Chapter 41A - Goodnight

I lay in bed, knowing my time is only growing shorter. My body is weaker than ever, and I know it’s going to give up sooner or later. Nonetheless… I knew this was going to happen eventually. But this time I’m faced with death… I feel more at peace. Maybe my life wasn’t perfect, but… I think I made the most of it while I still could. It wasn’t my fault everything turned out this way. I think I can accept that truth now.

It’s strange, staring at the ceiling for what’s probably my final time. I feel like I’m slowly drifting away.

I notice Ell1s anxiously peek through the door in the corner of my eye, before slowly walking inside the room.

“Lena! How are you… um, feeling?”

I think for a moment.

“...Pretty tired.”

“Oh- do you want me to leave so you can rest?”

“...No. You can stay.”

“Alright then!”

Ell1s takes a seat in a chair in front of the bed. He seems to notice that I seem more distant than usual. After a few moments of silence, he decides to speak up again.

“...Is something on your mind?”

“...I’m just thinking. You know how some people go to sleep and never wake up? And how they peacefully drift away in a state of rest?” I pause for a minute. “The thought of it has always kinda scared me, since you typically head to bed knowing a new day is to come, but you never get to witness it.”

Ell1s pauses, his glasses turning opaque momentarily. “O- oh… I… suppose that would be a bit fearful to think about, but… truthfully, it does seem rather peaceful compared to other kinds of deaths, right?”

“...Yeah. In my state, and the amount of rest I’ve needed to preserve any energy I have left in me… It’s strange falling asleep knowing I may never wake again. But it’s not as scary anymore. I’m happy with the life I got to live.”

I give Ell1s a faint smile.

“And… I’m happy with how things turned out in the end. Even if it was never the best circumstances. I guess what I’m saying is that… if I do pass away in my sleep eventually… I wanted to just say thank you. For everything. Even after all the hardships we’ve suffered. It means a lot that you stayed by my side and cared about me until the end.”

“I truly thought I would have to die alone, travelling out in the wasteland with no respite in sight. I’m so glad that, in the end, I can drift away in peace. I truly do. So…”

“Thank you.”

“O- of course, Lena! I’m so, so glad that I met you. I don’t know what would’ve happened if you never stumbled upon this place. But our time together, even if it may be shorter than I’d hoped… is something I’ll never forget. For as long as I’m stuck down here, and well… until those data centers below this place come to a rest for good this time.”

“Admittedly, I’m scared to be alone again, haha… but… I think I’ll be okay from here on out. After all, your little plant won’t be able to take care of itself!”

I laugh before coughing into my arm again, waves of lightheadedness washing over my head again. I lie back, exhausted. I can barely keep my eyes open…

“But really. Thank you. For everything.”

“Goodnight, Ell1s.”

“Goodnight, Lena.”

Hoping to dream of brighter days, I close my eyes for the final time.

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