The next morning.
The sun peeked over the far horizon, painting with a faint red glow that gradually faded into a faint blue that slowly but surely spread more and more, replacing the black mantle with small bright white dots.
Those with duties at the base awoke first thing in the morning and the previously empty streets slowly began to fill with merchants leaving the comfort of their beds and abandoning the warmth of their homes to try to get a little more to eat.
Survivors who had no opportunity to get a job and who did not have the courage to go out and fight or who were simply too weak or lacked the energy to do so, slowly began to gather in the different areas where the relief gruel would be distributed, because even though it was still too early, the sooner they reached the lines, the better as they would be able to eat more quickly as well.