He Never Left Serenity: Part II

“Come on Cindy, we’re heading out!”

“I’m coming!”

“Cindy has to look pretty for the boys in town.”

“Shut up Charlie!”

“Cindy, that’s no way to talk to your brother. Charlie leave your sister alone.”

Our first trip into town in weeks and I was in a bad mood. I haven’t visited Serenity in two days. Since finding that letter from Dr. Simon Tam, I just haven’t felt up to exploring more. I guess I’m scared that I’ll find the others left him too. Captain Reynolds. How awful to have worked along side a crew, live with them as family, and then be left to die alone.

“So Cin, what do you plan to do with your time in town?” I know my dad means well, but I’m really not up for conversation.

“I’m going to see if Mr. Smith has the Cortex link up and running yet. See what’s been going on in the real world.” Of course I had to say it. Reopen the wound that tore my life apart. Dad wanted to come here, join the settlers on Haven, repopulate this side of the Verse. Mom was against it but she loved him enough to follow him anywhere. Charlie was all for it. I begged to be left at home, but my parents wouldn’t hear of it. “So what are you guys going to do?” I tried to cheerfully regain some footing.

“Oh, just pick up a few things, maybe chat with the Trollers from Colony 4. Then there’s the meeting at 1600 hours. You kids don’t have to come to that. I know it will be boring, just us old folks discussing crops. You don’t really have to be there either Helen, if there was something you wanted to do.”

“Oh I don’t know Harold, the two of us could hear better than one….”

And my parents were lost to their own conversation, leaving me alone for the remainder of the trip.

“Remember kids, this transport leaves out at 1900 hours, with or without you.” Dad tried for a stern face as he handed us each a few coins.

“Thanks daddy.” I leaned up to peck him on the cheek. “And you wouldn’t leave without me. Who else would beat you at checkers?”