[b]We've come so far guys. It's been a while since my first chapter and here we are. *explosion sounds* Chapter 64: Hope[/b] A heartbeat. Fast, stuttering, [i]afraid[/i]. Footsteps on the ground. Two pairs. Scampering like trapped rats. Trapped rats... Harsh breaths, loud and labored. Eyes darting everywhere, scared for anything to attack. Fear. Despair. Anger. Hopelessness. Sadness. The feeling of constant eyes on her. The responsibility crushing her heart. It was all consequences. The consequences to her actions, tallied up on an invisible scoreboard. Actions to be a mother, a merciful being, a rebellious undead soldier. Actions to be [i]different.[/i] [i]Keep running. Hide anywhere. Anywhere where we can be safe. To keep him safe. Keep him alive. Keep my son by my side.[/i] Parenthood didn't seem so much fun anymore but Vala pushed that aside, blocking out every possibility that could happen. They weren't important, not at all. Bolt was important. That was all that mattered. Speaking of the Vandal, the Hunter noticed that he was lagging behind. Guilty for making him run that long, Vala stopped. Bolt heaved a sigh of relief as he did too and kneeled to catch his breath. She was slightly out of breath too but pushed that aside like those thoughts earlier. She couldn't, no, [i]shouldn't[/i] be tired. Lives were on the line. "Where...are we?" Bolt asked, still gasping but looking around him in wonder. Vala looked around as well, not finding the sight of the Waking Ruins [i]that[/i] special. Well it was special to the Fireteams who scoured to fight the fabled Vex God. Their attempts were tales shared with wins and losses. All tales were wrapped up in time that seemed to echo across timelines. Would her tale echo too? Mean something? "Called the Waking Ruins, son." Vala answered, turning to look to see Bolt as he ran his hands over carved stone slowly, his fingers playing with the moss that grew on the worn surface. She cursed herself when she remembered the hunts promised to him but never fulfilled. If the situation wasn't so deadly, she'd tell him the rich history. The paths her ancestors walked, the battles fought, the treasures found. "Let's keep going. Campus 9 should be up ahead." Bolt perked up at the mention of the new place. She could see the cogs in his head turning, the exploration he would try to do. "Okay." Was the Fallen's perky response. Vala smiled, kissing his forehead and taking off to the sides where the entrance to the area was. She made sure to slow her pace though, mindful of Bolt. Knowing the lands by heart, they easily found the old buildings of Campus 9. The abandoned and destroyed relic of the past stood out against the shrubbery of Venus like a sore thumb. The only things that were out of place was the dead bodies of the Fallen littering the ground. "Shit." "Mom?" Vala quickly placed a finger to her lips, eyes shooting to every place she knew where any potential threat could lay in wait. Bolt quieted as well, eyes taking in the sight of the still bodies. After a few minutes, Vala sighed loudly and scuffed the ground with her foot. Bolt glanced at her and then to the scenery around him. Together they descended to the bodies of the Fallen as quiet as they could be. Vala eagerly looted whatever she could find which of course were Ether Seeds. Bolt snatched up the bits of scraps of cloth he could get, clicking happily at the fabric. Oh how they lived up to their Hunter ancestors. Vala's Ghost appeared when they were done, it's one eye looking to the bodies inquisitively. "Looks like they aren't that old. Judging from the traces of Light around here, Guardians were the most likely cause." It supplied and Vala felt a surge of affection for the machine. "Then let's reroute to somewhere else. I don't want another run in with anymore people." Not to mention how lucky they had run into the Hunter ambush full of new Guardians. She would have to make Ghost or Raphaël buy a few drinks for Cayde later. They began their run once more, keeping close to the shadows as much as possible. Unease pulled at Vala's heart at the dismantled bodies of Vex on the ground, their frayed wires sparking. She had to pull Bolt away who stopped to examine the twitching machines. At least whoever killed the Vex had moved on. Which wasn't so good either. Looking up, Vala noticed the sky darkening, the stars starting to twinkle into view. Leading them off to the side, Vala looked over a ledge overlooking the vast view of Venus. A ledge was there with a small trail, a perfect spot for hiding. "Follow me, honey. We can camp out for the night around here." Jumping down, Vala almost fell but managed to catch herself. Bolt jumped after and she opened her arms, catching him easily with a small grunt. Looking around, she was surprised there was yet another ledge below her. And then another, and another until it went quite a ways down like steps. [i]This looks like...[/i] Trying to not be too excited and suspicious, she descended each ledge with careful steps and jumps. Bolt, having four clawed hands and careful feet, followed her down. It seems too good to be true but she hoped for the best. And hope was all she was running on right now. At the last ledge, the acidic water of Venus was about five feet under her. Still slightly giddy, Vala followed a barely noticeable path which ended in a small cave. "Jackpot!!" She bellowed, a slight dance in her step as she surveyed the spacious hideout. "Mom? What's this??" Bolt said, looking around the cave. It was nice and cozy, a carpet on the ground with boxes littered around the sides. Small jars and bottles were scattered around, Vala gingerly picking them up. "This, my boy," she gestured grandly around her, "is a Hunter hideout. Probably a secret stash place. Sucker hid this gem well! We'll be stealing this for the night." Bolt laughed at her uplifted spirits, her joy infectious as he began to click happily. This was close as perfect as it could get to Vala and she took whatever it gave with gratefulness. Hugging Bolt, she looked outside the cave with a big smile on her face. A heartbeat. Slow, calm, [i]at ease[/i]. Footprints on a fabric floor. Two pairs. Standing together in a cave like trapped rats Trapped rats... [i]Trapped rats with hope.[/i]