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Chapter 5

One after another River Tam’s steps created small dust storms as she walked across the dry landscape. She did not recognize this place until she reached the top of the hill and looked down at the burning wreckage of the old mining settlement.

“I don’t want to be here,” she said aloud.

“Why not?” a familiarly voice asked from behind her.

River ignored it and made her way down the hill and into the settlement. As she did she took in each of the bodies lying out under the midday sun stopping only when she saw herself standing in front of a burning swing.

“Do something! Feel something!” she screamed at her own image. “Why are you just standing there when these people died because of you?”

“Why did you just stand there?” the familiar voice asked.

River turned to see Sheppard Book standing nearby. His hair was in tight cornrows and his traditional Sheppard’s garb had been replaced with clothing more suited to the surroundings.

“Don’t know,” River answered.

“You don’t know. Aren’t you a genius? Yet you just stood there while people around you rushed to save others, rushed to save me,” Book responded in a harsh tone.

River looked at him stunned by his words, “That’s not fair, I wasn’t…right.”

Book smiled at her, “It isn’t fair. So, why do you still blame yourself child?”

River dropped her eyes, “If it wasn’t for me, you would still be alive.”

The Sheppard walked up to her and put his hand on her shoulder, “Not even you know that for sure. People died because of what they believed in. They believed that people should be able to live as they choose. What is it that you believe in?”

“Simple question, Serenity,” River answered looking into Books deep understanding eyes.

“As you are willing to die for that belief so was I…so was Wash,” Book said gently.

“I’m dreaming,” River said coming to that realization.

“Yes child, you are,” Book’s voice faded.

River opened her eyes and gazed at