100 years later
"Damn it…"
"What is it?"
"I hit some hard rock."
"Then go around it-"
"I've been trying to go around it for the past hour!"
"Then why didn't you say something earlier?"
"Because I didn't think it was going to be such a huge goddamn rock!"
Several of the working men gathered around the sight. Rays from the bright desert sun bounced of the surface of something smooth and silvery stuck under the sand and stone.
"Well what the hell do you want me to do with it?" the man asked leaning on his shovel.
"Get some heavier equipment… Boys! Bring in the diggers!"
0o0o0o0o0o0o
"Hey… I… I think I got 'er open!"
"What?"
The sounds of machinery and heavy metal slowed down to a light buzz. A few of the construction crew moved in to take a peek. There was a large break in the metallic material. A crevice big enough for a man to crawl into had split down the middle.
"What do you think it is?"
"Ruins?"
"What are you talking about, dumbass?"
"Hey I was just tryin' ta-"
"Both of you shut up! I think I hear something…"
All three men leaned in, some others poking their heads over their shoulders to take a closer look as well.
"I don't see a damn thing-"
"Sh-sh-shhhh!"
"What's that smell?"
"What are you…?"
"..."
0o0o0o0o0o0o
Light broke through into a dingy, dark cavern of rushed metal and broken, aged machinery. Wisps of smog and mist rose to the surface. Fresh air penetrated the interior of what was left of the ship that had blown up and crashed down into the earth over a century ago. A light blinked on.
Frost began to melt away, heated up by the sun. A pair of eyes opened in the appending darkness. Life streamed back into the body of the young male terrestrial that had been trapped down in there for way past his natural length of life. He had not aged; his body had been frozen in time and space.
He blinked, once, twice. His eyes adjusted and focused, searching the murky darkness. Warmth rushed into his body. His chest lifted, filling up with natural components needed for his survival. The young male gasped, feeling full of energy once again.
Hormones kicked in and his mind set back into survival mode. The male darted his eyes forward and took off in a powerful leap, racing back up to the surface. He clawed and pushed his way through the old metal and rubble, quickly making his way up. His mind began to race, his internal systems kicking into overdrive. All he was focused on was to escape, to get away… with the others… the others…
He had not taken in account the sent of death and old rotten flesh. But that did not stop him, did not change his motive. He had to get out…
A rumbling growl escaped from his throat as he lunged himself forward, up and out into the light. He landed, tumbling onto the ground. The hot sand and dust burnt into his skin, making him hiss in discontent.
Frightening screams of horror could be heard all around him. The male's eyes widened and he quickly got back up, flipping around. Humans surrounded him at all sides, cowering in fear. He snapped his head to the right as he heard one coming at him, screaming and yelling as it approached. The young male bared his teeth and screamed back, letting out a terrifying roar, one that could be mistaken for a full grown lion.
The human shrunk back, his face contorted with disgust and disbelief. The young male roared again, standing up on two feet this time, showing off his true height. After the humans had moved back enough he threw himself at an opening, breaking out of the circle and taking off at full speed across the desert terrain. He sprinted across the sand, moving each muscle and tenant in precise coordination, each claw and talon pounding at the earth giving him extreme traction and increased agility. The male never took one moment to think, nor to stop and look around… to see how the world has changed around him.
As the sun set and stars began to shine the chill of the night finally beckoned him to find a safe place to rest. He dragged himself to the nearest cliff face and slumped against some rocks for cover. The adolescent panted hard, his chest burning and body aching from his run. He wasn't sure how long he'd been at it, but honestly he didn't really care. His eyes wandered across the prairie that stretched out over the horizon. The grasses swayed and danced in the soft breeze. He marveled in the way the moonlight changed the usual yellow/brown pigments to a light blue.
Not much had changed…
But where was everyone? Surely… they must have escaped… right?
That wouldn't quite explain all the death he had sensed before… all the bodies he had seen… It wasn't the silliest idea to think he was all alone now… that he was the only one left from the indecent… possibly… the last one his kind…?
Overwhelming loneliness struck the young soul at his center. He curled in on himself, bringing his arms close to his chest. He pulled his inner hands close to the circulatory organ that beat fiercely inside his frame. It was the only comfort he had now…
… to know that at lest he was still alive…
Or… was that really a comfort at all…?