Maria
58 Years before Present
The ARK, Earth
"Maria!"
Shadow's cry rang in the young girl's ears, louder than the echoing gunshot. Everything slowed down: the punching blow to her middle, Shadow's blood-red, wide eyes disappearing behind the metal door of the escape pod. She barely registered falling until she hit the ground. By the time the ringing sound left her ears, her friend's escape pod had ejected.
He was safe.
Alarms still blared and red lights flashed in the dark room, but these quickly faded from Maria's attention. She tried to steady her shattering breaths as the adrenaline in her blood slowed down. Maria glanced down and made a small sound in shock. She looked straight up again. It wasn't good. There was a lot of red. She bit her lip and glanced towards the door of the emergency escape room. The G.U.N. Soldier was gone, his weapon had clattered to the floor when he'd run.
Where was Grandpa?
Would someone find her?
Maria started to push herself up but an intense pain against her lungs stopped her. She closed her eyes in resignation and sank back down. Moving would make it worse.
Was this it?
The stars were bright through the windows. Maria shifted her focus to them. Her blue eyes took in their beauty, taking what comfort she could from them.
There were so many things she'd wanted to do- finish reading her book, hug Mum and Dad again, watch a sunset one more time… Feel a kiss. Her eyes welled up.
"No Maria, it's okay," she thought to herself. This- this was worth it. Shadow was safe from G.U.N. The only thing she really regretted was that she couldn't be there to show him the earth herself. Her tears tipped at the thought of earth. She'd wouldn't get to see it again after all.
But Shadow would be alright. He'd promised to help the people down there. He'd be alright. He was strong and brave…
"He'll be alright" the words whispered off her lips until she sank into unconsciousness.
She never saw the flash of light or heard the hushed voices that filled the Emergency Escape room.