The morning brought a strange calm after the storm. Jas couldn’t shake the feeling that something was lingering in the air, something heavy and unsaid. The strangers, Clara and her father, had stayed overnight, taking shelter from the relentless winds.
As the group sat at the breakfast table, Clara’s father shared more of their story. He spoke of the chaos they’d seen in nearby towns—fires raging, resources dwindling, and strange messages on old screens about humanity’s downfall.
But Clara was quiet. Too quiet.
---
The day passed in a flurry of small tasks—repairing storm damage, checking on the animals, and salvaging supplies. Jas noticed Clara watching the sky often, her brow furrowed with worry.
By the time the sun began to set, Jas found her sitting alone near the edge of the clearing, Miracle by her side, Cupid nestled in her lap.
“You okay?” Jas asked, sitting down beside her.
Clara hesitated, then nodded. “I’m fine. Just… thinking.”
Jas waited, sensing there was more.
Finally, Clara sighed. “I need to tell you something. But you can’t tell anyone else—not even my dad. Promise me.”
Jas blinked. “Clara, what’s going on?”
She hesitated again, then leaned in close. “I saw something... back before the power went out for good. Something on one of those old emergency broadcasts. It wasn’t just warnings or news. It was plans—plans for a place, a sanctuary, somewhere safe. They called it ‘Eden.’”
Jas felt their heart skip a beat. “Why haven’t you told anyone?”
Clara’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Because it’s not what it seems. It’s not for everyone. And... I think my dad knows more about it than he’s letting on.”
Before Jas could respond, the cabin door creaked open. Ivy Mae’s voice called out, “Jas, Clara—hot chocolate’s ready!”
Clara gave a small, sad smile. “Let’s keep this between us, okay?”
Jas nodded, though their mind was spinning.
---
Back inside, the atmosphere was lighter. Ivy Mae had managed to whip up a batch of hot chocolate sweetened with honey. She handed steaming mugs to everyone, her smile soft and warm.
“Happy Valentine’s Day,” she said.
Miracle and Cupid played near the fire, their antics drawing laughter from the group. The dog had a protective paw over the tiny kitten, who batted at his ears playfully.
Roman surprised everyone by revealing a hand-drawn sketch of the cabin, surrounded by lavender fields and a glowing moon. In the corner, he’d drawn everyone together—Jas, Ivy Mae, Clara, her father, Miracle, and Cupid.
“It’s amazing,” Ivy Mae whispered, her eyes shining with emotion.
“It’s just something I’ve been working on,” Roman mumbled, his face flushing.
Jas smiled. “You’ve got talent, Roman. This is… perfect.”
---
Later, as the fire crackled and the group began to settle for the night, a sudden power surge flickered through the cabin. Everyone froze as Clara’s father’s tablet lit up.
On the screen was a grainy video of Elon Musk, his face pale and frantic. “The ships... they failed. I don’t know why, but they failed. I told them this was supposed to work. We were supposed to escape!” His voice cracked as he began to sob, “It’s over.”
The video cut abruptly, replaced by static.
Clara’s father quickly shut the tablet off, his hands trembling. “We need to move on tomorrow,” he muttered, his voice shaking.
But Jas barely heard him. Their mind was racing with Clara’s words and the strange message. What was “Eden”?
And as the storm raged outside, Jas couldn’t shake the feeling that they were standing on the edge of something monumental.
For now, they’d hold onto the warmth of the cabin, the laughter, and the fleeting moments of connection. But the secrets and shadows lingered, waiting to be unveiled.