Debris

The room filled with a hushed tension as the boys gradually regained their composure. Finn, his heart still racing, glanced around at his friends, taking in the mix of relief and apprehension etched on their faces. With a deep breath, he broke the silence.

"Is everyone okay?" Finn's voice quivered slightly, betraying his own lingering fear. Nobody answered.

Cove's immediate concern was for Sage, who had a hand pressed against his head, trying to stem the bleeding. Cove rushed over to his friend.

"How are you feeling? Does it hurt?" his voice trembled with genuine concern as he examined Sage's injury. Sage managed a faint smile, attempting to reassure the boy.

"Don't worry, it's just a scratch", Sage said, his voice wavering slightly. Cove's worry stayed, evident in his gaze, as he began to gather the shattered pieces of plates without taking his eyes off Sage, who was still trying to steady himself.

Meanwhile, Nima, shaken by the earthquake's initial impact, found himself in the unexpected embrace of Raven. Wide-eyed and bewildered, Nima met Raven's gaze, silently questioning the intimate contact. As if snapped back to reality, Raven swiftly realized he was holding the boy quite tightly. He gently but steadily released Nima from his hold, looking away throughout the process, without saying a word.

"What in the fucking hell was that?" River blurted out with a shaky voice, still trembling from the ordeal. Finn released the boy from his protective embrace, leaving a tinge of disappointment on River's face. He found a spot on the floor, collapsing onto it as soon as Finn let him go. The taller boy crouched down beside him, gently resting a comforting hand on his back without uttering a word.

Nima broke the silence. "Back in Italy, we had a scary earthquake that forced us out of our homes", he shared, his voice tinged with a mix of fear and awe. All eyes turned to him, captivated by his words. "But this... this was on a whole different level. I can't imagine a normal earthquake being as intense as what we just went through." He lowered his gaze, lost in his thoughts for a moment.

A brief pause ensued, and Sage, with a warm smile, excused himself from the group. He moved to the old couch, fetching a couple of band-aids from the first-aid kit. Cove watched him with worry, frozen in his place, his fear still lingering.

River scoffed, a hint of laughter escaping his lips. "Still up for that walk?" he challenged, directing his eyes towards Raven. But Raven, unyielding, refused to meet River's gaze. Instead, he rolled his eyes and looked up at the ceiling.

After a moment, Cove found the courage to rise from his position and joined Sage on the couch. Finn and River followed suit, taking their seats on the worn-out sofa, which creaked in response to their weight. Nima, with Raven's assistance, slowly joined them, leaning on his crutches. There was no space left on the chouch. Sage looked at him and then pointed towards his own lap, a silent invitation for Nima to join him. Nima hesitated for a brief moment, but then a smile spread across his face, accepting the fraternal gesture. He gingerly took his place on Sage's lap, feeling the comforting support of Sage's hand on his back.

Sage broke the silence. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine care. "No, are you okay?" Nima replied, his worry for his friend evident in his voice.

Raven, caught in his own internal struggle, hesitated for a moment before finally inching closer to the couch. He stood near the armrest, visibly nervous, his gaze flickering between the boys on the couch and the room around them. The weight of the moment seemed to hang heavily upon him.

"It's just a scratch, don't worry, Nima", Sage reassured, a soft smile gracing his lips. With a quick motion, he pointed to his forehead, gently moving his hair aside to reveal the minor wound. Nima's relief was palpable as he smiled and nodded in response. Cove, too, felt a sense of burden lifted from his shoulders, yet a trace of worry still remained onto his face.

After a brief moment of contemplation, River's voice pierced through the air, heavy with a newfound solemnity. "So, what are we supposed to do now?" he inquired, his gaze lowered, his voice tinged with a deeper timbre than usual. Finn scanned the room with his eyes for a response.

"We should contact the authorities", Cove declared, his voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. River's retort dripped with sarcasm, his cynicism palpable. "If the cataclysmic heartquake we just went through didn't manage to alert them, I highly doubt their assistance would be of any use", he replied.

It was Nima who offered a suggestion, his voice surprisingly resolute. "I say we go and look around the rest of this place", he said, his eyes meeting Sage's gaze, revealing a determination that caught the others off guard. Sage regarded him with surprise, curiosity dancing within his eyes. " We must ensure everything is still in place, and nothing important got damaged. We also still need to explore the other rooms, it's about time", Nima concluded.

Cove, though filled with worry, reluctantly nodded in agreement. His watch, frozen amidst the chaos, provided no indication of the passing time, yet weariness began to settle within his bones. The thought of finding a place to rest and gather his thoughts became increasingly appealing.

Rising from the worn-out couch, Finn took charge with a composed demeanor. "Alright, let's split up and cover more ground", he suggested practically. "River and I will check out the fireplace, the corridor, and any rooms connected to it." River gave a nod of agreement, standing beside his tall, blonde companion, ready to tackle the assigned exploration.

Turning his attention to Sage and Cove, Finn continued. "You both look very tired. Check what's behind the door near the counters and the one next to the bookshelf, then find a place to lie down. We need to be well rested and attentive in this situation".

Cove felt a hint of annoyance. "Yes, it's very easy to sleep in such secure circumstances." Sensing Cove's frustration, Sage offered a reassuring smile and placed a comforting hand on his leg, causing Cove's eyes to widen in surprise. "Don't worry", Sage reassured him, his voice carrying a soothing tone. "We'll be fine. This place seems solid, and being underground probably offers us the best safety right now." Cove nodded, his nervous energy still evident as he anxiously fidgeted with his hands.

Finn acknowledged Sage's reassuring words with a nod before shifting his attention to Nima. "Nima, you and Raven could—"

"We'll stay here and clean", Raven interjected, his voice glacial and his gaze piercing into Finn's warm eyes, causing a momentary unease. "But Raven", Nima protested, a hint of disappointment in his voice, "I want to help too." Raven responded dismissively, his tone dripping with indifference. "You'll help me." Nima's enthusiasm dampened as he realized he would be left out of the exploration, despite being the one who had suggested it.

"Alright then", River said, gripping Finn's wrist. Together they moved towards the door leading to the corridor. Cove rose from his seat and extended his hand to help Sage stand, while Raven handed Nima his crutches and assisted him in getting up. With a shared smile and nod, Cove and the long-haired boy made their way towards the door near the counters.

Nima remained rooted to the spot, watching his friends move farther away, while Raven geared up for the cleaning, the aftermath of the devastating earthquake still evident in the surrounding chaos.