An Author's Struggle - What Lies Ahead

Ch 39 - A Glitch

After a dreamless respite, Murphy’s engines sputtered back on. Still in a daze, he woke up in an unfamiliar environment, but found himself strangely at peace.

When his sight cleared, he found himself on a couch. The sun was already up, streaming directly over his head. He thought to duck under, but then paused and stared directly into its flames.

“I guess it wasn’t you playing tricks after all, huh?”

He found his throat still parched, but he was cooler now. The delirium had also cleared, and he found himself strangely refreshed.

“You’re awake,” she obstructed his view, “I was afraid I’d have to call in a helicopter to haul you out. Luckily, I had some IVs handy.”

Out in the sun, he finally caught sight of her face. One that he found familiar, but strangely obscure. It took him a while to connect things, and while he couldn’t recall her face, that red hair was unmistakable.

Somewhat fretful, he nonetheless asked the name that came at the tip of his tongue, “Eleanor?”

She had been a