Scorched Earth

Restless

"Ah, Faelyn. What are you reading my dear?" His voice as kind as any fathers when speaking to his only child.

"Silent Spring." She answered with a thoughtful expression.

"By Rachel Carson?" Her father smirked.

"Yes father." She replied marking her page. The book was old and well worn. It's once vibrant grass green cover now a soft jade hue. It's pages tattered and the binding loose.

"And.." He paused to take a seat on the sofa behind her chair. Raising an eyebrow he asked with anticipation "What do you think?"

Faelyn took a deep breath as she gently let the book down on the rough table. Turning in her chair she poised her finger tips together and smirked. "If only society  would of listened and not just heard people of perception such as herself. Perhaps I would know what it's like to see such beautiful scenes she speaks of in her previous books".

Her fathers expression changed. His gaze fell to the dusty floor. His shoulders slumped a little. He closed his eyes taking a breath and exhaled slowly as he reopened them. "Ah, my dear you have always been astute." He stopped to ponder just how different. He adored his daughters abstract/big picture thinking and often wondered where that would of led her in life.
"Dad?" She interrupted his ponderings.
"Hm! Yes?" He snapped out of his transient gaze and sat up removing his hand from his chin. Faelyn just stared wide eyed at him before raising her eyebrows and gesturing at him to continue what he was saying. "Oh! Yes! No doubt in my mind you would of been ranked among her in your powers of reason" he stated proudly.
"Thanks dad." She nodded. She wasn't sure what to think. Perhaps he was just being a good dad, encouraging his daughter. Or maybe he was right and she would of been something more in the old world. Bottom line it doesn't matter. But what does matter?

"Oh" her father started "I came to tell you dinner is about ready so we ought to clean the table off and set it".
"Ok, well that's easy" faelyn smiled and picked up silent spring "see! All clear" she grinned proudly.
"What? No other books and writings? No maps and hypothesis today?" Her father said surprised.
"Well it's about time!" Her mother joked as she entered with a pot of piping hot stew "I understand the old world is fascinating but there are other more important things to do" she remarked in a firm yet soothing tone while carefully placing the pot on a clothe in the center of the wooden table.
Faelyn understanding her mothers remark simply stated "Sometimes the past holds the keys to our future". Her parents initially started to sigh but then looked at each other and laughed softly with warmth.

After dinner the family of 3 spent some time reading and playing chess before her parents went into the kitchen to tidy up.
At dusk is when most scavengers come out since some of the suns rays are less harmful at night. They are by no means home free with out protective clothing though. Just off of the kitchen is the main door complete with a peep hole.
Seeing her parents distracted with dishes and tending plants she took her usual chance to take a look. She could see a variety of people scavenging. Running through the street looking for anything that might be useful. Some picked on others and stole their finds. It's not uncommon that people die protecting their homes from looters. "Get away from the door!" Her mother cried. Faelyn snapped back not saying a word. "What have I told you! What if looters came out tonight and banged down our door?!"
"Mom!!" Faelyn rilled her eyes.
"IT CAN HAPPEN! Faelyn you have to be careful!" Faelyns shook her head in response.
"Now now, easy Carolyn." Her father interrupted "Faelyn please step away from the door"

"Fine" she said pursing her lips. "But I still can't believe you'd rather me scavenge during the day when I could stay out almost twice as long at night.
"Faylyn, we've been over this. It's too dangerous" her mother reminded her "in the day when less people are out is fine but at night is a madhouse". A collective sigh was uttered before the three returned to their tasks.

Faelyn lay restless that night. To be honest she usually did. She longed for more than simply surviving. But she also felt guilty for that desire. Her main concern should be survival and the safety of her parents. Faelyn had always researched how to improve their lives. But her parents did not seem to urgent about the idea. 

She tried to remember that tomorrow was another day and that perhaps she could venture out and scavenge a bit. Maybe even get some supplies the family might need. Nonetheless she lay awake for hours reading and thinking.