Heeeeyyyy how's it going everyone!
I know I left this and haven't updated this is a long time. I mean, an entire global panini spawned while this was sitting in limbo.
Long story short, got a job after college, worked there from Feb '19 to Oct '20, realized it wasn't the career for me, and I just recently got another job (which I am absolutely loving!).
At this new job I have time to work on other things, such as my writing!
I NEVER forgot about this story, and always wanted to continue writing and finish it. Now that I have the time and ability, that's exactly what I plan to do.
Here's a shorter chapter as I get back into this story and back into the writing flow.
Captain, Captain.
Always in need of saving.
He's back there.
At Serenity.
He hides behind the humour. The next job. Keeping his crew.
Never himself.
Never.
The room was nice, simple.
Nothing personal.
Ready to leave at any point.
He had washed his knuckles.
He was a little peeved at Kaylee. Not heavily.
He was taking some time.
Niska.
Bad man.
He climbed down the steps, head down watching his feet.
He took one step into his room when he froze.
He saw her.
Back towards him, arms wrapped around herself, swaying ever so slightly on the balls of her feet.
He didn't hesitate to pull out his side arm, training it on her.
Habits die hard.
She froze.
That split second before he pulled his weapon, like she knew.
"Mal..."
He jumped (which he would deny) at the pilot's words overhead.
He cursed Wash for his timing.
"…we have arrived."
When he turned back she was gone.
Just like a ghost.
"Copy that."
That's all she was. A ghost.
He's been working too hard, staying up too late.
He holstered his gun and stepped out.
I let out a breath.
Just a ghost.
I lifted the blanket concealing me beneath the bed.
Hanging around the Captain's quarters was not a wise choice, no matter how peaceful it was.
Mal sat down with his drink, joining Zoe and Jayne in the back of the bar. The two crewmembers were setting up a game of Chinese Checkers.
His thoughts drifted back to the girl. He had been seeing her randomly for weeks now. The first time he had seen her was on the bridge.
It was a late night, he was on the bridge, and he was drinking. Though he doesn't remember why. Probably a job gone awry.
He didn't realize he was falling asleep until he had slumped over the console and knocked his cup off the edge. He winced as it bounced down the few steps between the consoles.
Mal took a staggering step out of his chair and he watched the cup roll disappear out of his view. He took another step before he froze.
The cup was back on the console ledge… with a hand wrapped around the base, a small petite hand. Shortly, another hand appeared beside it, hanging onto the ledge.
Mal rubbed at his eyes, he must be passed out and this was just a dream, he's had worse.
When he took his hands away from his eyes, he met the pair on the other side of the ledge. They were wide with surprise.
He immediately reached for his firearm-
"Captain, are you-" Zoe started to speak from the doorway, one foot into the cockpit and paused when she saw Mal's gun was drawn, concern written on her face. "Everything alright…?"
He turned back to the ledge and leaned forward to see behind it.
Nothing.
"Everything's fine. Only ghosts." Mal holstered his weapon.
"You're move."
Jayne's words pulled him from his thoughts. He moved a piece.
"That's a bold move." Zoe commented.
"I live on the edge." Mal replied.