The change was not announced.But it was felt.
Some areas became "better not to be passed through."Some people were told it was "better not to be alone."
There was no force.But anyone who refused the advicebegan to be seen differently.
Raditia realized it when someone said,"We just want to make sure everyone is safe."
The sentence sounded gentle.It sounded reasonable.And that was what made it dangerous.
Hansol whispered,"This doesn't feel right."
Raditia replied softly,"Because the truth rarely feels comfortable."
Kazuhiro observed from a distance.He saw the pattern becoming clearer:people began choosing who deserved to be protected.
And from there,it was only one steptoward choosingwho deserved to be sacrificed.