They heard the dreaded, or for some of them, hopeful, sound of the caravan of vans.
Is that him?
It sounds like it. I hope he'll choose us this time!
Are we even sure that whatever he's "selling" will even help us?
I'm not sure, but honestly, if it's anything even close to what he told our neighbors, then I want in!
Here he comes! Quiet!
As he walked by their dwelling which was deep inside the District, they nervously made any kind of noise so he could focus on them a bit longer.
Which utterly failed, as he went to another family further down and discussed with them everything that would be waiting for them.
Clearly, they needed some convincing.
Or did they?
They tried to overhear, but what was coming back to them was muted and unintelligible.
After a few minutes, there was excitement and happiness visible on their faces as they went towards the vans, things packed, money in claw, and metal being dragged.
Sigh… He didn't choose u-.
He stopped in front of their house, looked them over, then gesured with his head that he wanted them to join him.
Looking at each other, they jumped with joy and hugged him, and he gladly hugged them back. After packing and selling their house, they left with him.
Some of those that watched the receding red lights were wondering if they had heard wrong.
What they would hear later that day, from those who had "friends" among the humans, was that this was a smuggling operation. Where to, they had no idea, but the rumors weren't good…
Others resolved to do almost anything to get him to pick them.
In the news, however, they heard of "prawn" attacks in the nation that this human was supposedly bringing them to, stirring up unrest and slight distrust among the population.
But the majority was still on the fence, and a few were tipping…