The Girl He Left.

New York City — 2044. A wide skyline opens onto elevated trains, drones between towers, and luxury cars on the streets below.

A man searches discarded supplies outside Mercer Foods, gathering canned food and electronics. A Civic Authority vehicle passes. He ducks behind the corner, then leaves the alley.

A woman whispers, “They killed the parents.” Her companion replies, “Keep walking.” The man behind them watches before continuing down the street.

Officers drag a man toward a Civic Authority van. He protests, “I filed the appeal. You have no right --” and cries, “Aah!” The crowd looks down as he is taken away; a man in a leather jacket lowers his eyes.