Unwind. Get some sleep.

“I suppose we should get some rest then.” You whisper to Flora. She nods, still a little awkward after your last experience with her.

“Hey, actually...I need to ask you something”

“Oh...Ah, yes we could if you’d like to.” You reply.

“I would,” she chases quickly. “Let’s talk above though. I don’t want to wake up our, um...Tunnel mate.”

With that said, you both make your way back up to the hatch and out of the shack. It was colder above, much colder! Despite your initial reaction to the bite of the cold, you were able to brush it off once you both stepped outside. The moonlight ignited the landscape in a soft shade of dark blue.

A cloud of smoke leaves your mouth as you let out a heavy exhale. Flora leans against the shack and does the same, but she doesn’t seem to notice anything outside of her mind. In fact, there are few moments of silence. It isn’t very peaceful since the suspense of what else she could tell you is lingering in the air.

After about five minutes pass, you decide to break it. “What did you want to talk about?”

“I’m going to tell you why I am here.” She hugs herself. Her eyes dart towards you. All her features have been blued out by the outside world. “You’re a contractor...You’re not so much like the others.”

“I’m not really sure if I understand what you mean by that.”

“People can pay you to be neutral. I’m more asking out of desperation.”

How am I supposed to reply to that?

You just look at her and tilt your head, silently telling her to continue telling her problems to you. “I’m going to ask you to make sure Amari returns safe to the rest of the team. She’s honestly my only shot of returning back to my family.”

“What about your family?” you ask her, but she doesn't reply. “I guess I can give you my word that I can try to help out as much as I can.”

She shakes her head, wanting to say something else about what you’ve just said.

“Just stay away from me. I don’t want you to get close to me. I don’t even want to be friends. I just want a mutual line of respect and trust.”

“Say no more. I’m just being paid to help out here.”

She sighs. “Well...I don't have any money, but what would make you more...willing to risk your life for mine?”

“A roll of cash.” You snap quickly with a smug smile and a stupid glance. When your humor doesn’t amuse her, you clear your throat and try again. “Jesus, I don’t know. A kiss?”

“You can’t be serious.”

To be honest, you weren’t and you realize this is a terrible time to make any jokes. “Just remember your debts when you get back to your desired destination, I guess.”

"I am confident I can get something worked out if I get back to where I want to be. I can promise you that much."

With that said, you both shake hands. You both go back under. Between the two of you, there is an untold amount of trust and respect for each other. You don’t know where the relationship really stands right now; but you know that you’ve gotta do what’s best for Flora, which means helping Amari get out of whatever trouble she’s in right now...