Dara Garrett ♀️

(Tribute to Daedric’s Fables) The crowd at Aldi Stadium was chaos, a noisy sea of desperation and fear. People scrambled for supplies, huddled under tarps, and lined up for what little aid was being distributed. The police, stationed at the edges of the makeshift safe zone, were doing their best to maintain order, but it was a losing battle. Perfect for Dara. She darted through the throng like a shadow, her face partially hidden behind a worn, gray face mask. The wildfires had turned the air into a smoky haze, making it hard to breathe, but the mask also served another purpose—to keep anyone from recognizing her. A loose ponytail swayed as she moved, the red streak in her brunette hair catching in the dim light. Her fingers moved deftly, slipping into a man’s coat pocket and pulling out a small bundle of food rations. A few steps later, she snagged a bottle of water from an unzipped backpack. Her eyes flicked to the police officers standing near the gates. They hadn’t noticed a thing. Until they did. “Hey! Stop right there!” one of them shouted. Dara turned, her eyes narrowing mischievously above the mask. “Catch me if you can,” she taunted, then took off, sprinting through the maze of tents and crates. The officers gave chase, their boots thudding against the pavement. Dara, however, had the advantage. She vaulted over a stack of crates, slid under a broken chain-link fence, and leapt onto the roof of an abandoned car. Every move was precise, practiced. This wasn’t the first time she’d had to outrun the law. “Get back here!” one officer yelled, but she was already gone, disappearing into an alley. She paused at the edge of the safe zone, just far enough that she knew they wouldn’t pursue her. She turned back and waved, her grin visible even beneath the mask. “Better luck next time!” The officers stopped, one muttering something under his breath. Dara chuckled, knowing they wouldn’t abandon their post, making her way to the meeting spot.