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Dawn Eclipse
Senior Member
since 2000-01-31
Posts 637
The Horsehead Nebula

0 posted 2001-01-07 09:41 PM


The night grew increasingly still as the strong wind died down.  The little group of explorers began to ease up as their anxiety fell.  It had been nearly 24 hours since the dust storm had trapped them in the canyon.  Now, the had to hurry back to the base camp, before their supply of oxygen ran out.  These people were a part of the international planetary explorer society.  Six months ago, the group of four, as well as three others, who were back at base camp, had been assigned to explore the equator area of Mars along the 54th longitude.  The goal of the society was to have a colony built in that area within the next decade, for scientific research.  

It was Mark who first spoke up, telling the rest of the company that it was time to try and get back to their base.  The other three would be worried about their absence during the dust storm.  Quietly they all agreed and began to head out of the cavern entrance.  There was still a strong wind blowing, but travel was possible.  The quietest of the company was still wary, though.  Even though the dust and dirt had let up substantially, there was still a possibility of danger to them.  Karanya didn't attempt to say anything though, because Mark had ignored her warnings before they left base camp.  It was best to just keep an eye out for danger as they made their way back to camp.

They made it back to their rover without incident, but found, to their dismay, that it was buried in the sand.  They'd have to make the two mile journey back to camp on foot.  It bothered none of them but Karanya.  They'd be making most of their journey through the canyon, and there was a lot of lose rocks in the area.

The three men walked ahead, not noticing her withdrawal from them as she wandered behind them, nor did she want them to.  Mark didn't even want her here.  She had only come on this mission so she could get away from the rest of the people that had made her life miserable.  

The company had made it half way through the canyon before she started noticing signs of danger.  Large boulders perched on the edge of cliffs and ledges, just waiting to be thrust off by the strong gusts of wind, towards the unwary travelers.  None of the company had ever realized just how much they needed her.  To hide her depression of being useless in their eyes, she had pretended to be their guardian angel.  She had watched the surroundings and kept them safe ever since they had arrived on the planet, though none of them knew it.  Mark was the one she worried about the most.  He had too much authority for his own good, and because of this became very careless at times.  Now was one of those times.  

Karanya was thinking about this when she saw the immediate danger to them.  A boulder was coming lose, right above them.  As she yelled out to them, the wind blocked her words on the intercom.  Even though they had helmets, the strong wind made them deaf to everything that was said.  Moving as fast as she could towards the group, she saw it begin to fall.  It was headed right for Mark.  With the last ounce of strength, she pushed him out of the way just as the boulder hit the ground, crushing her.  

The men panicked as they saw her lying there.  The boulder had landed on the lower half of her body, leaving her conscious enough to speak weakly.  A wall of the canyon was blocking the wind, and her words were heard by all of them.

"Mark, you owe me one," she said with a hint of humor in her voice.  He looked at her and held her head in his lap, as the other two tried to move the boulder from her body.  Even in pain, she always held a humorous mood, he thought to himself.  For so long he had rejected her, telling himself that she meant nothing to him, and now it may be too late.  He could tell by the strain in her eyes that there was a chance she wouldn't make it through the day.

Jeremy and Francis finally got the boulder moved off of her frail body and then took a seat on either side of her, tears welling up in both of their eyes.  None of them had realized just how much she had meant to them.

At last, Mark spoke.  It was nothing that she ever thought she'd hear from them again.  "Karanya, I want to tell you something.  Ever since I met you, there's been something special about you that I couldn't quite figure out," he said quietly, fearing it was too late.  "You are the light of my life… my star of the night."

With that said, she smiled gently.  She only had one wish… that it hadn't taken this long for him to say it, and that it hadn't taken this incident to realize it.  Tears began to flood her eyes, as she drifted off.

Three days later, she woke up, in her room at base camp.  Straining her eyes, she saw Mark sleeping in the chair next to her.  With a weak voice, she called out his name.  Waking up, she saw the relief in his eyes.  She had been unconscious for a long time, and his friends were about ready to give up on her.  He wouldn't let them.  She had never given up on anything, even on him.  Staying in the background, she had guarded him the only way she knew how, and it had almost cost her life.  Moving next to her bed, he bent and kissed her forehead.  She was too stubborn to let this get the best of her.  She would make it, they had been given a second chance.  He wouldn't lose her again… his star of the night.



"Forget regret, or life is yours to miss. No other course, no other way... No day but today"
~Broadway Musical RENT~

*Cassandra Roseen*


© Copyright 2001 Cassandra Roseen - All Rights Reserved
Midnight Dew
Member
since 2001-01-07
Posts 50
Forest Lake, MN
1 posted 2001-01-07 10:42 PM


Hey Cass, this was really great-truly beautiful.  You are a talented writer and I love reading your pieces.  Thanks for sharing them!
Maverick Wolf
Member
since 1999-11-13
Posts 94
Scandia, MN
2 posted 2001-01-07 11:35 PM


Nice write Cassie.  Nice write.  It was an enjoyable piece to read.  Second chances in life are hard to come by.  I don't know how I'm left feeling by your story.  it's a sad story, but a happy ending.  I like it none the less.  Good job.
Maverick Wolf
Member
since 1999-11-13
Posts 94
Scandia, MN
3 posted 2001-01-07 11:35 PM


Nice write Cassie.  Nice write.  It was an enjoyable piece to read.  Second chances in life are hard to come by.  I don't know how I'm left feeling by your story.  it's a sad story, but a happy ending.  I like it none the less.  Good job.
fractal007
Senior Member
since 2000-06-01
Posts 1958

4 posted 2001-01-08 01:26 PM


Dawn Eclipse:

Great writing.  Your ability to take a situation such as love, and transport it to another place, such as Mars, is quite admirable.  Keep up the good work.

Dawn Eclipse
Senior Member
since 2000-01-31
Posts 637
The Horsehead Nebula
5 posted 2001-01-08 04:48 PM


Thanks for the replies guys!

Midnight Dew~  Thank you for your reply.  IT made me geta  huge smile on my face.  

Jason~  Shanks for the reply.  I'm glad I have confused you about how to feel about it.    In my opinion, i'm happy because of the second chance.  these are hard to come by, and even harder to spot.  Just my opinion though.

fractal007~  Thanks for the reply.  I enjoy taking and placing situations on a different place.  it's even more interesting to me than writings that take place on earth.  

"Forget regret, or life is yours to miss. No other course, no other way... No day but today"
~Broadway Musical RENT~

*Cassandra Roseen*


Alwye
Moderator
Member Elite
since 1999-06-16
Posts 3850
In the space between moments
6 posted 2001-01-08 09:23 PM


A sad write Cassers, but with a happy ending...second chances are indeed wonderful things.  We should always cherish them when we're fortunate enough to have them.  

*Krista Knutson*

I'm a slow dying flower
In a frost-killing hour
The sweet turning sour and untouchable...
-Natalie Merchant

Stan
Member
since 2001-01-01
Posts 120
Inland Empire Southern California
7 posted 2001-01-08 10:19 PM


Hello Dawn,

I too like the happier ending. You have a marvelous way of relating things that obviously you have knowledge about and making them seem real.  Thanks


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