(Viewpoint: Chetan)
Dawn does not break.
It infiltrates.
Slowly.
Without noise.
The sky pales above the ruins, washed out. Light slips between the broken structures, catches the edges of the concrete, crashes against the vegetation that has reclaimed everything.
I didn't sleep, I couldn't.
Not for a second.
Sitting against the wall, eyes open, staring at the entrance. Counting in silence. Listening to what doesn't exist.
I was far too lost
Eugene is breathing behind me. Regular, at least he had finally fallen asleep.
Stable.
And in front
I turn my head slightly.
Roum .
Exactly the same distance away.
Standing.
Immobile.
As if he had spent the night without moving.
I stared at her for a moment.
His dark veins are more visible in the light. They run up his neck, disappearing beneath his jaw. His arm… is no longer really an arm. A dark, dense mass that doesn't reflect light like the rest of him.
And yet
It seems "normal"
I look away.
– …we're moving.
My voice slightly broke the morning silence.
Eugene reacted immediately.
A movement behind me.
A breath.
- Already… ?
He said, stretching
I get up without answering. My muscles protest immediately. Heavy. Stiff.
I salvage what I can. Check the fasteners. An automatic gesture.
Eugene slowly straightens up. Less fragile. His eyes are brighter. More focused.
– Where are we going?
I look outside.
Then Roum.
– ahead, we move forward
No need for anything more.
I walk past him and he follows us directly.
He walked at a good distance, keeping pace with our steps.
- …Perfect.
The ruins are gradually opening up.
Less crushed.
The ground changes beneath our feet. Softer and more spongy.
The vegetation becomes thicker and taller. Some roots emerge from the soil like veins exposed to the open air.
The silence, however, remains unchanged.
CRACK !
I turn around abruptly, he's no longer there
– ROUM!
panic, he was no longer behind us
– …he guides us?
Eugene's voice was low.
- WHO ?
His faissant does
I look around and come across him
Flippant
Roum .
In front of us
No trace.
No noise.
How he walked past us.
- …Yeah.
Then its rhythm changes, subtly.
Roum accelerates.
A little.
Then again.
I pull Eugene and follow him.
– hey–
He doesn't stop.
I'm picking up the pace.
Eugene follows.
The terrain becomes uneven. Gentle descent. The structures almost completely disappear, replaced by an open expanse.
The air is changing.
More humid.
Heavier.
I can sense it before I see it.
A noise.
Distant.
Continuous.
A flow.
And a breeze envelops me
– …do you hear?
Eugene nods.
Roum, on the other hand, resumes his courtship as soon as we get too close.
He accelerates even more.
And-
The world opens up, a severe dazzle and a sweet scent of freshness
I stop dead in my tracks.
Breathless.
Before us, an immense fall.
A waterfall crashes into a deep blue, almost unreal pool. The water falls in a continuous, misty mass, covering everything with a light veil.
The ground turns to sand.
Blanc.
Clean.
As if nothing here had ever been touched.
Beyond
An infinite expanse.
Blue.
Calm.
An endless horizon.
I'm not saying anything.
I had never seen anything like it.
– …what the hell is this…
Eugene's voice is almost a laugh.
He walks past me.
He steps forward.
As if drawn in.
I'm not keeping it.
I'm staying back.
I'm watching Roum.
He is already further away.
On the edge.
Immobile.
Facing the water.
Eugene squats down.
Plunge your hands in.
Hesitates for a second.
Then he drinks.
A Sip.
A Second.
And-
He spits it out violently.
– PUAH— !
He coughs. He sits up.
– …what is this?!
He spits again, wipes his mouth.
– It's salty!
- dirty ?
I murmured calmly, still amazed by the sight
I look at the expanse.
Lost.
– …why is there so much water if it's undrinkable?
Eugene spit
Good question.
But I don't understand either.
PLOUFFFF !
A movement catches my eye.
Roum .
Without warning, he dives in without hesitation.
Without slowing down.
Direct.
His body disappears into the water.
I step forward immediately.
– ROUM!
He's going to drive me crazy
Too late.
Circles form on the surface.
– ROUM!
I started circling around the water
I grit my teeth.
– …is he serious?
Eugene joined me and also wanted to jump into the water.
– Where are you going… don't come near
I squint and stare into the water.
A silhouette.
Who is walking away.
Fast.
Fluid.
– …than what he does.
It gradually disappears into the blue.
My jaw clenches.
– …we follow him.
quickly removing some of my equipment.
Observe the water one last time.
And dive
– hhummmm..
She is cold.
Odd.
I stop for a second, I see nothing
It stings the eyes.
Nothing is visible.
I stop and stick my head out
Breathe.
The water went to my head
– …I will finish this mission.
– Why can't you just stay quiet?