Alfie’s pulse was still weak but steady, which comforted Gemma. However, his skin was clammy. Not a good sign.
Gemma frowned. Imara, Hawk, and Colton needed to hurry. Alfie had lost too much blood.
“This simulation feels way too real,” Gemma spoke under her breath. If they died here, would they also die in real life?
Hours passed until the sun finally set, and a single, full moon lit up the sky. It was odd seeing only one. Gemma was used to two.
This sky was also filled with more stars than she’d seen on her journey to Zion. Whichever planet this simulation resembled, it wasn’t enveloped by an asteroid belt. The stars that filled this sky had to come from at least hundreds of thousands of kilometers away.
And they were glorious.
Likewise, the temperature here was completely different. Reva was so close to their blue sun that it was never cold. Here, on the other hand, Gemma shivered despite the heavy uniform she wore now that the sun had set.
Christian cracked an eye open to look at her. “Your teeth are chattering.”
“You’re observant.”
He smiled. “You can sit closer, you know. Body heat helps.”
Was that an invitation to cuddle?Gemma’s stomach flopped again.
Nope. Absolutely not. She was not going to sit closer to him.
Gemma checked on Alfie instead. He was still clammy, but his pulse was slower. She tried to get him to wake up, to keep his heart rate and breathing from slowing fatally, but it was no use. He likely wouldn’t come out of his unconscious state until they were out of this simulation. All they could do now was wait and pray that Hawk and the others found that blasted flag in time.
As more time passed, Gemma grew colder. Trembling, she reluctantly gave in and scooted into Christian until their hips touched. She couldn’t do anything else to save Alfie now, so she might as well stay warm.
She leaned against Christian, her arms wrapped around her body as she tried to hold in as much of her own heat as she could.
Christian’s arm draped around her, tugging her in closer. “Thank you. I thought I was gonna freeze to death.”
Gemma smiled softly, her whole body quivering. He was right, though—body heat definitely helped. It was comforting to have his strong arm around her shoulders, holding her tight. This close, she could feel the firm muscles of his side, see the light stubble on his jawline, smell his musky shampoo.
Her stomach danced again.Stop it, Gemma.
A high-pitched whistle rang in her ears. She lifted her head to see where the sound was coming from—
And was snapped back to reality as if someone had punched out her stomach through her spine.
The electroglass lid of her sleep chamber hovered over her as she sucked in deep breaths, her pulse pounding in her ears. The air was hot and stifling. Bile burned in her throat. The space was too small. She needed to get out.
She needed to get out now.
Gasping for air, Gemma yanked the prongs out of her deltoids and shoved open the lid of her sleep chamber. Once there was enough room, she toppled over the side and landed on the ground with a thud. Her sweaty cheek and torso pressed against the cool metal surface as her pulse slowed.
The chill of the floor was intoxicating.
“The after-effects will wear off in a minute,” the android said. Both Imara and Colton swore at the AI from the opposite side of the room.
Gemma worked her way onto her feet and zipped up her jumpsuit before pushing her stray hairs off her face.
Christian and Hawk both paced the room, their hands on their heads, while Imara and Colton continued to lie on the floor. The two of them broke into fits of laughter.
“That was amazing,” Imara said. “Did you see that guy’s face?”
“There were brains everywhere!” Colton laughed.
“I take it you guys found the flag?” Christian asked, still panting.
