Legend of Kataria (Draft Version)

Chapter 24

"Are you sure this is the right way?" he hollered over the screams of the foghorn. The wind, cold from dusting the water, whipped past his face, stinging his eyes and nose. He abruptly turned away from the ferry's edge to face Pinky who was lounging on a sunning chair, pretending to be asleep. Though, with no sun, the action was pretty futile. 

"That's the fifth time you've asked that and I will answer it just as I have all the other times you've bothered to ask me. Yes." She lifted her head to glare at him, still looking exhausted. "According to the history books, Shield Cove is the exact spot where Zarron's ship landed thirty-five years ago. Kataria must be hidden there."

Greeny sighed and looked back across the gray horizon where clouds had begun to condense above the bobbing waves. In the distance, thunder rumbled threateningly and a veil of rain snaked around the boat, hiding the approaching chain of islands. They were so close. He felt a shiver pass through him at the thought. After all these years, all the war, the desperation, the death, he was about to find the key that could end it all. The only problem was he still had to hand it over to the very man who did not want the war to end. Time was growing short. They needed a plan and he needed it soon.

Behind him, children shrieked with joy as they rushed up and down the deck, much to the aggravation of their parents who were attempting desperately to reel them in. One bumped into him as she passed and he watched her chase her brothers down the ship, nearly upsetting Pinky and upending both her and the chair. She scowled at them but held her tongue, deciding to merely settle back emotionlessly as the kids' parents hurried after them.

"Rugrats," she muttered but her eyes shone with compassion as she reached down, noticing a teddy bear dropped in the bustle. As Greeny watched, a little boy who couldn't be any older than two crept toward her, tears streaking his face and blanket held close to his eyes. Pinky noticed him and held the captured bear out, giving him a reassuring smile. "It's all right," she whispered. "Is this your bear? Here you are. You can have him back." She looked up at Greeny, noticing him staring, and shrugged as the child cautiously took the stuffed animal from her and darted off to hide behind his mother's legs.

"Wow, you're really good with kids," Greeny remarked, coming over from the railing to sit down next to her. She didn't bother to look his way, but he immediately felt her tense and relax and he let out his breath slowly.

"Thanks." She didn't say anything more, electing to stare out at the water as several seagulls screeched and dove for the waves beyond them.

"What's wrong?" Greeny inquired, watching her carefully. "You said something was bothering you before. Do you want to talk about it?"

She turned back toward him, green eyes avoiding his blue. "It's nothing," she replied. "It's stupid. A sob story. You wouldn't want to hear it anyway."

"I don't mind," Greeny argued, sensing it was something serious. "And if there's a chance that I could help, maybe--"

Pinky sighed deeply, tucking a loose strand of bang behind her ear. "Look, Greeny." She called him Greeny. Not Bush. He was so surprised he almost missed her next words. "You seem like you're a good guy and all, but there are some things you just can't fix. I'm one of them. So, please, do what is best for both of us. Don't help."

"I don't understand--"

"You don't need to," she said shortly. "It's none of your business. Just please..." She trailed off there, leaving her thoughts unfinished.

"If you're in some kind of trouble, it is my business," Greeny pointed out. "You're my fr--er, teammate. I care about you. If you need help, please, tell me." He wanted to say friend, but he wasn't sure they were quite there yet.