Richard and Jane strolled through a plaza while drinking their morning coffee.

  "Richard, let's walk more."

  "Alright, Jane, but remember the alert."

  "Alert? I didn't bring mine."

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  "You what? Jane, it starts at 8, and it's 7:58 now. We'll never make it."

  A voice echoed—"Warning AQ hazard, put on your respirators now."

  "Jane, use mine."

  "Richard, you can't. The Wires."

  They came out in droves—nearly invisible, snake-like, slithering, screeching.

  "Jane, go home!"

  Richard fought as they crawled up his legs, covering his entire body.

  "Oh, no!" He uttered a muffled scream.

  Richard, encapsulated, awaited the alert to end.