Darkness settled in a thick blanket over the island as Sage nestled into the crumbling remnants of a stable house. Ember had yet to wake and with each passing minute Sage's concern only worsened. Of course, she knew little of medicine, and for all she knew there was something far more serious than a bruise. Ember could very well have suffered a severe concussion, acquired internal bleeding in the brain, or fractured a cheek bone. There was no way of knowing without a doctor, and Sage wished more than anything that she was back home on her ship with Bentley only a trip downstairs away.

A gentle breeze wafted through the creaking timbers bringing on a bout of shivering. Teeth chattering, she checked on Ember once more. The red head was frigid. Sighing, Sage stood in the center of the stable and scanned the dusty floor for anything of use. Only faint remnants of straw, hoof prints, and solidified dung stuck out in the dark. The stables had long been picked over. There was nothing for her.

"This is perfect. No ship, no crew, no supplies, and an injured friend," Sage grumbled, "we should have stayed with the thieves. At least then there was proper shelter."

Kicking at loose straws of hay, Sage returned to her friend's side. No sooner had she sat down when the sound of stirred dirt and dust pricked her ears. Staring intently at the dark she stood. All was quiet. Then, no more than ten seconds later the sound came again. Stooping down, she collected a fossilized ball of dung. It wasn't the best weapon but it would do. Straining to hear even the smallest sound Sage hurled the projectile when a third noise sounded.

"Ow! Oh eeow!" A shadowed figure stumbled into the center of the stable clutching at their head. "My oh my oh my."

"Who are you?" Sage demanded. The visitor's head perked up in response.

"Oh oh yes, hello." Sage watched as they shuffled in her direction creating the same scuffling noise as before. "I come in peace. I didn't know this residence was occupied. My name is Pip."

"Okay, Pip," Sage shifted nervously, "what're you scuffling about for?"

"Co-collecting things. I'm not too good at it."

"Come closer would you?" Frowning, Sage had the idea she'd met this person before. Slowly, they made their way towards her. "You're an Underminer."

"That I am." Pip nodded enthusiastically.

"Do you know someone by the name of Krimely? He's a very good friend of mine." Sage held her breath in hopes Pip had.

"Krimley....oh yes! Yes, I know him! We all do. He was lucky enough to get away. Sailing the seas I heard- how is he?" Pip rambled excitedly all the while wringing his hands together.

"He's okay," Sage assured, "but I need your help with something. I have a friend who might be gravely hurt. Is there a medic you can take me to?"

"Oh, I wish I could miss." Pip frowned chewing at his bottom lip. "See, I don't get about too good. My eyes don't work. I got good ears so I can follow the noise of town. I can get about during the day but at night it's too quiet. We would certainly have to wait until morning. Then, I can help. Any friend of Krimely's is a friend of mine."

"That'll have to do," Sage sighed, "thank you."

"Of course! In the mean time I can keep you company until the sun peaks up. I heard it peaks. Right over the line on the horizon. Does it peak?" Pip wondered aloud.

"Yes, it peaks."

"Brilliant!" Pip grinned. He was hard to study in the dark, but Sage made out a set of surprisingly well kept teeth with two sharp canines. "And does the moon grin like the triggers?"

"Yeah, I'd say."

"Is there really a man in the moon?"

"I don't know," Sage laughed.

"Hm, I suppose you wouldn't if he lived inside of it." Pip pressed his lips into a thin line.

"You have a lot of questions," Sage noted.

"Most go unanswered. I've worn on the patience of others," Pip shrugged.

"Well, talk away. There's plenty of time to kill," Sage sighed, nestling back against the wall.

Pip talked of everything. One moment he was asking whether she preferred boot buckles or clasps and the next he was asking if she had a favorite constellation. As expected, it did wonders to soothe the mind, but Sage was reminded every once in a while that her friend had yet to wake. She could answer that she liked the color blue over the color yellow and that she enjoyed sunsets more than sunrises, but her situation wouldn't change. She was still stranded on an island separated from her crew and at a loss for what to do. They could be anywhere. The ocean was a vast place full of endless possibilities; precisely why she loved it.

"Oh! I can feel the heat!" Pip cried," the sun must be on its way up. Come, come."

Scrambling to his feet, Pip stumbled his way out of the stables and into the messy street. Sage, quickly collecting Ember, followed the Underminer closely. He paused turning to the East. Sure enough, the sun's edge had begun to emerge over the watery horizon. "How did you feel the difference?"

"I've learned to adapt my dear friend," Pip grinned, turning to face Sage, "one sense gone out of five. Four are still in perfect order!"

For the first time since meeting the strange boy, Sage could finally see his face properly. His eyes were a milky white, like mist had clouded the irises and refused to leave. His ears were large and pointed like that of a bat's, and his nose was shaped like the pointed end of an armadillo's snout. His eyes were larger than the average person's, his limbs were spindly, and his hands were comically big. His entire anatomy was designed for underground movement from digging, to running, seeing, hearing, hiding, smelling, and breathing. "Impressive."

"Thank you!" Pip grinned.

"Now, when does the town start to wake?"

"Why, right about...now." No sooner had the words left Pip's mouth when a faint horn bellowed in the distance. "That's the morning call. Now, to take care of your friend. You must stay close and follow me or I will lose you and all will be lost."

Sage nodded and carefully adjusted Ember to rest across her shoulders. "Take my hand."

"A wise idea," Pip grinned, taking Sage's offered hand, "my, this is interesting. You have lost your skin!"

"Actually, I've lost my arms," Sage corrected.

"Like my eyesight," he mused. Then, with a small pep in his step, twitch to his ears, and crinkle to his nose, Pip set forth once more.

The island came alive in front of them as people tore down make shift huts, set up market stalls, and disappeared for a day of work. Some left with shovels for scavenging while others carried dull axes to chop through a dwindling forest. Others shuffled aimlessly to join clusters of gaunt faced civilians at a collapsed well while a tottering wagon crawled past. Its owner sat wrapped in tattered clothes pulled tightly about his frame to shade leathery skin.

Traversing ruined streets and damaged wilderness Pip lead Sage to a secluded area not far from the coast. At first nothing struck the pirate's attention until she spotted Pip scampering towards a mound of weeds. The plants sat growing in thick clusters of bristly stalks, pointed leaves, and tangled roots. Each weed within the cluster wore a different hue of yellow or green or blue.

"Is this it Pip?"

There was no response. Instead, Pip thrust his hands into the weeds and clawed at the earth beneath. Watching from afar, Sage nearly dropped Ember as the Underminer gave a sudden cry of glee. Scampering swiftly over the brush Pip waved for Sage to follow. "Here! Here!"

As she drew near the earth gave a mighty sigh and violent tremble. 'Pip-"

"It's alright," Pip assured, taking Sage's hand once more, "look."

Two metallic panels decorated in foliage retracted into the earth revealing an inky black pit followed by psh clunk, psh clunk, psh clunk as slabs of steel jutted from the walls. One by one the steel cutouts emerged forming a winding staircase down into the depths of the earth.

"We're going down I assume?" Sage turned to her companion for confirmation.

"Yes."