Jian dragged Nansich over the cracked pavement, weaving through rubble and scorched debris. The ground quaked beneath them every few seconds, like something ancient and massive stirred beneath the city's skin. Smoke coiled through the sky, ash settling on their hair and skin.
Broken glass crunched beneath their feet. A car, overturned and on fire, crackled just a few steps away. Jian didn't even flinch.
"Do you have your phone with you?" he asked sharply over his shoulder, breath short.
Nansich, still half-dragged and stumbling, blinked. "Yeah, duh. Why?"
He fished the device out of his pocket and held it up, grinning despite the chaos. "It's the newest model T-phone. Isn't it awesome? I had to beg my grandpa so much to buy—"
Jian snatched it out of his hand before he could finish.
"Hey!" Nansich stumbled, scowling. "At least say thank—"
