“Seven Years” by Kaitlynn Morgan

Looking around the ship Connor couldn’t believe he was actually on his way home. Going on the Earth’s first long term voyage in space had been the greatest honor and adventure of his life. However, thoughts of his family and friends made him grateful the seven years were almost up.

“How you doing Connor?” Collin, the ship’s navigator, sat next to him with a smile.

“Good, ready to get back to a real bed and real food.” He laughed.

“Amen brother.” When the voyage first started all Collin had been was stuck up nineteen year old genius. Connor hadn’t liked him at all. It took five months and an argument that ended with punches for them to even talk. After that they became best friends.  Connor hopes they will stay in touch once they are settled back into Earth life.  However, that’s probably unlikely seeing as Collin’s goal is to go out on another mission.

“Alright folks, listen up! We will be entering Earth’s atmosphere in approximately thirty minutes. So make sure everything’s packed up and ready to go.” Greg, the ship’s captain, clapped his hands and everyone got to work.

While packing up the last of the food and utensils Connor thought of the last time he had seen his family.

~Flashback

“”So wait you actually got accepted?” Connor’s sister Sara had a look of shock on her face.

“Thanks sis. You do know I’m qualified right? “

“Oh come on, you know that’s not what I meant.

“Ya sure.” They both laugh.

“What I mean is that’s a crazy accomplishment from what I’ve heard.”

“It is Sara. There are only twenty three crew members and everybody and their mothers applying.” By the time Connor realized what he said he hung his head. “Sorry.”

It had been three years since their parent’s death but they had never fully recovered.

“It’s ok Connor. I think it’s high time we move forward anyway.”

“Honey?”

“In the dining room Luke.” Luke, Sara’s husband, came in carrying the food they had been waiting for.

“Who’s ready for Chinese?”

~End Flashback

“Connor are you listening?” Connor shook his head.

“Sorry what happened?”

“It’s time to buckle up we’re going home!”

Once buckled Connor looked out his window and saw Earth. Seeing the blue and green planet after seven years made Connor smile. Then he felt the shaking of the ship and grabbed the arm rests.

Finally, after what felt like forever, they were through the atmosphere and headed toward the ship’s hangar.

~Flashback

“As much as I would love to stay I have to be up in six hours.” At Sara’s sad face Connor wished he could pause time for just a bit longer.

“Be safe Connor.” She hugged him tight.

“Bring back some awesome space stuff for me.” Luke smirked at him.

“Will do.” The men shook hands. “Take care of her Luke.”

“I will Connor.”

Getting into his car Connor looks back at the only family he has left.  Seven years is a long time but he’ll be back.

~End Flashback

Getting off the ship the crew weren’t greeted the way they thought they would be. In fact they weren’t greeted at all.

“Maybe they didn’t hear us dock? We are early.”

“Come on guys let’s find out.” They followed the captain. As they walked they were baffled when instead of people, they only found dust. Soon they were at the heart of the building, the control center.

“Shouldn’t someone always been monitoring this room?” Connor asked.

“Yes… but it doesn’t look like anyone’s been here in years.” Puzzled they looked for anything that could explain this insanity.

Connor, out of the corner of his eye, saw a blinking light on one of the keyboards.

“Guys, I think I found an unwatched video log.” They crew gathered around and Connor pressed the button. A man appeared on the screen.

“If you’re watching this, congratulations you’re alive. This means that I’m probably not, it’s not a shock but one could hope. The reason I’m making this is because of a story my grandfather told me, of a ship that left Earth and never returned. I still think it’s a myth but the human race is next to extinct and I gotta hang on to a hope that there are people out there that can save us. So if you are real and you do find this, listen to me. You weren’t gone for seven years; it’s been much longer than that. After you left the scientists kept trying to build better and more exotic things, until they outdid themselves. They created a blemish cleansing treatment to get rid of imperfections, that is to say, ninety nine percent of the human race.  We have since tried to repopulate but we are dying faster that we are having children. I don’t know how to fix it but hopefully you will. Good luck.” The man takes a breath. “I can’t believe I’m gonna say this. If Connor’s watching this, my grandfather wants me to tell you that he took care of Sara and you better have some space stuff for him.”