While Marcusy unconscious beneath the safety of the dome, the other team members went about preparing something to eat. Because Erik could grow food whenever required, there was no danger of anyone in the group going hungry.


    Ava and Garrett coborated in the preparation of a straightforward meal. However, despite their best efforts to lighten the mood, the gloomy silence that had descended upon the room persisted.


    Alexia was responsible for tending to the fire and providing it with the wood that Garrett had amassed.


    The mes'' orange glow danced against the shelter''s walls, casting shadows and lending an almost surreal quality to the situation. After ensuring the dome maintained its structural soundness, Erik joined the other people gathered around the fire.


    They sat in a semicircle, their bodies taking sce in the heat as a defense mechanism against the chilly air of the forest. The warm light lit up their faces.


    The meal was eaten with minimal conversation because everyone was preupied with their thoughts. They ate, and then they rested, all the while anticipating theirpanion''s awakening so they could start their journey again.


    Ava stood there, her delicate features glimmering in the fire''s orange glow as she quietly observed the ze. Ever since they had set up camp, she had been unusually quiet; her gaze lost in the flickering mes of the campfire.


    The sight of Marcus lying unconscious had shaken her, and a cloud of concern hung over her typically upbeat demeanor. Atst, she turned her head to face Erik, the mes reflecting in her eyes as she stared him down.


    Her expression conveyed a sincere interest, and when she finally spoke, she asked a question lingering in her mind for quite some time.


    "Erik," she began, her voice soft yet clear, cutting through the quiet hum of the forest around them. "How was living in the city? How different is it from living in the vige?"


    Her words were carefully chosen, her tone brimming with genuine curiosity. Everyone turned their attention to Erik, waiting for him to respond, and there was a brief pause after that.


    In that very instant, it became abundantly clear that Ava''s question was about more than simply satiating her curiosity; instead, it was a lifeline to a sen


    se of normalcy, a moment of calm amidst the storm in which they found themselves.


    As Erik thought about Ava''s question, he leaned back and stared into the fire. "Life in the city," he began, "is very different from life in the vige. The city is a bustling metropolis teeming with life and energy. The tall buildings, the streets full of people and vehicles, the neon lights after sundown... it''s almost intoxicating."


    He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "There''s never a dull moment. There are always new things to see, new experiences to be had. The city offers many opportunities, from jobs to education to various forms of entertainment. It''s a ce where you can meet people from all walks of life, from all corners of the world," The young man said.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    "Doesn''t sound half bad, that city life," Garrett remarked, his gruff voice cutting through the crackle of the fire. The more experienced man was looking at Erik while leaning back against the polished inner wall of the nt dome.


    His eyes were fixed on him. His hands were absentmindedly fidgeting with a stick, turning it over and over in their palms.


    When Garrett continued, Erik saw a glimmer of amusement in his eyes as he said, "Sure beats running from man-eating ice bears and wrestling with two-tailed wolves." His words were delivered with a wry smile and a lighthearted air to put everyone in a better frame of mind.


    The corner of Garrett''s mouth turned up in a teasing smirk, but he did not take his eyes off Erik the whole time.


    The remark was typical of Garrett, who was always ready to bring a dash of fun to the situation, no matter the circumstance.


    It appeared that Garrett had found a way to make light of the difficult circumstances that had unfolded that day.


    A faintugh escaped Alexia''s lips at Garrett''s remark. She nodded in agreement, her eyes gleaming joyfully in the firelight. "He''s got a point, Erik," she teased. "Can''t deny the city sounds appealing, especially after today."


    Shuffling closer to the fire, she crossed her arms over her knees, looking thoughtful. "I''ve heard about those things you call ''cars.'' Never seen one, though. I can''t imagine what it would be like, zipping around in one of those."


    She sighed quietly as she continued to stare intently at the flickering mes. Her tone conveyed a sense of yearning that was very clear. The concept of such luxuries and contrasting approaches to life piqued her interest.


    She couldn''t help but ponder the world beyond the vige, the urbanndscape that Erik had experienced, and the ordinary marvels that she had not yet had the opportunity to witness for herself.


    "It is certainly not a bad ce to be in," the young man said, "But a city can also be overwhelming. The noise, the constant rush, the sheer amount of people...it can be exhausting. Feeling lost and like you''re just another face in the crowd is easy. Besides, no matter how good a city may be, if the people living within it are shitty, then even the city itself will be shitty."


    "The vige, on the other hand," he said, his gaze softening, "is a ce of tranquility. The pace of life is slower, and there''s a sense ofmunity that''s hard to find in the city. Everyone knows everyone, and there''s a sense of familiarity andfort in that."


    He sighed. "In the city, you''re surrounded by people, but you can still feel alone. In the vige, there''s always someone looking out for you, always a friendly face to greet you. It''s a different kind of warmth, a different kind of home."


    Erik nced at Ava, his expression thoughtful. "But each has its charm, its own set of challenges."