Unmasked

6. Capzised Crab

The rest of that evening was a bit of a blur. I must have fallen asleep to the sound of Kilgrave talking because I woke up hours later, sprawled out across his bed. The bed sheets were untouched, and so apparently was I. At least I hope that's the case. I tried to get to my feet but the movement triggered sudden disorientation and a piercing headache. I think I had been drugged. The pain in my ribs was now much more dulled...that must have been what the drugs were for. That, or the numbness caused by seeing that captain. Now I think about it, my mind hasn't really considered the real state of my physical health...too concerned with the condition of my mind.I think the really shock began when I was on that dock with Kilgrave yesterday. It was only now that the pain was slowly catching up to me so I assume that the shock must be fading. Although I heal alot faster than your average human, I was starting to realise how bad I needed medical attention. I stumbled to the door and was surprised to find it open. Managing to haul myself through the corridor and up onto the top deck I began searching for some kind of first aid box or something I could use to my advantage. That was when I heard his footsteps approaching.

'Jessie' His cold voice rang like he were toying with me. When I ignored his call he demanded my attention a little more, placing an out reached hand on my shoulder. 'Darling you really should be reating, your in no fit state at the moment.' Could he really be so concerned? The seriousness in his voice was almost undoubtable. If I were a stranger to killgrave I'd say he sounded like a worried father looking at his teenaged daughter after she had scrambled home through a window after a night out. That's what it felt like. Except rather than returning from an underage night in Hells Kitchen, it felt like I'd been dragged through the pits of hell and delivered at the devils feet. Just then I stumbled to the floor, my legs finally crumbling from the pain and the pressure of the last through days. As I fell, I saw the instantaneous reaction in Killgraves eyes. For that moment, his face was unprotected, he was vulnerable. His brow furrowed and the expression in his eyes communicated nothing but anxiety and genuine concern. I felt myself staring deeper into them, unaware if this was to decipher their meaning or just that they retained a powerful, unexplainable hold on me. Before I knew it I was laying on the floor, head resting in his arms. Kilgrave cradled me as I faught with consciousness, but I could feel my defences giving in to the darkness. I glanced up to his face as the darkness creeped closer and the last thing I saw were his glistening eyes before my body shut down, plunging me deep into unconsciousness.

When I finally came around a few hours must have passed. I was still in the same place, sprawled out across the floor on the deck, but now I was lying awkwardly on a bed of pillows. I twist and tried to lift myself up, but the shooting pain that this caused resulted in me just giving up trying to move and instead deciding to lay on my back. As I stared up I felt so helpless, like a crab squirming on it's back waiting for a seagull to swoop down and swallow it alive. If only I were that lucky. I let my arm stretch out beside me untill I felt a small paper envelope that had been placed at my side. On the cover, my name was messily scribbled across in black ink. It hurt, but I managed to position myself in a way that made opening the envelope easier. It's so pathetic how fragile I was, even simple tasks required so much effort at the moment. I pulled out the scrunched piece of paper and scanned its contents: 

Jess,
Darling I'm so sorry to have left you briefly. After you passed out on me last night, you've given me no choice but to take your health into my own hands. I know you wont like this, but I'm prepared to take that risk. I tried it your way, but letting you heal on your own is not working. I know you'll never ask for my help so I left while you were knocked out. 

Don't move darling. Don't try running or fighting anyone while I'm away. You know better than anyone there are precautions in place if you do decide to do that, but I trust you know better than that. Besides, it will only make your condition worse. 

I'll be back with a medic soon. 
All my love. 
K. 

Brilliant. So now Kilgrave was supposed to be looking out for me? I hadn't thought it was possible but now I actually feel worse, stupid. No longer am I a capsized crab waiting to be pecked to death, but I'm waiting for the gull to return with medical supplies? This is sick. I look around me at a last attempt to figure out a way off this ship...but any attempt I could make would be feeble, theres no chance I can support myself in this condition. And if I did try to run, Kilgraves right in saying I know he'll have precautions in place. Just then, as if my thoughts had been projected, a new member of staff I didn't recognise walked out across the deck.  They seemed to be holding something in their hand but it was hidden from my view. I began to slowly lift myself up in response but my movements seemed to trigger them to hold the object reluctantly up to their throats. I knew the drill. So I collapsed once more down onto the deck and waited to die. 

A few moments later the staff member was towering over me. "You dont need to do that, I'm not going to move and put you in danger. I know what he's done" I told them, not even bothering to look at the detail of who it was. All I cared about was wallowing in self pity right now. 

A few seconds passed but the stranger continued to stand there hovering over me as of there were something it wanted to do, but felt like it couldnt. I twisted my head back around to face him and his face twisted in a way that made me recognise his inner battle. I'd seen that face too many times. He was battling will kilgraves commands inside his own head. "H-h-he'll come back" he managed to stutter. Ofcourse I already knew this, he's coming back with a medic like he told me in his scrappy letter. I suddenly lost interest and went to lay back down again but a hand on the side of my face stopped me. "NO" He yelled, so suddenly that it startled me. Now I had no choice but to study his face while he repositioned himself so close that it was all I could see. Normally I'd just knock the creep out but I no longer have the energy and before I could try he was kneeling over me pinning my arms down. I yelled for the psycho to get off me. None if this was necessary I knew Kilgrave would come back and I was prepared to wait for him. So why the urgency in this mans eyes? Why the tension in his whole body like he knew something else was coming. The moment lingered as I continued to scan his face and make sense of what he was doing. "You underdtand. UNDERSTAND PLEASE." This was completlry crazy. This guy was mad. But still he continued talking. "He will come back for you" I know he bloody will, this is getting tiring already. But next words the man stuttered were what grabbed my attention. "And s-s-so will she."