Chapter 2
"Sorry, I have to go. I have to forget. I'm sorry."
"Is it because I'm a girl daddy?"
"…"
"Dad, please don't go."
"Sorry my little star."
"Dad! Dad! Don't leave!"
"Good-bye my child."
"Dad!"
"Ow!" Lara rubbed where she smacked her head and almost felt like losing consciousness again. Lara rubbed her eyes when she noticed tears coming out. "Ugh, where am I?" Lara had asked out loud but like she expected, no on answered her. Then slowly the recent turn of events came tumbling back to her.
"Oh yeah. Mother, mad mob, barrel, crash." Lara muttered a short description of the not-so-boring events. Lara rubbed her head and winced as she tried to change positions. "Let's get myself out of this thing first eh?"
Lara pressed her weight upwards but was given a dull thud.
"Huh?" Lara tried again but to no avail. "It sounds like it's locked?" Before Lara could think of another way out, she heard someone talking.
"Okay, I'll get the booze now!"
"People?" Lara whispered quietly to herself.
Lara felt the barrel shake a little and heard a sound that sounded like metal hitting metal.
"Uh, thanks." Lara couldn't really think of any other way to greet her savior that may or may not turn into her foe. Surveying the room, Lara immediately guessed that she was in a storage room beneath a building. The wooden crates and barrels everywhere gave it away. There were also logs handing from beams on the ceiling with oil lit lanterns scattered around, though obviously a good distance from the logs, crates, and barrels.
Lara looked at her savior-of-the-moment. He had orange hair with a tint of brown and very confused and shocked chocolate colored eyes. "Er, before you kill me, let me expl-"
"A woman? What?" The boy remembered how to speak again. He was wearing a white long sleeved shirt that had the sleeves rolled up to his elbows with a red clothe tied loosely around his neck. He also had on black pants that reached down mid shin. Around his waist was an ash colored clothe that acted like a belt for his sword. He looked a little younger than Lara, whom was sixteen.
"Uhm, I-" Lara tried again but was cut off.
"How? That's… I don't understand." The boy looked like he was having a hard time comprehending things.
"I'll explain if you'll let me ta-" Lara tried once more.
"Booze transformed into a woman. Nathan'll be pissed…" The boy started to mutter to himself in dismay.
Lara stared at the boy for a moment then tried a different approach. "I got here by a magic portal of pie while doing jumping jacks on an elephant tree in the middle of a lone rock on a turtle that ran so fast you can see it walking."
"Oh, man. I'm in deep trouble…" The boy continued to mutter to himself, oblivious to the absurd things Lara just said.
"Thomas, what's takin' ya so long? It's just one barrel of booze!" Another man shouted from a place above. Lara heard creaking and saw a guy a little older than Thomas came down some stairs and into the storage room.
He was wearing a black bandana that hid all but the tips of his dirty blond hair. He was wearing a white shirt that opened up down to mid stomach, revealing a turquoise shirt underneath. The pants he was wearing was long black pants with dark gray boots that almost touched his knee caps. Over the ankle of his boots was a strap of the same material that the boots were made of that just wrapped around his ankle towards his heels. A dull silver buckle kept it attached to the boot. Over the top half of his pants was a black piece of clothe that tied all around his waist. It resembled a chef's apron, though around the apron was a chain that slanted off towards his right.
Lara didn't dismiss that his brown eyes weren't all too happy as of the moment.
"Nathan!" Thomas said in surprise.
Nathan paused and stared at Lara for a couple seconds in equal shock as Thomas when he had discovered Lara. "Whoa! What's a woman doin' here?"
Thomas had a dejected look on his face as he answered: "Nathan. I'm sorry, but I don't know what's going on."
Lara resisted saying, "That's because you didn't let me get a word in edge-wise." Out of no where her heard started throbbing but she resisted from wincing for since she doesn't know whether or not these people are her friends or enemies. She cant show that she was weak and almost defenseless at the moment. If they were enemies then they could use her head-ache as an advantage.
When Lara had refocused her eyes, she realized that Nathan was staring at her.
"Oh, uh, can you please hear me out before you try to kill me…" Lara started for the fifth time while sighing but like Thomas, Nathan didn't let her finish her sentence.
"How the hell did ya get on our ship?" Nathan demanded.
"Well I-" Lara stopped herself and looked at Nathan, it was her turn to be in shock. "I'm on a ship?" Lara almost shouted.
"Yeah, didn't ya know?" Thomas answered with a friendly face.
"No, I just, I mean…" Lara's face scrunched up and she rubbed her forehead. "Dock, barrel, the sea, heave. Ah, it all makes sense." Lara face palmed herself and started muttering, "Of course I'm on a ship."
Thomas frowned in confusion to her muttering.
Nathan stared at her for a moment then cursed. "Damn."
Lara's head began to feel like someone was treating it like a locked door to their most treasured possession.
"Ca-" Lara started tiredly when the room shifted. She panicked. "Whoa hey, what are you doing?" Nathan had slung Lara over his shoulder like a bag of goods or logs. All Lara could see was Nathan's shoulder and the floor, she didn't like not being able to see the direction she is heading.
Nathan ignored her and kept on walking. The panic made Lara ignore her head-ache and start to struggle like a fish out of water. "Put me down this-" Lara's voice started to rise.
"Shut up! Quit barkin' like a dog, yer right next to my ear!" Nathan said ordered. People told Lara that she had a rebel streak in her blood but she didn't dare say another word. Plus, her headache came back worse.
Nathan walked up the stairs and down a decently wide hall. They passed an open door and Lara saw in the small room; it had a bathtub in it, though that was all that was in it. The room next to it was the one that Nathan entered, almost immediately Lara picked up the scent of herbs and medicine. Nathan stopped and literally tossed Lara onto what felt like a cot. The movement had made Lara let out a small yelp.
Being a habit of hers, Lara surveyed the new room. There were glass bottles everywhere on the shelves and the wooden desk. There were also some plants that Lara was guessing were the herbs that she was smelling. There was also many, many long needles that made Lara shiver at the thought of them being in use.
Nathan sighed and looked at a brown skinned man with very short curly hair and dark brown eyes. He looked a three to four years older than Nathan.
He was wearing a white colored button up shirt that had the first three buttons loose. He was also wearing fitted black pants with brown boots that was folded a little past the knees. Like Nathan and Thomas, he had a cloth wrapped around his waist, though it just looked like an extra sweater he wrapped around his waist and pinned it with a red broche. At least that's what Lara assumed it was. Around his neck was a necklace that had a green pendent.
"Doc, you've got a patient." Nathan informed the man.
The man peered at Lara's face. "Oh, what an unusually pretty patient." His smile was warm.
Lara felt tempted to unsheathe her dagger but her headache told her she wasn't in the position to do so, but she still was on her guard.
"I think she hit her head on somethin' hard." Nathan guessed.
The "Doc" got a concerned look on his face and placed his hand on her head.
Lara closed her eyes and winced involuntarily but still refused to make another sound. When she opened her eyes again, she noticed Nathan left.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I rarely treat girls so I tend to forget how delicate they are compared to men." The "Doc" smiled while he pat Lara on the head. She would have pulled back but it reminded her of her father. "There there, I'm Christopher by the way." Christopher got a serious face again. "There's a pretty big lump here."
"Probably from hitting it twice on the same stupid barrel." Lara said quietly, allowing herself to talk.
Christopher raised an eyebrow at Lara. "What were you doing in a barrel?"
Lara stared at Christopher, unsure if she should trust him or not.
Christopher saw her hesitation and smiled. "You don't have to tell me, I wont force you."
Not seeing any harm in telling him, Lara said: "I was playing hide-and-seek with a very angry group of people."
Christopher was surprised for a bit before he smiled at Lara again. "Your safe from the angry mob here then." Then his face changed, it looked like he just remembered something important. "Oh yeah, almost forgot." He handed Lara a bag of ice. "It should stop the swelling." He smiled warmly.
"Thank you." Lara said and pressed it onto the top right side of her head.
Christopher sighed a said sadly, "You've gotten on board without knowing it, I'm sorry."
Lara didn't have too long to ponder what the apology was for. Christopher stood up and said, "Oh, right! They're dining on the deck right now. I'll introduce you to everybody." Christopher ushered Lara out of the room and towards another set of stairs.
When they reached the top of the stairs, almost immediately Lara could smell the salt water and not too long after she heard waves crashing against the boat. "I'm on a ship all right…"
Lara could also hear the sound of metal hitting glass and laughter. Staring at the people at the deck, Lara saw a guy about Christopher's age with cropped black hair that was slightly curled at the tips and brushed backwards, a little off to the side. He had an eye patch over his right eye so Lara could only see his pale brown left eye. His shirt was similar to Christopher's, only the guy had his button up all the way. There was also a black straight colored shirt that couldn't be buttoned up with gold lining on the sides, shoulders, and a small design on the collar. Over the white shirt and the black one, he had another layer that was like a brown coat with gold lining on the edges and cuffs. Over it all was a matching brown strap going over his right shoulder.
Lara could slightly see a gold buckle belt wrapped around black slightly baggy pants with black boots pulled up all the way to his knees. With the eye patch, coat design, and boots, it made Lara think of a pirate.
Thomas was sitting next to him with Nathan across from him. The guy farthest from Lara had on a white long sleeved straight color shirt that opened up mid chest. The cuffs of the shirt resembled a fencer's shirt and over the shirt was a dark blue, vest like jacket. It reached all the way down to his hips though. Like everyone else, he had a cloth wrapped around his waist. It was dull orange and it held up two twin swords, though he was also using a regular belt to also hold them up. He wore black pants with dark fitted brown boots that folded over once they reached his knees.
"Attention please! We have a guest." Christopher announced to his audience.
Almost immediately everyone silenced. Again there was the surprised look from everyone, except Nathan and Thomas. Nathan looked bored and Thomas looked happy.
The one with two swords was the first to speak. "A woman! What the hell is a woman doin' on our ship?" He looked like he was about one or two year's radius from Lara's age.
"Uh…" Lara didn't really want to explain her situation anymore.
"She yer woman Doc?" He asked Christopher, then he shook his head. "Na, Doc ain't got no woman, what about Eduardo?"
"What about me?" The guy with the eye patch asked.
"Na, she isn't my style." Stated Eduardo. "What's your name?"
Lara didn't really see any harm in telling him so she answered truthfully. "Lara…"
Eduardo smirked. "Lara…I may remember that before you get swallowed by the sea."
Lara's eyes narrowed and she swiftly stepped away from Christopher as she drew her dagger and held it at eye level. No one but Thomas seemed particularly alarmed by the fact that she had a dagger though they all seemed a little surprised. Except for Eduardo.
"Where is this ship headed?" Lara asked cautiously. She was surprised when someone actually answered her. It was the guy with two swords.
"Where else? Where all pirates go, to an island with treasure!" He answered cheerfully.
Lara paused. "Pirates?" She was so shocked that she almost dropped her dagger.
"You, you seriously didn't know we are Sirius, did ya?" Nathan looked like the thought just donned him.
"Wait till you get a load of this mother…" Lara whispered to herself.
Nathan sighed. "What a burden we've go fer cryin' out loud."
"Why not just toss her in the sea?" The dual sword guy offered, looking dead serious.
Lara got a better grip on her dagger and took another step back. "I dare you to give it a try."
"Hey, don't scare her with all that talk Russell." Christopher scolded the guy with the two swords.
"Fine, we'll just leave you on some island or feed ya to the seagulls." Eduardo said as if it was a better idea than being thrown overboard.
"You've had enough fun with her." Christopher scolded his crewmates.
"Yeah, she ain't worth botherin' ya so much." Thomas said with alacrity. "It's not like she purposely came aboard our ship."
Russell got a stern look on his face. "No women on our ship. Pirate ships don't carry women."
"So we just throw her to the starving sharks?" Christopher argued back, giving Russell another glare.
"Heh! Will sharks even be interested in her?" Eduardo smirked.
Lara didn't have time to think of a retort for she sensed someone behind her, though a little too late.
"Lovely…" Lara muttered. A man that Lara couldn't see had twisted her right arm, which had the dagger, and pinned her left hand to her side. He had disarmed the uses of both her arms.
"That's some entertainment for a full moon!" A deep voice boomed, not helping Lara's headache that had gone away and now returned.
"Did ya see her face moments ago? It was so unique!" The voice laughed with equal loudness.
"Well, I'm glad someone's getting a kick out of this." The man just laughed. Lara deduced that he was the captain of the ship by the way everyone stood at attention.
"It's not everyday that I meet a woman willing to go against five guys with a small dagger." The voice sounded amused. "I have decided. This woman is part of Sirius!"
"What?" Everyone including Lara said in unison.
"Yer outa yer mind…" Nathan looked at the captain in shock.
"It's captin's order guys." Russell stated.
"Aw, and I was having so much fun…" Eduardo sighed.
"Yay! Another crew member!" Thomas cheered happily like a little kid that convinced his parents to let him keep a puppy.
The captain released Lara and pocketed her dagger. Looking at him, Lara could immediately confirm that it was his ship that she was on.
He had on a typical black captain's hat with a bronze lining and a bouquet of white feathers hanging off to his right. Under his hat, Lara could make out a red bandana that attached his military officer coat that was draped around his broad shoulders. He was also wearing a white button up shirt that had the top two buttons loose and ruffled, loose cuffs.
Like his crew, he wore a clothe around his waist. It was a dull bronze color and held up his long sword. He had black pants that fit him well with dark brown boots that went past his knees about a couple inches. He also had a goatee and was obviously the oldest of everyone on the ship.
Crossing his arms across his chest, the captain said: "Listen up, Sirius has three rules. One: protect your buddy with yer life. Two: don't let women and children get hurt. Three: we party till dawn on a full moon."
"I haven't agreed to be on your damn ship though."Lara sighed involuntarily and the captain laughed. "This woman's interesting. Welcome aboard Sirius, greatin's from Captin' Morgan." Captain Morgan gave Lara a pat on the back that felt more like a slap on the back.
"I guess I don't have much of a choice…" Lara said bitterly.
"Eh, we'll just give her a hell lot of work to do." Eduardo smirked.
"Now where to put you…" Lara stiffened but then realized that he meant a room. "How about Nathan?" Captain Morgan suggested.
"Tsk, why me?" Nathan muttered.
"Uhm, isn't there a cot in the infirmary?" Lara suggested. For a moment, everyone except Captain Morgan looked shocked that she would suggest something other than what the Captain had said. Though Captain Morgan himself was laughing.
"Yes, that could work but if someone were to need medicin or somethin' while ya were in there, that'd cause a little problem. Or what if someone needed the bed? Plus, what's the fun in having you sleep there?" Captain Morgan grinned mischievously.
"Lovely, what fun…" Captain Morgan gave her another one of his pats on the back.
"That's the spirit!"
"She'll stay with Nathan. Nathan, got that?" Captain Morgan looked sternly at Nathan.
"Why even ask, it's an order isn't it?" Nathan sighed.
"Ya got that right!" Captain Morgan laughed really loud and Lara got another headache.
"I'm going to my room…" Nathan muttered and walked towards the door that Lara came from.
"Wait, Nathan! I'm gonna leave the ingredients in the kitchen fer tomorrow!" Thomas shouted after him.
"Yeah." Nathan responded.
"Yeah? Does that even answer his question?"Lara wondered.
"You should go with Nathan. Don't worry, he's a good guy." Christopher told Lara. She looked at him for a moment and then smiled for the first time today. "Thank you." Lara followed Nathan below the deck.
