Pull

Illustration by Resource Database The first chamber was larger than the second. Wren heard and felt the pneumatic doors close behind them and was careful to place one foot next to the other, in a stable stance, and took hold of the handrails. They felt their boots lock onto the walkway. The loud, mechanical horn blared its single warning and clouds of thin white mist filled the room. Wren stared straight ahead but could see in the peripheral vision possible through their helmet’s visor the particles cling to their suit. In seconds they covered the visor as well. A loud thump, and Wren gripped the handrails as the g-forces compounded in milliseconds. The sound of rushing air audible but dampened through their helmet. The visor cleared and they watched as their suit became clean, a white tornado cloud forming below and then disappearing just as quickly, another mechanical bang, their arm muscles relaxing reflexively, their boots freed. Wren began walking as the forward doors whooshed…