Lilly walked ahead of everyone. If no one was going to help her, she might as well set herself apart. For four long months, she'd been working to reestablish communication. If she let herself think about it for too long, she'd end up deciding the only thing that made sense was to go back through the portal. She didn't give two fucks about Sloan. Sloan was just an excuse to do what she wanted. Hammel would let her live with them.

  "Wait up," Edward said, walking double time to keep up with Lilly.

  "Mary Jane is gonna freak if she sees us talking. You know this," Lilly said.

  Edward didn't respond to that. Probably because he knew Lilly was right.

  "I have an idea."

  Lilly stopped abruptly. He had her full attention.

  "What if we built a heliograph?" Edward said.

  "What are you talking about?" Lilly asked, annoyed.

  "Well, it's like if a hiker got lost in the woods and was using a mirror or an aluminum can to signal to people searching for him. A heliograph reflects sunlight, which creates a signal."

  "What kind of signal? How would anyone even see it from this far away?"

  "A flashing signal and there's a huge chance NO ONE will see it," Edward said. "But we're not getting anywhere trying to hack into the system. General Stone must have changed admin access."

  "How does it work?" Lilly asked.

  "How does what work?" Camden asked.

  "Jesus," Lilly said. "Aren't you supposed to be out exploring the Martian expanse?"

  "You want to know what I found? I'll summarize it- dirt, red rocks, more dirt, and test tubes full of the same dirt and rocks. No one's ever going to actually live here. It's creepy, full of radiation that's killing us. Yet, we stay even though there's a perfectly good portal to another world, theoretically way more normal than this one, where we don't need helmets, minutes away from where I stand."

  "It's not theoretical," Edward said, pointing to his helmetless head.

  "No shit," Camden said. "Why are we still hanging out in this dump when we could be in Merritt, thriving. All we need is one person to stay back as a lookout. Set up a rotation schedule. I'll go first if you want."

  "He's not wrong," Lilly said. "It'll be two more months before they find out we didn't come back and another six minimum to get a relief crew up here."

  "It's Merrick, not Merritt, Camden. And what about Peyton's fears that Nigel will concoct some fake catastrophe right before they land, explaining why none of us are with them?" said Edward.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  "Do you really think our parents are going to buy a story like that when everyone else came home?" Lilly asked.

  "I dunno," Edward said. "Red Rock kept this nightmare under wraps for five whole missions. I think you're underestimating Nigel. Plus, Stone and Ms. Lawrence aren't coming home. Their absence makes ours more plausible."

  "So what do we need to build a heliograph?" Lilly asked.

  "A lot of reflective material. I think insulated blankets would work. We'd need to stretch them over a frame to make a panel."

  "And someone on Earth could see that?" Camden asked.

  "They might if we figure out a way to generate flashes of light like Morse code. We'd have to pick something recognizable, like a series of odd numbers, and then repeat it over and over."

  Lilly looked at Edward. He was a fucking genius. She'd known this since the day they first met during quarantine. But this Edward was hot. His auburn hair had grown super long and wavy, and the way he calmly explained a real solution that could save them was turning her on.

  "So we have the stuff to make the panel?" Lilly asked.

  "Yeah, we definitely have the stuff," Edward said.

  "If it doesn't work, can we consider going to Merrick?" Camden asked.

  "I'm not the one blocking us from going through the portal," Edward said. "That's all Ms. Lawrence."

  Lilly sighed. "Why can't we do both? Camden is right. Living here is extremely hard, not to mention depressing. A rotation to guard the base seems doable."

  "We only have two months before they land, Lilly, and spread whatever story they want about why we're not there. We can wait to build the panel, but we have a short window of time before people may not believe there's a reason to look for us."

  "Edwards right," Camden said. "But how does a panel make Morse code?"

  Edward didn't respond right away. If Lilly had to guess, he didn't actually know.

  "Well, it would require a shutter system of some type," Edward said, hesitantly.

  "Say it to me like I'm a dumbass," Camden said, frowning.

  "You are an actual dumbass, though," Lilly said quickly.

  "So, picture blinds hanging in a window. You open them to let light in and close them to keep light out," Edward said.

  "You know, ain't nobody up here, Bob the Builder," Camden said.

  "I know, but we could figure it out. Everyone benefits from people back on Earth knowing we're here."

  "I'm down. You and Alex can dismantle the rovers. Kai could fly up high enough to see which angle gives us the brightest flash."

  "And what's your contribution, Camden?" Lilly said.

  "Feels like there's gonna be math involved. I don't mind stepping in," Camden replied.

  "Oh, I feel safer already," she said, shoving Edward, which made her feel super awkward.

  "So you'll present the idea to Ms. Lawrence?" Lilly asked, trying to regain her composure.

  "Sure. I'll find her as soon as we're back," Edward said.

  "Let's go now, then," Lilly said, walking out in front.

  "I'll catch up," Camden said. "I left my headlamp and first aid kit about 800 meters back."

  "Sounds good," Lilly and Edward said simultaneously-the atmosphere suddenly shifting.

  "So no more talk of going back to Merrick, right?" Edward asked, pointedly.

  Lilly kept walking. Was this something she could promise? Thoughts of going back had consumed her. She missed Enyst dearly.

  "I'm sure you could build a gigantic blind without me," Lilly said lightly.

  "I don't want you to go back without me," Edward said.

  Lilly felt her face flush. Was he trying to tell her something, or was Edward just being protective like any good guy would be over a girl?

  "Merrick is dangerous. The disagreement between the factions is growing. Not everyone there is built like Hammel. Solomon intended to kill me. I can't imagine you being there alone."

  There was no mistaking Edward's intention now. What was happening? Wasn't he with Mary Jane? What was the appropriate thing to do here?

  "You could come with me after we build the heliograph," she said.

  "If that's what you want," he replied.

  "What about Mary Jane?" she said, nervously.

  "I'll talk to her," he said, gently pushing a strand of Lilly's hair back behind one ear.

  "Ok," she said, walking ahead again. This time to hide her gigantic smile.