We, who Survived

I didn’t like the attention. Did not like the anxiety churning in my stomach. And I definitely did not like having to speak to intimidating people who I barely knew. With a side glance to Spark, I got a boost of confidence and my heart slowed down to a reasonable rate.

“We think the station is no longer orbiting Earth, that it was crushed by a meteor shower. My f-father told us about a facility with the supplies we need and who the leaders of our group are. The problem is, we don’t know where the facility is without a compass and map.”

“Okay...” Was the only response I got, the voice belonging to Maria.

“What about Lifepod Eight?” Jae spoke up from Joon’s side. “Did they make it?”

“We...we don’t know, Nathan’s father only managed to tell us so much before he was cut off” Spark glanced over his friends’ faces, waiting for more questions. When none came, he began to pace. “We can’t dwell on that matter at the moment. For now, we need to focus on our own survival and take inventory. Charlie, you’re good at scavenging, look for the map and compass. Nate and Onyx, you two will go take perimeter and look out for food. Maria, you and I will wake everyone up and take in our supplies. Joon, you just rest up.” Everyone nodded, not hesitating to start their given duty.

Even though I was reluctant to venture out, I went to find my bag and retrieve the sheathed hatchet my father had given me while Jae picked up an empty bag and a long-bladed knife from his own duffel bag. With the needed gear taken care of, we headed out. Unlike when I was outside with Spark there was now a gentle breeze ruffling our clothes and hair. The scents carried with it were unknown but sweet. Birdsong came from the trees and the slight tickle on my arms from the tall grass. It was a tranquil feeling only interrupted by Jae constantly glancing around, searching our surroundings for any dangers.

“What are we looking for?” Jae’s deep voice broke my train of thought. I glared at the ground, thinking about the fruits available to us in this region. By the terrain, its soft soil and tall grass, the area received plenty of rain.

“Berries and tree fruit mostly. They supply the body with energy and valued nutrients. We just have to keep in mind that overconsumption will cause painful cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting.” Jae glanced at me with an amused expression, something glimmering in his black eyes.

“You can tell which one’s are poisonous, right? We don’t need more upset stomachs than we already have.” I gazed up at him to see the corners of his mouth turned upwards in a half-smile. He was amused.

“I know the differences or else I would have stayed behind or just said the flowers near the pod’s entrance are edible. They aren’t, so don’t try unless you want to suffocate.” He snorted, bumping my shoulder with his. Did he find that funny? Furrowing my brow, I studied him but he did not make a move to explain himself.

Little conversation was passed between us as we trekked to the forest lining. Lucky for us, we found trees bearing fruit a couple of meters in. Oranges hung heavily on their leafy branches. Jae had helped me get to the first branch where I sat grabbing the fruit. Like the pickers in the old world, we worked as a team with picking and storing the oranges. When the bag and its excess pockets were filled, we called it a day, walking a quick pace back to the lifepod while the sun began dropping behind the trees. The day seemed shorter than I had expected.

Rolling an orange in my hands, I felt the bumpy skin rub against my palms. It was bigger than the estimated size in the textbooks and larger than the ones artificially grown on the station. Possibly, it would taste better too.

When I gazed up, I studied the lifepod closely. Figures were jumping out and collapsing in the grass but no smoke wafted out around it so they must have been facing the same nausea and vertigo as Spark and his friends had. Other than that, the other detail that caught my eye was the way we landed. With the wounds we had sustained, I had expected a ragged scar in the land, uprooted trees and dents in the side of the lifepod. What I did see was the complete opposite. It was a clean landing, leaving us unscathed but rattled on the inside.

“It is too peaceful here to the point it makes it feel unsafe, don’t you think?” Jae mumbled, glancing around the clearing before sending me a look. “It’s going to feel strange living down here, not knowing what’s out there all the time and having to rediscover everything. I hope everyone gets the idea that this is not a joy ride with the unknown.”

“It’s scary yet at the same time, it’s...fascinating. The radiation we had been told about seems to not have even touched this place. Though, we haven’t cut open the oranges yet or seen the animals roaming around.” I hummed at my words, smiling as someone tumbled down the ramp before springing to their feet.

“Hey Jae, thanks.”

“For?”

“Looking out for me up there.”

“Well, someone has to look out for you, Bookworm.”

The sun was gone, the sky now black with bright, twinkling stars and hidden moon. It was an awe-striking scene that everyone had admired until rustling from the tree lining had scared them into retreating back into the pod. Each person huddling with a protein bar and orange in the presence and safety of their friends.

Outside, the cool breeze had become icy, a rich scent attacking my senses as I kept my eyes trained on the trees. The breeze was not the reason for the shivers down my spine but the thought of what was watching me with hungry eyes within the darkness.

“Why are you out here by yourself?” Turning around, I saw Spark leaning against the metal frame with his arms crossed over his chest. I shrugged, cleaning my knife on my pant leg as he made his way to sit next to me. As the silence surrounded us, the chirps pf insects began to rise, a chorus of new music only heard seconds before the bombs dropped.

Choosing to speak softly, I broke the silence, leaning forward with my arms on my knees.

“We’ve always looked down on Earth, wondering when we would be able to return but right now, I wouldn’t mind being in my bed. Then this feeling of dread would leave and I wouldn’t feel like I’d be killed in my sleep.” My opinion was met with a distasteful expression. I frowned at him, confused. He stared at me hard, opening his mouth before closing it.

“Let me get this straight, you rather be back on the station stuck in a routine of abuse and loneliness so you could be in your bed?” He growled, hands gripping his knees, eyes glaring straight ahead. “A pure cycle of unconsciousness and beatings. You wouldn’t have me or my friends as you have us now, you’d be hiding in the library until you died. Nate, that’s pathetic. Wake up, think in the now before your delusional thoughts get you killed. Here, you have a chance to be something else, up there, you’re dead.”

“You... Why did you have to do that, just when I started to trust you?” I hated how my voice came out weak and strained, hated how as soon as the words registered in Spark’s mind that his expression changed from realisation to apologetic.

“Shit, I didn’t mean to call you pathetic! Nathan, I’m sorry.”

“You slipped up, well done.”

“Nate-”

Before Spark could add more, I was standing up and briskly walking up the ramp, knife clutched tightly at my side. When I passed Maria, who stood at the radio, I had to grit my teeth at her warm smile. I felt a twinge of guilt as concern showed on her face as she tried to reach out but I brushed her off. Instantly, she left and went outside where Spark still sat.

Grabbing my bag, I ignored the questioning stares I got from Charlie and Jae, making my way to an unoccupied corner. Taking out my thermal blanket, I lay it down before resting my head on my bag, crossing my arms over my chest and closing my eyes. All I wanted was to be in a familiar place, knowing my dad was there with me and I was safe from monsters in the dark. He was there at least in my dreams, chatting with mom...