Beyond our Earth

51: Atoll

We landed on an atoll. Althazar used his crazy skills to construct a hut with the trees and materials found on the island. As I was of no real help there, I took a dip in the teal blue water, holding my breath and diving down among the beautiful coral that surrounded our beach. I swam with the fishes and even spotted a passing sea turtle. When I came into shore I was shocked to see that the hut was practically completed.

I ran up to Althazar, smiling, giggling with joy. "This is the most amazing place I've ever been to. You should see what's out there, it's beautiful."

"I'm sure it is, lovely." He said, hauling a massive palm tree leaf onto the roof.

"How's it coming? Anything I can help with?" I asked.

"It's just about done." Althazar said. "You should check it out inside."

I did so eagerly.

Inside the hut, which was elevated about a foot above the ground, was a cozy sleeping area made up with the bedding I had brought from the hotel. There was a shelf attached to one wall, on which lay the mugs, folded towels, soaps, and other items I'd salvaged from our room. Above the bed lay a feature which I had not been responsible for bringing, and judging by the style of it, it had been stolen from Althazar's ship. It was a light.

"It's perfect." I said to Althazar, coming out into the daylight. "I had no idea you could build like this."

"I'll make a fire pit, and hopefully gather some dry wood for you before I have to go." He said.

"Is Braden still in the pod? I have to show him this." I said, rushing off towards it.

"Knock, knock."

His eyes were closed but he wasn't sleeping, just relaxing in the warm sun. He put his hand over his eyes and looked up at me.

"Having fun?" He asked, noticing my wet, dripping hair.

"It's paradise out here." I responded. "Oh, and our house is finished."

He smiled. "Let's have a look." He sat up and peered past me, spotting it. "Nice. God, I can't believe we're doing this."

"I know. It's crazy."

"What choice do we have, right?"

"We'll be okay though."

"Yeah. For sure." He narrowed his eyes. "You scared?"

"A little. It's just that I'm basically going to be alone out here in the beginning."

"Give me a couple days, I'll be working just as hard as you are." He promised. 

I didn't believe him.

"Well, I'm going to look for fire wood with Althazar."

"Where's Elizabeth?" Braden asked.

"Working on her tan." I smirked.

"Doesn't surprise me."

"Is she staying with us?" I asked in a lowered voice.

"I have no idea what she's planning on doing." He replied.

"Not sure she does either." I said, walking away.

When I passed our hut there was a circle of rocks beside it along with two logs for sitting on.

I smiled at Althazar's work and thought about how much I would miss him when he was gone.  

"Hey," I said, walking towards him in the forest.

"Hello darling."

I started collecting sticks alongside him and we went on like this until our arms were too full to hold any more. Then we brought it back to camp and started a pile. Through the day the pile grew and soon the sun was low in the sky.