Chapter 18 – Hello, Goodbye

Vala did not realise she had fallen asleep until she felt someone shaking her shoulder. "Where – who – Daniel!"

"Hello Vala," said Daniel with a friendly smile. "You fell asleep on the couch."

"Oh. So I did. The trip was so long, and the... couch, was so comfortable. What's happening? I thought my father needed you for translation."

"He and Mr Mitchell have finished arranging things. We're about to eat. I was sent to wake you. Your father will be leaving soon."

"Food. That sounds good." Vala didn't want to think about her father leaving just yet. "Smells good too."

Daniel nodded. "That's pumpkin pie. Mrs Mitchell is very good at making it."

"I haven't met her yet. She's Cameron's mother, I assume?" Vala checked.

"Yes. She's nice. They all are. Come on, everyone's this way."

-

A little later…

"Do you really have to go now, Daddy?" a greatly saddened Vala asked as her father checked the pickup for any of her belongings he was supposed to leave.

"I'm afraid so, Vala-girl. I have a drop-off to make, and if I'm not in time, someone will come looking for me. I don't want to be anywhere near you if that happens. You'll be safe here. I've paid the Mitchells a lot to look after you." 'A lot' was relative though – the jewellery he'd given them was worth a lot more on Earth than the planet he'd acquired it. "Don't worry, I'll be back before you know it, and then you'll be old enough to go wherever you like."

"Do you promise?" Vala asked seriously.

Jacek sincerely answered, "I promise. Will you be good while I'm gone, and keep out of trouble?"

"I promise," Vala replied in the same fashion as her father.

"Good girl. Next time I see you, we'll both have lots of stories to share!" he encouraged.

"Yes," the girl answered half-heartedly.

"Cheer up, you'll have a great time. Trust me, this will be far better than when you were training for Quetesh."

"Or living around Adria," Vala muttered.

Her father gave her a final goodbye hug, a kiss on the top of her head, and then he and the pickup truck were disappearing into an unfamiliar horizon.

The sobbing girl was only dimly aware of being carried back into the house and placed on a bed.

-

Notes: yes, it's exceptionally short, but it seemed very self contained. The next chapter will start a new day.