Unknown --- Complete [ adding some things ]

Part 5

The rubber duck alarm Laura set jolted Robert awake. For the past few weeks it’s been doing its job. Slowly driving away his sanity. Every morning, it was just Laura and him rolling out of bed. Savannah and Greg standing by the campfire that they’ve created.

Dean would stroll in just in time for breakfast then head to sleep.

“Maybe he’s a vampire.” Savannah suggested and she rolled her eyes at the idea. It wasn’t the first time that she’s suggested this.

“Or, he found the gold mines.” Greg offered, again, the same statements they’ve given.

“If he had you’d think he’d be more happy.” Robert countered, again. He stabbed at the carrots that Greg cooked. They just weren’t that great but it was better than the alternative.

“Why don’t we take a vacation? We’ve all been working in the same fucking mine as he has.” Laura jabbed a thumb at Dean, “He’s working a different shift than us but it’s the same area.”

“How do you know?” Savannah slid her carrots around the plate. It was better than the ready made sand that they have stockpiled in the main building but it wasn’t like home. The earth here, made everything taste different. The speed that they could grow here didn’t help, either.

“He is tearing into the wall that he started with us.” Laura smiled, she enjoyed the carrots. She grabbed seconds and went back to her seat. She said that it reminded her of her mother’s home cooking. They didn’t ask anymore about it -- Greg looked horrified enough. “It isn’t any of us tearing at that wall so it has to be him.”

“Or, he’s doing just enough to make it look that way and he’s found the gold ---”

“Savannah, why don’t you follow him? Why don’t you ask him?” Robert cut in.

“College boy.” Greg snorted. Laura gave him a look and he stepped down and moved from the conversation. He threw his plate in the fire barely touching the carrots.

“When are we going to be able to make different veggies?” Savannah scrunched her nose at her plate..

“When? We are. We have been. Not of them take to the earth right away. Supposedly, some can take months before adjusting and growth occur.” Laura answered.

“Ugh, I don’t need that. I want pumpkins for Halloween.”

“Prepare for disappointment.” Laura giggled, “Until then we have to supplement --”

“I know with hell.” She groaned.

Savannah and Greg didn't want to have a day off as Laura suggested. Robert felt bad so he decided to call it off for the day.

“Are you both just?” Greg waved his hands at them as if that finished his sentence.

“I have no issue with them not coming today. We have our quotas that have until the end of the week to fulfill.”

Greg didn't like that she was defending them but didn't argue any more.

“He does know we don't have to have the same work schedule, right?” Robert asked Savannah as Greg started toward the caverns.

“I think all of us together help with homesickness. He talks in his sleep to his kids about us. I cannot tell if he's talking about us in the letters home or what. But I will see you all later.”

“Be safe!” Laura gently patted her on the shoulder.

They bagged some of the sandy meals, carrots and a first aid kit. Laura wanted to start at the beach. The waters here didn't hit the shore in the way it happens at home.