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We Recieved a Distress Call From an Abandoned Space Station. Something Horrifying Happened. · Creepy Stories to Fall Asleep To

0:00
I stood at the observation deck window, watching E7 grow larger
0:04
against the backdrop of stars. The station's silhouette looked
0:08
wrong somehow, too dark in places where lights should have
0:12
been. I checked the Seals on my suit
0:14
for the third time, tugging at the connectors with practiced
0:18
fingers. Commander Walker, this is
0:21
Director Murray. I need to remind you that this
0:25
is reconnaissance only. Teresa's voice came through
0:29
crisp in my earpiece. Get in, find the source of the
0:33
signal, document the station's condition, and get out.
0:38
No heroics. Copy that, director.
0:42
I kept my eyes on the approaching station.
0:45
We'll be quick and careful. See that you are.
0:49
Earth expects your report in eight hours.
0:52
I turned from the window to watch my team make their final
0:55
preparations. We'd worked together for three
0:59
years, but something about this mission had everyone on edge.
1:06
Dominic packed supplies into a field kit at the medical
1:09
station. I noticed him double checking
1:11
each item. All meds accounted for, he said
1:16
when he noticed me watching. Though I'm hoping we won't need
1:19
them. Julie checked her sidearm.
1:23
She removed the magazine, counted the rounds, then locked
1:26
it back into place. Security protocols reviewed and
1:31
weapon ready, she reported holstering the gun at her hip.
1:35
Still think it's overkill for a ghost station?
1:39
Better to have it and not need it, I said.
1:43
Joshua and Virginia check the diagnostic panel.
1:47
Joshua worked the interface while Virginia took notes on her
1:50
tablet. Docking systems are green,
1:54
Joshua called out without looking up.
1:57
But I'm seeing some weird power fluctuations from the station.
2:02
Define weird, I said, moving closer.
2:06
Virginia turned her tablet toward me.
2:09
The station's running on minimal power, just enough for basic
2:13
life support and emergency systems.
2:16
That's not standard protocol for decommissioning, I said.
2:21
Not even close. Virginia agreed.
2:24
Someone's keeping it alive. Eli sat at the communication
2:29
station, headphones on one ear as he adjusted his console, his
2:33
brow furrowed in concentration. EarthLink is stable, Commander,
2:38
he said. But I'm picking up something
2:41
strange about that distress signal.
2:44
I joined him at the console. What about it?
2:49
It's broadcasting on an old emergency frequency, one that
2:53
hasn't been used in at least five years.
2:56
Eli pointed to a waveform on his screen.
3:00
And the pattern is unusual, almost like it's been modified.
3:07
I frowned at the display. Modified how?
3:10
Hard to tell, but it's definitely not standard.
3:15
I moved back to the main viewport, studying the station
3:18
with growing unease. E7 had been decommissioned 3
3:22
years ago after budget cuts forced the space agency to
3:26
consolidate operations. It should have been completely
3:29
powered down, with all systems offline and life support
3:33
disabled. Dominic.
3:36
I called over my shoulder. What are the scans show for life
3:40
support? He joined me at the window,
3:43
tablet in hand. That's what's bothering me.
3:48
Environmental systems are functioning at 20% capacity.
3:52
Oxygen recyclers, temperature regulation, even some of the
3:55
water purification systems. He looked up from the screen,
4:00
meeting my eyes. Rowan, this shouldn't be
4:04
possible, not after three years without maintenance.
4:09
Could it be automated systems? I asked, though I already knew
4:13
the answer. No way.
4:15
These systems require regular human intervention.
4:19
Filters need changing. Components need replacing.
4:23
He shook his head. Someone's been keeping this
4:27
place running. The docking sequence initiated
4:31
with a soft chime from the ship's computer.
4:34
I watched as our vessel aligned perfectly with E7's main
4:37
airlock. 2 perfectly for a station that should have been
4:41
dead in space. That was smooth, Julie said,
4:45
voicing my thoughts. Almost like the station was
4:48
expecting us. Docking complete, Joshua
4:52
announced, Pressure equalizing now, I pulled my focus back to
4:58
the mission. All right, everyone, suit up and
5:02
prepare to board. Standard exploration protocol.
5:05
Comms check every 15 minutes. We gathered at the airlock, the
5:10
soft hiss of our suit systems the only sound as we waited for
5:14
the green light. When it came, I led the way,
5:19
pushing through the connecting tunnel into E7.
5:23
The air was breathable, but stale, with a metallic Tang that
5:26
made my throat itch. Emergency lights illuminated the
5:30
corridor as we moved. Air quality?
5:34
I asked, lifting my visor. Breathable, Dominic confirmed,
5:39
checking his scanner. Oxygen levels are within
5:42
acceptable parameters, but there's an unusual concentration
5:46
of metal particles. Nothing immediately harmful.
5:50
Joshua ran his hand along a nearby panel, bringing up a
5:54
status display. Environmental systems are
5:57
running on auxiliary power. Main reactor is in standby mode.
6:03
He looked back at me, face pale in the dim light.
6:07
Commander, these systems should have failed years ago without
6:10
maintenance. So someone's been here, Julie
6:15
said, her hand resting on her sidearm.
6:18
Recently I looked down the long corridor that led deeper into
6:22
the station. E7 was huge, a research and
6:27
development facility with multiple labs, living quarters
6:30
and storage areas spread across 3 levels.
6:34
If someone was here, finding them would take time.
6:39
We need to cover more ground. I decided we'll split into
6:43
pairs. Julie, you're with Eli, check
6:47
the living quarters and recreation areas.
6:49
Joshua and Virginia, head to Engineering and see if you can
6:53
get more systems online. Dominic and I will check the
6:57
command center and medical Bay. Is splitting up wise?
7:02
Dominic asked quietly. Given the circumstances, I
7:07
considered his question. Protocol said to stay together
7:11
in unknown situations, but time was limited.
7:16
We'll maintain constant communication.
7:18
I said firmly. First sign of trouble.
7:21
We regroup at the airlock. This place is too big to search
7:25
effectively as one unit. I looked at each of them in
7:28
turn. These people I trusted with my
7:31
life countless times before. Find out who's been maintaining
7:36
this station and why they're broadcasting a distress signal.
7:40
And be careful. Something doesn't feel right
7:43
about this place. As the team split up, I sensed
7:47
we were being watched from somewhere inside the facility.
7:51
I headed down the corridor with Dominic, the sound of our
7:54
footsteps echoing in the empty station.
7:58
The command center was our destination, but the walk there
8:01
felt longer than it should have. How long has it been since
8:05
anyone's been here? I asked, my voice sounding too
8:09
loud in the quiet hallway. Dominic checked his tablet.
8:14
Official records show the last maintenance crew left three
8:17
years and four months ago. Final decommissioning was
8:20
completed then. So why does it feel like
8:24
someone's been here recently? The active systems suggest
8:29
regular maintenance, Dominic said.
8:32
But there's no record of any sanctioned visits.
8:36
We turned a corner into a wider passage.
8:40
Emergency lights lit the hallway as my flashlight beam revealed
8:43
dust in the air. The command center should be
8:47
just ahead, I said, checking the station map on my wrist display.
8:52
Dominic nodded. And the medical Bay is adjacent.
8:57
I'd like to check their supplies, see if anything's been
8:59
used. As we approach the command
9:02
center doors, I noticed they were partially open.
9:06
According to protocol, all interior doors should have
9:09
sealed automatically when the station powered down.
9:14
I signaled to Dominic to stay alert.
9:16
As I pushed the door wider, the beam of my flashlight swept
9:20
across the room, catching on something slumped over one of
9:23
the consoles. At first I thought it was
9:27
equipment, or maybe clothing someone had left behind.
9:32
Rowan. Dominic whispered, pointing his
9:36
light in the same direction. It wasn't equipment, it was a
9:40
body. We moved forward cautiously.
9:44
The figure was wearing a medical officer's uniform, slumped
9:47
forward over the main command console.
9:51
As we got closer. I recognize the embroidered name
9:54
badge. Doctor Paisley Morgan.
9:57
I know her, Dominic said, his voice tight.
10:02
We worked together on the Ganymede mission four years ago.
10:06
I stepped around to see her face and immediately wished I hadn't.
10:11
Her body was twisted at an unnatural angle, as if she'd
10:15
been trying to escape from something while still seated.
10:18
Her eyes were wide open, blood vessels burst and red against
10:22
the whites. Her mouth was frozen in what
10:25
looked like a silent scream. Dominic moved in with his
10:30
scanner, professional instincts taking over despite the shock I
10:34
could see on his face. No visible wounds, he said,
10:39
running the device over her body.
10:42
No signs of trauma, except he leaned in closer to examine her
10:47
eyes. Extensive capillary rupture in
10:51
the eyes and facial tissue. Internal hemorrhaging consistent
10:55
with extreme cardiovascular stress.
10:59
What could cause that? I asked.
11:01
Heart attack, stroke, aneurysm. But the pattern is unusual.
11:07
He looked up at me. It's almost like she died from
11:13
fear. I finished for him, like she was
11:16
scared to death. My community crackled to life,
11:21
making us both jump. Commander Eli's voice came
11:26
through, sounding shaken. We found something in the crew
11:29
quarters, you need to see this. What is it, Eli?
11:34
I asked. Bodies sur 6 of them, all crew
11:38
members based on their uniforms, and they all look wrong.
11:43
No visible injuries, but their faces.
11:46
He trailed off. Let me guess.
11:49
I said, looking back at Paisley's contorted expression.
11:54
They look like they died from extreme fright.
11:58
Yes, Sir. How did you know?
12:01
We just found Doctor Paisley Morgan in the command center.
12:04
Same condition. I made a quick decision.
12:08
Stay where you are. Don't touch anything.
12:10
We're coming to you. Understood, Commander.
12:15
I turned to Dominic. Let's move.
12:19
We headed back into the corridor, moving faster.
12:22
The emergency lighting barely illuminated the hallways.
12:26
I caught movement as we rounded the corridor bend.
12:30
My flashlight revealed a dark figure at the halls far end, a
12:33
shadow that retreated from the light into the darkness beyond.
12:38
Did you see that? I asked, my voice low.
12:42
Dominic looked where I was pointing.
12:44
See what? I thought I saw someone or
12:48
something. I kept my light trained on the
12:51
spot, but there was nothing there now.
12:54
Never mind, let's keep moving. We continued through the
12:59
residential sections of the station.
13:01
The temperature had dropped a few degrees in this area.
13:06
Temperature fluctuations could indicate system malfunctions,
13:10
Dominic said, noticing my glance at the display.
13:14
Or someone adjusting the environmental controls, I added.
13:19
We finally reached the crew quarters, where Eli and Julie
13:22
were waiting for us. The door slid open with a soft
13:26
hiss, revealing a common area with several bodies scattered
13:30
around. Julie stood near the entrance,
13:33
her hand resting on her holstered weapon.
13:36
Eli was by the far wall, keeping his distance from the nearest
13:40
body. Commander.
13:43
Julie acknowledged as we entered.
13:45
Her face was composed, but I could see tension in her
13:49
shoulders. I moved further into the room,
13:52
taking in the scene. Six bodies, just as Eli had
13:56
reported. Each one was in a different
13:59
position. 1 slumped in a chair, another sprawled on the floor,
14:04
two more by what looked like a game table.
14:08
All of them showed the same symptoms as Paisley, contorted
14:11
postures, expressions of terror burst blood vessels in their
14:15
eyes. They all died at the same time,
14:19
Dominic said, examining the nearest body.
14:22
Based on decomposition, I'd estimate three to four days ago.
14:28
That matches when the distress signal started, Eli noted.
14:33
I looked around the room, but the station was decommissioned 3
14:36
years ago. What were they doing here?
14:40
No official mission records, Julie said, checking her tablet.
14:45
Either this was off the books or, or they weren't supposed to
14:49
be here. I finished.
14:52
I walked over to one of the bodies, a man in a technician's
14:55
uniform. His hand was clutching a data
14:58
pad so tightly that his knuckles were white.
15:02
I carefully worked it free from his grip and tried to activate
15:06
it, but the battery was dead. We need to restore power and get
15:11
the security systems online, I decided.
15:15
That's our priority now. We need to know what happened
15:18
here. I tapped my calm Joshua.
15:22
Virginia, what's your status? We're an engineering commander.
15:27
Virginia's voice came back. Main power systems are intact,
15:31
but offline. We can bring them back up, but
15:34
it will take time. Make it happen.
15:38
We need full power and security systems online ASAP.
15:43
Understood, Commander. We're on it.
15:46
I turn to the others. Eli, Julie, you're with us.
15:51
We're heading to the command center to access the security
15:54
logs. Once Joshua and Virginia get
15:57
power restored, we might be able to piece together what happened
16:01
here. We left the crew quarters and
16:04
moved as a group through the corridors.
16:06
I noticed the others glancing nervously at shadows as we
16:09
walked. When we reached the command
16:12
center, Paisley's body was exactly as we'd left it.
16:16
I asked Julie to move her to the side while Eli and I started
16:19
working on the consoles. Even on auxiliary power, we
16:23
should be able to access some of the security logs, Eli said, his
16:27
fingers moving quickly over the control panel.
16:31
Suddenly, the lights throughout the station surged brightly,
16:35
then dimmed to a steady glow, brighter than the emergency
16:38
lighting, but not at full power. Looks like Joshua and Virginia
16:44
got something working, I said. As if in response to the power
16:49
surge, the monitors around the command center flickered to
16:52
life. Static filled the screens
16:55
momentarily before resolving into footage.
16:58
Not live feeds, but recorded video from the station's
17:01
security system. This is from three years ago,
17:07
Eli said, checking the timestamp when the station was being
17:11
decommissioned. We watched as the footage showed
17:14
the previous crew going about their normal duties.
17:18
Then something changed. The people on screen began
17:21
looking around nervously, some pointing at things off camera.
17:26
Their movements became more frantic.
17:28
One woman pressed her hands against her ears, as if trying
17:31
to block out a sound. A man backed away from something
17:35
we couldn't see, terror clear on his face.
17:39
Then, 1 by 1, they began to collapse just like the bodies
17:44
we'd found, their faces twisted in fear as they died.
17:48
At the edges of the frame, dark shapes moved, figures that
17:52
shifted and flowed. What the hell are those?
17:57
Julie whispered, pointing at the shapes.
18:00
Before anyone could answer, a tremendous crash echoed through
18:04
the station, the sound coming from the direction of
18:06
engineering. Joshua, Virginia, I called into
18:12
my calm, but there was no response.
18:15
I looked at the others, seeing my own fear reflected in their
18:18
eyes. Let's move now.
18:24
I tried the calm again, pressing it hard against my ear to catch
18:27
any response. Joshua Virginia, do you copy?
18:33
The static crackled, harsh and empty.
18:36
I looked at Dominic, Julie, and Eli, their faces tense in the
18:40
dim light of the command center. No response.
18:44
What was that crash? Julie asked, her hand already on
18:48
her sidearm. I shook my head.
18:52
I don't know, but we're not splitting up anymore.
18:55
Everyone stays together from now on.
18:59
I grabbed my flashlight from my belt.
19:02
We need to get to Engineering and find out what happened to
19:04
them. We moved as a group through the
19:07
corridors, our footsteps echoing against metal floors.
19:12
The station felt different now, colder, more hostile.
19:17
The security footage we'd seen kept playing in my head, those
19:21
dark shapes at the edges of the frame, the terrified expressions
19:25
frozen on the dead crew's faces. Commander Eli said quietly
19:32
beside me. Those shadows in the video, they
19:36
looked almost like. Let's focus on finding Joshua in
19:40
Virginia. I cut him off.
19:43
I wasn't ready to put words to what we'd seen.
19:47
The route to engineering seemed longer than it should have been.
19:51
Lights flickered overhead, casting moving shadows that made
19:55
Julie raise her weapon more than once.
19:58
When we finally reached the engineering section, the main
20:01
door stood half open. Joshua, Virginia.
20:07
I called out. Pushing the door wider, the
20:11
engineering Bay was a mess. Toolkits lay scattered across
20:15
the floor, diagnostic panels blinked with warning lights, and
20:19
a maintenance ladder had toppled onto a workstation, the likely
20:22
source of the crash we'd heard. But no sign of our engineers.
20:28
They were just here, Dominic said, picking up Virginia's
20:32
tablet. The screen still showed active
20:35
diagnostics. They wouldn't leave their
20:37
equipment like this. Julie moved deeper into the
20:41
room, scanning each corner with her flashlight.
20:45
No signs of a struggle. It's like they just walked away
20:51
or we're taken. Eli added, his voice barely
20:55
audible. I felt it then, the temperature
20:59
dropping around us. My breath clouded in front of my
21:02
face and goosebumps rose on my arms under my uniform.
21:07
Everyone feel that? I asked.
21:11
Dominic nodded, rubbing his arms, temperatures falling
21:15
rapidly. This isn't normal system
21:18
behavior. A nearby console lit up
21:21
suddenly, drawing all our attention.
21:24
Green text appeared on the black screen, 1 character at a time,
21:28
as if someone was typing Get out.
21:32
What the hell? Julie whispered.
21:35
I didn't wait to see if more would appear.
21:38
We're evacuating now, back to the ship.
21:43
No one argued. We turned and ran, retracing our
21:47
steps toward the docking Bay where our vessel waited.
21:51
The station seemed to fight us at every turn.
21:54
Overhead lights surged and died in waves.
21:58
Doors that should have remained open began slamming shut
22:00
randomly, forcing us to change course multiple times.
22:05
The station's systems are malfunctioning.
22:08
Dominic panted as we ran. This isn't a malfunction, Julie
22:13
said, her voice hard with certainty.
22:17
We passed a row of status monitors, and I nearly stopped
22:20
in my tracks. Each screen we passed flickered
22:24
to life, showing the same dark, indistinct shapes we'd seen in
22:28
the security footage. Shadow figures with no clear
22:32
features, but unmistakably watching us, following our
22:36
progress. Don't look at them.
22:40
I ordered, pushing forward. Just keep moving.
22:45
We reached a four way junction, pausing to catch our breath and
22:49
get our bearings. I turned to make sure everyone
22:52
was still with us. Where's Eli?
22:55
I asked, suddenly realizing we were one short.
22:59
Julie spun around, her flashlight beam cutting through
23:02
the darkness behind us. He was right behind me.
23:07
Eli. I called out, my voice echoing
23:10
down the empty corridor. Eli, do you copy?
23:14
Dominic grabbed my arm. Look.
23:18
On the floor lay Eli's com unit, it's light still blinking green
23:22
to indicate an active connection.
23:25
But Eli himself was gone. No sound, no struggle, no
23:29
warning. He'd simply vanished.
23:32
How is that possible? Julie whispered, picking up the
23:35
calm. I would have heard something.
23:38
We were right next to each other.
23:40
A soft hissing sound came from somewhere above us.
23:45
Dominic looked up at the air vents, his face pale.
23:49
Listen, he said. Do you hear that?
23:53
I strained my ears. There it was, barely audible
23:58
whispers coming from the ventilation system, too faint to
24:01
make out words, but clearly not mechanical.
24:06
We need to warn Earth, Dominic said suddenly.
24:09
Whatever's happening here, whatever took the original crew
24:12
and now Joshua, Virginia, and Eli, it's still broadcasting
24:17
that distress signal to bring more people.
24:20
He was right. Change of plans, we head to the
24:24
communication hub. We need to override that signal
24:28
with a warning. We altered course, moving as
24:31
quickly and quietly as possible. The temperature continued to
24:35
drop and I could see frost forming on metal surfaces.
24:40
The shadows on the screens seem to grow more agitated, shifting
24:44
and stretching as if trying to reach through the glass.
24:48
We were passing the medical Bay when it happened.
24:51
Julie, who had taken point with her weapon drawn, suddenly
24:55
jerked backward as if yanked by an invisible rope.
24:59
She didn't even have time to scream before she was pulled
25:02
through the medical Bay doors, which slammed shut behind her.
25:06
I lunged for the doors, but they wouldn't budget Julie.
25:10
I shouted, pounding on the metal.
25:12
Julie. Dominic grabbed my shoulder.
25:16
Rowan, we can't help her if we're caught too.
25:19
We have to keep moving. Every instinct told me to stay
25:23
and fight to get through those doors, but the rational part of
25:27
me knew he was right. With a sick feeling in my gut, I
25:31
turned away and we ran the remaining distance to the
25:34
communication hub. The hub was a small room with
25:38
multiple broadcast stations. Dominic immediately went to the
25:43
main console while I stood guard at the door, watching for any
25:46
movement in the corridor. I'm accessing the signal now.
25:51
Dominic said, his fingers flying over the keyboard.
25:55
This doesn't make sense. What is it?
26:00
The distress signal. It's not a distress signal at
26:03
all. Not originally.
26:06
His voice grew more urgent. It was a warning.
26:10
Look at this. I glanced over his shoulder at
26:13
the screen. The signal pattern had been
26:16
altered, but underneath the modifications the original
26:20
message was still there. Danger, non human presence, Do
26:25
not approach. Someone changed it.
26:29
Dominic said. They modified a warning into a
26:31
call for help to lure more ships Here.
26:35
I finished. But why?
26:38
The monitors around us suddenly came to life, each one filling
26:42
with those same shadow figures, dozens of them now pressing
26:46
against the screens as if trying to breakthrough.
26:49
The temperature plummeted so quickly I could feel the
26:52
moisture in my eyes starting to crystallize.
26:56
Dominic gasped beside me, clutching at his chest.
27:00
I turned to see blood vessels bursting in his eyes, his face
27:04
contorting in pain and fear, the same symptoms we'd seen in all
27:08
the bodies. Dominic.
27:11
I grabbed him as he started to collapse.
27:14
They're not. He choked, blood trickling from
27:16
his nose. They're not physical.
27:19
They feed on on fear, on life. His body convulsed as he fought
27:24
to speak. Run, Rowan.
27:26
Hide. Don't let them see you.
27:29
With the last of his strength, he pushed me toward the door.
27:33
Go. I stood frozen, watching my best
27:36
friend die in front of me, his face locked in that same
27:40
expression of terror I'd seen on Paisley and the others.
27:44
Within seconds, he was gone. The shadows pressed closer on
27:49
every screen, and I felt a crushing pressure building in my
27:52
chest. The beginning of what had killed
27:55
Dominic and all the others. Fighting panic, I backed toward
27:59
the door. I was alone now.
28:03
Everyone was gone, and whatever had taken them was still here,
28:07
still hunting. As I slipped out into the
28:11
corridor, the last thing I saw was Dominic's body slumped over
28:15
the console, his final warning still ringing in my ears.
28:19
Hide, don't let them see you. I ran down the corridor, my
28:23
boots pounding against the metal floor.
28:26
The shadows were everywhere, not just trailing behind me, but
28:30
appearing ahead of me too. Every monitor I passed lit up
28:34
with dark shapes that seemed to watch me, turning to follow as I
28:38
sprinted past. Leave me alone.
28:42
I shouted, my voice bouncing uselessly off the walls.
28:47
The nearest screen flickered, showing what looked like a face
28:50
made of darkness, its features stretching into something like a
28:54
smile. The temperature dropped so
28:57
suddenly I could see my breath clouding in front of me.
29:02
A door to my right was partially open.
29:05
Without thinking, I squeezed through the gap and found myself
29:09
in a small storage room lined with lockers.
29:12
My flashlight beam swept across the space, revealing maintenance
29:16
equipment and emergency supplies.
29:19
One of the lockers hung open. I yanked out the contents, spare
29:23
parts, some kind of technical manual, and crawled inside,
29:27
pulling the door shut behind me. The metal was cold against my
29:32
back as I tried to control my breathing.
29:36
I clicked off my flashlight, plunging myself Into Darkness.
29:41
The locker was barely big enough for me to sit with my knees
29:44
pulled up to my chest. I could hear my own ragged
29:48
breathing, too loud in the confined space outside.
29:53
The temperature continued to drop until the metal walls of my
29:56
hiding place felt like ice against my back.
29:59
I don't know how long I stayed there.
30:02
Minutes stretched into what felt like ours.
30:06
My legs cramped, but I was too afraid to move.
30:10
The only sound was my own breathing and the occasional
30:13
distant mechanical groan of the station.
30:16
Rowan. I nearly jumped out of my skin
30:19
when Dominic's voice came through my calm.
30:22
Dominic. I whispered, hardly daring to
30:25
hope. Where are you?
30:27
Are you OK? Listen carefully, his voice
30:32
said, calm and measured as always.
30:35
They hunt by sight. They can't find you if they
30:38
can't see you. Who are they?
30:41
What are they? I asked.
30:43
No time. You need to get to the escape
30:45
pod. Dominic continued.
30:47
Stay in shadows. Don't look at screens.
30:50
Don't let them see your eyes. But where are you?
30:54
I can come get you. Just get to the escape pod.
30:58
He cut me off. I'll guide you the command
31:02
center first. I've accessed the station
31:04
systems. I can help you.
31:07
I hesitated, then slowly pushed open the locker door.
31:12
The storage room was still empty.
31:13
The air is so cold now that my joints ached as I unfolded
31:17
myself from the cramped space. They're in the main corridors,
31:22
Dominic's voice said. Take the maintenance tunnels.
31:25
There's an access panel behind the supply shelves.
31:28
I found the panel and pulled it open, revealing A narrow crawl
31:32
space. Switching my flashlight to its
31:35
dimmest setting, I crawled in. The maintenance tunnel was
31:39
tight, dusty, and ran with pipes along both sides.
31:44
I moved as quietly as I could, following Dominic's occasional
31:48
directions through turns and junctions.
31:51
You're approaching the command center, he said after what
31:54
seemed like forever. Be careful when you exit.
31:59
I pushed open an access panel and climbed out into the command
32:02
center. The room was dark, except for
32:05
the glow of a few active monitors, and there, slumped
32:09
over the main console, was Dominic.
32:13
My stomach dropped. I rushed to him, already knowing
32:16
what I'd find. His body was cold.
32:19
Blood vessels burst in his eyes, that same expression of terror
32:22
frozen on his face. He'd been dead for hours.
32:27
Dominic. I whispered, my hand on his
32:30
shoulder. Rowan, you need to hurry.
32:35
His voice came through my calm again, making me jump back from
32:38
the body. This is impossible.
32:42
I said, looking from the dead body to my calm unit.
32:46
You're the escape pod, Bay is 2 levels down.
32:52
The voice continued, sounding exactly like Dominic.
32:56
Take the emergency ladder, the main lifts aren't safe.
33:01
I backed away from the body, my mind racing.
33:05
Whatever was happening, whatever these things were, they could
33:08
mimic voices. They were using Dominic to lure
33:12
me somewhere, but the escape pods were my only way off the
33:16
station. I had no choice.
33:20
I'm going, I said, deciding to play along.
33:24
I found the emergency ladder and descended 2 levels.
33:27
The metal runs cold under my fingers.
33:30
Every shadow made me freeze, every distant sound had me
33:33
holding my breath. Left at the junction, Dominic's
33:39
voice instructed. The pod Bay is 50 meters ahead.
33:44
I followed the directions, moving as quickly and quietly as
33:47
I could. The corridor to the escape pods
33:51
was lined with darkened screens. As I passed, each one flickered
33:56
to life, showing only darkness. I kept my eyes on the floor,
34:02
remembering what Dominic or whatever was using his voice had
34:06
said about them hunting by sight.
34:09
The pod Bay door was sealed. I punched in my command override
34:13
and it slid open with a hiss. Inside, a row of small escape
34:18
pods lined the wall. All but one had their hatches
34:21
open, their interiors dark. The last pod is prepped and
34:25
ready. Dominic's voice said.
34:28
Hurry, Rowan. I moved toward the pod, trying
34:32
to ignore the way the temperature had plummeted again.
34:35
My breath came out in white clouds as I reached for the
34:38
Hatch controls. Something moved in my peripheral
34:42
vision. I turned to see a shadow
34:45
stretching across the floor toward me, not cast by anything
34:50
but moving on its own. It was darker than the absence
34:54
of light, a void that seemed to pull at my vision, and it was
34:59
moving with purpose, reaching for me.
35:03
I yanked the Hatch open and threw myself inside the escape
35:06
pod, slamming my hand on the interior seal control. the Hatch
35:11
closed just as the shadow reached it, dark tendrils like
35:16
fingers stretching up toward the seal.
35:18
My hands shook as I activated the launch sequence.
35:22
The pod rumbled to life, clamps releasing as it prepared to
35:26
eject. Through the small viewport I
35:29
could see more shadows gathering in the Bay, pressing against the
35:32
pods exterior. The launch countdown reached 0,
35:37
and the pod shot away from the station with a violent jerk.
35:41
I watched through the viewport as E7 receded, becoming smaller
35:45
against the backdrop of stars. My heart was still pounding in
35:49
my chest. The Comm unit crackled.
35:54
Rowan. Dominic's voice again.
35:57
They're still broadcasting. The distress signal is still
36:00
active. I looked down at the pod
36:03
systems. Sure enough, I was picking up
36:06
the same distress signal that had brought us to E7 in the 1st
36:09
place. They'll keep luring ships.
36:13
The voice continued. You have to warn Earth.
36:17
The transmission cut out, leaving me in silence.
36:22
I stared at the Comm unit, then at the distance shape of E7, now
36:27
just a speck among the stars. I reached for the PODS
36:31
communication system with trembling hands.
36:35
I needed to send a warning, needed to make sure no one else
36:38
would respond to that signal. Whatever had claimed the station
36:42
and killed my crew was still there, still hunting, and I was
36:48
the only one left who knew the truth.