23 Hours Later,
the "Big Flow" Shark ship headed out from the city of Elysium toward the outskirts, crossing volcanic ridges to the other side. Rolina gazed out the window and spotted a hidden village built near the very edge of the Repulsa Dome. It looked abandoned, as if no one had lived there for years.
"This is Alcatia Village… my home… once," her voice was so faint Sam barely caught it.
"Hmm~ looks cozy enough—if anyone actually lived here. By the way, do the mosquitoes in your hometown fly or do they just walk?" Sam joked as he steered the ship into the zone of colorful rooftops.
Rolina's eyes locked onto a familiar shade. "That one—the blue roof." She pointed to the old square house below. Sam lowered the ship to land on the flat ground, the wind and sand battering the hull so hard it could be heard inside.
"Build a house on the edge of the dome and this is what you get, Sam~ heat storms all the time. No wonder people keep disappearing," Rolina muttered as she opened the rear hatch. The gusts whipped her hair violently.
Sam, still in the cockpit, strapped Fuzzy's collar to the chair to keep the creature from wandering.
"Stay put and don't mess with my ship again," he warned.
The creature sat silently, staring at him.
"I swear, if I come back and you've trashed the place again, You'll never, ever getting treat from me again." Sam barked. Fuzzy ignored him, stretching with its rump in the air and wagging its blue tail.
"You listenin' to me? goddamn it!" Sam groaned. Once the ship powered down, both of them stepped outside, goggles shielding their eyes from the raging storm.
"Wind's insane out here!" Sam shouted, his voice blending with the roar of the storm. Heavy magnetic boots kept him from being blown away. Together they trudged toward the plain-looking house.
At the center of the deserted village stood a strange well, topped with a statue of a double-headed scale. The bucket had been replaced with an empty box, as if something had once been stored inside.
The house itself was built from tough black ore that resisted the storms. Around it, glass jars held violet-blue flowers, while square lanterns floated nearby. Solar panels lined the roof to power the home.
Knock, knock. Rolina tapped on the door. An elderly woman with silver hair opened it, her eyes widening at the sight of the girl with the dark birthmark under her eye. "…Rolin…" she whispered, her voice cracking Rolina's heart.
"Hey, old lady. Long time no see," Rolina leaned against the doorframe.
"Mother's so glad you came back. You've grown so much," her mother smiled warmly.
"Hello, ma'am. I'm Samuel Edgar Edison. Uh~ I'm…" Sam began, but Rolina quickly covered his mouth.
"He's just a hired courier. We'll only be here a short while," she cut in.
"Oh? And what about your old ship?" her mother asked.
"Sold it. Saving up for a new one," Rolina lied.
"Do you want me to help? I don't have much, but—"
"Save your money for that dying old man. I'm not here to beg. What do you think I am, some freeloader?" Rolina snapped. Sam placed a hand on her shoulder to calm her down.
"And where is that old man anyway…" Rolina muttered.
"Your father's working in the city. We've missed you so much, Rolina. You vanished without a word," her mother sighed.
"What a fam' reunion." Sam whispered.
"You must've traveled far. Come inside, both of you," her mother offered kindly.
"Thank you, Mrs…"
"Samantha Dora. Just call me Mrs. Dora," she said with a welcoming smile.
"Yes, Mrs. Dora. Your daughter's got quite the tomboy streak," Sam grinned. Rolina, however, showed no emotion at all.
"Heh, that's just her. Grown-up girls forget their mothers sometimes. Don't bother taking off your shoes."