Bleed, Patch, And Keep Moving - An Apex Legends Story

Chapter 32 - Epicenter

Talos was even more breath taking at night than it was during the day. If it wasn't for the bitter cold Ajay thought that she might actually like this like piece of the planet. The stars looked like they were trying to put on a show as they dance and glittered amongst the black sky. She only wished she could share the beautiful night sky with Octavio; maybe someday she could.

Over the skyline Ajay could make out a gentle, warm hue of light. Natalie explained that it was the lava that was never hit by the flash freeze. Ajay was amazed that the planet could house two different atmospheres. Natalie took Ajay to the ice pit that she had barely seen when she first set foot on Talos. "This is the epicenter. This is where the flash freeze originated." Natalie said. Ajay looked around at all of the ice that covered the area, "It's so pretty." The ice looked like someone had hand sculpted it as it lay across the hills, the pit, and the small structure within the pit.

They both sat down together on a broken bin and silently took in the night sky. Neither of them seem to need conversation; the company of one another was enough. Ajay watched as stars flew through the sky and before she knew, hours had passed. She turned and looked over to Natalie, "Do yuh go out here by yuh self a lot?" Natalie was silent and it was a little unsettling to Ajay.

As Ajay looked at Natalie, the electrical engineer looked a bit nervous and not excited like she just had hours ago. "Natalie?" Ajay stood up and walked up in front of her, "What's wrong?" Natalie looked down at her fingers as she fiddled with them in her lap, "Well... Non. I am never by myself. And I never go out at night." Ajay stared at her in disbelief. It took Ajay a moment to find something to say without sounding too harsh as she said it.

"So yuh usually go out durin the day wit someone?" Natalie looked nervously at the snow below her feet. She kicked her white and black rubber insulated boot into the snow and then dug her boot further into the snow, making crunching noises as she did; almost like she was trying to avoid answering the question. "With Elliot." Ajay stared at Natalie. "Great." Ajay was tired as she tried to think of what to do next.

She looked up at the sky and then back at Natalie, "It's gettin late. Maybe we should head back." Ajay pulled out her phone to call Elliot but she couldn't seem to get a signal." Natalie sighed, "I don't know my way back in the dark and that phone won't work out here." Ajay glared at her phone because it was the only thing that was keeping her from glaring at Natalie. Ajay composed the look on her face before looking at Natalie and offering her a hand, "Come on." Natalie took Ajay's hand as confusion settled into her face, "Oui? Where are we going?"

Ajay pulled Natalie with her as she began to walk towards the center of the pit. "I think that there is a small buildin down there. It's better than bein out here in da snow." The two women hurried down the hill and into the middle of the Epicenter. Ajay was right as they entered the structure in the middle of the pit. They walked into a small, circular room. There was one other entry way on the other side. In the middle of the room there was a beam that looked like it was used to support the large ice structure above them.

The cool breeze swept in through the building as Ajay sat down on the floor and set her gun down next to her. "I'm sorry Ajay." Natalie couldn't even look at her new friend. "It's okay. Just sit." Ajay pointed to the ground next to her that wasn't occupied by her gun. Natalie sat down next to Ajay, "What now?" Natalietried not to seem worried in front of Ajay.

Ajay smiled, "We wait. We wait until da sun comes up and then we head back ta da hanger." Natalie gasped as she sat down, "What about the prowlers?" She whispered. "I will keep watch. Get some rest Natalie." Ajay tried not to sound jaded but she that she was failing. Natalie nodded and leaned her back against the cold wall behind her. Natalie wasn't sure if she could rest, "Aren't you tired?" Ajay shook her head, "Nah." Natalie nodded again and closed her eyes. "I'll close them for just a moment. I don't want to leave Ajay alone."