Discoveries | TMR | Three

5:8

The heat clings to the metal of the cars, turning each bonnet into a surface too hot to touch. Four vehicles sit angled in a loose row at the edge of the clearing, their engines long since cut but still ticking with the last of the drive. The air hums with insects, the occasional gust of wind kicking up dry dust that settles quick again, leaving everything hazy.

Richard leans against the driver's side door of his car, one arm draped across the roof, his face set into that familiar mask of patience. His fingers drum against the paintwork anyway, a quiet rhythm that betrays the coil of nerves beneath.

Maggie can't keep still. She paces a short stretch between two cars, her boots crunching grit with every turn. Matt watches her from the open window, one arm hooked over the frame. He tries to keep his voice easy each time he calls her name, but his eyes track her constantly, sharp with worry he doesn't bother hiding.

Oscar has claimed a spot on the bonnet of his car, legs swinging over the bumper. He fiddles with the strap of his watch, glancing at it every few seconds despite knowing it won't change anything. Olly sits beside him, his younger brother squinting at the sky with his hands shading his eyes, as though determination alone might drag the berg into view. His foot bounces restlessly, scuffing dirt into little clouds.

The group has been waiting too long already. The cars are here, tanks full, seats ready, but every minute stretches wider without the thunder of turbines above.

"They should be back by now," Maggie says at last, her voice clipped as she halts mid-stride.

Richard pushes off the door, stretching his back with a slow roll of his shoulders. "Schedules don't mean much out here," he replies evenly, though his jaw works tight as he scans the horizon. "Give it a bit more time."

Maggie huffs and starts pacing again. "We've given it time."

Matt leans a little further out of the car window, his voice softer. "Maggie, you're wearing a hole in the ground. Sit down a minute."

She shoots him a look but doesn't argue, only folds her arms and stays standing where she stopped.

Oscar clears his throat, fiddling with his watch strap again. "What if something went wrong?" His tone is casual, but the weight behind it isn't.

Olly's head snaps towards him. "Don't say that." His voice wavers, more defensive than angry.

Oscar's expression softens instantly. "Hey, I didn't mean-."

"They're fine," Richard cuts in, firm enough that it lands like a line drawn in the dust between them. "You start imagining worst-case scenarios, you'll drive yourself mad."

Olly swallows hard and drops his gaze to the dirt. Oscar nudges his shoulder gently, the corners of his mouth twitching as if trying to pass off reassurance as a joke. "See? You'll get wrinkles before me if you keep frowning like that."

Matt chuckles from his car. "Not sure about that. Pretty sure Oscar's already got a head start."

"Oi," Oscar shoots back, flicking a pebble towards him. It skitters harmlessly against the tyre.

The humour doesn't last long. The silence that follows settles heavier, stretching with each second they're left staring at an empty sky.

Maggie sighs, rubbing a hand over her face. "I just... I don't like not knowing. We're blind out here."

"Better than being up there," Richard replies, jerking his chin vaguely in the direction of the sky. "Down here, at least we've got space to run if we need it."

Maggie presses the heel of her hand against her forehead, muttering something under her breath before turning sharply on her heel to pace again. Matt watches her for a few seconds, his arm still hooked over the car window, then sighs and pushes the door open.