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The Story:
He stepped outside where he could get a clear signal and activated the HUD in his helmet. A screen with his wife appeared in front of his left eye, after a few pulsating beeps. She sat up in bed and rubbed her eyes awake.
“Hey, baby. What time is it there?”
“It’s 7am here, so good morning!”
“Mmm… ‘Good morning’ would’ve been long after 1am.”
He laughed, knowing she was glad to hear from him, regardless of the time.
“Why are you suited up already, Ty?”
“Oh, I’m… I just thought I’d, uh…”
“You’re going out alone again, aren’t you?”
She hated it when he went alone, but he had a job to do. The sooner he finished his work, the sooner he could get home to her. Unfortunately, his crew members had no such ambitions.
“It’s just a small thermal vent. They almost didn’t even put it on the list.”
“You know I don’t like it when…”
“Pen, I’ll be fine. I promise. I just… I want to be back home with you.”
Both of them fell silent for a moment, letting their hearts feel the ache of each other’s absence.
“How do I look from there?”
He watched as she made a gesture in the air that caused a metal blind to retract from a window, revealing the Earth. She made a different gesture several times, zooming in on him in his suit. He looked at the Moon and waved.
“You’re looking good, Mr. Heart.”
“You too, Mrs. Heart.”
They shared another moment of smiling at one another.
“Well, I gotta go plug this thermal.”
“Be careful, Ty.”
“I will. I love you.”
“I love you.”
The screen in his HUD disappeared, and he began walking. The thermal vent had opened up close enough for him to take a stroll.
Halfway to the vent, a warning appeared on his HUD. It was an immanent solar flare, much larger than any he had experienced before. It would probably destroy their base and everyone in it.
Looking around for anything that could save him, he found an inactive shaft. It could lead anywhere inside the Earth, but it was his only chance of survival. He turned his eyes to the Moon and jumped into the shaft just as the solar flare hit.
What do you all think of this story? If you want it to be included in the voting for the next short film, be sure to let me know in the comments below!