Date: January 31st, 2193 — 09:00
Two years had passed since my dad died.
A lot had changed since then.
The farm started falling apart slowly without him around. There was just too much work for three people to handle.
My mom tried her best to keep everything running.
Abby and I helped whenever we could, but repairs around the house kept piling up. Things that used to break once a year were now breaking every few weeks.
That morning I sat at the kitchen table eating breakfast while double-checking the bag sitting beside my chair.
Today was the day I was leaving.
Abby watched me from across the table.
"So how is being old bro?" she asked with a grin.
I sighed.
"Not all that different from the last twenty times you asked me this month."
She pouted.
"Aww come on. Give me a different answer for once."
Before I could reply, my mom set Abby's plate in front of her.
"Stop bickering you two."
Abby stuck her tongue out at me before starting to eat.
My mom sat down at the table too.
She looked older than she used to.
Not physically… but in the way she carried herself.
Losing my dad had changed her.
We ate quietly for a few minutes.
Then the moment came.
I stood up and grabbed my bag.
"I'm off."
My mom stood up and hugged me immediately.
She held on a little longer than usual.
"Goodbye son," she said softly. "I wish you safe travels."
Abby suddenly ran over and hugged me too.
"Don't get yourself killed okay?" she said quietly.
"I don't want you to end up like dad."
I hugged her back.
"I won't."
She stepped back and wiped her eyes quickly before putting on her usual smug face.
"You better not! Now go already! Time isn't going to wait for you, sloth-man!"
I laughed a little.
Then I walked outside.
My car was waiting just outside the house.
As I started the engine, I looked back one last time.
My mom and Abby were standing in the doorway watching me leave.
I drove down the long dirt road leading away from the farm.
My destination was the space station transportation platform.
It worked like an airport, except instead of airplanes it launched interstellar ships capable of reaching orbit in seconds.
By the time I arrived, the station was already packed with people traveling between sectors.
My destination was the D Sector.
It was only about 12 light years away from the Z Sector, which meant the trip would only take about twenty minutes.
If I had been sent to somewhere like the A Sector or F Sector, the trip would've taken hours.
I boarded the transport ship and found my seat.
The engines began to hum as the ship prepared for launch.
A few seconds later we shot into the sky.
The planet quickly disappeared beneath the clouds.
I didn't realize it at the time…
But that would be the last peaceful moment I'd have for a long time.