A light breeze swept through the street causing a few discarded papers to skip along the ground. The sickly brown grass protruding between cracks in the floor bounced lazily along with it. If you glossed over her earlier near death experience, it was quite a pleasant afternoon. 
Nexus trotted down the street, wary despite the apparent calm of her surroundings. From her experience, it was always the calm moments that were most dangerous. It seemed that the wasteland would taunt her with calm moments to relax her guard then strike when she thought she was safest.
Her walk from the hospital had so far been quiet. She still limped a little from where she'd been hit but at least most of the pain had been taken by the potions.

She took the opportunity while things appeared calm to poke her head inside a few buildings. Most of them were burnt out shells or had long since been looted of all their useful contents but she was able to find a bit of food and some collected rainwater to take the edge off the gnawing sensation in her stomach.

Ahead, the street opened up into some sort of square. Nexus approached cautiously and peered out into the open space. Her ears strained for any signs of danger but she heard nothing. The square seemed as quiet and calm as the street before. At its centre was a cracked fountain and a few rotten benches occupying patches of burnt grass. Nothing seemed out of place or threatening.

Tentatively, she stepped out from the street and began to walk about the edge of the open area reluctant to fully expose herself. She'd just made it halfway around the perimeter the sound of gunshots filled the air followed by whoops of excitement.
Nexus bolted for a doorway, ignoring the sharp pain in her leg and dived inside. She waited expecting her attackers to storm in any second. No one came. Instead the sound of gunfire continued and now she had a moment to focus, it seemed to be a few streets away from her.

Heart pounding, Nexus got to her hooves and continued through the building. Hopefully she would see whoever was firing before they saw her and figure how best to avoid them.
Moving as fast as she dared, she ascended a staircase to the next floor and approached a window.

Pulling her hood up to hide her pale coat and purple mane, Nexus looked over the sill and down into the street. The sound of gunshots drew nearer. Suddenly a colt appeared running flat out, ragged mane and tail waving behind him and fear clear on his face. Moments later his pursuers appeared and her heart sank. Two ponies in fierce looking armour ran past the window moments behind the colt. From the whips at their side and chains hanging loosely from the saddlebags there could be no mistake. Slavers. They whooped and jeered as they gave chase but it was clear who would eventually win. It was just for their amusement at this point.

Nexus ducked behind the sill, panic surging through her. She closed her eyes and wrapped her hooves around herself protectively. She wouldn't go back, if they came for her she wouldn't let them take her again. She caught her breath suddenly aware she had been hyperventilating. All around the streets had fallen silent again. It seemed the chase had moved on or it was over. Either way, it was clear the streets weren't safe. Shakily, Nexus let herself drop to the floor and curl up. She'd wait until it got dark before continuing.