As they flew over the pale wasteland, Salem saw no traces of man or animal. It was eerily quiet and the radioactive 'snow' fell heavily. It was easy to mistake the ash for snow because of how pale it was, it clumped the same way, and even had the same texture.
As they systematically combed through the massive area, Alina found tracks.
"These tracks look recent. Also, the person who made these tracks was running full tilt." Alina said. "I hope these are Ruby's tracks and not some other poor soul."
Salem agreed and they easily followed the footsteps. After they flew for about an hour, they came across a corpse.
"This is what happens to a corpse that died from exposure. Accelerated decay, and they probably suffered trying to escape this massive wasteland." Salem said, pitying the poor soul who had wandered here.
They took off shortly after. Again, systematically searching for their lost companion.
For the better part of an hour, they continued to search. Over the course of their whole day there, they had covered a little over a tenth of the overall ground they needed to search.
As the colourless light began to fade, Salem spotted tracks out of the corner of his eye.
Excitedly calling to Alina, they began following them. The further they went, following these tracks, the smaller the gaps between footsteps became. Soon the tracks were paralell shoe shaped lines that had been scratched into the ashfall.
Shortly therafter, they came across a body. It was Ruby's body.She was feverishly hot to the touch and was barely breathing. Salem created a suit around her and he began carrying her out of the nuclear wasteland.
"This was lucky." Salem said gravely. "Had we not come when we did, she would have died."
Alina didn't reply.
Salem glanced over at Alina. Every part of her was etched with fury. Her shoulders were raised, her fists were clenched. Salem could imagine the furious face she wore beneath her helmet.