The echoing growls from their stomachs disrupted the heavy silence, drawing a chuckle from Aidan. "I can't remember the last time I had a decent meal," he admitted, rubbing his belly. "You hungry, Maia?"
For a fraction of a second, a flicker of confusion crossed Maia's face, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. "Starving," she replied, her voice strained in an attempt at humor.
Aidan shifted the weight of his backpack, fishing inside. His fingers met the cold, hard texture of coins. Gold and silver pieces glinted in the dim light of the cavern. Ever since the invasion, with the collapse of conventional economies, precious metals had reverted to being the prime currency. He withdrew a handful, considering their next move.
"Let's see what Haven's Rest has in terms of food. And maybe find a safe corner to catch some rest," he suggested, rising to his feet. Maia nodded, pushing herself up as well, her eyes darting around, ever vigilant.
The two wandered through the heart of the sanctuary, passing stalls that displayed a variety of goods – from canned foods and fresh vegetables to handcrafted weapons and tools. Families huddled around small fires, cooking meager meals, children playing at their feet. The atmosphere was thick with a mix of determination and resignation.
After a bit of haggling, Aidan managed to secure two portions of a stew that had a tantalizing aroma. They found an empty spot near a makeshift hearth and settled down, savoring the warmth of the food. The simple act of eating in relative peace felt like a luxury.
As they ate, Maia's gaze often wandered, taking in the sights and sounds around her, trying to fit into this new environment. "It's so... different here," she murmured. "So many people, yet everyone's in their world."
Aidan looked around, absorbing her words. "It's the nature of survival. We all want to hold onto a piece of our old world, even if it's just in our heads."
Maia gave a small smile. "Then let's make the most of our time here, before the outside world catches up to us again."
Not long after they'd started eating, the subtle sound of approaching footsteps reached their ears. An elderly woman with a wise face and graying hair stepped into their view. Her eyes, though surrounded by wrinkles, held a fire that belied her age.
"Hello there," she began, a warmth in her voice. "My name is Eleanor. I couldn't help but notice your shoulder, young man," she said, pointing towards Aidan's bandaged wound. "It needs proper attention."
Aidan looked up, surprise evident on his face. "Oh, I thought it would heal on its own."
Eleanor chuckled lightly, "In times like these, wounds left untreated can lead to problems we don't have the luxury to face. I was a paramedic and an EMT before all of this. Now, folks around here call me the medicine woman."
Maia, her curiosity piqued, said, "It's nice to meet you, Eleanor. We could certainly use your expertise."
Eleanor smiled, her gaze gentle. "Of course, dear. I've treated many wounds, some physical, some not. Let's have a look, shall we?"
Aidan nodded, grateful for the unexpected assistance. "Thank you, Eleanor. It's been a long time since anyone's taken care of me."
The elderly woman just winked, "That's what we're here for, young man. We have to look out for each other. Haven's Rest isn't just a place; it's a promise."
"Come with me," Eleanor beckoned, guiding them through the winding pathways of Haven's Rest. They passed families, merchants, and children, all adapting to the constraints and comforts of their underground life.
Soon, the trio arrived at a derailed subway car, its exterior rusted but intact. Intricate patterns had been painted on its sides, turning it into a canvas of hope and memories. Faint light spilled out from the cracks in its doors.
"This is my clinic," Eleanor declared, pride evident in her voice. Pushing aside a heavy curtain serving as its door, she ushered Aidan and Maia inside.
To their surprise, the inside was vastly different from its rugged exterior. The subway car had been meticulously converted into a medical sanctuary. Rows of shelves held neatly organized bottles, herbs, and medical instruments. There were a few makeshift beds, each with clean sheets and pillows. The entire space was illuminated by a series of lanterns, giving it a soft, inviting glow.
"I've retrofitted this car with power from some of the generators we have," Eleanor explained, seeing their astonishment. "Got some help from a few good folks skilled in electronics. In these dark times, we all find ways to shine a little light."
Aidan, impressed, took a seat as directed. "This is incredible, Eleanor. Haven's Rest truly is full of surprises."
Eleanor chuckled, "Indeed. Now, let's see that shoulder of yours."
As Eleanor got to work, cleaning and stitching Aidan's wound, Maia observed their surroundings, her earlier unease slowly being replaced by a sense of security.
"This place... it's a beacon," Maia whispered to Aidan.
Aidan, despite the sting of Eleanor's ministrations, smiled, "It's a reminder that even in the darkest tunnels, there's a light at the end. We just have to keep moving towards it."
Eleanor's experienced fingers gently removed the bandage, revealing an angry red wound with edges that looked slightly swollen and oozing a hint of pus. It was evident that infection had begun to set in.
"Not a bad job for a quick patch," Eleanor mused, looking up at Maia, who tried to mask a proud smile. "But we'll need to clean this out."
Aidan's expression tightened with apprehension. He remembered the piercing pain of the spear going through, and the thought of someone touching that wound again was nerve-wracking.
Eleanor, sensing his distress, reached for a thick piece of leather from a nearby shelf. "You might want to bite down on this," she offered.
Taking the leather, Aidan asked hesitantly, "Is it going to hurt that much?"
"In my experience, it's best to be prepared," Eleanor responded cryptically. She took a scalpel and placed it over a small flame, the metal glinting in the dim light as it sterilized. The smell of burning alcohol filled the confined space.
As she approached, Aidan instinctively tightened his grip, reaching out and finding Maia's hand. She held on, providing him a source of solace.
Eleanor moved with precision, cutting away the dead and infected tissue. Aidan's muffled groans could be heard as he bit down on the leather, the pain searing through him. Maia's grip became his anchor, keeping him grounded through the ordeal.
The procedure felt like hours, but in reality, was over in mere minutes. Eleanor finished by cleaning the wound thoroughly, then applying an antibiotic ointment and dressing it with a fresh bandage.
"There," she said, stepping back and wiping her brow, "All done. You were brave, young man."
Aidan, still catching his breath, managed a weak smile. "Thanks to both of you."
Maia gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "We're in this together, remember?"
Eleanor, peering at both of them with a curious and concerned gaze, inquired, "What brought you both into this mess? What happened out there?"
Maia tensed, her eyes darting to Aidan, silently pleading with him to tread carefully. She felt vulnerable, unsure of how much to reveal to a near-stranger, even one as kind as Eleanor.
Reading Maia's unease, Aidan quickly crafted a story, "We were on a date, actually. Just trying to find a moment of normalcy in all of this chaos. But we ended up near that new checkpoint downtown when one of the resistance groups decided to make a move. The Zyphorians mistook us for being part of the attack and before we knew it, we had hunters on our tail."
Eleanor's face crumpled with sympathy. "Oh, you poor souls. Just wrong place, wrong time?"
Maia, seizing the narrative, added, "Yes, exactly. We barely got away. And Aidan," she gestured to his wounded shoulder, "took the brunt of it trying to protect me."
Aidan shot her a grateful glance for playing along.
Eleanor sighed deeply, "It's getting more and more dangerous out there. But you're safe here, for now. And you've got each other, which counts for a lot in times like these."
Aidan, feeling the weight of exhaustion pulling at him, hesitated for a moment before inquiring, "Is there somewhere around here we could rest for a bit? After all that's happened, we could use a safe place to catch our breath."
Eleanor, looking thoughtful, nodded. "There's an inn, if you could call it that, on the far side of town. The owner's a good friend of mine. Just tell them Elle sent you. They'll take care of you."
Maia's eyes shone with gratitude. "Thank you, Eleanor. Truly. Your kindness is a beacon in these dark times."
Eleanor chuckled softly. "Oh, dear. We're all just trying to survive and help one another where we can. Go on now. Rest up. And if you need anything else, you know where to find me."
Aidan stood, wincing slightly as he adjusted to the weight on his injured shoulder. "We'll remember that. Thanks again."
With that, the pair made their way in the direction Eleanor had pointed, eager for a brief respite in the sanctuary of Haven's Rest.