Thorax had brought them to a series of wide-open, deserted streets. Handy had found it odd, given the general sense of overcrowding he got nearly everywhere else. Getting across a street without worrying about a press of bodies was actually a pretty hair-raising experience at some points. He looked up. The streets seemed to have a ceiling in some parts, but it had been knocked down in others. The streets were lined with empty blocks on either side, open to the streets themselves. There was nothing in them: no squatting changelings, no possessions, nothing. He was about to question Thorax about it until she led him past one intersection that was partially flooded with water. He looked to his right and saw one possible reason changelings might not want to settle here.