Sorry for the long wait, I've been having some beta problems, I think has been acting up so this chapter might be edited later. I don't think that much will change so everything will be alright. I've been really busy lately, but I'm bringing the prompts back in March. New stories everybody!
Also, Brian Jacques new Redwall book came out today. From the rumors I've heard, the next book he's working on is another Redwall. Guess we'll have to wait awhile before we get a new Castaways.
Disclaimer I have the script for the next Redwall book. If you want if back Mr. Jacques, your going to have to write another Castaways.
Titanic
Chapter 11
Seamus was relieved when he saw Ben and Ned eating at breakfast the next morning. He had not seen them since noon the previous day, and although he had tried to wait up for them, they had not returned the previous night. When he had awoke, the bed had looked like it had been slept in, but he couldn't be completely sure. Ben's face looked serious and there were shadows under his eyes. He was eating slowly, gazing off into space as if in deep thought.
Susie pulled on his arm and he looked away from his friend and down at her. She pointed a slightly pudgy hand at the table, where Seamus could see Ned laying beside. He let her go and she ran across the room at full speed, giggling.
Ben was lifting a fork to his mouth when he heard the thump. Susie had appeared from nowhere and flung herself onto Ned. The dog lifted his head and gave him a look, but only said, "You look terrible, try to smile."
He tried following his dog's advice, but in the end he could only manage a grimace, so he gave up and continued eating. If Seamus asked, he would just avoid the question.
Seamus sat down across from them, plate laden with food. With a glance at Ben, he started spooning eggs into his mouth, and then looked up again. "Your eyes look different." He informed Ben.
Ben kept an even voice. "Do they? I didn't notice."
Seamus nodded and swallowed. "Yeah, they look almost like ice."
The pair didn't speak for the duration of breakfast. Seamus could tell he had hit a nerve and kept unusually quiet, telling himself it wasn't any of his business. Ben just frowned into his muffin.
"I almost wish we didn't know. I can't even eat without thinking about it." Ben thought moodily.
"Well we do know about it and nothing we do can change that. It could happen today or tomorrow or any day this week. There's no use worrying about what's going to happen. Just be ready for it!"
He knew his dog was right, but that didn't mean he liked it. They ate until full and then left the dining room. Seamus suggested that they go up on deck to get some fresh air and Ben agreed, despite the fact that he and Ned had spent most of the night up there.
They used the second-class stairway in hope that they would me up with Rachel. The Irish boy told his friend about the conversation he had had with her, and how they had arranged to have dinner together. Ben smiled and nodded, all the while wondering if his friend's friend would live. Although Seamus insisted that they checked the hallways, Rachel was nowhere to be found, and they continued their journey upwards.
"Oh yeah, I forgot!" exclaimed Seamus as they walked into the salt laced air. "Rachel found out what that First class brat's family name was. They're the Golds apparently traveling with their entire fortune to start anew in America." He paused and grinned. "Guess what their rich in?"
Ben shrugged. "Gold?"
"Exactly." A dreamy look came over Seamus's face and his eyes unfocused. "I wish I had all that gold. I could get anything I wanted."
Ben yawned behind his friend's back. It was a statement he and Ned had heard dozens of time before. In their experience one didn't need money to be happy.
Susie saw Ben's yawn and pointed at him. "He sleepy."
"She talks!" thought Ned in mock astonishment.
Seamus seemed slightly surprised and a bit confused. "You're the sleepy one, your not making sense."
"So what would you do with all that money?" asked Ben, wanting to change that topic.
"I would buy this ship." Said Seamus without hesitation.
"As if you could afford a rowboat let alone a ship." Said a voice from behind.
They turned. Behind them was the rich boy from before, Gold.
"You know this is really pointless. What have we ever done to him? So I took a few snaps at him and growled a bit. That doesn't mean he follows us looking to take revenge."
"He's probably bored. Besides you forgot about what Seamus did to him." At the thought of the prank Ben's mouth gave a small twitch, a movement the other boy picked up on.
"Even your friend thinks what I said was funny."
Ben flicked a loose strand of hair out of his eyes and said in a light casual tone, "Oh I was just remembering the look on your face when my dog almost attacked you."
Seamus grinning appreciably while Susie watched Ned who was growing softly. The Gold boy's face turned a light shade of red, but he managed to speak anyway. "Well there are too many people around for you to try that again!" he spat.
"Is he mental? There's less people here than last time. I'll give you a minute to finish up here Ben and then I'm going to give this boy a bit of exercise. We're at sea, they can't throw us off now!"
Ben gave a mental sigh, something he found himself doing more often. "Fine, but don't hurt him and don't get us in trouble."
Aloud however he said, "Its not up to me what my friend here does. Everything he does is of his free will."
The would-be tormentor snorted. "That worthless mutt is your friend?"
Ben tried his hardest to keep a straight face, listening to Ned's mental counting. "Fourteen, fifteen, sixty!" Ned lunged, hackles raised and mouth foaming. "I'll catch up with you later Ben!"
The boy turned and nearly tripped, but regained his balance and sprinted off. Seamus ran forward. "Come on, I don't want to miss this!"
Ben stayed where he was, leaning against the railing; looking out to sea, face serious again. "Go on and try, but I doubt you'll catch up."
"We'll see about that." He ran off after the Labrador, leaving Susie with Ben.
Sorry for the filler, but I thought it would be funny to leave Ben with a four year old.
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