THE BUILDING LOOMS in front of us.
It's a massive, brutalist structure of black concrete and rusted metal, jutting out from the basalt beach like a monolith. A violet sea crashes against the rocks below, the waves a constant, soothing roar that echoes off the structure. There are huge, hulking machines reaching out into the water, pipes and cranes that once, I suppose, moved water from the sea to somewhere. Now they stand rusted and silent, monuments to a past I don't know and don't care about.
This place is unlike anywhere I've ever seen on this planet. It's not lush like the forest, but the cool, wet air completely counters the heat of the suns overhead. A strange, briny tang fills the air, a scent that's unfamiliar and yet not entirely unpleasant. The sight of the water stretching out to the horizon, the endless expanse of violet, is both beautiful and terrifying. I can't tear my eyes away from it.
Some kind of birds fly overhead, making clicking sounds that almost remind me of seagulls, but their wings are far too wide and their color too blue. It's a world away from the dry, dusty desert we've left behind, and yet... it's still so alien.
We're all standing outside the structure, a huddled, exhausted group. Arden is at the front, his eyes scanning the building, his expression serious.
"This place was abandoned some time ago," he says, his voice carrying over the sound of the waves. "The machines still worked, last we were here, so we'll have as much water as we can drink." He glances over his shoulder. "But until we can confirm they still work, we'll still need the water we left behind." He hesitates, glancing at the violent waves crashing below. "Don't get close to the water. There are creatures in there that'll pull you under. They're aggressive, fast, and they can survive on land for a while. Do not go down to the beach."
His gaze sweeps over all of us, making sure his words sink in. "Not all of you were here when we lived in this place, so I'll catch you up. Move everything to the upper levels. The lower levels flood every month, and that water is caustic. If you're exposed to it, get clean as quickly as possible. We've no idea when the next flood is coming. We'll try to figure it out, but until we do, stay up top."
There's a murmur of agreement, a ripple of movement as people start to file into the building. I hesitate, my gaze still fixed on the water. I've never seen an ocean on this planet. Barely seen standing water of any kind. I can't believe how much of it there is.
Alistair's hand on my shoulder pulls me out of my thoughts, and I look up at him. His expression is neutral, but his eyes are on me, watching.
"Come on," he says, nodding toward the building. "Let's get inside. Gotta at least sleep before we go back for the supplies."
He's right. Adrenaline and necessity kept us on our feet through the journey, but the fact that any of us can stand is a testament to how determined we were to make it this far. Now, though... exhaustion is creeping in, a bone-deep weariness that's making my limbs feel heavy.
"There are already beds in the upper levels." Arden walks with purpose toward the heavy metal door ahead of us. "No matter how tempting it is, no one is to stop for rest until we're up there." He pushes the door open, the metal screeching in protest. "Keep moving, everyone."
I follow, Alistair right behind me, Hestia clinging to my hand. Inside, the air is cooler, a relief from the heat outside. The inside of the building is just as imposing as the outside, all stark angles and hard surfaces. The walls are lined with pipes and wires, the floor slick with moisture. It's dim, the only light coming from a few sparse glow panels on the ceiling.
We climb a set of metal stairs, the sound of our footsteps echoing in the empty space. The further up we go, the more the sound of the waves fades, replaced by the hum of machinery and the drip of water. I'm too tired to pay attention to the details of the place, my mind hazy with exhaustion. I just focus on putting one foot in front of the other, on keeping Hestia close, on not tripping and tumbling down the stairs.
Finally, we reach the top floor, and Arden leads us into a large, open space. There are rows of cots, neatly lined up, each one with a small glow panel above it. It's not luxurious, but it's shelter, it's safety, and right now, that's all that matters.
Arden turns to face us, his expression serious. "Get some rest. We'll figure out the next steps tomorrow."
There's no argument, no protest. We all just nod, too tired to do anything else. I lead Hestia to a cot, watching as she climbs onto it, her small body curling up immediately. She's asleep within moments, her breathing deep and even.
I sit down on the cot next to hers, my body sagging with relief. I can feel Alistair sitting down on the other side of me, the cot dipping slightly under his weight.
"Thought I was gonna pass out on the trip and die." Alistair says, voice a low murmur. He's laying back on the cot, arm draped over his eyes. "Don't recommend that trip, personally."
I let out a breath that might be a laugh if I had the energy for it. "Agreed."
He chuckles softly, and then goes quiet.
Before he might say anything else, I'm already asleep.
My eyes open to the dim glow of the room, the sound of the sea a distant, soothing hum. Confusion spirals through my groggy mind. The cave. The desert. Where...? I sit up, blinking rapidly, trying to focus.
The hard, metal cot beneath me, the cool, damp air, the smell of salt and rust... it all comes back to me in a rush. The journey, the building, the sea.
I'm here. We made it.
My gaze immediately goes to the cot next to me, relief flooding through me when I see Hestia still asleep, her small form curled up under a thin blanket. I reach out, brushing a strand of dark hair from her face, my heart swelling with affection. She's safe. We're both safe.
I let out a sigh and look around the room. The others are still sleeping, their bodies sprawled out on the cots, chests rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Except for one. Alistair's cot is empty.
A flicker of worry sparks in my chest, but I push it down. He's probably just up and about, exploring the building, or maybe he's outside, getting some fresh air. I'm sure he's fine.
I swing my legs over the side of the cot, my feet hitting the cold, metal floor with a soft thud. I'm still wearing the same clothes from the journey, now stiff and stinking of sweat and grime. I grimace, making a mental note to find something clean to wear as soon as possible.
I stand up, stretching my stiff muscles, wincing at the aches and pains that protest the movement. Three days on that transport, clinging to Alistair's back, have left my body feeling like it's been put through a wringer. But it's a small price to pay for making it here, for being safe.
Well, I suppose the jury's still out on the safe part.
I make my way to the door, my steps quiet so as not to wake the others. The corridor outside is just as dimly lit, the glow panels casting a soft, blue light that makes everything look a little surreal. I follow the corridor to a set of stairs, my hand trailing along the cool, metal railing as I descend.
The further down I go, the louder the sound of the sea becomes, the scent of salt stronger. I can hear the crash of waves against the building, the spray of water hitting the windows. It's both eerie and beautiful, a reminder of the alien world I'm in.
I reach the bottom floor, my steps slowing as I take in the sight before me. The room is huge, the ceiling high above me, the walls lined with massive, complicated machinery. There are pipes and wires everywhere, a labyrinth of metal and lights. At the far end of the room, there's a large window, the violet sea visible beyond it, the waves crashing against the glass in a mesmerizing rhythm.
And there, standing in front of the window, is Alistair. His back is to me, his hands in his pockets, his gaze fixed on the sea. He looks so still, so silent, it's like he's a part of the scenery, a statue carved from the same black concrete as the building.
I hesitate for a moment, then walk toward him, my footsteps echoing in the empty room. He doesn't turn around, but I know he's heard me. I can feel his awareness, his attention shifting to me.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" he says, his voice a low, contemplative murmur.
I stop beside him, following his gaze out the window. The sea is a deep, vibrant violet, the waves capped with white foam. The sky above is a pale, pastel blue, the suns not yet fully risen. It's a sight unlike anything I've ever seen, a glimpse of an alien world that's both breathtaking and terrifying.
"Yeah," I say, my voice barely a whisper. "It is."
We stand there in silence for a while, just watching the sea, listening to the sound of the waves. It's peaceful, in a way. Calming. But there's an undercurrent of something else, something darker. A reminder of the danger that lurks beneath the surface, the creatures that Arden warned us about.
I glance at Alistair, his profile stark against the light from the window. There's a furrow between his brows, his lips set in a firm line. He looks…pensive. Troubled.
"What are you thinking about?" I ask, curious.
He sighs, his gaze still on the sea. "I'm not the best at sleeping. Haven't liked my dreams for a long time." He shrugs, a casual gesture that belies the tension in his voice. "So I thought I'd come down here, watch the sunrise. Clear my head."
"Any luck?" I ask, trying to keep my tone light.
He snorts, a humorless sound. "Not really." He glances at me, his eyes meeting mine. "What about you? Arden'll take our heads off if he catches us down here after that warning." There's a slight smirk on his lips, but his eyes are serious.
"I woke up and you were gone." I shrug, trying to sound nonchalant. "Got worried."
He arches an eyebrow. "Worried?"
"Yeah." I look away, my gaze returning to the sea. "I mean... we've lost enough people. Don't want to add to the count."
He's quiet for a moment, then he laughs. "Trust me, Sarah. I won't die quietly." His voice is a low, determined rumble. "I'm going out with a bang. Preferably theirs."
I can't help but smile at his words, his dark humor. There's something comforting about it, about knowing that he's not giving up, that he's still fighting, even when everything seems hopeless. It's a reflection of my own thoughts, my own determination. He's in this just as deeply as I am.
We stand in silence for a while longer, the rising suns casting long shadows across the room, the light turning the violet sea into a shimmering expanse of amethyst and gold. It's peaceful, but it's also... not. Because I know that this peace is fragile, temporary. The aliens are still out there. They're still hunting us. And sooner or later, they'll find us.
"We've still got to go back for the supplies."
"Yeah." He nods. "Figured I'd head back once Arden's awake."
"On your own?" I ask, frowning.
He shrugs again. "Why not?"
"It's dangerous." I point out. "I'll go with you."
"Sarah." He turns to look at me fully, his expression serious. "I can handle it. You should stay here. Keep an eye on Hestia."
"I wasn't asking." I meet his gaze, my own expression firm. "I'm going. Whether you like it or not."
He stares at me for a long moment, then lets out a sigh, shaking his head. "You're stubborn. You know that, right?"
"So I've been told."
He snorts. "Fine. But if you hold me the entire way this time, I'm gonna be the one starting the rumors-"
I shove him.