4 years later
Ellie's POV
"Mommy," said eight-year-old Julie, sitting in her chair at the dinner table. "Who were your parents?"
Ellie stared at her knew that was a subject their mother liked to avoid. What was she thinking?
There was an awkward moment of silence around the table. Then, Cress said "Julie, my father is dead."
'How did he die?" asked Julie. "Was he mean?"
Ellie kicked Julie under the table. Hard. Who knew what else she was going to say?
"He died from the plague. I never even said goodbye." Cress said, wiping her eyes.
"You were an awful daughter then." said Julie. Their mother looked as if she was going to cry.
"Julia Claire Thorne, go to your room this instant!" Thorne said harshly.
"Fine." said Julie. "I wasn't hungry anyways."
Julie stomped up the stairs to their room.
Ellie looked at her father. "Can I be excused? I'm not really hungry either."
"Sure." said Thorne, and so Ellie went upstairs to her and Julie's room.
5 Minutes Later
"I'm running away." said Julie, going through her drawers and throwing stuff in a bag.
"Why?" said Ellie.
"So I can meet my grandmother."
Ellie wrinkled her nose. "She's on Luna, you know."
"Whatever. Can you get my portscreen? It's in the hall."
Ellie went and grabbed the portscreen, and walked back in the room.
Julie was gone.