ruined, it gave her time to observe her city as it truly was. People struggled through muck and ruin with carts of belongings as they fled to higher ground and rescue crews tried desperately to save what they could of lives and goods alike.
People clung to what few possessions remained - they clutched trinkets or stuffed toys to themselves or wrapped them carefully in old sheets and towels or bits of blankets. Some wore cloaks or jackets. Others, without. All sought refuge wherever they found it available, often in the homes of friends or family or neighbors, temporarily giving up living spaces of their own to take shelter from the elements.
"Careful!" An older woman scolded nearby as a child bumped into someone in front of her and nearly sent a bowl toppling out of her hands. "Stop running! You're scaring our guests."
