A frigid wind howls as I step off the transport vessel and onto the deck, its icy fingers clawing at my exposed skin. The metal railing bites into my palms as I steady myself against the slick grating and rolling waves, an unyielding cold that burns through my leather gloves. Clinging to the railing, a thin mist of seawater coats my face and lips, stinging like poison tears. In the distance, the sky's seething grey meets the turbulent ocean, a blurred horizon that seems to swallow all light—a fitting welcome to my new assignment.

Hunkering against the wind, I survey my bleak surroundings. The endless expanse of churning waves stretches out, a vast, black void. Ahead, Avernus Station looms, its sharp edges cutting through the thick, briny air. Doubts swirl in my mind, questioning why I chose such isolation. Yet, beneath the apprehension, a flicker of excitement sparks. This desolate place offers a fresh start and the promise of earth-shattering discoveries. A small smile tugs at my lips, setting my heart racing. Avernus Station—it's real, and I'm finally here!

Hand over trembling hand, still clinging to the rail, I approach the sealed doors of the transport pod. The metal is cold and unyielding beneath my fingers. A sudden metallic screech rends the air, sending a frisson of terror through me. The sound is all too reminiscent of twisting metal and shattering glass—the discordant symphony of the car crash that shattered my world when I was a child.

I freeze, my breath coming in sharp gasps as unbidden images flash through my mind. Acrid fumes of burning rubber and spilled gasoline assault my nostrils, as real as if I am back in time, still trapped in the wreckage. The coppery tang of blood on my tongue makes me gag, while a grisly tableau of my parents' bodies swims into focus. Their bodies lie rag doll limp in the front seat, their faces obscured by streaks of crimson.

"No!" I whisper fiercely, biting the inside of my cheek until the pain drags me back. I will not let the ghosts of my past rule me. Blinking away the tears, I force myself to take a deep breath, focusing on the bite of the icy air in my lungs.

The doors open with a hiss, and a tall figure in a thick puffer coat, fur-trimmed hood blown back by the wind, greets me. Thick dark hair curls around his ears, and a pale face with prominent cheekbones and a chiseled jawline emerges. He nods, extending a gloved hand.

"Dr. Hayes, right?"

"Just call me Emily." I nod.

"I'm Dr. Marcus, the project leader. Welcome to Avernus Station, our little outpost on the edge of understanding." His handshake is firm, his enthusiasm evident. "You've arrived just in time. This way, please."

As I follow him into the depths of the station, my apprehension and excitement war within me. The promise of discoveries pulls me forward, even as the isolation threatens to drag me down. But I am determined to succeed. Avernus Station may be an outpost at the end of the world, but for me, it is a new beginning.

Our footfalls ring out in discordant rhythm as we navigate the slippery deck and narrow metal stairs. Each step feels like a descent into the belly of some underwater beast. Dr. Marcus glances back, brow furrowed.

"Avernus takes some getting used to, but you'll soon see the importance of our work here."

Will I ever get used to this place? Shadows seem to cling to every surface, hiding unseen horrors around every corner. But I've come too far to let superstition get the best of me now. "I certainly hope so, Dr. Marcus," I reply, steeling myself as the airlocks engage. I try to focus on the excitement of the research to come.

"Please, call me Elias," he insists as he ushers me into the waiting pod. "We're on the precipice of unlocking the secrets of the human mind. Buckle up, Emily. You're in for one hell of a ride."

The pod seals with a hiss as we descend into the ocean's inky depths. The black water presses in from all sides, a suffocating sensation creeping into my chest. It feels like being swallowed whole, dragged down into a lightless abyss with no escape.

"Takes some getting used to, doesn't it? Being surrounded by millions of gallons of water. But don't worry, this facility is solid as a rock. Completely safe." Elias's confidence is palpable, though there's a flicker in his eyes. Whether that flicker is uncertainty or excitement, I can't tell.