Shackles of Guilt by Kris Ruhler

Author:Kris Ruhler [Kris Ruhler]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: GPV Publishing
Published: 2022-05-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Earmon’s first ten years living in the Edge helped him put up with the less-than-functional resources in the Bunker. In the first three days since they moved in, they had managed well, rationing the unexpectedly low food stock and the meds. The latter were past date but seemed to help with the deep wound on Grunt’s shoulder. It sealed immediately, though angry blotches still surrounded the area after three days.

Being safe didn’t equal being happy. Earmon’s two companions had been in miserable moods for the last three days, and it was slowly rubbing on him. The pain meds weren’t as effective, so Grunt was understandably quieter and more thoughtful than usual. Perhaps his wound wasn’t physical at all. His blank stare at the stone walls bothered Earmon more than he’d like to admit. Grunt always knew how to cheer him up. But now that the tables were turned, Earmon didn’t know what to do.

Zenithia concerned him too. Her face was taut and her jaw tight, as if she were in constant pain. She refused the pain meds. Earmon had no idea whether they would help anyway with how the aetherium was affecting her.

She fidgeted, rubbed her arms and neck, and drew in shaky breaths when she thought he wasn’t watching. Whatever “pressed” on her was taking its toll: her face was paler than usual and her lips a dark bluish tint, but she didn’t complain. Not even once. Earmon checked her temperature and pulse regularly. Her appetite was low. The air filter worked adequately; the water tested reasonable quality. He couldn’t pinpoint the source of her problem. He hated feeling so helpless.

“We have enough food for weeks,” Earmon said as he sat next to her on the bench. “Maybe months even, as long as we ration it.”

“Months… Will Levitor stand that long?” she said. Her voice was tight, as if she held her anger at bay. “What happens if Levitor falls? Where will we go, Earmon? We can’t stay here forever.”

“We’ll have to take it one day at a time. Levitor doesn’t have the numbers, but we have superior weapons. Krohnur’s walls are strong. I am guessing that is where most Levitorians would have gone for safety. Levitor will hold up against the invasion.”

“We haven’t received any comm, Earmon. Not even one in three days. They destroyed the Roboplants first thing. Who knows if Levitorians aren’t starving?”

“Levitor has plenty of reserves, Princess. A battle is raging outside. At such a moment, resources and communication are diverted to the right places: our defenses. When it is over, someone will come and find us.”

“I’m not going to live here for months!” Her voice cracked, and under the anger, there was a hint of fear—the prospect of staying in this place for months.

“There’s nothing wrong here. I’ve checked the air filter, tested our water. We’re safe for the moment.”

“What we don’t know is whether the battle’s over. If it will ever be. Could it be we are so far away that there are no signals? We have to go back to Levitor.

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