A loud BANG echoed through the airship as it moved slowly along the cavern ceiling, startling Charles awake. Lying in a spider-silk blanket, he gasped for breath, cold sweat streaming down his forehead.
"What's wrong? Is your head hurting again?" From beneath the covers, a small, soft hand reached out, gently caressing his chest.
Charles swallowed and grabbed the hand, squeezing it softly. "It's nothing. I just had a nightmare."
Anna, sleeping beside him, snuggled closer. "Since it was just a nightmare, don't dwell on it. Think about happy things instead. In six hours, we'll be at our destination, and you'll be home. What do you plan to do after you get back to the surface? Continue your studies? Or go back to work?"
