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We were close, incredibly close to the planet’s surface now.
The landscape, blurry from our rapid descent, seemed to be a mix of dense forests and expansive water bodies.
Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes.
The next few moments felt like an eternity, a chaotic mix of heat, noise, and the gut-wrenching sensation of free fall.
I loved the “free” part, not so much of the “fall.”
Finally, with a thunderous crash that felt like the world was ending, we crash-landed.
* * *
A moment of heavy silence filled the space, followed by the familiar hum of the pod’s machinery.
The metal edges of the door glowed softly, and with a pneumatic hiss, it slid open.
Blinding light flooded in, making me wince and blink against its brilliance.
My ears rang, and I felt as if I’d been in a bout with a heavyweight boxer.
Gingerly, I tried to move, only to find every muscle protesting vehemently.
As my senses slowly returned, the scent of an alien forest reached my nostrils.
It was both floral and oddly metallic, like roses blended with the tang of freshly soldered circuits.
Determined, I tried to push myself up to a seated position.“Freedom!”I yelled, half deliriously in my best William Wallace impersonation.
However, my idea of a daring escape turned out to be more of a comedic flop as my legs, not having received the memo about my intent, decided they weren’t in the business of supporting my weight.
I crumpled, falling face-first onto the soft, spongy ground outside.
“Great,” I mumbled into the foreign grass equivalent. “I’ve crash-landed on a planet made of marshmallow.”
My determination was nothing if not persistent; refusing to be defeated, I mustered my energy and tried to run — or, more accurately,lurchaway.
I’d barely taken two steps before I was jolted back, my wrist tugging painfully.
“Oh, come on!” I exclaimed, having forgotten about the handcuffs that bound me to my mysterious alien travel companion.
I looked back at the pod, half expecting him to be laughing at me, but he remained inside, seemingly inert.
I hesitated, torn between my desire to explore the unknown and a growing sense of responsibility towards the silent alien.
With a resigned sigh, I made my way back to the pod’s entrance, muttering to myself.
I peered inside, taking in the sight of the massive being.
He was still, his scaled chest rising and falling gently.
Was he unconscious?
I felt a pang of worry.
After all, he had shielded me during our tumultuous journey.
Had he been harmed in his protection of me?
