Dean pulled the truck into the garage.
The engine turned off.
The room went still.
Jean exited the truck.
She grabbed the floating stretcher and pulled Elaina out.
Elaina was motionless.
Her strings hung down.
A dim reflection shone from her pocket.
Jean reached into it.
Removing a broken scythe.
Her face darkened.
Grimm stood opposite her.
Looking down at Elaina.
His fist clenched.
Jaw tight.
Silent.
Jean placed the scythe in her pocket.
She pressed a button on the stretcher.
It rose, and she guided it toward the medical wing.
Grimm followed a ways behind.
Dean stopped him.
"She'll be alright."
Grimm's eyes never left her.
"Yeah... you're right."
Grimm continued after Jean.
Dean slowly exhaled.
...
Art finished gathering the data needed and returned to the dune buggy outside the city.
Kane followed.
She turned the key.
The buggy roared to life.
They drove toward the base.
The sun slowly descended.
Orange light reflected off the doors.
Kane's attention was elsewhere.
His expression.
Distant.
Art was processing her thoughts.
Those readings...
There is something in the north.
The buggy arrived at Cygnus.
The garage was already open.
A truck sat inside.
Dean sat beside it.
Alone.
Art and Kane stepped out of the buggy.
They walked over to him.
Dean nodded.
"Welcome back."
Art waved lightly.
"When did you guys arrive?"
Dean sighed.
"Earlier."
Art adjusted her pocket.
"Where are the others?"
His eyes stayed on the setting sun.
"With Yvette."
Art noticed his expression.
Lowered.
The wind pushed a tumbleweed across the yard.
Her eyes twitched.
She turned toward the hall.
Her stride quickened.
Kane stood.
Observing.
A moment later, he followed.
Art entered the hall.
Faint hums of equipment sounded.
A stillness surrounded her.
She stopped at the door.
Her hand hesitated.
The door slid open.
She stepped through.
Art scanned the room.
Grimm was silent.
His fist clenched.
Jean stood shaken.
Art looked.
Elaina lay on the bed.
Her hair was unkempt.
Her body was still.
Her strings slumped at her sides.
Gray.
Kane entered shortly after.
His eyes looked at Elaina.
Not at her.
Through her.
He was calm.
Emotionless.
Distant.
A crack shifted.
Art's finger twitched.
She felt a faint distortion from Kane's arm.
Yet her eyes never left Elaina.
Kane turned.
He exited.
Silently.
Arthur passed him in the hall.
Kane continued walking.
Chains rattled slightly.
Arthur paused.
He looked back at Kane's face.
Cold.
Arthur opened the door.
His body faced Elaina.
The door closed behind him.
Arthur scanned the room.
Art stood beside him.
He spoke softly.
"Kane seemed tired."
Art remained still.
"Yeah."
Arthur looked around the room.
Yvette worked quickly.
Checking vitals.
Administering care.
Her veins glowed green.
She paused.
Her hands slowly lowered.
The glow faded.
Grimm clenched his teeth.
Turning his head away.
Jean's hands shook.
Art's eyes never left Elaina.
The air was still.
Medical monitors beeped softly.
Arthur moved beside the bed.
Observing Elaina.
His face tightened.
Yvette turned toward them.
Her voice was gentle.
"Her vitals are fine..."
The air softened.
Grimm's eyes widened.
Jean steadied herself.
Art exhaled.
Arthur stood straight.
"...but she's unresponsive," Yvette continued,
"Like being in a coma."
Grimm stepped forward.
"What can we do?"
Yvette crossed her arms.
"I don't know."
The room fell silent.
Beeps from medical equipment filled the room.
Faint breathing came from Elaina.
Arthur turned toward the door.
He placed a hand on Grimm's shoulder.
"Let her rest."
Arthur stepped away.
He exited the room.
Art and Jean followed.
Grimm stopped at the doorway.
His head turned slightly toward Elaina.
His eyes lowered.
He left.
The door closed behind him.
They gathered in the courtyard.
Moonlight illuminated the stone.
The fountain flowed quietly.
Arthur cleared his throat.
"Get some rest."
He turned toward the Albredo wing.
"We will discuss everything the day after tomorrow."
His footsteps faded.
The team dispersed toward their rooms.
No words were spoken.
Only footsteps echoed through the halls.