We each went to bed right after we got back home. I don't even remember falling asleep after laying down. This world just sucks up any shell or morality that anyone could have. I used to toss and turn for hours after I saw someone die. I'd see their faces each time I closed my eyes, now I couldn't even tell you what they were wearing.
No time like now I guess, time to make sure Luna is okay. Looking out the window I could see the sun was just starting to come up. I'm not sure anyone else would even be up at this hour. Walking to the kitchen from my room, counting each familiar crack in the paint. Smelling the same stagnant air, it's a shame the only place to get air conditioning now is inside a vehicle. Walking past the room we had Luna stay for the night I glanced in and she was still asleep. She was sharing a room with Mia until we clean out the old supply room that we haven't touched much.
One more room down the hall I walk into the kitchen. The bright lights hit me like a truck. There she was eating an old bowl of cereal and milk from powder.
"Have trouble sleeping? I know it can be hard, especially after a day like yesterday."
"No, I was just hungry." She spoke with her mouth full and small crumbs falling out.
It's a shame they don't teach people manners even in the end of the world.
"oh , well if you need anything don't hesitate to ask."
"Are you suggesting I'm not capable of handling things on my own?"
"No, no, no.. I just thought after you killed someone."
"That man hasn't crossed my mind one time since I ended him." she returned to stuffing her face.
"You don't need to act cold all of the time Mia, it's ok to show emotions to those you care about."
"I'm not acting. I ended him the best way given the events that happened, and I did show emotion. I helped my brother convince you to go help that girl did I not?"
"You helped convince me?"
"Yes. He begged me to help find a way to get this poor girl who captured his heart when he saw her."
"He said he's never seen her, just someone told him she was there and who she was."
"I know what he said, because I told him to say it."
"Why?"
"She's useful to what we need is she not?"
"She is. I guess"
"And a helpful sister should always help her brother when she can. You're the one who told me I should consider his feelings sometimes."
"So you do have feelings in there."
"Certainly."
"I'm just glad you didn't have selfish reasons for it."
"No one said I didn't." She stared into my soul again shooting daggers my way.
"The selfish reason would be?"
"If he falls in love he'll stop losing his mind, every time I do what no one else will. For instance he got shot in town trying to find me when if anyone used their head it would've been clear I went and got what we needed."
"Recklessly diving into danger, you mean?"
"Getting results. Like the time I got Kayle no bloodshed was needed. Or when those raiders attacked even last night I would have taken the leader out as I did and those others would've scurried away."
"Uh, excuse me." We both turn our attention to the small girl with her hair all tangled up. It could be a tropical forest to some exotic animals.
"What's wrong?" Trying to sound as empathetic as I could.
"Thank you for the place to stay but is there anything I need to do to return the favor for now?"
"Yea eat breakfast with Mia, and work with Kayle to plot our course when we take off."
"Oh okay, that's easy enough." I watched as she poured herself a bowl of cereal and began to eat.
"Have either of you seen Gabe this morning?"
"That baboon is in the garage working on his guns." Mia said, slurping down the last of her breakfast followed by a burp that nearly rattled my ears, but it looks like it brought a playful smile to Luna's face.
"I guess I'll go check on him."
As I turned and left the two in the kitchen I heard Luna laughing more. I've never heard anything remotely funny from Mia. What on earth could they be talking about that's that damn funny. Gripping the door handle that's well past its due date to be changed and listening to that familiar grind of metal on the doors hinges. Gabe is there with a wrench in hand tinkering away on his guns for the ship.
"Why are you here bright and early working on that stuff?"
"Oh hey, Alex." He looks down the open door where the two girls are. "Do you hear that?" He asked as I turned my head and the faint sounds of Mia and Luna could be heard coming from down the hall. They were still talking and having fun. "We have more people to protect now so obviously we need bigger and more guns."
"I don't think that's how it works but if it makes you feel better that's all that matters I suppose."
"I just need a few more hours and this plasma gun will be ready to go, Kayle is really helping with setting it up." He slid back under the machinery and began cranking away at some bolts. I guess this is a fine little family we've got going right now. A sprout of hope growing from this shit hole rock in space.
I started walking back through the house, towards the back to our stairs. We haven't been up there much aside from getting to the roof. One of the two bedrooms up here Can be used as an office for Luna. The room probably hasn't been used in sixty years. Dust particles floated through the beams of light the cracks in the ceiling previded. Every box I moved caused a whirlwind of dust and cobwebs to be thrown around. After an hour or so I got the room workable, all the old boxes tossed out the window crashing into the broken cement below was an excellent stress reliever. All that was left in here was a massive plotting table they must've used for surveying the land when they still build things. Hopefully Luna likes it and can use it.