Opodiam: A Space Story

Chapter Five | Promise.

The control room was convenient because it was at the very end of the ship and I had to walk through each and every room to get to it; which meant I got to make sure everyone got to their assigned places safe and sound. The ERR (Environmental Research Room) was connected to Control Center so the last person I dropped off was, of course, Lucas.

"Rowan--" The hand that he just used to cover his mouth soon started to run it's way through his dark, thick hair. "Just.. Be safe, alright?" I smirked and tilted my head to the side.

"You starting to feel for me, Homms?" The tips of his ears turned red, and his cheeks turned pink. I felt on top of the world in that one cute, tiny millisecond. The way he looked down to the ground, and how wide his eyes became in that moment. It was adorable.

Lucas cleared his throat and let out a breathy laugh. "Yes, actually. A red-hot, burning passion, in fact."

"Oh really?" I egged him on with a hint of lust. What are you doing?? Now is not the time! I told myself. But maybe I could have this one small thing for once.

"Mhm." He bit his lip and took a couple steps closer. His cologne had a warmth to it and every time it entered my system I couldn't get enough of it. I copied his movements. "Rowan... I really, really hate you. Like, with a burning passion. Red-hot, just like the candies." My smile grew as I playfully punched his arm.

"Whatever, punk. Let's get back down to business now, no more dilly-dallying." He agreed with a nod and we went our separate ways.

I entered the medium-sized room with a faint sigh and glanced around. Okay, I'll grab the radio just in case, because Jackson might be able to fix it. My eyes darted form each movable object in the room and I bit my lip in anticipation. Grabbing the radio, I took the microphone that came along with it, the headphones, a few cases of space food we brought out, and the couple of backpacks we left in the room.

The signs around me were fairly obvious. The slight stench of metal in the air, a soft haze spreading through the rooms, but I only truly realized what was happening when I heard Taylor's familiar screech echo through the broken ship.

"EVACUATE! THE SHIP IS GONNA EXPLODE!" Footsteps crashed against the steel floors, causing the large space-craft to creek and shake. The smoke became unbearable and I could hardly see in front of me.

"Rowan!" Lucas's voice bellowed through the ERR. "Come to my--" A few hefty coughs escaped his lungs before he could continue. "Just--come here!"

I hastily flew through the smoke until I unintentionally ran into his tall form. A glint in his eyes shifted with every move he made, and his big hand grasped mine harder than he probably meant to. Before we could make it to the exit, I yanked my hand away from his, and shoved the stuff in the crook of my left arm, into his.

I could almost completely see him now that we were near the exit and more air vents. Lucas's dark brown hair fluffed up in places he usually combed down, and his bright sapphire eyes turned glazed as he inspected me with a look of confusion.

"Come on, we have to go!" He exclaimed. I heard rustling a few rooms down and I shook my head.

"Luke, you have to go. I will catch up with you, I promise; I just need to make sure everyone is out!"

"But the exit is right there; we could just look out and see if they made it--"

"--Luke, I heard something and I have to make sure it's okay! Whether it's just an object, an animal scared out of its mind, or a friend! I need to." Before he could say another word I dashed to the source of the sound and found Milo clutching the ground.

"Milo!" I immediately went over and draped his arm over my shoulder to help him up. Nasty coughs ran out of his mouth as he did his best to stand and walk. "Come on, bud! Stay strong. Are you the only one here?" Milo shrugged and peered to the ground. Wasn't Jackson supposed to be with him?

He trudged along with me before I basically threw him at Lucas who stood at the exit.

"Get him water!"

"But--"

I sped to the back rooms where Taylor and Jackson could have potentially been, and called out. I could hardly see anything through the thick, black smoke, so I knew I couldn't trust my eyes. "Anyone here???" My voice shot off the walls and I clutched my throat. Metal pieces hit the ground, and the creaking of the ship only increased. "Shit."

As I ran to make my way back to the exit, I ran into a countertop with shards of metal and glass inhabiting it, and cried in pain as a steel fragment slid into my skin. My mouth stuck open as I gently grabbed the shard. I slightly pulled on it, and whimpered when I did. The piece was fairly deep, and it hurt like hell to even touch it, so I thought it was best to just make it out first.

Keep moving, Rowan! You can't die here, that would suck! Hopefully Taylor got some med stuff.

I clutched my waist with my left hand, and covered my mouth with my right in hopes of cleansing the air that entered my lungs. Clanks echoed around me and my vision copied it. Whatever shapes I could make out multiplied themselves, and to keep myself even slightly okay, I was forced to blink rapidly. My side burned like hell and the stinging didn't stop as I made my way to Lucas.

"Rowan! Oh my God--are you alright??" His heavy voice bounced around my head as I furrowed my eyebrows. I wanted to speak, I tried my hardest to say something, but the words wouldn't leave my lips. In their place were small whispers and coughs.

"Jesus Christ, of course she's not alright! Come on, we need to get her out!" Jackson appeared on the other side of me and the two basically dragged me out to a lanky, blue/brown tree a few yards out. "Taylor, grab a med kit, please--help Lucas patch her up. I need to mend to Milo." My eyes widened and my eyebrows raised. What happened to Milo??

"Hey, s-stay with us Rowan! You are going to be okay, okay? It's gonna be fine, you're gonna be fine!" Luke's shaky hands brushed my skin as he lifted my shirt. "You're gonna be fine, I promise."

A/N: Hello, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Had lotsa fun writing it, and I already know I'm gonna have even more fun writing the next muahahaaa.

Very much love <33333