Original sentence: As draconian as Cladwell's rules were, they kept the people from squandering the limited water supply; now, much of the population dies of thirst
Edited sentence: As draconian as Cladwell's rules were, they kept the people from squandering the limited water supply; now, much of the population dies of thirst (except for Lockstock and Little Sally as they're the narrators so "no one can touch them" and McQueen who moved after failing to warn Hope)