All across the outskirts of the city rundown neighborhoods held their breath. Twilight hinged at dawn as blocks upon blocks of housing braced against the incoming miasma. Viscous polluted fog ran straight through a strip of townhouses. Barred windows ineffective against the bitter chill that settled. Everything silent and muffled in the overburdened air. The wooden tips of the fencing that separated the back of each unit barely visible in the rolling sea. Across, an escaped synth scurried on all fours. Intently the chubby intruder peered into each house.
CREeeak!
The chipmunk froze as the plank resettled. Certain the entire complex would light up and rain down angrily, it was to Wendell’s surprise when nothing of the sort happened. Pink and red tail flickered nervously, fur poofed to the point the white marbling was noticeable. Balls tucked deep into his body in response as reflexes anxiously poked a thin head from its sheath. He continued, more careful this time.
The second to last townhouse was where he found a suitable mark. A back door left carelessly open and sliding glass tucked away. Whiskers twitched with excitement. A mesh screen was all that separated him from a succulent stockpile.