Inside My Head (Silent Moment Series: Book 6)

Chapter 5

 Inside, Bellamy observed the surroundings. "It's some kind of shrine," he concluded, noting the decor and symbols adorning the walls.

My attention was drawn to a bowl on the ground. "Blood," I noted, a sense of unease creeping in.

Bellamy's eyes were fixed on a picture. "Eligius III," he said, studying it closely.

"All named Lightbourne," I added, realizing the significance. "They sent families."

Bellamy's smile was a mix of admiration and melancholy. "Nice to be remembered."

"Or worshiped," I chuckled, though the humor was tinged with skepticism.

"Yeah," Bellamy agreed, his tone reflective.

I let out a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of our intrusion. "Come on. We shouldn't be here."

With a sense of reluctance, we left the building, stepping back into the sunlight of the alien world, our minds filled with more questions than answers about the settlement and its inhabitants. I found a solitary retreat on a swing set in the yard, the gentle sway of the swing a small comfort amidst the turmoil of my thoughts. As I sat there, the weight of guilt over Shaw's death pressed heavily on me. My mind wandered to Raven, my mother, and most poignantly, to Madi. Their absence was a hollow ache in my heart. The solitude was short-lived, however, as Bellamy soon joined me. His presence was a silent yet solid source of support, a reminder that even in the darkest times, I wasn't alone. We sat side by side, each lost in our own thoughts, yet finding a sense of solace in each other's company.

My gaze drifted towards the castle doors, where I noticed Emori attempting to pry them open. Murphy, in his own unique way, was providing a soundtrack to her efforts, serenading her with the music player we had discovered at the shrine. The scene was a peculiar mix of the comical and the endearing. I couldn't help but shake my head and let a small smile escape. Murphy, for all his faults and his often abrasive demeanor, had his moments. He was, in his own way, part of our makeshift family. Observing them, I was reminded of the complexities of our relationships. Despite the arguments, the clashes, and the challenges we faced, there was an underlying bond that held us together. We were a group of survivors, each carrying our own burdens and histories, yet united by our shared experiences and the hope of building something new in this unknown world.

As I swung gently, the motions a rhythmic comfort, I found a moment of peace amidst the chaos. The sight of Murphy and Emori, the quiet companionship of Bellamy, and the serene surroundings offered a brief respite, a chance to gather my thoughts and strength for the challenges ahead. This strange new world, with its mysteries and dangers, was also a place of potential and new beginnings. And in that moment, on that swing set, I felt a flicker of hope that perhaps we could indeed find a way to do better here, to build a life worth living in this alien land.

Bellamy, persistently trying to establish contact, repeated into the radio, "Raven, come in. You read me?" His voice held a blend of hope and frustration, the repeated attempts since joining me on the swing set yielding no response.

Echo, with a thoughtful expression, took a seat on the swing between Bellamy and me. Her gaze swept over the seemingly deserted town as she pondered aloud, "So, any guesses where all the people went? This place is too well maintained to be abandoned."

Her observation was apt. The surroundings did indeed seem too orderly, too cared for, to have been left to the elements. The question of the missing inhabitants hung in the air, adding another layer of mystery to our already complex situation.

Bellamy, ever the optimist, responded with a hopeful smile. "Maybe they are gone, but if that's the case, then there's enough room here for everybody on the ship." His words were a reminder of the potential this place held, a chance for a new beginning for our people.