Sanctuary!

Mark absorbed his surroundings ...

He smelled fresh after rain air.

He saw fluffy white clouds with crepuscular rays and a rainbow across the horizon.

His dog, Lyla, put her nose down to sniff some flowers.

"No! Dangerous!" Mark jerked on her leash.

Children rode a carousel and ate cotton candy while adults supervised and mingled.

A voice stated, "Oxygen low."

Mark adjusted his goggles while glimpsing at the city's moss-covered rubble and shattered windows—and peaked at his dog, also wearing visual augmentation and a nasal ventilator.

"Let's go home, girl. Back to our sanctuary!"

Lyla led the way ...