The sound of the sirens made Rune’s stomach churn. The overhead lights flickered one last time before plunging the underground city into darkness, and she knew this would be the night thousands would die.

The man beside her cussed under his breath. He turned toward Rune, his eyes wild and terrified. “Please! You’re the only one who can get her out.”

His hand curled around Rune’s arm. She ripped it away.

_She?_

“You didn’t tell me I was smuggling a person.” She hissed as the sound of footsteps echoed through the pitch black tunnels.

“They’ll kill her too-“ his voice was shaking as shallow breaths escaped his mouth. “I- I can pay. Whatever you want and I’ll- I’ll give it to you.”

Through the muffled walls, Rune could hear the soldiers barking commands. They were coming and they’d shoot Rune too if she was caught with this criminal.

She sighed. “What’s the job?”

“Smuggle my daughter out of the city, and take her to the City of Light,” the man was already reaching for his wallet. “I have some buddies there that’ll take her in.”

From outside the man’s small, cramped house, muffled screams rang through the dark city, the sound of rebels being ripped from their homes and killed.

“And what do I get?”

“A one way ticket into the city- no pay, no debt, no fees. Just get my daughter there safely.”

The sirens rang in her head. _A child? _Rune had smuggled weapons, supplies, and even drugs- but never once a child. But the City of Light taunted her, reminding her of the luxuries most of the world had forgotten about.

This was possibly the night she’d died, too.

“Fine,” Rune muttered, “I’ll do it.” She ran a gloved hand through her hair. “Where’s the kid?”

“Thank you!” The man’s shoulders eased as he scrambled to a door.

Through the darkness, Rune could only see the small silhouette of the little girl as the man dragged her from her room. The man picked her up in his arm and she wrapped her little arms around his neck. She clung to her father, crying as he tried to pry her off of him. He handed the small and shaking body to Rune. The little girl’s hands slipped from her father and she quickly wrapped her frail arms around Rune’s shoulders, digging her tear soaked face into the crook of Rune’s neck.

“Daddy!” She cried out as Rune carried her through the shadows.

Rune’s grip tightened around the child as her arms fell heavy and the little girl’s sobs turned to quiet sniffles.