Descent into the Abyss

Chapter 24

The sun had fell behind the higher buildings of the Columbus skyline, casting long, dark shadows across the streets. Cracked asphalt still radiated the warmth of the sun's heat, Marcus noted, walking down the road.

"Young Marcus, I understand why... But you know you can't go," Kou told him.

"I can't let her die, Kou," Marcus replied, stumbling a step the left and catching himself against a light pole. "She's too valuable... To this colony and to the future."

"What about you? Us?" Kou retorted, stopping Marcus in his tracks.

"I'm not going to die, Kou," Marcus proclaimed, looking to the evening sky and back to the streets.

"Making decisions like this easily puts you in the path of danger," Kou explained, trying to make him see reason. "They've already proven their lethality."

Marcus frowned, "All the more reason that I don't send a telepathic old woman to her death. What's she supposed to do if they do attack?"

Silence answered his hypothetical, but they both knew the alternative wasn't any better.

"I'm not going to get myself killed, Kou," Marcus reiterated, remembering his words beside the stasis chamber. "I promise you."

"Then let's see the Doctor and get ready for the trip, seeing as there's no way for me to stop you."

Marcus paused, his head hanging low before he raised it and clenched his fists, "I mean it, Kou. We're going to see this world and what that day did to it."

"I believe you, Young Marcus. I still struggle with the reality that my life isn't mine anymore. I'm a guest traveling with you, and my personal decisions are mine, not yours."

"I understand, and I'm going to do my best to be a strong enough host for you. Marcus tried to convince the both of them, walking closer to their destination.

The open field, full of grass and bare land, still housed several stragglers waiting outside the Doctor's house.

"Seems like others have been trying to talk her out of it," Marcus remarked, stepping into the field. "From this gathering, I doubt they've been successful."

Numerous faces glanced back towards him, turning away and staring back at the house. Marcus followed their gaze, noticing the drawn curtains and closed door. An air of melancholic realization filled the property, but Marcus stepped forward.

"Doctor," Kou called out, his mind reaching out. "We came to talk."

Silence at first, but her consciousness became apparent and as Marcus stepped onto the walkway, the door opened.

"Come in," Sarah's mind replied, the matriarch of the colony appearing for a brief moment behind the door.

Marcus nodded and walked through the threshold, closing the door behind him, turning to see the duo of Sarah and Derek. An awkward silence filled the air before Derek cleared his throat, motioning for the three of them to leave the small hallway.

"You're not going," Sarah declared, walking into the living room. "At least, not for me."

"Straight to the point, I see. You're too valuable though, Doctor. I've spent less than two days here and I can see how they respect you, how they care for you." Marcus rebuked, but she shook her head.

"He's right, Honey. He's saying the same thing I said earlier, so why won't-" Derek pleaded, stepping closer to her before stopping cold as her eyes fell on him.

"I have a handful of years left, so let me do this to protect our home," Sarah reasoned back, her voice soft but her words firm.

Her gaze shifted to Marcus, her voice suddenly in his mind.