Chapter 3
Not Just Acquaintances
Once again morning came much t late to stop Maggie's dream from entering her mind. She rolled out of bed and met Constance out on deck.
"You look terrible Maggie. Did you even sleep?" Constance asked in surprise.
"Yeah, I just was thinking to much I guess," Maggie started to walk down to the galley when she tripped.
"Are you alright?" A voice asked from above her. It was Kalib. He took her arm and helped her up. He was far too kind for what they had done. Taking away his freedom and then planning to take his life.
"I'm fine," she said furiously. "Just let me go. I need to go fix us some breakfast."
"No, you don't," he told her. She looked at him in confusion. "I woke up early and made it so that when I had to clean up I could think of it more like cleaning up after myself rather than somebody else."
"Oh, well thank you. Would you go get Joseph then?" She asked.
"He is already up too. He helped and then went and started his chores so that he would be able to get done earlier."
"Alright well lets go eat then I suppose," Maggie suggested not really knowing what to say to his kindness.
Breakfast was just as awkward as the day before. Nobody talked and when they were all done Kalib started right in on cleaning. Joseph went to do his chores also, he was pretty close to done anyway so he figured he would be able to relax the rest of the time. As before ,Constance watched Joseph and Maggie,Kalib.
"Why do you look so worried?" Kalib asked Maggie as he finished drying the dishes.
"It's nothing," she said still staring off into space.
"You can tell me, really. I won't tell anybody," he insisted as he sat down in front of her.
"I just wonder why you and Joseph are so good about this whole hostage thing. You two act like it's not a big deal. All the others have jumped off the ship by now," she looked up at him and tilted her head. "Why haven't you guys rebelled and jumped?"
"I just want to stay alive as long as possible. I mean you plan on killing us in the next week or so. As for Joseph, he is my best friend. He won't leave until I do." She considered his response for a moment and then looked away. "You aren't telling me everything are you?"
"No, the rest is a matter that only I can work out, but thank you for your concern. You can stop early and tell Joseph to do the same. I will finish the galley and the deck can wait," she said getting up from her chair and grabbing the mop. She filled the pail with water and started in on mopping the floors. Kalib was still there, he wouldn't go, he just kept on doing the chore he was given. She was curious as to why though. Most would enjoy this offer but he insisted on sticking to it. This was nice. Even though they did not speak the rest of the time she could tell how he was feeling by his expression. They lost track of time as they were cleaning and trying to tell what the other was thinking. It was already time for dinner and they hadn't even thought about what to make. Just as they were about to check out what they had in the fridge they heard yelling.
"What's going on?' Maggie asked as she ran from the galley.
"Well, Joseph finished his chores, so I decided to take out the old target and teach him how to throw knives at it. The screaming was because it was his first shot and look he made a bull's eye," Constance said looking over at Joseph and nodding. When she nodded he threw another knife and hit the bull's eye again. Constance shrieked again.
"You could be one of us with an aim like that couldn't he Maggie?" Constance questioned.
"I think he could. Very impressive Joseph. Good job," she said acknowledging him. She walked back down to the galley made dinner and went to her room. She decided it would be much easier to think if she were alone. She didn't have to think about regretting anymore. She had already decided she was fine with the path she had taken. No, now she had to think about these feelings that she had never had before. She had never experienced any feeling or emotion like this until earlier that day. It was so frustrating. Maggie didn't feel that way until she was with…Kalib. She was falling for him. She shook the thought from her head though. This couldn't be it. It had to be something else, like maybe she was getting sick. But she knew, she knew what the truth was she just didn't want to admit it to herself ,and then, there was the thought of telling Constance.
Meanwhile, Constance, Joseph, and Kalib were down in the galley eating dinner. It was quiet for the most part. There were the occasional questions here and there.
"Is she always like this?" Joseph asked in an his insensitive tone.
"Yeah, she does. She needs to just be alone sometimes," Constance said, unsure of even her own words. Later, after dinner Joseph and Kalib went to bed. Constance went down to Maggie's room to see if she was alright, before she took her watch. She knocked on the door.
"Come in," Maggie said from the other side. Constance slowly opened the door and peered around the room to find Maggie sitting on the very edge of her bed. Constance walked in and sat down next to her.
"Are you okay? You seemed so distant today," Constance asked in concern.
"Well, yes and no, I guess," Maggie said looking up at her. "I am not completely sure but I have been having these feelings that I have never experienced before."
"What feelings?" Constance asked Maggie looked down at the floor before answering again.
"Well, I think that…"
"It isn't that feeling bad regretting stuff again is it?" Constance interrupted.
"No. I think…I think that I am starting to fall in love…" Maggie started before being interrupted again.
"With who?" Constance asked wide eyed with surprise.
"With Kalib," Maggie said as she stood up to walk across the small room and stare at the wall. Neither of them spoke for what seemed like a really long time.
"So let me get this right. You…are in love…with Kalib," Constance said pausing between every few words.
"I know it sounds crazy, doesn't it?" Maggie asked turning back to Constance. "That's why I think it has to be something else."
"It isn't all that crazy Maggie. I think it is definitely possible that you are in love with this guy. I mean I know you just met him but there definitely is a possibility to all of this."
"Constance, are you mad?" Maggie asked glumly.
"No, of course this means that I can't kill him, which means I can't kill his friend there; but hey, if it's for you, I am willing to make this one tiny sacrifice." Constance smiled. She wondered what could have brought all of this on. Kalib seemed way to sweet and innocent and Joseph, he was just a jerk. Maggie was happy with this choice though, so Constance could not stand in her way.
"I'm glad you feel that way Constance." Maggie said thankfully.
"Just as long as you're happy. I am going to go to bed now. Good night," Constance said most willingly.
"Good night," Maggie said. When Constance left the room she laid down on the bed and drifted to sleep. She had not had that same continuing nightmare she always had. Instead, she dreamt of being happy, with Kalib.