elysian fields(part 2-elysian fields)

Everything was the same as when he left it. Nothing ever changed here. Hot, dry and dusty. He was coated in dust. Camden was pretty sure it was coating his lungs as well. Farkess had chosen the worst way back to the plantation. It was the kind of thing that amused him. Camden fought the temptation to move his neck. He longed to look at sky. Until they had come and taken him; he had lived all his life on Shadow. He had never really thought of leaving it. Now, after everything that had happened Camden doubted he would ever live planetside again, at least if he had a say. He found himself thinking of Serenity and its recycled air. The way at night there were moments of perfect stillness. He stopped himself. He could not, would not think of those things now. All that mattered now was keeping River and Mal safe. It was all that mattered to him, and all that ever would.

Straightening the infirmary had taken Simon the better part of two hours. He had expected River to come wandering in or for someone to come to him with a complaint about something she had done. No one came. He could think of nothing else to do here. His stomach rumbled, but he resisted the urge to go and get something to eat. He might run into someone and he couldn’t deal with the blame in their eyes, not now. He searched their rooms first, not really expecting to find her there. In all honesty he had a pretty fair idea of where she was, but wasn’t sure if he was brave enough to go after her. He was standing at the hatch to Mal’s quarters trying to work up his nerve when Zoe stepped onto the walkway. “Leave them be.” “I need to-“ “Leave them be.” Simon hesitated for a moment before deciding to go to his own quarters, defeated. Zoe watched him go and then stood there a while to make sure he didn’t come back.

Mal had been laying on his bunk when he heard the noises, muffled conversation above. He glanced over at River, but she hadn’t seemed to notice. She had held Camden’s boot in her lap. Her hand ran a now familar course from top to heel. “Dust chokes more than chain.” Mal turned to look at her. “It’s time to fly.” “Course it is.” “You have to follow a badger’s path to find a heart’s desire.”

“I can’t believe we’re going to sit here and do nothing.” “Captain will let us know what he plans to do, husband.” “Captain wouldn’t leave any of us, he won’t leave his own.” Mal stepped into the Mess. “We best get movin Wash.” “So what’s the plan?” “Same as always. Get her up in the air and find some work out there.” “But,” “You got something to say Kaylee?” “What about Camden?” “Boy made himself clear when he left.” Wash turned and looked at Mal. “He didn’t leave.” “Made a choice, his. Now get us in the air or I will.” Mal stalked out of the Mess. “Zoe?” “Time to do what you get paid for husband.”

Everything was the same as when he had left it. Nothing ever changed here. The path leading up to the main house was covered with river stones. As soon as Farkess had left the wagon at the barn, Camden was handed a bucket and told to pick up all the stones. He worked the rest of that day and all through the night. Finally he placed the last stone in the bucket at noon. “Put them all back exactly as they were.” He completed the entire task twice more before they let him sleep. He knew the men would be coming for him, but he also knew that there was nothing he could do to stop it. Camden was never able to decide what they knew so he tried not to think about Serenity. Instead he thought about the rocks. He tried to hold the image of the rocks in the clear stream that ran at the edge of the property.

Camden was floating down the stream. The water was colder than he remembered. He felt disconnected from the rest of his body. He could hear another sound through the water. He strained to hear it. “Camden? Camden, it’s time for you to open your eyes. The whiteness of the room was blinding. He squinted and tried to turn his eyes away, but found he could not move his head. “Camden, it’s the Doctor. Now don’t fight. You left before we could finish what we were working on. I must remind you of the rules. If you do not behave, if you do not do exactly what I tell you to do or say what I tell you to say , then Farkess will submerge you until I tell him to bring you back up. It doesn’t matter to me whether you live or die Camden. In fact, it matters to no one but you.” The Doctor opened a drawer next to her and drew out a fresh pair of blue gloves. “Now Mr. Reynolds, if you would be so kind as to tell me what the Rules are. “ “F- you.” “Mr. Farkess.”

In the blackness of space River began to scream. -------------------------------------------------- Sorry it took so long. Hope you enjoy.