“It’s rather eerie out here, don’t you think? I’d hate to live in such a desolate place.” Makenzii, who had just been keeping a small conversation between herself and Kaitlin, spoke up to the rest of the group.

“Right? This place gives me the creeps, you never know what’s going to come out or what all is out here.” Sirrinah agreed, leaning in closer to Soarin for comfort. A few of the others chimed in, a conversation about what the rest of Earth may or may not have been like. Elizabeth turned to watch Johnas who stayed silent, curling into himself as he listened and got lost in his own thoughts.

Eerie? Scary? Were those not the thoughts that went through everyone else's head when they were first introduced on the ship as well then? Does curiosity not scribe itself in a single thought? Everything is so new, new to explore, new to learn, new to enjoy… Am I the only one who thinks that way? To be able to breathe natural air, to be able to walk in natural gravity along the soft footing of the Earth… Is it only driving my excitement? His thoughts danced between question and confusion. He looked at Nathaniel with a questioning look, watching to see his reaction to the conversation of the group.

I wonder what thoughts are going through your head right now. What kind of questions are you wishing you could voice to me at the moment? What comments do you have on the discussion you are keeping to yourself? What are you feeling right now really? What fears run through your mind? Nate looked down to him, his head tilting to the side with a soft look of curiosity. No one was ever really sure of what Johnas was thinking, but Nathaniel found it somewhat enjoyable to see the sparks of curiosity in Johnas’ eyes as the gears in head turned to assess his every situation. His interest in Johnas and his mysterious emotions weighed in tons, his wish to have a small peek into the blondes' mind lingering in the back of his mind every time they were together.

“Olivia, would you mind if I walked Johnas back to the ship tonight?” Elizabeth asked once dinner had been packed up. Johnas’ eyes shot up to Elizabeth, a bit surprised by the sudden question.

“I want to spend more time with you, we didn’t speak much the other day.” Elizabeth replied to the puzzled look on Johnas’ face. Olivia contemplated for a moment, getting ready to say no because she knew if Johnas wanted to, he could slip away from Elizabeth the easiest.

'If you’d like to walk back with Beth, go ahead Johnas. I’ll see you two back at the ship. Just promise you won’t run off, okay?' Nathaniel signed to Johnas before Olivia could get a word out, and Johnas nodded in understanding.

“I swear I won’t take any detours.” He voiced to Nate before walking to be alongside Elizabeth. Olivia was going to say something, but Nathaniel took her shoulder and shook his head.

--Put a little trust in him, Liv, he’s not stupid.-- Olivia read the message and sighed in defeat, raising her brow in suspicion before going to bring some of the packed food back to her ship.

***

The walk wasn’t all what Elizabeth was hoping it would be. Johnas walked much slower than she did, taking in the scenery she supposed, and he was quiet, so quiet she found herself constantly looking his way to make sure he was still there.

“I think the forest is kind of scary at night, no one is around to help if you’re out by yourself, too dark to really see what’s ahead of you… What do you think?” She asked Johnas after a short period of time of their walk, hoping to spark up a conversation. It took him some time, but after a few moments of her thinking he really wasn’t in the mood, he spoke.

“I think it’s peaceful, something underestimated by the naked eye. Listen carefully enough, and you can really hear the sound of the forest, like a connection between you and nature. The sun may not be around anymore, but I see the moon is providing a beautiful hue to light our path.” He said in a light, airy voice, as if he were entranced by the forest. His response surprised her, but in more of an austanishing way. She had always thought of him as a remarkable being, he always saw both sides of things and seemed to know what he was talking about without being a complete know it all. Despite the way he’d been regarded by the crew over the years, he was always honest and gentle minded.

“... I suppose you’re right. You seem more free minded and open when down here.” Liz spoke her mind after another few seconds of silence. She seemed to catch him off guard, because for a second his entire body stiffened. It passed as soon as it came though as he quickly shook it off and simply nodded.

It’s free, though I’m not sure you’d see it the way I do, you’re not the outcast, after all… There’s more than just a set array of corridors to walk upon all the time, there are different paths, miles upon miles of world to explore. There are animals, all different kinds, and people, things to connect with, change. I suppose you wouldn’t understand that out of my shoes… Johnas thought to himself in response to Elizabeth's statement.

“Johnas… Don’t you fear anything regarding Earth? I mean, we truly have no way of knowing what would happen if we were to stay and explore more.” Though she told herself she wouldn’t push the matter of Johnas’s thoughts on Earth, Elizabeth's curiosity got the best of her and she continued to ask about it anyways. Johnas didn’t say anything for a while, thinking about what his answer to that question even was. Elizabeth stayed quiet while he thought, hoping she didn’t ruin his mood.

“I suppose… I don’t really understand.” He finally spoke, his voice a soft whisper. 

“Understand what exactly?” She asked, her head tilting to the side as she waited for his answer.

“Where the fear of the unknown comes from. I yearn to explore more, to meet new people, to see natural wildlife and all the world has to offer, but everyone else… they’re afraid, you’re afraid. What is it you are afraid of? Sure, there could be people who are scared of us, there could be people who want to harm us, but there’s a possibility there are people who would accept us. There’s always a possibility. You know, our DNA was 100% human once, it’s not like we physically look abnormal, at least, if humans haven’t adapted any new limbs in the last few hundred years. The reason for fear just doesn’t add up to me, therefore, I’m not quite sure I am afraid of anything. Curiosity takes more control over my mind's thought process than fear, if that all makes sense.” Just when Johnas was done talking, Nathaniel's drop ship came into view and he waved a quick goodbye before disappearing behind the entrance door. Nathaniel, who had been sitting at the front steps to the ship, examined Elizabeth's expression for a minute before waving his goodbye and heading into the ship with Johnas.

What could they have been discussing to have Elizabeth looking so speechless? I suppose Johnas’ unique outlook on our situation and life itself is a marvel to speculate, so if they were at all speaking of Earth, her expression makes sense; I suppose I might have had the same expression during my first deep conversation with Johnas. Nathaniel rolled in his thoughts as he watched Johnas get comfortable by the large window, looking out at the forest scenery frosted over by the moon's light. Both boys were quiet that night, each sitting in the peace of each other's silence.