Episode 20: Into the Light
240 Words
Silence.
For a moment, there was nothing—no alarms, no voices, no ship. Only darkness.
Then—a spark.
The Aurora jolted violently, as if being torn from something’s grasp. The screens flickered back to life, data scrolling rapidly. Luma’s voice came through the static.
“Captain… the Rift is destabilizing.”
Voss forced himself to focus. “Status?”
Dr. Rao’s hands trembled as she checked her readings. “The Signal—it’s breaking the Rift apart. But we’re still caught inside.”
Ng shouted over the noise. “Engines are back!”
Voss didn’t hesitate. “Full power—NOW!”
The ship’s thrusters roared, the Aurora surging forward, straining against the Rift’s collapsing gravity.
Behind them, the Hollow Reflection—now a writhing, screaming void—howled as the Rift imploded, pulling it into oblivion.
The ship shook violently—then, with one final, deafening shockwave—
—the Aurora burst free.
The Rift was gone.
Silence filled the bridge. The crew stared out the window—at the vast, peaceful expanse of space. The stars had returned.
Holt exhaled. “We made it.”
Dr. Rao sank into her chair. “It’s over.”
Voss looked at his team—alive, breathing, whole.
Luma’s voice was calm for the first time. “Captain… we are home.”
Voss allowed himself a small smile.
“Set course for Earth.”
The nightmare was over.
The End.
- Writer
