She stares down the empty street of the district, her heart pounds in her ears.

Good evening, citizens of Tokyo.

She can hear the screeching of the loudspeakers and TVs glaring down at her from the skyscraping buildings.

We hope you are having a wonderful evening.

She takes a breath, her body trembles.

It's time for your mandatory evening reminder of public safety.

She should've left with the others.

It will include the following:

Why didn't she leave with them?

-A reminder on ghoul safety.

She just had to try and get those extra jobs, didn't she?

-Updates on rules and regulations.

She looks to the street, at the alleyways.

It's quicker to go that way, but more dangerous.

She goes that way every night, she just has to run tonight.

-A reminder of rules and regulations.

She edges forward, before sprinting to the nearest alleyway.

Thank God she brought her trainers.

-A reminder of the punishments for not following these regulations.

Her feet smack the concrete, the sound echoes through the alleys, mingling with the echoes of the announcement.

-Local alerts and reminders.

She runs to a dead-end. Shit.

But before all that, we will be reminding of you of curfew rules—because it's that time again, citizens!

She turns, takes another way—these alleyways all look the same.

The general curfew is 23:00.

She grips her phone, slowing to catch her breath.

We repeat: the curfew is 23:00. 11pm.

She looks around, she's at another dead-end.

Do not go out after this time.

She finds dead-end, after dead-end, after dead-end. It's as if her usual route has up and left.

If you are found outside after the Curfew and you do not have a valid reasoning, you will be escorted home and will receive a fine.

She wants to cry—I just wanna get home! I don't wanna die!

To further increase general safety, certain areas have later curfews.

She keeps running, her stomach hurts, and that bloody announcement won't shut up!

In Tokyo, these areas include Shinjuku, particularly the area of Kabukicho and other Red Light Districts.

She tries not to make any noise, but her trainers seem to get louder as she tries harder to find her way.

Areas such as Ginza and Minato Centre also have exceptional rules.

Finally!

There is another exception.

She's found her familiar route. Finally, she can go home.

The Sumida ward is off-limits to all non-inhabitants or workers from 18:00.

Maybe she'll live to see another day after all.

18:00.

She follows the route, racing through winding alleys and sharp turns; a bright, almost crazed smile on her face.

That's 6pm.

Then, finally, she sees her discoloured apartment building. She smiles, her eyes twitching with excitement. She can't wait to flop into bed, grateful for the chance to live another day.

Please follow these rules, to further aid our fight against the Ghoul Infestation.

She races forwards, but something trips her up.

Her face smacks into the filthy concrete. She gasps, trying to force herself up.

Remember, these rules are for your safety.

She freezes.

Because we, your loyal government, care about our citizens' safety!

Something is grabbing her foot.

By abiding by these rules, you are a part of our greater future.

It begins to drag her back, her stomach scraping the floor. Her manicured hand is reaching for her apartment, her eyes locked on it.

Together, we can stop these monsters from hurting us.

But she is pulled into a corner, and she cannot see her home anymore.

And hurting our children.

She is lifted up and swung to the ground, her ribs cracking as she lands. She yelps, too shocked to sob.

Our future...

She thought she would live tonight.

Your loyalty, your obedience...

She didn't think she'd be next.

It will save all of us.

She stares up through her tears, trembling before her attacker.

Yes, we are in charge of the rules and such, but...

The thing quivers with excitement, drooling; foaming, even.

You, our loyal citizens, are the true heroes against the ghoul infestation.

It doesn't even say anything.

It picks her up, again, before slamming her head against the concrete with such a force, that she is killed immediately.

And if—when—we work together, as a nation, if we abide by these simple rules...

It begins to feast; tearing open her stomach and reaching for her innards.

Then we will be freed of the fear these monsters impose on us.

No one would've saved her, even if she had cried out and screamed.

So...

It's past curfew, and this is the Light District—everyone knows what becomes of the Light Girls who stay out to let. Everyone knows what the government lets—no, encourages.

Thank you, for your continued support to take action against the ghoul population.

And in the morning, her remains will be taken away and burned. And nothing else will come of it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And now; your evening reminder on ghoul safety protocol.

Enjoy!