We continue for a few more hours on foot before the group stops and sets up camp. Mia and I establish our usual setup alongside the mercenaries. Safety in numbers and all that. I watch as General Timerus’s team assembles their high-tech shelters, complete with storm guard systems—essential for surviving the relentless sandstorms of the Badlands.


We usually rely on simple tents, but tonight, at least, we have extra protection. Once everything is in place, Mia and I retreat to our tent. I settle into my bedroll, and she crawls in beside me. I sigh, hoping we’re safe with these people.


“So, we’re one step closer to finding the project that could finally give us all drinking water,” Mia murmurs.


“Yeah,” I say. “And one step closer to leaving this life behind.”


She shifts slightly, propping herself up on one elbow. “Are you saying you wouldn’t want another adventure after this?”


I hesitate. “I’m not sure. It’s exhausting, always being at risk of dying. Doesn’t that bother you?”


“Of course it does,” she says. “But if taking that risk means changing things for the better, isn’t it worth it?”


I exhale, conceding her point. “That’s fair.”

Before I can say more, a hand claps my shoulder. Timerus stands over us, his expression unreadable.


“You two have already done plenty for the world,” he says.


Mia sighs. “There’s always more to do. Like retrieving Project Purity.”


“She’s right,” I agree. “It’s not like the workload is getting any lighter.”


A fire crackles in the center of the mercenary camp, the scent of heated metal thick in the air. As we join the others, I spot canned goods being heated over the flames. The sight makes my stomach churn. Canned food from the old world tends to taste like metal more than anything else.


“Maybe the next big goal is getting proper food into the Badlands,” Mia jokes, forcing a laugh.


“Let’s handle the water situation first,” I say dryly. “One step at a time.”


Timerus sits on a rock, eating from a tin filled with a thick, brown paste. The sight alone is enough to turn my stomach, but I keep my expression neutral as he takes another bite. Mia wears a brave face, though I can tell she’s struggling with the taste.


“You ain’t hungry?” Timerus asks, eyeing me.


I can’t very well insult the food, but I also can’t bring myself to eat it. “Still shook up from earlier,” I lie.


Mia backs me up. “That, and we’re both excited for tomorrow. We finally reach the St. Lawrence Canyon.”


“That’s true,” I admit. “I’ve only ever heard of the place.”


“Most people have,” Timerus says. “Not many survive the trip through it, let alone twice. Not much is known about it.”


“Well, we’ll find out soon enough,” Mia says. “We know Project Purity was researched along the canyon, but whether it’s at the top or bottom remains a mystery.”


“It’ll probably be at the bottom,” I reason. “Erosion over time would have buried it.”


“He’s got a point,” Timerus nods. “That would save us from having to climb the other side. Who knows what’s up there?”


“Fair enough,” Mia says, standing. “Either way, I’m calling it a night. Long day tomorrow.”


“I’m coming too,” I say, following her back to our tent.


Inside, Mia settles in, her thoughts seemingly elsewhere. I don’t push. I strip down and slide into the bedroll beside her.


“Hey, Etha…” she whispers in the dark.


“Yeah?”


“Thanks for everything.”


Her voice is thick with exhaustion, and it isn’t long before her breathing evens out. I stare at the tent’s fabric ceiling, mulling over her words before sleep claims me.


A blaring horn shatters the morning stillness. Outside, the camp stirs to life. I roll out of bed, quickly pulling on my clothes. Mia shifts groggily before opening her eyes.


“Morning,” I say. “I assume we’ll eat before heading out.”


“Right,” she mutters, sitting up and stretching.


I make a conscious effort not to let my eyes linger. She’s always been comfortable around me, and I wouldn’t want to change that.


I gather my gear as she gets dressed. “So, the St. Lawrence Canyon today,” I say.


“Nervous?” she smirks.


“A bit,” I admit.


Once she’s ready, we step outside. The tent collapses into its compact form, and Mia pockets it. My stomach grumbles as we walk, a reminder that skipping last night’s meal might not have been the best choice.


“Well, well, you two wake up easy,” Timerus greets us from behind.


“We were looking for you before we head out,” Mia says.


“What’s on your mind?”


“We want to reach the canyon as soon as possible,” she says.


“The sooner we finish this mission, the better,” I add.


Timerus nods. “The group will eat first. A well-fed team is a strong team.”


“Make it quick,” Mia says. “We’ve been on the road for weeks.”


“Has it been that long?” I ask.


“Yeah, Etha. We left Basha three weeks ago,” she confirms.


“That’s unreal… Feels like only a few days.”


I sit by last night’s fire pit while the others eat. My stomach protests, but I refuse to touch the canned food. Who knows how long those tins were meant to last?


“Why aren’t you eating, Etha?” Mia asks, frowning.


“Not hungry,” I deflect.


“Fair enough,” Timerus shrugs. “Then let’s make the most of our time before we leave.”


“What do you have in mind?” I ask.


“Follow me and you’ll see.”


He strides off before I can signal Mia that I’ll be fine. I sigh and follow. A few minutes later, we stop beside a stack of crates.


“Load up—a primary, secondary, and some ammo,” he says, prying open a container filled with ballistic weapons.


“Just take my pick?”


“Yeah,” he confirms.


I nod and rummage through the selection, finally settling on a fully automatic rifle. Slinging it over my shoulder, I take a deep breath. The weight is comforting. At least now, if things go south, I’ll be ready.


I head back toward the center of camp, my mind already on the journey ahead.