thncdnt

The man entered the airlock, a sad smile on his face. He removed his helmet and wiped a tear from his eye.

“They won’t be coming back now,” he said, turning away.

The crew remained quiet, mixed feelings playing across their hearts.

The youngest of them spoke up first, in an unsteady voice.

“Can we go back now, Sir? Can we?”

The man did not turn to face them. Instead he just walked away.

::thncdnt