Page 40 of Black Mamba

“I command the AI to close the maintenance hatch.” I walk to my room to get some sleep. “I command the AI to stop the radio,” I add, passing through the open door without sparing a glance outside.

If he’s out there… I wouldn’t be able to see him in the dark.

The large ebony hide fills my vision where it’s spread across my bed. The old but still enticing smell of chocolate hits me. The door to my room slides closed as I step toward it, but before I can lie down among the silky fur, that same twinge of fear I get when I come in here comes roaring back.

I should’ve gotten rid of it. I shouldn’t have taken it in the first place.

If Shelby’s right about what she says about the nagas… I could be sick.

That’s ridiculous.

I’m not sick.

I’m just banged up.

Regardless, I grab the edge of the thick animal fur and pull it off the bed, discarding it in the corner with my clothes. Lying down on my white blanket that was underneath the hide, I toss and turn, plagued with thoughts as to why Lukys let me go.

I’m stressed, and the longer I go without a response to my broadcast, the more hopeless I feel. I play Jenna’s music as much as I can, but even that has become depressing.

And despite all of that, none of it answers the biggest question of all…

Is help coming?

I press my face into my pillow and close my eyes tightly. Help’s not coming before I help myself…

Help might not be coming at all.

TWENTY-ONE

OUTSIDE THE FIRE

Elena

I don’t see Lukys for another three days. It had gotten to the point that I thought I might never see him again at all. I continued to search for him—for any being—outside the dome but with only the occasional drop-ins of Levy, and sometimes Greg, I thought I might have seen the last of Lukys.

That’s okay. It’s a good thing. Maybe that means it’s safe to go outside.

I need it to be safe. I’m subsisting on towel baths and rationing how much water I’m drinking, and now I’m eyeing how much longer my food stores will last—a couple of standard month rotations if I eat nothing but the basics. Only a few weeks if I order full meals.

I’m going to need a new supply of food—because as much as I’d like to think help will be here in a couple of weeks, I know the reality of my situation is much different.

Drying my face with a hand towel, I ponder my reflection and try to smile, but it quickly morphs into a sad laugh at the tired girl in the mirror. She’s not someone anyone with empathy would laugh at—but here I am, making it happen.

Today’s my birthday.

Standard March 3rd, ship year of The Dreadnaut—I’m turning twenty-three midday today.

My parents would’ve called me out from my unit and taken me shopping, or to see the most recent shows. We would then spend the afternoon together before meeting back up for dinner. Jenna and Mateo would join us at the restaurant of her choice. Family friends and business partners would be in attendance, no doubt to use the event to network and get close to my sister, hoping to procure tickets to her more lucrative performances. We’d get into a fight about my limited aspirations, and I’d go to bed upset, feeling unseen.

I’d do anything right now to have that day today instead of this one. I hook the damp towel on the rack next to the sink and leave the bathroom. Walking to my water bucket, I peer at the morning light shining through the branches of the trees. The skies are bright and blue above.

It’s a beautiful morning. Every morning here is a beautiful one, even the foggy ones. Especially the foggy ones.

Today, I’m going back outside.

I’ll have to do it eventually. It might as well be a day when it’s sunny and clear out.

Walking into the dome, there’s a flash of movement far to my right, and I spot Lukys ripping out a bush.