With kindness behind his eyes, Will wipe a tear away and held Cora in another hug. He spoke comfort, but Cora only half-listened as she considered how he wasn't recoiling from her touch. She was freezing. At least, from what others told her. Unnaturally cold, terribly warmth sapping, that's what they said. Plus, he was Water. Did he feel the effects even more since his element's inclination would be to freeze? 

But the embrace was somehow soothing, to her surprise. She hid her face in his chest, taking a shaky breath as she tried to get it together. Thank goodness he was here. God, everything was just utter shit now. Everything. They had no food, no place to call home. And most of their friends were dead. Death was in every aspect of their deplorable situation, and she was sure the aliens were laughing about their victory. If they laughed. That seemed too human for them. 

Will wore a solemn expression as he entered the Haven. Cora followed, taking in the heartbreaking scene again. Hadn't they been here only a day or so ago with Wolgran? It felt like a non-existent dream, the lush grasses and cool springs, eternally burning fires and beautiful gardens. Only material useful for kindling remained, dead dry and colourless. Speaking of kindling, a fire was likely in their best interest. The day was almost over, and the sunlight would soon disappear behind the mountains of trash. 

Cora glanced at Phil, [b]"I have a feeling we'll be staying here tonight. Maybe more people will show up throughout the night, morning, whatever..."[/b]

She started picking up handfuls of grass and twigs. Not quite in the mood to saw off branches of the dead trees, she turned to the boys. [b]"Would you guys mind gathering us some firewood? We'll need enough to last all night, and the fire pit is empty. We can figure our next step... After that, I guess." [/b]She sighed, looked at the weak amount of tinder in her hand, and tossed it aside. The wind gusted, scattering the handful on the ground. Wind...

Cora left the cave for a moment, going down the path a ways to watch the sun go down. Her distance was far enough that Will and Phil probably wouldn't hear her freak out too much. She paced from side to side, looking up at the sky hatefully. Her voice, only a continuous stream of profanities, increased in volume until she was screaming. 

Aerilyn... She had grown to admire Aerilyn in the short time they were together. She was such a precious thing, modest and everything. If they had continued, Cora knew she would have found a close friend in Aerilyn. She remembered when her and Will were gagged and tied in the dirt, how it was Aerilyn who first crossed over the ridge and started the sandstorm. If was her storm that gave them enough cover to leave safely. But... God... Aerilyn was gone. Cora would never be able to thank her for saving them, sacrificing herself. And that was a cruel twist of fate she would be burdened with for the rest of her life.

Having only exhausted herself from the outburst, Cora watched the sun slowly sink, turning the sky into smoggy colours of gold, red and orange. It was beautiful, but not to Cora. Tonight, nothing was beautiful. And she almost punched the mountain when she realized that was the aliens' slogan.  

Cora rejoined the two Hygrons in the cave, putting on a face that seemed far more placid than she felt. Gathering kindling again, she offered it to the fire pit. [b]"Um... Does anyone here know how to start a fire?"[/b]