Chapter 2

We boarded the ship again in the morning. Sleeping under the stars was a treat of sort I guess. But now the sun had rose and the sky was littered with clouds.

The gulls flew loudly above us trying to catch the small breeze that swept through the ship and across the open sea. Some brave birds even landed on the ship itself; scavenging for an unattended breakfast.

Some of the crew were cleaning the decks and rewrapping the ropes while any one that dared (like myself) sat back to watch.

I sipped on my coffee; an audible sigh slipped from my lips and I lent my head back against the railing. The sounds of the water lapping at the boat and the soft breeze almost lulled me back to sleep. Almost.

"Hey!"

I opened one eye and peered up at the third mate. She let out an angry Huff and crossed her arms.

I sighed. Sadly my peaceful morning had already been interrupted. "Good morning to you too" I smiled hopefully. Standing up I yawned again for the fifth time this morning.

I had to be at least a head smaller than her.

The third mate...or Valda Mason should I say let out a grumble in return. For some reason she didn't like to be called by her first name so she just went by 'Mason'.

Today her short rose-blonde hair had been tied back; the shaved side of her hair had been delicately tattooed in flowers (which I thought was quite ironic considering her muscular build). She wore her normal grey tank top and a pair of baggy pants.

She opened her mouth to start yelling but closed it and reconsidered her tone.The third mate was still adjusting to her new position after the captain suddenly swapped us.

"Since you obviously have enough time to waste, are you going to help?".

I groaned and ran a hand through my long rust-coloured hair before tying it up. "Maybe" I sighed.

Mason was about to open her mouth again but was cut off.

"Emmett!!" Shouted someone on the other side of the ship.

It was the Griggs, second in command and one of the only people stationed above me. That meant I was either in trouble or something bad happened. Great, just great.

Letting out a quiet groan I put my cap back on. "Excuse me" I murmured and pushed past Mason. I weaved across the deck sluggishly to Griggs.

Forcing a smile I follow him down into the captain's cabin, "Yes?" I ask.

Griggs led me to the door and no further. "Cap'in wants a word with you" he said and chuckled softly to himself.

I cautiously knock.

"Come in" replies the captain.

I finish the contents in my mug and step inside.

Inside might be considered cosy. It certainly didn't look like what you'd expect to find on a ship. You might have believed it wasn't on a ship if you hadn't seen the view through the windows. A paper-cluttered desk was situated in the center of the main room and had two seats either side. Normally there would be another seat on this side but the captain had decided it was a good foot rest. The rest of the room was furnished fully; books sat patiently in selves and paintings were fastened to walls.

"You wanted to see me captain?" I chirp and close the door behind me.

The captain sipped from his flask and nodded. He quickly swallow and gestured to the single chair, "Have a seat".

I plop myself onto the seat and pull off my cap.

We sit there in silence for a while.

The captain fiddles with his moustache. He must be half way into his forties if not fifties.

See, he was the sort of person that could be happy and bubbly one minute and angry or serious the next. "James Emmett..." He tested my name on his lips. The captain smoothed out his short chocolate hair and sighed.

The room descended back into silence.

"How's the weather looking?" He said and tipped his head back to look at the window behind him.

I follow his gaze, "Good... there doesn't seem to be any hints of a storm hitting us on our route." I say stiffly.

He pulled out a cigar box but inside was a large collection of biscuits. "Good, good." He nodded briefly and bit into one. Not bothering to offer one to me one he continued his questions "Where are we going again?".

Of course he hasn't read the mission brief. With a sigh I answer, "We're going north east to scout the south east side of island Bèstia"

The captain makes an excited noise and claps his hands but he coughs loudly to calm his excitement. "Ok" he says in a deeper voice.

Honestly I think the ship runs itself at this point.

"Anything else?" We both ask at the same time.

We both manage to speak over each other, "Yes" he replies. I shake my head. "no" I answer.

We both pause.

"Yes?" I ask.

He kicked his feet up onto the desk sending a mini earthquake across the table. "No" he adds.

There's shouting above deck and a loud thump. Dust floats down from the wooden ceiling.

We both look at each other and back up to the ceiling.

There's another thump and a crash before we both rush out of the room.

I blink twice adjusting to the blinding sunlight. Two crew members are on the floor at each other's throats. No one else seems to be stopping them.

Behind me the captain pulls out another biscuit from his pocket and leans on the door post watching the fight continue.

I curse under my breath and storm over to the two soldiers. "Hey!" I shout.

Everyone goes silent but the fight doesn't stop.

"HEY" I shout so loud this time it echoes off the grey cliffs.

The two soldiers pause their fight.

I push one of them away from the other. "What in the rutting under realm is going on?" I calm my tone slightly.

The captain still doesn't interject and begins to exchange small talk with Mason.

"He insulted my mama" she snarled.

The man threw his hands up in defence. "-I ain't do anything, you attacked me!"

I rolled my eyes. "Look let's just forget this so I don't have to report it to command. there will be no fighting on this ship." I cross my arms and look between the two of them.

The female wiped a cut on her forehead before continuing her argument, "But-" she started

I sighed, "I don't care! He doesn't know you or your ma, so don't listen to him" I jabbed my thumb at him.

But he just dusted off his cap and placed it back on his head before continuing his argument. "She-"

I let out a groan and shot him a look. "Shut it! listen; No fighting, if you've got a problem you come to me or the captain. Got it?" I snap.

They both nodded sadly.

"Good. Now both of you apologize and clean yourselves up" I calmly added.

They muttered their apologies and stalked off to see the med.

I clap my hands to break the silence. "Back to work" I yell to the crew.

They're no better than a group of toddlers.

I spend the rest of the day up on deck navigating the route and trying to keep the captain on track. Mason manages to keep the rest of the crew together but Griggs is still nowhere to be seen. He's probably below hiding away from everyone else like he normally is.

I wrap my hands around my third cup of coffee today. I perch on the railing and look over the maps again.

"You can bring us to starboard in roughly three miles" I reminded the captain.

He nodded and remained silent.

I slid off the railing and sat on the deck so I could spread the maps out fully.

"What way is that?" The captain yelled back to me.

I sighed. "right". How did he become a captain again? I tucked the maps away into my pocket and picked up my mug.

"James... Emmett" he corrected himself. "You're sure the weather is good?" The captain looked over to me worried.

I stood up and walked his side. "Yeah..." I shut my mouth as I saw the grey clouds ahead and as if on time the wind picked up.

Mason began shouting more orders.

I cursed under my breath. "I'm sure it'll be fine" I lied.

Mason threw a look at me.

I smiled apologetically.

~

Even under water you could feel it. The water became darker and the tide began to get rough. It tossed the marine life too and fro

Fish had begun to take cover wherever they could. under or in between rocks, some remained in the long seaweed.

I let out a huff, the gesture sent bubbles flying upward. Well there was no chance I was going to get a meal now.

After an unsuccessful yield last night... and the night before my stomach began to feel as if it was eating itself.

I swam out into the open water hoping at least one ship would sail past.

No luck. I kept waiting.