ASCENDING- MY LAST LIFE

THE PAST

The stars shine upon me, as I settle my diary and belongings, beneath the broken window. We've been traveling for months, in search of Earthenner, a hidden city for Xcross people like us. To our surprise, we found an abandoned Hospital in Potsdam. Tonight, the group is staying in what used to be an operation room, while Ronnie and John's group inspect the nearby area. Everyone has settled in their heat blankets, while I explore the rooms inside the hospital.

As I walked, I noticed the walls were full of branches and strange plants covering the torn blue paint. The dull rooms seem to be leaking water from all areas as if the river sits on top of us---Plastic and paper, are all around me, as I search for anything relevant and useful, all I see are shelves full of books and expired medical supplies---After, an unsuccessful scavenge, I noticed how the beds are piled up, in a corner of the room but, a single one sits in the middle, isolated from the rest—The bed frame looks stable, hard enough to hold a small body like mine.

The rusty cold metal stains my hands as I try to move the bed close to the window.-- is the second floor, I hope the view is clear--I've gotten used to seeing the stars, it brings me comfort and peace on disturbing nights.

"Norah, we still don't know if we are safe, please stop making unnecessary noises," Luisa says, through the walkie-talkies. I could tell she tried to whisper, but her anger and anxiety were louder as she tried to keep the young ones at ease.

"I'm sorry" I replied, with no response from Luisa. I try to get comfortable next to the window. However, it feels lonely without Sam next to me. She always listens to my crazy night stories. Sadly she is inspecting the area with Ronnie, Zonna and John.

The view is flabbergasting with stars and a clear sky-- I'm amazed by the shower of stars in the sky tonight, free of clouds. Is October, the beginning of fall, nights are getting colder and the fall red and yellow leafs are changing colors to death brown. My view changes as I spot a strange change of wind within the trees beneath me.

In an attempt to reach my flashlight, I dropped it, shattering the fragile lightbulb inside; small pieces of glass all scattered around the room— It was an old flashlight after all, the ones made out of cheap metal and old technology-- Luisa and Missy inspect the sensors, to make sure the sound didn't alert nearby drones.

"What happened?, I heard something," Pete says through the walkie.

"Nothing, I just dropped my flashlight. Hey, Pete...I think I heard something outside. I think I'll go and check it out" I say, already grabbing my bag from the floor.

"No, stay inside, is probably a deer... I will check it out" He replies, confident the poor deer, would be a good dinner.

"Be careful, it might be something dangerous" I was worried. There are dangerous creators out there. Mutants and rookies, wandering in search of brain and meat.

Pete laughed. I could hear the metal front doors opening, as Peter went out "Don't worry princess, I will be okay. I'll take Hallo with me"

"Alright, still - be careful " I patiently place the walkie-talkie next to the window. I honestly don't think it was a deer but, I'm sure Peter will be okay. He is with Hallo. The smartest kid in our group.

I tried not to worry as I went back to fixing the bed and the comforter, is full of holes from rats and mites. Dust comes out of it as I flip the comforter to the other side but, it looks, worse-- guess I'll be sleeping on the floor as always-- I laid down my heat blanket, and a small pillow, next to the window. I haven't slept indoors in months--is usually inside the cargo trunk or in the woods, hiding from government soldiers.

"turn the lights off" K.C whispers, while he quietly and carefully, walked to Luisa and the group. He seems agitated, with his usual duty voice and loud heartbeat with a hint of anxiety and short temper. Not long after, a troubling noise quickly increased as it got closer, Dormei Jets flew on top of us, sending drones to scan the areas. I wondered what triggered the jets to scan the areas? These areas are usually isolated, forgotten and buried in the past with what used to be, the greatest country in the world.