They finally arrived at Kelvin's so-called hideout.
It wasn't much to look at—just a massive pillar of stone, partially collapsed, with a thick, flat slab resting on top, forming a crude roof. A narrow opening led downward into the ground, where a hollowed-out space had been carved into the earth, just deep enough to serve as shelter.
Hope took a slow breath as he stepped inside. The air was thick with dust, the faint scent of damp stone lingering. The space wasn't large—roughly thirty meters in length, maybe a little more. It was uneven, with jagged stone protruding from the walls, but it was dry and provided enough cover to keep them hidden.
He let out a quiet exhale and lowered himself onto the rough ground, stretching out his legs.
His gaze wandered across the interior, taking in the dim space. It wasn't much, but he wasn't uncomfortable. Compared to the place he called home in the outskirts, this wasn't too different. He was used to rough sleeping conditions—cold nights, makeshift roofs, and the constant knowledge that danger lurked just outside.
The only real difference was that here, instead of dealing with criminals and desperate scavengers, he was under the glow of seven moons, surrounded by an unfamiliar sky, and hunted by creatures that shouldn't exist.
He leaned back slightly, pressing his palms against the stone floor. The exhaustion from the night's events was creeping up on him, but he wasn't reckless enough to let his guard down.
Kelvin had removed his helmet and placed it beside him, running a hand through his short, sweat-dampened hair. His expression was unreadable, but his posture remained guarded as he leaned against the rough stone wall.
Walker, on the other hand, simply collapsed onto the ground with a heavy sigh, clearly too exhausted to care about appearances. His thin frame looked even more fragile under the dim light, and Hope briefly wondered how someone like him had even survived this long.
For a while, none of them spoke. The silence wasn't uncomfortable, but it was thick with unspoken thoughts.
Hope tilted his head up, staring at the ceiling of the hideout. He wasn't sure how long they'd be here, or how long he'd even last in this place.
But one thing was clear—survival came first. Everything else could wait.