The wheels of the large dolly creaked along the metal bearings of the cargo bay before stopping near the passenger seats.
Straps fastened them to the center of the plane, having them positioned between the two side doors.
Grimm stretched his back out, leaning his hips forward before walking out of the plane.
"It's finally done."
Dean pulled his arm over his head by the wrist.
"You said it…"
He continued walking down the open door, pointing towards the metal cooler sitting on the far wall.
"...There's some canteens of water in there."
Grimm wiped the sweat from his brow, heading towards the container.
"Those things were heavy."
Dean lifted the container's top.
"I know. You'd think Tremor could get the robots to load it on the plane as well."
Grimm leaned against the wall.
"I think he does it on purpose."
Dean tossed a canteen over his shoulder, holding another one in his left hand.
"Probably."
Grimm caught the canteen, cracking the lid as Dean leaned on the wall next to him.
Orange sunlight rested on the garage floor while the sun slowly descended to the horizon.
Grimm's eyes—
Focused.
On the setting sun.
I've still got some time.
His posture—
Straightened.
As he took a few sips of the water.
Dean watched Grimm walk in front of, placing the canteen on the table's surface.
"Where are you headed?"
Sweat ran down the metal cylinder, dripping to the surface of the workstation.
Grimm turned towards the rafter stairs.
"There's something I forgot."
Dean nodded, tilting his canteen towards him.
"Alright then."
Grimm's fist—
Clenched.
As he slowly ascended the stairs.
I couldn't—
His head shook, cutting off the thought as his left finger ran between the lines of bolts in his skull.
Mechanical humming sounded in the quiet hallway, mixing in with the steady buzzing of fluorescent lights.
Cold air from the vents above brushed along the rusted bolts, twitching his head briefly.
Grimm scratched his head as he headed towards the courtyard entrance.
I'm still not used to that.
He stepped beyond the threshold, walking amongst the silent area.
A steady stream from the middle spout filled the quiet space.
The clockwork figures were shut down resting alongside the quarry machines.
Footsteps—
Approached.
From the living quarters hallway.
Grimm turned towards the sound, raising his palm towards the entrance.
"Hey, Art."
Art's head was low with her finger resting on her chin.
Her movements—
Stopped.
"Hello."
Grimm snapped his finger, pointing at her.
"Are you leaving soon?"
Art's gaze moved up.
"Yes…shouldn't you be going to the garage as well?"
Grimm scratched the back of his neck.
"I just came from there."
Art's eyebrows furrowed.
"Then why are you coming here?"
Grimm watched Art's eyes shift around the empty courtyard.
"I forgot something…"
He continued watching her look around.
"...it's just us here you know?"
Art's hand—
Lowered.
Removing the finger from her chin.
"I can see that."
Grimm softly chuckled to himself.
"Kane might already be waiting in the dune buggy."
Art sighed.
"Yeah right…"
She rested her hand along the pistol in her holster.
"...anyways, are you ready?"
Grimm's face—
Tightened.
As he looked towards the medical wing.
"There's one more thing I have to prepare."
Art's eyes—
Twitched.
Looking at Grimm's expression.
"I see…"
She began walking towards the garage.
"...I'm going to head on."
Grimm nodded.
"Good luck on your mission."
Art's expression—
Focused.
On the path before her.
"You too."
Her footsteps grew distant leaving Grimm standing in the courtyard alone.
He was—
Still.
Facing the medical wing entrance.
This is fine.
His right foot stepped.
A short—
Pause.
Before the left followed.
Grimm's figure left the fading warmth of the setting sunlight.
He was shrouded in the dim hallway, feeling the cold air flow around him.
…
Art passed the entrance to the garage, stepping out to the metal rafters above.
She looked towards the centered airship watching the platform slowly raise the entrance to her level.
Her eyes—
Shifted.
Looking around the floor.
Kane's not here either.
She exhaled through her nose as she began descending the stairs, reaching the ground floor a few moments later.
A burning flame flickered from the end of a small torch, sending sparks from the side of the vehicle.
Dean lifted his mask, twisting the knob to turn off the torch.
"Art, the dune buggy is ready to go."
Art lifted the keys from the table.
"Thanks Dean."
Dean stood straight, placing the torch in his tool box.
"Don't mention it."
Art paused, spinning the key by the ring before clasping it in her hand.
"Have you seen Kane anywhere?"
Dean shook his head, wiping his hands off with a cloth rag.
"Haven't seen him since we got back from the east lab."
Art unlatched the trunk, sliding the top panel to the side before.
"I see."
She unmounted her railgun, placing it inside before locking it closed.
Where could he be?
She shook her head briefly before moving towards the driver's seat.
The sun was half below the horizon shining its light on the empty passenger seat.
Art sat down checking the cab before placing the key in the ignition.
She sat—
Alone.
Clicking in her seatbelt.
She checked the holsters at her waist before running her hand along the large canister bullets at her waist.
I'm sure Arthur will handle him.
Art turned the key forward, resting her hand on the steering wheel.
The ignition—
Clicked.
A moment later.
Headlights—
Flickered.
Before holding a solid light.
The air—
Shifted.
Pulling away from the passenger seat.
Art's ears twitched as she glanced towards the seat.
It felt—
Distant.
As if it was out of arms reach.
Her eyes narrowed trying to focus on the slight blur before her.
Is that—
Kane sat—
Still.
Facing the setting sun.
It's light—
Warped.
Not touching his cold figure.
Art's grip tightened on the steering wheel.
When did he…
A word—
Dissipated.
Before it left her lips.
She shook her head, lightly pressing the acceleration pedal down.
The buggy accelerated a moment later, driving Art and Kane towards the horizon.
Her face tightened, looking out to the rocky wasteland.
…for now I should focus on the mission.
Kane sat—
Motionless.
Unmoving with the bouncing vehicle.
The crack—
Shifted.
Centering itself within.
His chains—
Aligned.
Resting completely silent.
…
Metal pipes ran beneath the grated edges of the floors around him, moving water throughout their system.
Grimm continued towards the double doors at the end of the hall, listening to the clicking of heels approaching him.
His breathing—
Steadied.
As he grew closer.
Yvette's stride paused before him, resting her hands in her coat pockets.
"I'm going to step out for a bit…"
She removed her fist, holding a small metal box.
"...so would you watch her for me?"
Grimm's hand slowly clenched.
"I came to do just that."
Yvette softly smiled, turning the gear on the back of the box.
A thin metal cylinder exited from the top, as she grabbed the end with her teeth.
"Enjoy your time."
She walked past him, heading into the green room on her right.
Grimm's stride continued pausing before the hinge doors.
His palm—
Rested.
On the entrance's surface.
Grimm's eyes—
Focused.
As he pushed his arm forward.
The curtains swayed with the passing breeze scraping their metal hooks along the rods they were fastened to.
Elaina sat—
Motionless.
Facing towards the open window.
Her chin—
Tucked.
As the gray strings hung from her fingertips.
Grimm quietly walked towards her, lifting the small hairbrush on the table next to him.
He focused on the handle, looking at the orange stuffed elephant design.
It's still the same.
A soft—
Smile.
Rested upon his lips.
His fingers—
Reached.
Lifting the strands of her darkened hair.
Grimm softly glided the brush through the silky strands, as he kept his gaze on the back of her head.
I guess Yvette washed it earlier…it's still a little wet.
He continued brushing, slowing his pace when he passed over damp areas.
His attention—
Stayed.
On the strands of hair.
Elaina's finger—
Twitched.
Barely moving up.
Unnoticed.
Grimm's gentle expression held as he brushed the final strand.
He lifted them, watching the hair slowly fall through his fingers.
His palm—
Empty.
Grimm's pupils—
Narrowed.
It's my—
A faint light reflected off the brush's handle, resting upon the bridge of his nose.
He shook his head, returning his mind to the present.
Grimm walked around the wheelchair, placing the hairbrush on Elaina's lap.
The pattern faced her empty gaze.
Grimm's posture straightened as he walked towards the door.
His jaw—
Tightened.
As he pushed open the door.
He paused at the threshold, keeping his gaze completely forward.
Grimm's stride—
Continued.
As Yvette's heels clicked towards him.
She walked past him, whispering with a soft tone.
"Thank you."
Grimm was—
Silent.
As he kept walking.
His back—
Faced.
The hospital room.
Yvette watched him leave, not turning around one last time.
Were you able to finally do it?
She walked into the room, heading towards Elaina
"Let's head out to the patio for a moment and look at the stars."
Her eyes—
Widened.
Looking at the missing brush.
Did I misplace it?
Her finger rested on her chin as he stopped behind Elaina.
A warm—
Smiled.
Rested along her lips.
The brush—
Sat.
In Elaina's lap.