The wails of the approaching Enforcers droned on in the distance. Sirens were an unfamiliar sound. In the Slums and the ghettos the Enforcers dealt with crime quickly and quietly. But in the GEM neighbourhood they made as much noise as possible. Crime was rare, but when it did happen they wanted to create drama. Lights turned on. Sleeping houses awoke. The sirens were doing their job. We had to keep out of sight. Daniel didn’t complain about his ankle but I saw the tight line of his lips. I gripped hold of his hand, manoeuvring us into the darkest shadows, keeping under cover of trees and bushes. “If we get out of this and we actually make it home, Angela is going to kill us,” he said quietly, trying to lighten the mood. I smiled. “Just promise me that this is the last time you decide to turn tough-guy.” He laughed and I imagined his crooked smile in the dark.
