She remembered running her finger through the early morning dew her first two weeks planetside with awe.
She turned around and faced her co-worker. “How’s Lindsey doing?”
Robert leaned against the counter and wiped his mouth. “As well as she can be doing. She’s still stable and is going through therapy. It ain’t much but it’s something, and all we can do is look at the stars and hope.” He took a deep breath, “She’s doing okay.” Robert smiled. “She has no idea I plan to propose to her when we get back.”
“I’m glad.” Norah smiled back. “That’ll give her something to look forward to. That is if she accepts,” she teased.
“What’re you talking about? I’m a catch. You’re just jealous I ain’t proposing to you.” Robert pointed a finger at her with mischief in his eye. “Anyway, yeah, been praying that this mission would be cut short. I’m homesick and I’m so damn thirsty all the time–I can’t stand this heat. She’s my home, Norah, and I hate that I can’t be there for her. Blasted contracts and all. Sorry for your sake though, maybe next time.”
“Next time.” She turned away.
Robert tossed his empty canister into the garbage receptacle and went to pick up the box.
“Well, I’ll be heading back toward the ship to help the others. I tried to reach out to Soraya but she didn’t answer.” He shrugged.
“Fighting over refrigeration space again, I’m sure.”
“Wouldn’t be surprised. I hate being around for that. Are you sure there ain’t nothing else you want to pack up?” He looked around.
There was only so much space on their ship and she wasn’t going to bring back excess and get caught up in the argument. Norah put another beaker away. “No. I have my backpack and I’ll bring that myself. After I finish cleaning, I’m going to the kitchen to help Andy.”
“Gotcha. Seey–”
The alarm system went off, cutting him short.
Norah dropped the flask in her hand, shattering it. The sprinklers turned on, soaking them both within seconds, and the stink of stagnant water and chemicals filled her nose.
“Shit! The box is getting wet.” Robert hunched over it and looked around for cover.
“Put it under the table,” Norah rushed to help him, throwing out an emergency fire blanket to make space.
A scream pierced the air, sailing just above the high-pitched alarm system. Robert dropped the box hard enough she could almost hear her samples shatter.
Norah gritted her teeth and pushed the box in as her co-worker unhooked the pistol at his hip and turned to face the door.
“Did you hear that?” Norah asked, reaching to unclip her own gun.
“The scream? Yeah, I heard it.”
Her boots became waterlogged as she stepped toward the open door with Robert.
The horrible screams ended abruptly leaving nothing but the steady sprinkle of water and the sirens in its wake. Despite the blaring screech, the sudden absence of the screams left an oppressive, ominous silence...
Yells filled the space next followed by several gunshots. Norah covered her eyes from the water.
“What the hell is happening?” Robert turned his safety off as they both peered down the corridor together. It was utterly normal, except for the water coming from the ceiling.
“I don’t know. I think we should lock ourselves in and wait,” she suggested, uneasy.
“I think we should investigate. Someone could be hurt and they may need our help.”
One of the scientists, Dr. Ludland, ran by at the end of the hallway, screaming bloody-murder. He was gone in a blur.
Norah backed up and around the corner, fear clogging her throat, adrenaline pumping through her heart.
“Ludland!” Robert called after him. But was only answered by the guttural yelp of a dying man. Even from where she stood, she could hear the snap of bone and the moist slap of flesh hitting the concrete floor. She and Robert shared a wide-eyed look.Something's wrong. Something's very wrong.
That moment when confusion became terror.
