Annie finished bathing me and gently lifted me out of the tub. The water felt soothing on my skin as it washed away the dirt and sweat. Annie wrapped a soft towel around me, its texture soothing like a mother’s touch. She dressed me in some clean clothes. They were snug and cozy, making me feel protected. She smiled at me and planted a kiss on my forehead.
A loud cry pierced the air like a siren, making us jump - we sprinted towards the bedroom, where Maya stood on the baby bed, tears streaming down her small face. She leaped into my arms, trembling. She looked up at me, whimpering. Her eyes begged me not to abandon her like the others did. I felt a pang of guilt and sadness, thinking about how they abandoned her in that facility. Alone, hungry, cold, and afraid.
The previous night, she had the same nightmare, reliving her past traumas. As I stroked her hair, my gentle touch apologized for making her feel abandoned. She relaxed and buried her face in my shirt, forgiving me. We left the small bedroom and stepped out of the hallway into an open space. The worn and battered metal walls seemed to enclose us. Despite the stale air, the warm orange glow of the lights above and the small couch and TV in the corner created a cozy atmosphere, like a well-lived-in space. The ship smelled like metal and oil, but also like family. The ship was more than just a means of transport. It was now our home and Annie had become our mother. Annie glanced up at the ship’s controls. The airship was humming along, leaving behind the ruins of the city we had escaped from. Annie walked to the navigation panel and brought a paper map to the coffee table and rolled it out, pointing to a location on the map.
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We’re heading to what’s left of Japan. There’s a hydrogen refueling facility there. This is our only chance to refuel and get some supplies. It won’t be easy. The facility is heavily guarded by robots that have gone rogue. They attack anything that moves. We’ll have to sneak in and out without being detected. It’s dangerous, but we can’t afford a forced landing because of low fuel. She turned to me, biting her lip. After weighing the pros and cons, Annie had a determined look on her face, but also a hint of worry. She knew the risks, willing to take them for us. I gave her an approving nod, trusting her judgment and preparing for dangers ahead. She wrapped her arms around us, kissing our heads.