Instead of following the men, I decided to check out where I'd be stationed the length of my life on the ship. It wasn't as tall as I thought before. Probably just my nerves telling me lies. As I got closer though, I started to take it back. But I needed to prove to myself that I could do it. After a short mental pep talk, I grabbed the rough, worn rope and started toward the top.
I was shaking terribly by the time I made it to the top. I flopped onto the...pillow? Blanket? Why wasn't it just the old wood that the rest of the ship was made of? I looked at the objects, both well worn and made to last. Who was sleeping up here? I got my answer when I heard yelling and someone coming up the ropes. What had I gotten myself into?
I couldn't really tell who it was since the sun was just about below the horizon. I didn't really want to be caught looking down at them either so I tried to huddle down in the blanket and pillow. Something told me that plan didn't work out when I heard a sharp intake of breath and an almost growl sounding noise. I half-screamed and felt the evening chill as they pulled the blanket from me. I didn't want to see who it was.
"I knewv it." He said, almost disgusted. So it was him. The quiet one.
"Knew what? That I was up here?" I said, trying to keep my voice gruff. Manly.
"No. That you're a damn wvoman."
I flinched slightly at his words. "W-What do you mean, woman?"
"Do you really think I'm stupid? No man has to think of their name wvhen puttin' it dowvn. Also, try not to squeal when ya get scared."
"I-I..." I swallowed. "I can explain. Just...please. Don't tell the captain." I pleaded, my voice wavering slightly. Truth is, I was scared shitless. The captain would probably shove me off the plank in the middle of the ocean if he found out.
He stared at me long and hard, weighing his options. I could tell he was doing this because when he responded, his voice was tight. "Okay. But don't make it obvwious to the others. Minute they find out you're female, you're either shark bait or fresh meat to them." He sat across from me as he told me this with a sigh.
I nodded and began my story, starting from when my brother died. He was drunk one night, wanting to start a ruckus. That small want turned into something that was too hard to swallow. He was beaten, stabbed, then left for dead in a back street. Cronus listened to it all, right down to the part where I was looking for an escape. He stopped me then with a raised hand.
"So ya thought gettin' on a ship wvould savwe ya? Really?"
"Um...yeah..."
He started to laugh quietly, then it turned louder. I looked at him like he was crazy. Was he really laughing at me?
"What the hell is so damn funny? It's better than serving pigs all day then selling myself at night for a little extra. You have no idea what I have been through." I practically spat my words, keeping my voice low and at a harsh whisper.
"I may not havwe an idea but I sure as hell knowv a life on the seas isn't for a kitten like you."
"What did you just call me? Did you just call me... kitten?"
His eyes widened slightly and he shook his head. "No, no, no. It's just a name I call most gals."
"Well, I'm not 'most gals' now, am I?" I gave him a look that you could say usually made people question their decision. And it worked.
"Wvell, uh...no." I could tell he was a little embarrassed. He was avoiding looking at me. "Sorry for...yeah. I kinda don't realize I say it half the time, so."
"Maybe you should keep tabs on that then." I said softly, feeling a small smile form on my lips.
"Maybe.." He couldn't say much more because his name was called, rather angrily, and he started to get up. He paused when he was halfway out of the nest and opened and closed his mouth several times before saying something else. "Don't do anythin' stupid, ya hear?"
I just nodded and waved him off. He waited a moment, watching me, before climbing back down to the deck and wandering off to the captain's quarters, the source of the yelling. And once again, I was left alone, but this time with the smallest of smiles on my face.
