As I reach the edge, I notice there are actually two pools, one smaller and elevated, the other large enough to fit at least four people. We can drink from the tiny one and bathe in the larger one. Problem solved.
Raising my arm, I sniff my armpit and wrinkle my nose. Wandering around in the desert isn’t exactly clean work. I could use a bath and I suppose now is as good a time as any, since I’m alone. Who knows when I’ll get another chance?
Thankfully, the dimly glowing light of the gemstones embedded in the cave walls casts just enough illumination for me to see clearly. Without these, I’d probably be stumbling around in the dark.
Peeling off my clothes, I fold them neatly near the edge of the water. I always wanted to try skinny-dipping in a hot spring after reading about natural springs in some history books. By the time I was born, places like this no longer existed on Earth.
My home world started dying long before my birth. It was only a matter of time before the extinction of our race was brought on by our careless actions.
Softly shaking my head, I push my dark thoughts to the back of my mind as I dip my toe into the water. It’s warm and inviting. With Varus gone, I don’t have to worry about his roaming eyes making me self-conscious. Slowly, I wade in. The pool is deep enough to submerge completely.
This is Heaven.
Leaning against the pool’s edge, my thoughts return to Varus. I’m so lucky he found me when he did. I had thought the first predator that attacked me was terrifying, but the dragon that followed was so much worse. I’ve never been so scared in my life. Even when space pirates attacked my ship and my world fell apart while we raced to the escape pods, I was able to keep a clear head. But when that dragon loomed over me, I was so sure I was doomed. I can’t imagine a worse fate than being eaten alive.
I need to get back to my people and warn them about what I’ve found. I mean, I suspected we’d find animal life on this world, but I had no idea there’d be dragons. I plan to ask Varus to help me find my people, though I wonder if I’m requesting too much. He’s already going out of his way to feed me.
However, if we’re going to survive here, life would be much easier with help from the locals.
Plus, I would love an excuse to get to know him better. Not just because I’m attracted to him; he knows the lay of the land. And if Varus’s people are as friendly as he is, even better.
Lying back, I allow myself to float peacefully in the warm water, feeling the last of my tension melt away as I relax. I can’t remember a time I was able to bathe like this. My entire life, I’ve always used a shower. Water was a precious commodity on Earth and the colony ships.
Soaking in the warm springs feels like a decadent luxury. I wonder how common these pools are in the desert. Perhaps I can convince my people to move into these caves. Our ancestors used to live like this, so it’s not a huge stretch to think we could settle in this section of our new world. As a bonus, we’d be relatively safe from predators and sandstorms.
I dip my head below the water and run my fingers through the long, silken strands of my red hair, relishing the warmth and the sensation of cleanliness. If my people do decide to move into these caves, I’m definitely claiming this one for myself.
A smile tugs at my lips at the thought. We’ll be alright; I can feel it. This planet may not be where we planned to land, but we can make a life here.
Our technology was born from a lack of precious resources. We can grow almost any crop using very little water with our soil enrichment formulas. I’m amazed that the sand here is full of nutrients, unlike the sands on Earth, which will simplify my job.
As soon as this storm passes, I’ll ask Varus to escort me back to the rover and find my people. We can choose a nice plot of land nearby and begin farming as soon as possible. Our emergency rations won’t last forever.
And I plan to pick Varus’s brain about this planet’s seasons so we can figure out what to plant first.
I wonder how far away his people live. Maybe they’d be willing to trade with us and help us search for the other escape pods.
This world may not be the ideal place for humanity to start over, but it’s better than living on a ship. Things could always be worse; at least we’re alive, which is more than I can say for so many. Closing my eyes, I helplessly picture Thomas’ lifeless body in his sister’s arms. Poor Skye. I can only imagine the grief she feels.
It took me years to regain a new sense of normal after my parents died. When I lost them to the last flu that swept through the ships, I was devastated beyond measure. For two years, I felt dead inside. I now recognize the same signs of mourning in my best friend. It’s only been a week since he died, but she hides her sadness so well, most people would never know. However, I’ve seen her bury herself in her work, trying to organize our supplies, take inventory, and figure out what’s salvageable after the crash. My best friend is hurting. I need to get back to her.
She was a communications officer and engineer on the ship, so we’ll need her when we contact the rest of Varus’ people. Unless we want
