The Shrooms

Season 2: Let's Go Further In

(Prince)

Morning comes with the usual sounds of nature humming a sweet serenade. The prince tells Quake about the light last night and thinks they should go to it to maybe get off this planet.

"You compromised me last night and now expect me to follow you to a strange building past the river?" Quake silently shouts at the prince. He tries to show he's the experienced soldier who should be in charge but realized at that moment he's not, his life isn't safe in the hands of the spoiled Prince.

"It could be high technology there that can help us. Get us out of here." The Prince responds. Quake becomes more level headed, anger forces mistakes that could be detrimental to both of them.

"You don't even know what's past the river. The wildlife, an army, probably deadlier scavengers."

The Prince tells him he's ready for the risk. His father was never scared of the unknown and he inherited that trait. But regardless of Quake being with him, he's going past the river. Quake had no choice but to agree. They begin walking.

Coming upon the river, Quake now sees the bright lights as described. It mesmerized him like like a soul-mate across the bar till a doubtful mind fades. The river is long, wide but shallow. The Prince steps in with hard boots of his splashing its contents over his pants, Quake does the same. They keep walking through it as the land behind them gets smaller and smaller.

The trees on the other side of the river are different. Thinner white bark with no head leaves, hunched over. Their close proximity blocks the dazzling sun. The ground is solid in its structure, smooth to the bottom of the feet. The air is easier to inhale filling their lungs extensively accompanied with its woodish smell. The destination is in sight and they marvel at its exterior front.

"Imagine the tales we can tell if we venture inside." the Prince says excitingly.

(Woman)

She stares out the window in her cell, a common past time of hers. Time alone provides the opportunity to reflect, maybe change into someone different. She thinks about changing all the time, not accepting who she is or where she is. Today is when she starts.

She leaves the cell for the first time without being accompanied by Neil. She's always been a quiet introvert so chatting a stranger is a stretch of her imagination at the moment. She searches for a familiar face only spotting Four. Approaching him, she gives a little smirk to seem open but it's not as receptive as she thought. Four stands against a wall writing a letter to someone.

"What are you writing?" She questions. Four looks at her then shows her the paper. She examines the foreign language of words, puzzled by it all. "A love letter to your family?"

"No love. Letter of death." Four sulks at her. He points to markings on the paper at the top. "King of this planet. Reason I here." He turns the paperback and finishes the letter.

She remains by the side of Four both in silence watching other prisoners converse and play recreational games. One group is playing with a ball, punching and kicking IT at each other in a circle. One missed punch and the ball soars in the air towards the woman. She covers her face bracing for a massive impact, but it doesn't come as Four catches the ball. He rolls it back to the circle of players.

She stands up realizing what took place and thanks Four. "Four protect friend," he says. At that moment she felt protected for the first time in her life. Never having family or friends to do such made her feel awkward currently. People who've known her didn't care but a revenge-driven alien stranger does.

They sit against the wall as Four tells her a little bit of how his planet banished him to death launching him into space to be swallowed by its void. He was discovered by a ship of people who brought him to this planet. They promised him riches and land, a life better than the one he had. The woman asked how did it turn to him being imprisoned. Four started answering by stating someone told the King information about him. Before Four could finish an alarm goes off.

All talk ceases, the ball isn't returned being left to bounce into a corner. A guard rushes in demanding everyone gets back in their cell. Four grabs her hand leading her to his confinement.