Day Three: Captain Avery
I am in the captain's chair, naturally, and Toby is in the chair next to mine. The tube is no longer needed to keep the boy alive and has been removed for over a week now. He has been revelling in his newfound freedom, and I thank the Siren for looking after us all so well. He turns to look at me with his piercing blue eyes, smiling, and I cannot help myself, I smile back.
I have been trying to keep count of the time, and I have so far managed to keep the tally every day. We've been at space (at sea just doesn't work anymore) for around a month. I know what day it is, roughly: Christmas Day. I didn't tell Toby when I worked it out, so he's still in the dark. I have a few ideas of what to do though. I turn my attention back to navigating. There seems to be a planet ahead, the nature of which I have no idea. I tap the 'compass' and the needle turns in the direction of said planet. That's good. We must go there.
Excusing myself from the bridge and leaving all of our lives in the capable hands of Toby, I make my way to the parlour. There is a cupboard in there that contains foodstuffs. Like the rest of the ship, the walls are a very pale grey, smooth and bare. The ship could do with a few children's drawings to liven it up. I'll mention it to Toby later.
In this pure white cupboard lie several shelves. There is a room beyond with even more to eat. The cupboard, however, is unlike the room in the sense that the food here actually looks like food – not some mush in bags, but what I can tell are vegetables and meats, all perfectly preserved and ready to eat. I have been saving these for a special occasion, and this seems like the perfect one.
There is no woman to cook, so I take it upon myself to light a fire and cook the meat. The vegetables are chopped by my dagger and I'm careful not to injure myself – the Siren is a very protective creature, and I certainly don't want the hassle of a trip to the medical area.
After some time, luck and much careful cooking, the meal is ready. Beef and carrots, nothing special, but compared to mush in a bag it will be a wonderful surprise for Toby. I dig in the drawers and find simple cutlery and square plates.
Balancing the meal in my arms, I make my way to the bridge. The planet I saw before is much closer now. Green and blue splodges cover the surface and it seems to have white cotton wool floating around it. Toby hears me enter and says, "It's home."
Could it really be? Earth? We had hardly been navigating that badly, could we? I should correct myself there – it is I alone who did the navigation. No one else is to blame. I must have taking us in circles.
"Earth?"
"That's what the ship says," Toby confirms. He must catch a whiff of the food in my arms, for the swivels around in his chair. His eyes light up and he breaks into a toothy grin. "Is that for us?" he asks, staring in awe at the proper food.
I grin back, handing him a plate, knife and fork which he takes without hesitation.
"Merry Christmas, Toby."
And if we are truly going home, then what a wonderful Christmas it will be.
A/N: Not funny exactly. Just sweet.