The hum of the plane's engines was the only sound that filled the cabin as the night stretched on. Elliot sat by the window, his eyes fixed on the darkness outside. The world below was nothing but a blur of shadows, the distant lights of cities swallowed by the vast expanse of the night. The plane had climbed higher, and with each passing minute, it felt like they were further from everything they had known.
But distance didn't make the pain go away. The loss of his father still weighed heavily on Elliot's heart. He had wanted to scream, to cry, but all the tears felt locked away, as if his body couldn't find the release. Instead, he stared at the black void outside, trying to find some peace in the endless sky.
Max lay at his feet, curled up in a tight ball, the dog's soft breathing a small comfort. The world had changed so much, and yet in some ways, it felt like everything was still the same. The plane was a small bubble of safety in a world that had fallen apart. But it wouldn't last forever. It couldn't.
Ben was in the cockpit, occasionally muttering to himself as he adjusted the controls. Every now and then, he would glance over his shoulder at Elliot, but he didn't speak. There was nothing to say. What could be said? They had all lost so much, and now, they were just trying to survive.
Elliot closed his eyes for a moment, letting the hum of the engines lull him into a restless sleep. But sleep never came easily these days. His mind was too full of thoughts, of memories, of the things he couldn't forget. His father's voice. The way his hand had gripped his shoulder one last time. The way he had pushed Elliot away to keep him safe.
He was safe now. But was it worth it? The world felt hollow, as though nothing would ever be the same again.
The sound of the cockpit door opening snapped him out of his thoughts. Ben emerged, looking tired but determined. His eyes met Elliot's for a moment, and then he sat down across from him, taking a deep breath.
"You alright?" Ben asked quietly, his voice rough, as if the question itself weighed more than it should.
Elliot didn't know how to answer. He wasn't alright. But he couldn't say that. He couldn't burden Ben with his pain. Not now.
"I'm fine," Elliot lied, his voice hoarse. "Just... tired."
Ben nodded, but there was a flicker of doubt in his eyes. He knew the truth, even if Elliot didn't say it. The weight of grief, of loss, couldn't be hidden. It clung to them all, a silent presence in the cabin.
"We're heading south," Ben said, his voice changing, becoming more focused. "I've got a contact down in Mexico. They've got a safe zone set up, or so they say. It's the best shot we've got."
Elliot nodded absently, his thoughts drifting. Mexico. A safe zone. It sounded too good to be true. Could there really be somewhere out there where things weren't as bad as they were here? Or was it just another lie, another false hope?
Max stirred at his feet, sensing the shift in Elliot's mood. The dog lifted his head and nuzzled Elliot's leg, a small gesture of comfort in the midst of everything. Elliot reached down to scratch Max behind the ears, grateful for the quiet companionship.
Ben was watching him now, his expression unreadable. After a long moment, he spoke again, his tone soft but firm. "We're in this together, kid. I know it's hard. Hell, I know it's brutal. But we're not done yet. Not by a long shot."
Elliot didn't respond. What could he say? His father was gone, and the world outside was falling apart. Survival felt like a fleeting dream, something he wasn't sure he could hold onto for much longer. But Ben's words were a lifeline, however fragile it might be.
"Thanks," Elliot finally whispered, though the words felt hollow. He wasn't sure if he was thanking Ben for the reassurance, or for staying with him, or for simply being there. But he needed to say it. He needed to believe that someone still cared.
Ben gave a small nod. "We keep going. That's all we can do."
Elliot sat back in his seat, staring at the empty sky outside. The stars were hidden behind thick clouds, and the moon was barely visible. The world felt endless and dark, and he couldn't help but wonder if it would ever be light again.
As the plane flew deeper into the night, the sounds of the world below faded, and the silence inside the cabin grew heavier. They were alone. Alone in a sky without stars.
And all they could do was keep moving forward.