Planet X Pandora

Escape

"Oh hell no."

"Fine. You can stay, but I'm leaving. "

" Kash wa-"

And with that she marched out the door. She didn't really know exactly where to go. I'll ask around. It was past bedtime, and no one was around. She didn't know where to go. Maybe I'll just go wait for Kyle.... No. I don't need his help. No one is awake. I know someone who might be. She turned some corners and rounded some bends. After getting lost a few times, she found herself at a door. Room 127. She felt bad enough about him. But I have no choice. She slowly opened the door, wincing at the loud creaking. The room was dim, and it took her a second to get used to the darkness. The machinery faintly lit the room, and she was able to make out a shape, on the bed. His breath was rigid and shallow. Poor thing. It must hurt to breathe. She tip toed over to him, going as silently as possible. She gently shook his shoulder, hoping she wasn't hurting him. He bolted up and gasped in pain, falling back and gritting his teeth.

"I'm so sorry. " she whispered

" Who the hell are you? If you've come to kill me, go ahead. I'm dead anyway. "

" Jesus christ, Aaron. It's me. "

" Me? Who's me? What kind of a name is me? "

" Aaron! It's me, Kash"

" Oh. It's just you. What do you want? Can't you let a dead guy sleep? "

" You're not de-"

"Not yet, anyway. "

She winced. He sounded so hopeless, as if he accepted the fact that he's dead already. It wasn't like him.

" Would you stop being so ridiculous about the whole thing? Okay, yeah you have a few scratches, and the docs say otherwise. So? You can't just bloody give up like that. Okay? You can still fight for your life. So stop moping around and help me! "

He looked shocked. Taken aback, even. She felt bad for snapping at him like that. He was sick and injured. But she needed answers if she were to escape. She knew the forest was dangerous, but she was convinced it was all man made and she'd eventually find the edge and escape.

" Alright " he managed, before he went into a fit of hacking cough.

" So, will you help me? "

" Sure. What do you need? "

" How do I go into the forest? "

" Oka- Wait what?! "

" Yeah"

" Into the forest? Why would you want to go into the forest? "

So she told him. Everything. From finding out about his condition to talking to the Commander. She didn't leave out a thing. I guess I can trust him. Of all people. He watched her. Listening intently. He made no objections, or any interruptions. His eyebrows were furrowed, face serious. She finished the story, and waited for his response. After a few heartbeats, he took a breath.

" Is Kyle coming with you? "

" No. He didn't actually say no, but he seems reluctant to let me go."

"You should take him. He can fight. It's dangerous out there at night. "

" No. Tell me how to go into the forest. "

He sighed. Good. He's given up.

" You can just go through the breach wall. It's closer. "

Of course. So stupid." Thanks. "

" Kash. Wait. "

" What? "

" Just- just don't do anything rash, okay? "

" Okay. " she whispered. And then she left. The cold hallways echoed the sound of her soft footsteps. I really hope Kyle isn't out here. He'll chew my head off. She slowly took turn after turn, got lost a few times, rounded corners, came to forks in the path, and finally found the evacuation chamber. It took her a few minutes to get the handle to budge. It took Aaron less than a heartbeat to open it. It squealed open, slow and steady. She winced. It's too loud. They are probably awake already. The door was finally wide enough for her to slip in. She slid in and ran to the end until she could make out the dim light shining in. It was early morning. She could hear the birds, and it was extremely cold. The fog was thicker than before, and the skies were grey. It always looks like it's gonna rain. She stepped through the hole, and looked out into the forest. It's colors still mesmerized her. Before she could second guess herself, she took a deep breath, and stepped into the jungle.