He fusses for a little while, but he’s so exhausted he falls into a deep sleep in no time. I leave him on a pile of blankets on the ground with a kiss on his forehead. I try not to worry about the fever, but I know it can’t be good.
One thing at a time.
First, we need to find a better shelter than these caves. They’re good for protecting us against the weather and most of the vicious creatures that hunt on this planet, but it’s no place for a growing boy to live. Arguably even worse than being born on a ship and growing up in a prison.
Though I don’t think anything could have been worse.
It’s why I was willing to escape with him when I did.
It’s why I promised him we’d never be anyone’s property ever again.
I consider bundling him up with another blanket and settle on draping a thin sheet over him. There hadn’t been enough time to pack medicine, or I’d give him a fever reducer. I know nothing about the plants here, so I can’t find anything useful and don’t dare experiment on either of us. So, I just have to let it run its course and hope like hell I haven’t killed us both.
While he sleeps, I retrieve the battered flashlight I stole from the prison. One day, I’ll figure out a way to pay them back for the things I took. One day. The light flickers as I explore the tunnels in front of us. I make sure to keep an eye on Henry’s sleeping form, never letting him leave my sight.
There has to be something down here. Something like the catacombs underneath the prison I discovered but never told the others about. I knew we’d need an escape and though I felt guilty about keeping it to myself, Henry is my priority. I’ll do whatever it takes to make certain he’s safe.
I don’t know why there are tunnels beneath the mountain ranges and deserts of this planet. Maybe this had been used to mine before it was abandoned? Whatever the reason, I’m grateful. It’s dark, dank, and hot as hell, but it keeps us safe from the monsters—in their various forms. At least for now.
I know they must lead to something. They have to or I don’t know what we’ll do.
With a quick glance back, I hover the flashlight over Henry’s sleeping body and inch forward down the tunnel. There must be water somewhere because I hear the constant drip, drip, drip of it in the distance. I should have taken one of those alien suits, but I’d been in such a hurry, we dashed out without one. Either we’re immune to the radiation or it’s slowly invading our bodies.
As soon as we find somewhere safe, I’ll figure out how to survive on this planet so we never have to rely on anyone else again. We can do this. We have to. Then I’ll find a way to get back home using whatever means necessary. It has to be safer at the hands of man than at the claws of monsters.
The flashlight illuminates more jagged rock on the walls and ceiling of the tunnel in front of me. The floor is surprisingly smooth, the same red-orange as the dust and mountains and desert outside. I’m able to go about thirty feet ahead of our little camp before the tunnel curves to the right, which would put me out of sight with Henry.
“Crap,” I whisper and hear my voice echo in the shadows amidst the dripping water.
Pressing my back against the tunnel wall, I inch along as far as I possibly can without letting Henry out of my line of vision. The tunnel curves nearly at a ninety-degree angle, making that almost impossible. I gnaw on my lip, and with one final glance in Henry’s direction, take a step around the corner.
I wave my flashlight over the new section of tunnel and my brows knit together. It’s a dead end. No, it can’t be. The maps I found in the catacombs show tunnels throughout this section. They’re supposed to lead to another man-made structure. Like a satellite branch of the prison. On the maps, there were several of them throughout this area. There were no dead ends.
As I investigate the slab of rock, I frown. The texture of the rock is different here. It’s darker, dull-looking somehow—if that’s even possible. I shuffle back and see Henry still sleeping peacefully.
We’ve been fine in the tunnels this entire time. I should be able to leave him for a moment to investigate. Steeling my spine, I move to the strange rock with careful steps, keeping my ears peeled for any sounds from our little camp’s direction.
When I reach the dead end, I press a hand against the rock. It is different. Smoother, almost like the floor, and somehow harder. There’s no way we’d bust our way through there. If we can’t find a way through, we’ll have to backtrack and the last fork in the tunnels was miles back. My heart sinks. I don’t know if Henry can make it that far without food and our rations are gone. He needs to eat soon or I don’t want to think about what’ll happen.