Again, I've taken forever to get a new chapter out, but here is one! I hope you like it! 

Admin, please let me know if it is too long and I need to resubmit something! :)

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“They should be here by now, they’re the most punctual people here, besides the zombie— I mean Myriad. I don’t know where they’d be, and I’ll bet that since they’re not here, they’re probably in some kind of danger. I like danger. Let’s go find them!” Selena blurts, causing a few glances to look her way.

 

“I’m telling you… they’ve probably been recruited for the second step of The Plan. I bet they’re ill in their beds, unable to move or eat, feeling like a knife is piercing their insides. We should stop this before it gets any more out of hand. Imagine… YOU could be next.” Myriad says next, causing even more glances to look her way, these ones a bit more intense than those Selena had received.

 

Avery walks into the room, irked at finding only eight of the amateurs.

 

“Where are Athene and Nova? I told them to be here. They should be here. Why aren’t they here?” She asks.

 

“We don’t know, Avery, that’s what we were talking about too. Should we go look for them? Check their rooms and stuff? And then we can eat. I’m so starving.” Sam Jersey asks. 

 

Avery sighs, long and deep, and lets her face sink into her palms, her strict façade melting away. A new, worried, almost caring expression takes a hold of her face. 

 

Good things don’t last forever.

 

She stiffens and her eyes go cold, the vulnerability seen just moments ago fade away into nothingness as if it was never there. Avery looks between the eight, letting her eyes hover on each one for a moment, a moment long enough to make someone’s insides curl into a ball and wish to never untangle. Once she makes her rounds on the astronauts, her brain begins to conflict over two, really meaningless things. Should they go, or should they not? Eventually, she decides that the children (and young adults and adults, but they’re all the same to Avery), should try to find the other children (see previous parenthesis if you’re still angry at being called a child), because children take to children (if you’re still mad, then I suggest you re-read the entire paragraph until you are no longer mad, because I give up) a lot easier than children take to adults. 

 

“Fine, go ahead and look for them. If they’re not found in thirty minutes, meet me back here and I shall serve you the breakfast you require, and then you will go out and search longer, until you find them dead or alive, or even floating through space. Now go. I’ll meet you here at exactly 8:45 and not a moment later.”

 

Avery walks off mumbling something under her breath. Something along the lines of, ‘you’ve already been late once, surely you all can be on time once in your life,’ but no one heard that except the walls of the spaceship. Yes, walls can hear you. Don’t be so surprised. They have ears too, you know.

 

Nathaniel looks to Sam D., Sam D. looks to Sam J., Sam J. looks to Val, Val looks to Zo, Zo looks to Finn, Finn looks to Selena, Selena looks to Myriad, and Myriad stares out the nearby window, confusing the others at what she’s trying to find, but if they had some common sense, they’d know that Myriad was looking for flaming, bloated bodies that resembled her crewmates. But they don’t. So that is that. 

 

“Okay, Zo and I will go search corridors A, B, and C; Sam Jersey and Selena, you both should search the upper deck, the lower deck, and storage closets; Nathaniel and Sam Dayler, please search systems, command, and anything else you deem necessary; and finally, Finn and Myriad, since you both seem so daring to do so, you can check corridor D, Nova’s room, Athene’s room, and airlock. Take the alarm/timer thingy that you have in the space suit’s hip pocket and set them for 8:40, so that gives you enough time to get back without angering Avery. Understood?” Val says, taking command of the search expedition, as doing so is the only thing she knows. 

 

The others nod in agreement and run off to start their assigned searches. Well, not everyone. Myriad stays, staring almost dreamily out the window, forcing Finn to stay and stare at her, hoping she realizes what they need to do. While he waits, he sets the alarm for 8:40 without taking his eyes off Myriad, waiting for her to snap into reality. One minute passes by, then two, and Finn becomes angrier with each passing second until he cannot wait anymore, the assignment of the harshest areas pressuring him into vexation. 

 

“Hello? Myriad? Are you in there? We have to go.”

 

“Okay, Mr. Clock.” She responds almost immediately, as if she was waiting for him to try and snap her out of her trance. “I’m telling you, this is all part of their Plan. We’re going to walk in and find them sick in their beds, and then a day later, we’ll be confined in our own, our bones shaking and eyes unmoving, so sick that we just want to end it right then and there, but we won’t, because we think we’ll survive. Then it’ll get worse. I don’t understand why. Going to Mars would have been so fun.” She says, her voice slipping from the cheery, sleep-deprived attitude, to a more dreary one. 

 

“Well now, pessimist of the century, you never know what may happen. We could find them completely healthy and playing cards. We could find them trapped in their closet by accident, especially since those things are so broken that I consider them a safety hazard. Something else entirely could happen.”

 

“But, Finn, I heard them. I heard them talking about The Plan. I know. It will happen. And if no one believes me, then, when I’m the only one alive at the end, I’ll give you all beautiful eulogies, but then call you stupid for not listening to me. But, we can go with your idea for now. I just need you to trust me when the time comes.”

 

“I guess so. That is later, though. For now, we need to find Nova and Athene, and hope that nothing bad has happened to them.”

 

“Sure.”

 

Myriad unbuckles herself from the table and floats over to Finn before they leave for corridor D, the sleeping chambers where they’ve been for so long. They pass by every curtain that does not match the one belonging to Athene or Nova, until they reach the deep black curtain that marks the entrance of Nova’s room. 

 

“Ladies first.” Myriad says, snickering at her own joke, while Finn stares at her blankly.

 

Once he understands, he grimaces at the horrible joke, but enters first anyways, wanting to get the part that everyone fears over with first. Of course people fear entering someone’s room, especially when that someone could be dead on the floor, or something else completely disgusting and horrifying. Finn knows that if you try not to anticipate, it doesn’t get that bad, your brain tries to keep the fear at bay. So he doesn’t. 

 

When Finn peels back the dark curtain, what he finds inside Nova’s room really doesn’t surprise him at all. It’s not bad, nor good, which, when all is added up, amounts to good. He allows Myriad to come in and survey the room, and watches as the sorrow on her face fades away and is replaced by confusion. A tad of anger glimmers in her eyes, but she tries not to show it. Her mother always said not to show your anger. Her mother was the only thing she had loved in this hard, cold life. And she was gone. Forever. So, Myriad blinks her eyes, making it so you can’t see the emotions behind the wall of glaze, making the anger fade behind the new wall of an emotionless state. 

 

“Well, I guess it’s a good thing neither of them are in here? Because that may mean they’re still alive?” Finn says, trying to not only assure Myriad everything is going to be okay, but trying to convince himself of the same fact. 

 

“I guess so.”

 

“Let’s go to Athene’s now. She’s on the other side of that door, I think. Her room, I mean, but she could very well be in there, too.”

 

“All right.”

 

They cross over into Athene’s room through the connecting door, but this time with hope that they are not in there. Well, of course Myriad and Finn hope they’re alive and well, but it would be quite horrifying if they walked into Athene’s room and found something that would probably haunt their dreams, right? As much as I’d love to say that they walked in, and were completely fine afterwards, that was, unfortunately, not the case. Instead, when Myriad entered first, she let out a gasp so loud that she almost fell over from the weight of it. This, of course, caused Finn to let the anticipation in, and scare himself so bad, and he didn’t even see the worst of it. Yet.

 

Myriad shrieks again and closes her eyes before collapsing onto the nearby sofa, her breathing heavy. This means that Finn can now see Nova and Athene lying on the floor, and he pales, staring awkwardly at the two people on the ground. A million reactions flood through his head, but he doesn’t do anything, except being cemented onto the floor. 

 

Since I should probably share the joy of Finn and Myriad’s view to you all, and I know you’ll love it, let me interrupt all the cementing and heavy breathing for a short, almost entirely meaningless segment about the horror that poor Finn and Myriad had to witness.

 

Nova lay on the floor, one leg twisted rather oddly, and the other quite scraped, enough that you could see the thin blood tissue right before the bone. Their arms were across their chest almost ceremoniously, as if maybe they were playing funeral. As if you could put a bouquet of flowers in their arms. Nova’s head lay on a white carpet, stained with the maroon of old blood. If you looked towards the top of their head, you could see the small gash on their head that led to the pool of blood on the plush, white carpet. Surely, once Jace knew about this, xe would be furious. Somehow, Nova was not floating around, but instead anchored to the ground. Their gravity boots were nowhere in sight. The whole situation was rather vexing, especially seeing as they were on the ground, not floating in the air, and that nobody had mentioned that there was some kind of very, very rude person on the spaceship that would do such a thing to such a sweet girl. 

 

But don’t forget about Athene. 

 

Sure, she’s easy to forget, but so is Nova. Move on with your life. 

 

Athene lay right next to her friend, her knee quite broken, seeing as the bone was protruding out of her knee and there was a puddle of dried, crusty blood underneath. The other leg was left unscathed, but looked very puffy. Perhaps there was a sprain or a break that was not noticeable. Or she had an allergic reaction. Who knows. Her arms, unlike Nova, were twisted. Her left arm looked as if it were hanging out of the socket, and her right was quite nasty. The skin was littered with bruises from a dark, purpley-black, to a pale yellow, to a forest green. If her pale skin was still there, there was very little of it that peeked out from under the bruised layer. Athene’s eye was encircled by a nasty black and purple bruise, also known as a black eye. Her nose was crooked and blood crusted her lip and the side of her face. She sported quite a fancy gash on her forehead that also looked as if it had once dripped blood. She, like Nova, was also anchored to the ground, the weightlessness effect gone. Finn and Myriad did not have the guts to investigate why, so they stared at the two people.

 

Though they appeared to be dead, they were not, in fact, dead. They were very much alive. Just badly hurt. If you strained your ears, you could hear the subtle breathing and heartbeat from Athene, and the even subtler breathing and heartbeat from Nova.

 

It was very perplexing who would do such a thing, and who would do such a thing to two people who were probably the kindest astronauts on board. But, Myriad though, it’s probably all in their plan. Take out the good ones first. They aren’t going to get away with this...

 

“So, uh, what should we do?” She says, after finally being able to sit up once more, and look Finn in the eye without glancing towards the mangled bodies on the floor. 

 

“Well, the smart thing would be to go back to the breakfast hall, see if Avery is there, and if she is, tell her. Or, we could take them to the infirmary ourselves, which could look like we’re trying to smuggle the bodies, which could look like we’re the ones who did such a dastardly deed to the kindest, quietest people here. I think that we should do the former; it’s probably less risky.”

 

“I agree.”

 

As Myriad says the last syllable of ‘agree’, the timer in Finn’s pocket beeps madly, loud enough to make someone’s ears physically bleed. But, thankfully, it doesn’t, and no blood, besides the caked blood from Nova and Athene, comes out of anyone’s ears.

 

Finn turns abruptly, and leaves out the connecting door, Myriad tailing not too far behind, but with a noticeable limp. It was not there before she entered Athene’s room, and the mystery behind the limp is very strange, but, don’t worry, it will be explained later. Myriad has all sorts of tricks up her sleeve. You just have to watch your own back. She could be there at any moment.

 

***

 

When they arrive at the breakfast hall, sure enough, Avery is standing there, displaying platters of steaming hot pancakes and scrambled eggs, with bottles of orange juice and coffee in front of each person’s spot. The smell wafts through the hall, making Myriad smile, remembering the warmth of her mother’s smile as she made pancakes and eggs every Sunday for Missy and Myriad. Remembering what it was like to be a part of a family. Remembering how after they had finished the pancakes and swiped all the syrup away, before moving to the eggs, and finally, after completely finishing, they’d do the dishes together, singing songs from ‘Annie’, like ‘Hard Knock Life’. Remembering how once that was done, they’d pile onto the couch and choose a romantic-comedy to watch, or a sci-fi movie, depending on how irritable Missy was being at the time. Remembering how Missy was killed on a Sunday. Remembering how her mother died four Sundays after Missy. Remembering how Miss McCullers was killed eight Sundays after her beloved mother. Remembering how she was the reason for all of it. 

 

And she truly hates herself for it. She wishes she could go back. She wishes she could control her temper. 

 

Once you take one step towards the edge of a cliff, it’s a lot easier to fall off the edge than you would think…

 

***

 

“Hello, Finn, Myriad. Welcome back. Anything new to report?”

 

Finn opens his mouth to speak, but Myriad looks at him, signalling with her eyes that she would like to tell the story. So, being the person he is, he lets Myriad speak. She pauses for a moment, waiting for the rest of the astronauts to come in, then hobbles to the front of the room, which obviously causes everyone to look between her and Finn, and try to determine what happened. Myriad looks up, her face scrunched into sorrow, her eyes more wet than usual. Finn looks appalled and confused. Right where she wants him. 

 

“We found them; we found Nova and Athene. They were perfectly fine in Athene’s room, playing cards together, and then the most dreadful thing happened. Finn attacked all three of us! If you don’t believe it, you should take a look at the dastardly sight in Athene’s room. Do you see my limp? I’ve been attacked!”

 

Gasps flood throughout the hall, and Finn flushes a deep crimson. People point and stare. Myriad smirks under the cover of her hands, before resuming the false, sad façade.

 

“Wait a minute.” He says, his voice wobbly, causing everyone to halt their whispers and quiet once more. “We both saw that the blood was dry. The incident had to have happened at least last night, no sooner. And you were walking just fine a moment ago. Who says we should all believe Myriad now?”

 

“You’re the only one allowed out of your room. For “filming”. How did you know that what happened to those poor girls had to have happened last night or earlier?” She pauses and gasps for dramatic effect. “I bet YOU are part of The Plan. Are you related to Jace or Avery by any chance? Did you strike a bargain with them, so they keep you alive? YOU did this, Finn, and now, your crime is out in the open, and you’re fumbling like a fish out of water. Admit your failure!”

 

“Excuse me, lady insanity, but Avery had decided that last night, I should spend the night in my room, as it would be “safer” for me to do so. You can even ask her, she’s standing right there.” Finn gestures to Avery, who responds with a brief nod, confirming his alibi. “After all, you looked awfully tired this morning, and the performance you put on in Athene’s room with all the fainting was quite obviously a show. Are you trying to cover up for something you did? Blame it on me instead?”

 

“I have an idea.” Nathaniel says quietly, as if he is not quite sure he really does have an idea. “What if… we went to their rooms and observed the scene, then took the two to the infirmary, so the doctors on board can bring them back to consciousness, and then decided on a verdict?”

 

“I like your idea.” Zo replies rather instantly, a nervous tone hiding in the back of their voice.

 

“I don’t know, Myriad is making a pretty strong case.” Sam Jersey says, even though, in the back of his mind, he remembers the events from this morning. “She is right, though, about how Finn was the only one allowed out of his room. And who knows? Maybe Avery is covering for Finn, too?”

 

“Maybe you shouldn’t believe every conspiracy you hear.” Finn snaps. “Anyways, I agree with Nathaniel. It seems to be a logical response to what is happening here.”

 

“All right. Then it is decided. We will observe the girls, but only after we get breakfast. I am so starving, I could eat a meteor.” Val says.

 

Everyone mumbles their agreements and takes a place at the table in front of a platter of Sunday Brunch in Space. Some scarf down the meal almost instantly, while others pick at their syrup-soaked pancakes and already soggy scrambled eggs, taking their time and admiring the beauty of the breakfast. The people who decided to eat way too fast end up with painful stomach aches and a longing for more food, while they watch the others slowly eat the deliciousness that no one knew could be made in space. Eventually, and not soon enough, the last person finishes their meal and drinks the last drop of their precious coffee, causing everyone to randomly and casually sigh in relief. 

 

“Let’s go now.” Sam Dayler says. “We have a lot of investigating to do.”

 

Everyone proceeds to stand up and file out of the breakfast hall, leaving nothing behind but the coffee stain on the tablecloth and the sticky syrup on their plates. Finn leads the way, eager to prove his case to the others around him, while  Myriad skulks behind the group, feeling awfully sick. And it’s not because she is regretting any of her decisions or reliving the murder of her own family, but instead, it is true sickness. However, she does not know this, and proceeds to follow the others to Athene’s room, ready to back up her extreme claim of being attacked. 

 

When they arrive, the first to enter the room, besides Finn, since he already witnessed the horror, gasps and loses their footing for just a moment. This person happens to be Sam Dayler. They take a seat on Athene’s cot, their reaction similar to Myriad’s earlier. Once able to recover, they creep closer to the barely breathing humans on the ground, observing the dried blood and horrid wounds. 

 

Sam has their answer decided almost instantly, knowing that it couldn’t have possibly been Finn, because, just as he said before, the blood is dry, and after all, everyone had left their room at least once during the month. It could have been anyone. But Finn, well, you could read him like an open book with comic sans font, size 100. He was not a good liar, and everyone knew it. However, now the blame turned to Myriad. She had been exhausted in the morning, and possibly could have been awake committing the violent crimes against the two poor people on the ground. Myriad, though she was not as easy to read as Finn, was very peaceful, despite the brief moments of insanity. She couldn’t have possibly done such a terrible deed, right? Sam believed that they were both innocent, and that Athene and Nova immediately needed to get to the infirmary.

 

“I don’t think it was either of them who did such a thing.” Sam says suddenly, causing heads to snap their way. “I’m serious. Finn, I’m sorry, but you’re a terrible liar, and Myriad, you don’t seem violent enough.”

 

“I told you that I didn’t do anything.” Finn explains.

 

“I just said that. Don’t be too insistent, or maybe I’ll change my mind.” 

 

“Sorry, sorry.”

 

“All right, but then how do you explain this?” Myriad says, revealing her knee, all black and blue.

 

“Well, you could have fallen onto metal bars anywhere, because there sure are a lot of those, or you could have clanged your knee onto a gravity boot, or into a table. After all, people with delicate skin do bruise easily, you could have simply just collapsed onto the floor and banged your knee.“ Sam says, exasperated at how insistent Myriad seems to be about pinning the blame on Finn.

 

“Yeah, and in space, I heard that everyone’s bodies are a lot more frail because of the change of atmosphere.” adds Nathaniel.

 

“Ah. Okay. So they have you all, too. Me versus the world. All right. Show me what you got.” Myriad retorts, putting up a defensive shield.

 

“No, no, no one is against you or working with other people. We’re all just here. Going to Mars. Like Jace said when xe invited me, and all of you, too. I don’t know what’s been up with you lately, but a lot of things you’ve said have been really, really wild. Maybe we should take you to the infirmary as well? Just for a check-up? Pop in for a moment and let the psychologist have a look at you?” Val suggests.

 

“No thanks. I have a perfectly nice psychologist and her name is Abcde. Actually, she’s not that great, but you get what you get when you live by yourself in a shack by the lake. I also have a pig who produces cow cheese. It’s quite nice. You should visit sometime.”

 

“No thanks, but that is sure a kind offer.”

 

“Anytime.” Myriad says, as if she doesn’t sense the tone of fear in Val’s voice.

 

“So, should we go get Avery and take these two to get some help?” Sam Dayler says, and then lowers her voice to a whisper quiet enough for Myriad to miss it. “And maybe her, too?”

 

“I say we shall.” Nathaniel replies, receiving a mutual head nod from the rest. 

 

And so, like promised, the eight go down to Avery, so the two poor people can finally, after a sum of three days of torture, get the medical care they need.

Hi, everyone. Due to intense NaNo fatigue, and temporarily taking full control of me and another person's ski lodge, I am postponing the next chapter for a bit. Probably for a week or so, but maybe longer. Sorry!