>>5723324Terra, Ayla, Vivian, and Rodney rush to greet you when you return to the <span class="mu-s">DOCKS,</span> but their enthusiasm swiftly dies when they pick up on everyone’s mood. Mounting the <span class="mu-s">BOAT</span> as if to give a speech, Mina merely looks at the group and slowly shakes her head in disappointment.
“So few…” You hear her mutter to herself. Clearing her throat, the heiress addresses everyone in the bunker: the people you rescued, the people you pissed off, and even the Nurse who shuffled in with Raj in tow.
“There’s a lot that needs to be said right now,” she begins in a diplomatic tone, “But whatever it is can wait.”
You stealthily wave to Raj, but he doesn’t return the gesture. The Nurse, on the other hand, watches you with mild amusement.
“We don’t have the luxury to mourn.” Mina continues as her eyes sweep across her audience, “But we can spare a moment or so to <span class="mu-i">breathe</span>.”
Pepper stands far away from everyone with her puffy red eyes glued to her <span class="mu-s">DIGITAL CAMERA’S SCREEN.</span>
“And while we breathe,” The heiress adds, “I’d like to address the elephant in the room:”
You feel some eyes fall upon you and do your best to shrug them off. It doesn’t work.
“The truth is,” She says with a frown, “Is that I don’t have the time, energy, nor motivation to settle your squabbles.”
You expected a bit more of a reaction to that, but she doesn’t get any!
“I know you hurt. We all do. Some more than others.” You hazard a glance towards Darren as he leans against the wall, stone-faced.
“But the reality is that until the situation changes, we’re stuck here until tomorrow afternoon when the <span class="mu-s">FERRY</span> comes.” Mina’s expression softens a bit. “Or until the <span class="mu-s">ANTENNA</span> is repaired, but in the spirit of being honest with you all I would ask that you remain realistic.”
Ayla and Terra engage in a hushed conversation as they glance between you and the heiress.
“For now our priority is surviving.” The Class Prez concludes, “I shall address and accept all responsibility for what’s occurred here tonight only after we’re safely back home.”
Her eyes narrow.
“And only then. Rest now and be vigilant–there are still horrors lurking outside. I won’t tolerate any more heroics tonight.”
With that the raven-haired girl excuses herself, prompting everyone else to disperse to their own lonely corners of the cave.
It’s <span class="mu-i">cold</span> in here…
>CONTD. 