Without a word Eva set the Beeboo doll back in its special spot. With a delicate hand she picked up the doll’s head and placed it back on top of its body. “You take good care of everyone, okay?” she said to it.

As Eva’s eyes took in every detail of her collection one final time, she paused on a lone item—the item not given to her by Muthr. She plucked the WondLa up from her hoard.

“What is that?” Muthr extended her neck to get a better view.

“Nothing really,” Eva answered, showing her the deteriorated image. “It’s just something I found . . . something I hope to find again.” Eva tucked it into her satchel and took a deep breath. “Okay,” she said, “I’m ready.”

“Okay,” Rovender echoed.

“Okay,” Muthr said.

Eva stepped past her collection and walked through the doorway of the adjoining Sanctuary.

CHAPTER 18: SUSTENANCE

The first thing Eva noted was the smell. It was the dirty earthen scent of damp potting soil. She recognized it from her many “hands-on” horticulture exercises held in the greenhouse. But Eva wasn’t standing in this Sanctuary’s greenhouse. She was standing in the main hub.

Roots from unseen trees above had wriggled their way down, cracking the Sanctuary’s ply-steel roof like an eggshell. Through the open doors of the bedroom, Eva could see that the ceiling had partially collapsed, opening up to the night sky above. Unusual fungi and lichens covered walls that at one time had held holo-projectors and geothermal heating units.

Muthr turned to Eva, her amber eyes dim in the Sanctuary’s darkness. “I am sorry, Eva. I truly wish I had been wrong about this place,” she said.

“It’s okay.” Eva sniffed. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.”

“Do not worry.” Muthr hugged Eva tightly. “We shall continue searching.”

“The main entrance has caved in,” Rovender observed, pointing to the remains of the control room. “We cannot exit through there.”

“Let us journey on to the next Sanctuary,” Muthr said, scanning the doorway of the old supply room with a laser. “Or we could stay here for the night. How are you feeling, Eva?”

“I do want to see the other Sanctuary,” Eva said, glum. “But maybe it would be good to take a break. I’m tired.”

“Very good,” Muthr said.

“We should rest, Eva. You’ve had quite a day,” Rovender concurred, looking up at the ceiling. “However, we should retire in a more concealed chamber. Let’s check the other rooms.”

Eva translated for Muthr, and the trio split up, exploring the overgrown Sanctuary.

From the gymnasium doorway Eva was greeted by a large growth of jade green mushrooms projecting outward toward her. She heard the mushrooms inhale and exhale as their caps expanded and contracted. Their breathing was in rhythm with a trickling sound that echoed from within the overgrown gym.

“Are you all right?” Muthr asked as she approached Eva.