Hey Everyone,

I hit a huge wall called writer's block. I'm sorry this isn't the greatest. Would love some help from some of you seasoned writers.

Not sure if I want to know but feedback is always appreciated.

Hopefully I will get on a roll this coming weekend. Cold and rainy makes a great cure for writers block.

Thanks!!

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Part 4

Simon leaned against the free wall in his bunk. He would periodically focus on River, who was drawing on her sketch pad to Mandy, who lay sleeping on his bed. His mind whirled with outcome possibilities…both good and bad. Each one had a different ending.

“I like the one where we stay here”, River said not looking up from her paper.

Although Simon was getting use to her reading his mind, he was still struck as to how crazy it sounded and made him rethink everything that had just gone through his head. He hoped it wasn’t too graphic for his younger sister.

“You dream about grosser stuff when you are sleeping.”

“River! You can such a brat sometimes.” Simon couldn’t hold the smile back. He liked these times. When things were normal…well, as normal as the Tam’s could get.

“She hasn’t changed much, has she.”

Simon looked up. Mandy was laying on her side, her head lifted up by her hand, elbow jutted into the pillow. Her hair flowed along her head and down to the pillow. In this light, it had a golden undertone to it. Something only the sun could cause.

“Well, actually, the Alliance has changed her. Put something dark into her. I’m trying to remove the darkness.”

“You know, Simon, I’m right here. I can hear you”, and with that River picked up her drawing and left.

Simon watched River leave. An uneasiness settling in the air. This was officially the first time they had been alone together in a very long time. Well, excluding the fact that she had been unconscious when they were “alone”.

Mandy smiled at him. Not much had changed. Even as a boy, he was stiff as a board.

“Remember when I kissed you and you fainted?”

Simon was ta