Alright, another post for you guys. Hope you like
My first duty on my voyage on this damn ship was to stay silent and cook. Of course I was made the cook. No other man would cook, and since I had no real choice in my current life as of now, this position was probably all I was going to get. The issue wasn't that of cooking. I mean, even now, as the crew silently tossed heads of cabbage and caught fish at me, I never found it as a problem. I had an instinct about it, as if I had done it before. However, the problem was indeed my position. I couldn't speak. I was chopping meat with a dirty blade and there was this crazy urge to want to talk while doing this. But, I couldn't. In fact, the second I had got out the cabin, all eyes left my view. Were they not to look at me too?
I was on the opposite side of the ship, near the border and water. I was given a huge metal pot that was hanging over a pit of ashed wood. Slops of fish were bloody and at my side, and I was given no choices on where to cut all this stuff up. I simply just used the floor for my creation. There were a ton of things to be cut up, and to be honest, nothing that was thrown at me smelled appetizing.
The sun was setting, and land was no longer near my view. Ace was no longer at the helm, so basically, this ship was rolling against the wind. That made no sense. The crew were scattered everywhere, sitting in some places, walking around in others. Edward however was still in his cabin. Ace had disappeared in there, and that made me nervous.
Another head of cabbage came at me, this time by a big scary bald guy. His scar over his right eye scared me, but I couldn't dwell on that. While I was cutting up this junk, the possibilities of my name rolled around. I was so confused from the ideas. It was at the tip of my thoughts. I knew it was. But I was also thinking of the other important things. Why couldn't I remember anything past today? And will I forget tomorrow, what happened today? These things. Who are my parents? It's funny how I knew I had been educated and had a good childhood, but couldn't think of what happened in those times of my life. Did I have siblings? A boyfriend? Well, that last part doesn't matter. It seems I voluntarily chose to be trapped by Edward. I mean, the man is…
"Here!" A loud voice shocked and interrupted me from near, throwing something hard and brown at my feet. I looked up (Since I was sitting down) so irritated that the thrown item almost smacked my feet down. "Put those on." Ace spoke
I looked down, passing the gruesome gunk and blood along my feet to see a pair of boots. Great! Something to go with this dirty white shirt.
"Ya can't be walkin wit bare feet. Fish blood be a bad ting ta go in cuts."
"I thought you guys weren't supposed to speak to me." I bit uncomfortably.
"I be tha one ta be doin that. Captain Edward gave me tha permission."
"Really?" My eyes brightened.
He nodded, "But don't be getting use to dat. We ain't friends. I just be a chaperone."
I realized now, "Great."
It was a tad comforting to know I wasn't completely alone. However, I only knew that Ace was to watch me so that I wouldn't try to speak or want anything from anybody. I am still invisible. But this could work to my advantage.
After everything was chopped and in the pot and put to fire, I looked at my clothes and feet. I was covered in fish blood and bits of cabbage. There was no point in making a 'fishy' stew if the stew was already on my body. I mean, my hands were literally covered in gunk. But, I had an idea. I looked to my right and saw the ocean at my near distance. A quick wash in the water would rid the fish.
I got up and headed to the boarder. I readied myself in the edges, getting ready to jump off. The blood was slippery, almost making me fall in several times. I was so ready, holding onto the ropes that led up further on the ship. I swung on it a few times, preparing myself for the dive. I hope I could swim.
Right before I fell, a felt a hard and unbelievable snap to my loose wrist. The pain caught me by complete surprise that I uncontrollably fell forward toward the water. However, I never felt those waters. I was hacked by the back of my shirt and swung back down to the deck next to the pot. I knew I was probably in some sort of trouble, but all I could think about was the crushing pain now on my released wrist. It felt like someone had snapped a bone. Bruising was to come.
Ace stood over me, calm at the face. I just lay there, hoping the pain would disappear.
"What is wrong with you!? You learn to crack nuts with that grip?" I could help but spit out
"What were ya doin?" He asked, urgent.
I shrugged against the floor, "I needed to wash off."
He shook his head, "You be covered in fish blood. Sharks be ready to attack quick."
"I didn't plan on staying in the water too long." The pain was hot now. I couldn't move my hand.
"It don't matter. Tha water be so cold, it freezes to da bone in no time. You'd be dead."
"Well, it's better than staying here."
He shook his head again, "No."
I sat up, looking at him with wide eyes, "Then what am I supposed to do about the smell on me?"
"Ya sleep wit it." He stated simply. I thought he had to be joking, but he was so serious.
"You are kidding right?"
"No."
I snorted in a laugh, getting up on my own without his help. "So I have to sleep dirty?"
"If it be makin ya feel better, ya smell better than most da crew. Most dem ain't had no bath in month's time."
"Gross. Now all I'm going to think about is sweaty balls."
"But don't ya worry. Your bunk be away from tha smell. Ya got a breeze spot from below."
I gave him a dirty look, "Oh and what is that? Huh? Another favor?"
"No."
I gave another look, "Are you always this nonchalant?"
He shrugged, "If only I be knowin what that meant?"
Continue
It was completely dark outside now, and colder than before. I guess since we were out at sea the temperature changes. I hadn't seen Edward at all since this morning. I guess he likes to stay in the cabin. I was serving the food to the crew. None gave me looks. Ace stood behind me for that. All just had wooden bowls or pots. I was handed them, and scooped the mess of stew by the bowl. They ate with their hands, but for some reason, I felt that there was something missing to that, as if they needed something to eat with….
Oh well.
I served the last sailor, thinking that was it. I looked back at Ace, who had his arms crossed, looking just as mean as always.
"No food for you I'm guessing?"
He shook his head, not looking at me, "I won't be eatin that even if tha king be forcin me."
"Gee, that's nice of you." I murmured.
Minutes passed and still the crew ate the junk I prepared. I was guessing it wasn't so bad since they were scarfing it down, but then again, these men don't really eat that much, or so I have been told.
The cabin door to the captain's quarters swung open, loudly, and my gut vanished into my bowels. I saw the crew scrabble to his attention as if he were famous, but I stayed at the nearly empty pot.
"Listen up, men!" His clear voice rang. Ace left me as well.
While he spoke to his men, I went to the boarder of the ship to catch fresh air. My existence was nothing, as I remembered, and they were able to ignore me as many times as they'd like, at any time. I kept thinking of my purpose here, and if ever, I needed a way to escape my current situation, what I could do. Right now, all I could think of was the water below me crashing against the ship. It was better than wondering what the strangers were talking about. I watched as my hair sprawled about in the wind, and I wondered more. Is my hair really that long? It went past my shoulders in this bright red. How unnatural! I also looked at my feet, still uncovered, but I didn't want to put boots on with bloody feet. There were just so many things to think about, and I felt I didn't have much time to think of them. How could I find myself at a time like this? It also surprised me how calm I was in this situation. I had a feeling that normally, something this major would have ticked me off. However, since I can't remember much of anything, my supposed anger is blocked. I want to be angry, but without a guide to myself, how was I supposed to be angry? For all I knew I could have been a bad person. AND to top it off, my gut was boiling to know what my fate was!
Laughter started from my distance of the men. They all began walking away slowly back to where they were, so I guess the conversation was over. Yet, no looks toward me, as I expected.
Continue
Later that night, all the men went below deck, readying themselves to rest. I really wanted to stay above deck so that I wouldn't have to go down there.
"Lady of fire!?" I rolled my eyes as Ace called. My eyes went to his approaching form, "You be needed in tha bunks."
"Right! I forgot. I had to bathe men"…..I was mortified!
"It be your duty for now."
I followed him down the steps below. My first sight was nothing but dark, steam, and faint lit candles. The smell was definitely something less to be desired. Ace led me to the right end, where most of the crew gathered up. He stepped through that door first.
"Alright men!" He began, silencing them from their talk, "Tha woman be here now. Give her a sponge and a cloth. " He announced, making me cringe behind his large back, "She be needin water, as well."
A man in blue trousers came forward, tossing off his shirt and threw it at Ace with a grin and a chuckle. Ace caught it looking less than amused.
"She can use that to wash the scum off my back." The man spoke with a watery voice. I cringed again, swallowing a lump down my throat from my nervousness. The men laughed at the coy, but I didn't find it funny.
"Don't be foolin around, Shaw. The captain had told us all not to be messin wit this girl." Ace vouched from the playfulness.
"And wot he gonna do!?" Another man barked in a sort-of Irish accent that I somehow could tell from. "Edward ain't here now, is he!?" He shouted to Ace.
"Don't counter me." Ace raged back.
"Where be tha girl, anyway!?" Another random man.
I wanted to run away. They couldn't see be behind Ace. Maybe this could have been my chance. But, I heard feet stepping away from the door. I couldn't even turn away by the time Ace and revealed me to them. My nervousness really caught up to me now. I stepped in a little, seeing all the crew men in this one room. Some with no shirts, and some fully clothed…for now.
I instantly heard slimy laughs and creepy rumbles from most of them. A lot of them were now smiling…and I knew why.
"Why she be a pretty one!" One man said.
"She be tha girl that dear 'ol edward had follow him!" Another barked out. I really wanted to leave now.
"I can't wait to test my-"
"You not be hurtin this girl!" Ace spat back, stepping closer to me. "The captain gave law bout her. She aint ta be touched, or spoken to!"
Thank goodness for Ace cutting in that!
"Edward doesn't run anything but this ship." Another man I didn't know stated.
"Yes, and if ya wantin ta be testin him, go right ahead!" Ace spat. No smart remarks came after, and eyes wondered to each other in the debate, "Like I be sayin, tha girl ain't ta be touched."
"Fine!" Blue trousers huffed.
Without an eye leaving the men, Ace stepped away from me, grabbing something off to my right. Some eyes laid on me, and some didn't dare to leave his. Soon, a big brown wooden pale as plopped in front of me with water splashing about. Ace threw Shaw's dirty shirt in the water and stepped back toward me, with eyes now focused on me.
"Since this be your first time, I'll be by your side, but as times be goin, I won't be here helpin ya." He told me coldly. I nodded slowly, but still jittery for this new experience.
I grabbed the pale and the newly wet shirt in my hands, readying myself for washing.
"Shuck down, boys!" Ace shouted. My eyes went wide and wild immediately.
One by one each man lined up in front of me, stripping from shirt and trousers. I knew I went in complete blushing red mode! All I really wanted to do was look at their faces, but that wasn't what actually happened.
"Sweaty balls, sweaty balls, sweaty balls!" I was screaming that in my head.
The first man stepped up to me and smiled.
"Hi." He began, "I'm Mandle." He turned around showing me how hairy his back was, "You can start with the dirt goin down to my ass."
Laughter came from the crew, but not me. I was constantly holding my breath to keep my hands still. I rung out the shirt from the water and started whipping him down. Holding my breath too much however, was making me light-headed. After this guy was done, another was next.
"Next in line…." I whimpered.
A big guy came up fully naked and proud. That was the end of my mysteries of the crew. I actually felt the comings of a faint.
Continue
A while had passed, and all were done with the washing. Thank goodness! It was my turn to rest, so Ace showed me to my bunk. It was at the opposite end of the area and it was solo. I turned to him with question eyes.
"No sharing?" I asked, really too happy to want the truth.
"For now." He answered simply.
It was nicer than I expected. It had a hole big enough to let in light and air. There were barrels around the bed and tiny webs but other than that….I was glad I didn't have to sleep around the crew men.
"Sleep be needed for you." He lightly pushed me toward the bed, "Go on."
I turned to him, giving him a twisted look. I was not only confused, but my anxiety could handle too much suspense.
"What's going on Ace? Why am I even here?"
"As I said, you have a duty that be good for us. But I can't be tellin you what that is."
I gave off an unsatisfied sigh, "I just would like to return home…wherever that may be."
He shrugged, "Sorry lass, I can't be givin ya that. We be already too far out sea ta git ya back."
I looked at his dark figure in this blackness, hoping there was more to this "What if….what if I don't want the fate that is handed to me? I don't even know the captain that well." I sighed, "What could he possibly want with me?"
He sighed in return, "I can't tell ya. One day…but it ain't now."
"Just at least tell me what I'm in for." I almost pleaded with the man, who in turn is the one who I can truly only talk to at this point.
He was silent for a little while, not really able to spill all he wanted, but he did give me something to look forward too, "An adventure, and bloody hell of one."
I could suddenly feel my new bruise.