In the Sector 5, mornings began with the sound of trees dying.
The forest echoed with the rhythm of axes - merciless and steady. The harmony of birds chirping mixed with the rhythm of wood splitting under axes, It was sounding beautiful, indeed.
Among the lumberjacks, a middle aged woman named Alena was working like she was part of the rhythm itself. So focused. Her ax rose and fell with grace. Sweat traced down her temple, caught in the collar of her brown jacket before dripping onto the ground.
The music from the radio hummed in the background. But to Alena's ears, damn it felt like noise.
She lifted the tool again. Her hands gripped the worn handle, perhaps the only thing binding her to this human world.
And then she brought it down with a crack, splitting the log cleanly.
Then, for a moment, she stood still. Her eyes lingered on the broken wood - the way the inner fibers frayed like torn skin. She imagined... human bones instead.
A shrill caw shattered her trance.
She turned. The sound came from a crow perched on a nearby tree. It tilted its head, as if it is studying her. That too with an almost human curiosity. Seeing the yellow ribbon on it's neck, Alena understood, "She's nearby, isn't she?"
Moments later, She finally appeared behind the trees. It's Georgia. The woman was wearing a floral yellow dress that swayed against her knees. Her tied-up hair bounced as she walked. And right on cue, The crow with yellow ribbon flew down onto her shoulder, letting out another squawk.
Georgia reached up, scratching the bird under its beak. "Aww, hush, Kora. Mommy's talking."
Alena grimaced. "That thing creeps me out. Birds shouldn't act like pets."
Georgia laughed. "You just don't know baby." She kissed the air near Kora's face. The crow blinked slowly, as if it understood.
Alena rolled her eyes, grabbing her water bottle. "So why are you here?"
Georgia ignored the threat, her grin stretching wide enough to split her over-optimistic skull. "He's finally coming to my house!"
Alena blinked. "He? Who? Nikk?"
Georgia nodded so vigorously Alena thought her head might pop off. "Yes, Nik! Can you believe it?! We will roam around the city on his bike, and at the end….. He is gonna propose."
Alena lifted her eyebrows, "He told you that?"
Georgia's grin widened, "Nooo... but I've heard from his friend that he bought something special. It's got to be for the night. I am so excited, Alena I swear."
Alena smirked, "Congratulations Georgia. Finally, I get a break from your awful sex jokes."
Georgia punched her playfully. "Shut up. That's never stopping. I still want that shaved -"
Before she could finish, Alena clamped a hand over her mouth, "Stop."
Just for a second....she imagined squeezing harder, silencing her entirely. She's so irritating, Alena thought.
Before the thought could linger further, The radio's music cut out, replaced by a crackling male voice, "Hello, natives of the 5th sector. I'm your Captain Kostas from troopers."
Georgia nudged Alena. "Isn't this the obsessive bum who's always trying to pick a fight with you."
Alena shook her head, "Don't start."
Kora gave another sharp caw - like she was mocking the tension. And hopped off Georgia's shoulder. The bird fluttered down to a bush, pecking lazily at a cluster of red berries.
Kostas continued his announcement through the radio, "There's a rogue and dangerous cult member on the loose. Everyone, For your safety, I request you all to stay in your respective homes. Do not open your doors for any strangers and report any suspicious behavior immediately. The troopers are always with you. Thank you."
Georgia groaned, lighting a cigarette. "His voice always sounds so intimidating. What's his deal with you anyway? Every time he's near you, it's like he's trying to crush you."
Alena sighed, "I don't know and I don't care. Don't align me with this guy. I am happy with my little family."
"Uh-huh." Georgia blew a puff in the air, "Anyway, you wanna sit and chat? I was just about to give you all the juicy details about Nik."
Alena looked at Georgia, "Didn't you hear what Kostas said? We need to get to our homes. And I've got some real important work to do, Georgia."
"Your police stalker isn't gonna mind if we sit for ten minutes."
"Girl, what the- Look, I just need to get back. My daughter's waiting for me."
Georgia sighed dramatically, blowing more smoke. "You're always so serious. Kalli can handle herself."
"It's not…," Alena picked her bag up, "Kalli and Lys are at a school picnic. They'll be back tonight. It's actually Kate who is waiting for me back in my house. So i gotta hurry."
Georgia raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah, I heard you adopted your late sister's kids. Two of them, right?"
Alena nodded. "Yeah. Lys and Kate. You remember the recent school shootout down the hill? Their parents were killed there."
Georgia's face softened for a moment. "Damn. That's tough. How are they holding up?"
"Kate's eight," Alena replied. "And Lys is older - seventeen. And Kate's got paraplegia."
Georgia frowned, "Wait, what? From the incident or…?"
Alena : "No, she's been like this since birth. She just can't walk, So, I am doing my best to take care of her."
Georgia took another drag from her cigarette. "What about Kalli?" in a mocking tone, "Your biological daughter. Hahaha."
Alena took a slow breath. "She's going through… a phase. Drinking. Smoking, Acting out. I don't know what's gotten to her. She's been like this since I told her she couldn't aim for the army. She's just sixteen. It's getting worse each day. I've tried disciplining her in... many ways, but nothing's working."
Georgia shrugged, "Go easy on her, girl. That's normal for girls her age."
Alena's grip tightened around her water bottle. "Not for her. I don't want her going down that path. I'm trying to keep her from… falling. Because I've been to those places at my age, it never ends well. Army thing- serving for country thing is just bullcrap."
Georgia laughed softly. "Well She's not you, Alena. She never experienced your experiences if that makes sense. Let that girl breathe. She will get there eventually. You are too obsessed with this whole gotta be different than my mom thingy. Chill out girl."
Alena's vision blurred for a second. The bottle in her hand felt heavier. Georgia kept talking, but Alena wasn't hearing it. She imagined taking the cigarette from Georgia's lips and shoving it into her mouth. Just silencing her…. Right there.
"Yeah just leave it. You won't know...." She said firmly. "You don't know what it's like to be me. Just focus on fucking..... Nik."
She turned on her shoes, starting to walk away, "Take care."
Kora flapped once, landing neatly on Georgia's shoulder, ruffling her hair.
Georgia grinned, stroking the bird's wing like it was a kitten, "Okay i will fill you in with all the details tomorrow. Also, If you need any help, just ask!!! I am always here --- your best friend, right?"
"You fucking wish," Alena muttered under her breath.
Georgia's laughter faded behind her, leaving Alena alone with her thoughts.
The forest suddenly felt heavier, quieter. Even the crow had gone silent.
Alena adjusted the strap of her bag and started down the familiar path home. She nearly forgot about Kostas's warning and continued to hum that same tune from the radio earlier.... hoping it might quiet the unease that clung to her.
But no matter how much she tried, the anxiety just wouldn't shake off. And as she was passing by a small house, a familiar but creepy voice rang out from behind her. That sure brought her back to reality,
"Alena!"
She stopped and turned. That's when she spotted a Trooper's jeep parked beside that small house. The white emblem on the side gleamed under a film of dust.
Three troopers stood outside, talking to a family at the gate. Their posture was almost gentle - helmets off, rifles slung behind them, hands open as they reassured the worried homeowners. The mother looked tense; the father nodded stiffly.
And then Alena's eyes found Kamala.
The trooper was kneeling on the ground, speaking so softly to a little boy clutching his mother's hand. Kamala's faceplate was off. That showed her tired but kind eyes. She pulled a small metallic badge from her vest - the Trooper insignia - and pressed it into the boy's palm. He smiled. She smiled back. For a moment, it looked so beautiful.
It caught Alena off guard — that gentleness. That warmth.
This is really surreal, Alena thought, So different from their monstrous captain. They aren't that bad actually. Maybe—
A shadow moved behind the jeep.
Her brief hope soured immediately.
Freddie came into view - heavyset, thick-necked. The kind of man who looked like he'd sweat just from walking 2 meters. His uniform was stretched tight across his gut. And the buttons on his shirt were clinging for dear life. He was still carrying that lazy half smirk.
"Oh god, I hate that face he makes," Alena thought to herself.
Freddie wiped his forehead with his handkerchief and waved at Alena like they were old friends.
"Alena! Hehe. I never thought I'd see you here!"
Alena exhaled sharply through her nose. "Yeah," she muttered under her breath,
"Spoke too soon. Some still suck just as much as their captain."