Inside My Head (Silent Moment Series: Book 6)

Chapter 11

 Perched atop the hill, I stood in quiet contemplation, watching Bellamy, Raven, and the others make their cautious approach towards the fence. The setting was almost serene, a stark contrast to the palpable tension of our mission. As I lost myself in thought, a sudden wet sensation against my hand startled me. Glancing down, I found myself face to face with a dog. My eyes widened in wonder; this was a creature I had only ever seen in pictures.

"It's okay, she's friendly," came Russell's voice, tinged with laughter, as he approached.

I couldn't help but smile, my heart warmed by the dog's presence. Russell produced a red ball, tempting her with a playful gesture. As he bent down to pet her, a melancholic look crossed his face, seemingly affected by my excitement. The simplicity of this moment, interacting with a dog under the watchful eye of Russell, felt surreal. Here was a man of power and authority, showing a hint of something gentler, more human. It was a brief respite from the complexities surrounding us, a reminder of life's simpler joys that were so rare in our world.

Russell sighed deeply, a contemplative look crossing his face as he scratched the dog behind her ear. "So it's true then," he murmured, almost to himself. "Kaylee told me Earth was destroyed. I suppose I had held onto hope for man's best friend."

With a gentle toss, he sent the ball flying, and the dog eagerly sprinted after it, a brief moment of carefree joy amidst their somber conversation.

"She also told me you were already here when she arrived," Russell continued, turning his attention back to me. "Our radiation shield has protected us for 200 years. I need to understand how you managed to breach it."

I let out a heavy sigh, the weight of our journey settling upon me. "One of our people, Shaw, was the pilot on Eligius IV. He knew the failsafe code. The radiation ultimately killed him, but not before he gave us a chance at survival," I explained, the memory bitter-sweet.

Russell nodded thoughtfully, a hint of a smile forming on his lips as he processed the information. "Thank you," he said, gratitude evident in his tone. "I'll make sure to delete that code. It's a necessary precaution to maintain our sanctuary."

As the dog joyfully returned with the ball, only to bound off again following Russell's throw, I found myself smiling despite the complexities of our situation. There was an undeniable sense of peace here in Sanctum, something almost foreign to me. Children laughed as they played, and adults strolled leisurely, free from the burden of constant vigilance. It was a scene of normalcy I hadn't known for a long time.

"Have you ever known peace, Kegan?" Russell's question caught me off guard.

I remained silent, lost in thought. Yes, there had been fleeting moments of peace since we landed on Earth, but they were always overshadowed by worry—worry for Madi, for those trapped in the bunker, and for loved ones drifting in space.

"You're going to like it here," Russell said with a reassuring smile.

"We can stay?" The question slipped out, marked by my surprise.

"I haven't decided. We'll talk about it over dinner at the palace," he stated, his voice carrying a hint of formality.

As Russell walked away, I was left to ponder his words. The possibility of a life in Sanctum, a chance at something resembling normalcy, was both enticing and daunting. Returning to the bar where the rest of our group was gathered, I was immediately greeted by Jordan's eager presence. His eyes were full of questions, reflecting the same mix of hope and uncertainty I felt within.

Jordan's impatience was palpable as he pleaded with me, his eyes alight with the prospect of freedom. "Kegan, you have to let me out of here," he urged, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and excitement.