I'm really sorry for not posting anything new. A lot has been going on, mainly with the outbreak, mostly personal things.
It took me about an hour to even try to become productive and leave the bed. Just waiting for the buzzing to stop, to be able to redo my morning routine. I even took another shower. I only got back into action when I noticed this odd smell lingering in the air, I had assumed it was me. It wasn't. I had no idea where it came from, quickly searching the room for the source. Heck, I was looking through the trunk to see if it was coming from there. Nope. It was honestly driving me a little bit insane.
The rain seemed to calm down as the compound became active. I could hear the men chatting away out there, still the same old conversations I've heard everywhere else. Their footsteps patrolling the grounds of the compound. The tapping of their guns and constant movement as they try to get comfortable with the weapons on their persons. It is slowly becoming background noise to me.
The first thing I did was go and check on Cal. I made my way towards the men's sleeping quarters, a couple wished me a good morning and I repeated it back to them. The British in me was too strong to be rude back, even in this situation. They probably could tell that I was in good spirits, it might not even be a shot in the dark to know why.
Power-walking through the courtyard, just to get out of the rain. It didn't really work; you're going to get wet from the rain no matter how fast you are. It would be interesting to see what snow looked like on this island, if it snowed here at all. Does it snow here? I don't actually know; I'll have to ask the next time I see … someone. Well, someone who wasn't working, drinking or smoking whatever they can get their hands on.
I make my way up to Cal's room to find him and a couple others sleeping. I sigh, it was better to let him rest still. The more rest he gets now, the more likely he'll get better quicker. I slowly made my way to him, avoiding making any noise and not step on anyone. Once I was close enough, I placed a hand on Cal's forehead. It was just warm. Which is good since he hasn't picked anything up while recovering.
Deciding it would be better to let him sleep. I climbed to my feet and slowly made my way out of his room. It's bad enough that Vaas woke him by shouting at him from across the compound. Cal doesn't need me to poking at him while he sleeps.
I entered the kitchen area and started washing my hands. Some of the men were hanging around, one or two wished me a good morning. I did the same back, mostly hoping that nobody heard me this morning… screaming my head off. Don't need to be explaining that one as I wash my hands.
Listening in as I dried them on a random cloth hanging from the cupboard, I could hear their usual discussions. Worries about Jason Brody. Talking about their regrets of not using protection. Moaning about the privateers, the heat, bugs, the locals and so on and so forth. It wasn't that heat while it was raining right now. God these men moan more than middle-aged women.
Once I was done, my head was starting to ache. I don't even know what could have started it. It was surprisingly quiet right now. The pirates' voices weren't that loud. There wasn't even music playing.
I sighed as I made my way towards the beach. The rain still falling around me. I couldn't be bothered to try and stay under cover. The raindrops felt cool against my skin. The wind wasn't strong enough to battle it as I made my way towards the beach. Sometimes it was just nice to have nothing to do. Even if you could die any moment from an angry tourist who'll probably leave this place with some really bad PTSD.
As I went down the path, something snapped me back to real world. There were figures ahead of me. I stopped. I was still breathing heavy. Not sure what to do with myself. Not wanting anyone to see me like this.
"You kill me now, and I'll die a martyr." I knew that voice. Majid. Majid was on the beach. What was he doing there? Who was he talking to?
Curiosity got the better of me as I slowly made my way down to the beach, staying close to the trees to avoid getting spotted. The closest I could get was between one of the trees and a collection of shrubs. Honestly, I was more in the bushes then hiding behind a tree. Unfortunately, the ground was pretty muddy from the rain. I'm grateful that I got into my jeans instead of dress today.
Ahead of me was a boat, parked up on the beach. Similar to the one I rode in back when I went to the prison base. A third pirate had just gotten off; the others were standing around on the beach. I could see Majid, kneeling on the wet sand. He was the only person I could recognise. That and the fact that the pirates had their faces covered. Majid wasn't in his pirate uniform. He wore an open blue shirt and shorts.
One of the pirates repeatedly walked around Majid, like one of the tigers in the compound's cages. Glaring down at the hissing warrior. The pirate pulled a machete out of its holder.
"Hey, you ever tried smoking out of someone's skull?" He taunted, standing behind a still Majid. Swaying the machete like a baseball bat preparing to swing, trying to get the right angle for a home run. The warrior looked back to him, slightly flinching away whenever the blade was close to him. Majid spent enough time with them to know that there is a very low chance that they were actually joking.
"I say we try it with this fucker." The pirate gloated, pushing Majid back down; like he was on the chopping block. I couldn't stop myself; gasping at the sight before me. Even Henry VIII would say that this is a bad way to go. I could see Majid wasn't scared, he was just uncomfortable and annoyed. Yet prepared for what was going to happen. I prepared myself to go charging in to order them to stop. My body still shaking from my ordeal.
"Quit dicking around!" Another pirate blurted out, pushing his fellow comrade back. If he was a second late, I would have stood up and they would have seen me.
"What is your problem?" The wielder barked; you could tell he was smiling behind that mask. "It's a good idea."
"He's our hostage." It was actually nice to see someone being merciful for a change.
"So?"
"So, back off." They scold at each other. "BACK OFF!"
"Fine." He groaned, like a grounded teenager.
The apparent leader pulled Majid to his feet, dragging him towards the base. I did my best to stay out of their line of sight, I really didn't want Majid to see me. Considering the last time, he saw me, I fell to my 'death'. It was better to let him believe that then the chance of him passing that information on. Even if I was willing to give up that safety net to keep him alive.
"You know he isn't the one who pissed on you." The third pirate finally spoke up. It would have been nice if he did that earlier. "And he wasn't the one who titty-twisted you either."
"I KNOW THAT!" The wannabe terminator shouted back. The other two just laughed at his misery. Still, a part of me wants to know the story behind those two encounters. The other part of me is screaming at me to not laugh.
I stayed in my hiding spot until they were gone from my sight. I stood up slowly, just thinking over what I had just witnessed. Well… I would have, if the second I got to my feet; I didn't feel dizzy all of a sudden. What the hell was that about?
I had to hold myself steady with the tree branches. Still trying to calm myself from what happened. My arms were still shaking. Just slowly breath through my nose and out my mouth, until I was ready to make my way into the small house. My stomach became unsettled, almost like a cramp. What in the actual hell is going on with me?
When I felt ready, I slowly made my way into the small shack. It was pretty simple: table, chair, chest, empty bookshelf and a double bed. Not just a mattress on the floor, a crappy four poster bed with a single blanket thrown over a mattress. There were a couple unlit candles everywhere.
I fell onto the bed and closed my eyes, listening to the raindrops land on roof. The sound of the rain is something I find calming, something about the repeating tapping of the fallen droplets on different surfaces. I've always been more comfortable when I can hear it, maybe as a reminder of home. But I wasn't at peace right now. No matter how much I want to be.
Someone who shot at me is now in compound. Here against his will. In the same situation he put me through, something I will never wish on anyone. Him included. Honestly, I don't wish anything on Majid; apart from never seeing him again.
How the fuck am I not freaking out right now?
No, seriously. This is my new normal. I've been shot at, scarred, kidnapped multiple times, beaten black and blue, imprisoned, blackmailed and manipulated. God, I probably have Stockholm syndrome. Maybe even something else. Well, I'm going to get that diagnosed any time soon. Definitely desensitised to everything, that's for sure. Fuck my life. Fuck it with spade.
If my family could see me now, they would freak out. Dad, uh, not so much. Probably be too busy gloating that a daughter he didn't raise became a doctor. Heck, Dan would notice and he wants to become batman when he's an adult. I hope he's doing ok. I know he's not good with any kind of change. He mourned a broken cup as much as a lost family member. Kathreen would be trying to keep everyone calm while mum would be stress cleaning the kitchen counters for the 20th time. Mike would be trying to go on as normal but worrying in silence.
My eyes started to sting at the thought of them. I can't even imagine how they would react if I came home. Feels impossible with all this shit going on around me. I don't know how I would tell Jerry's grandfather that he isn't coming home. Let alone have to tell Alison's family what had happened to her. Man, I wish they were here right now.
Might be entertaining if I tried to bring Vaas with me. 'Hi mum, hi Mike, this is my boyfriend and captor. He's going to come live with me.' That's possibility the largest shit pile in all of existence right there.
That's probably the most terrifying part of all. Not knowing what will happen next. It feels like I'm staring into a thick fog and praying everyone will come out fine on the other end. Well… minimal damage. And that the other side isn't a giant bloody cliff leading to more doom and gloom. I'm not even an optimist and know that it's going to be a shitshow all around.
Music started blaring from the compound. That goddamn same song again and again. No wonder Vaas fucked off with my iPod. Someone needs to get some new CDs. Hell, they're pirates. They can just pirate the damn songs off of fucking Youtube. It's not going change much for their regular days of murder and bitching.
So much for some time alone.
I climbed to my feet and made my way towards the base. I've got nothing else to do apart from check on Cal, something must be wrong with him if he can sleep through this shitty song. The sky looked a little bit darker then when I left. I'm seriously losing my sense of time as well. I really could do with a watch, but that'll probably get stolen as well.
Stopping by the gate, I noticed that smell again. It was kinda odd, a weird combination of being too smoky and sweet. It honestly felt like it would get stuck in my throat, how am I the only person bothered by this?
"Suckie suckie! fuckie fuckie!" a voice belted through the crowds. I stopped in my tracks the second I heard it, taken aback by the sudden female voice. I looked around to see multiple women around the base.
Some of the pirates had surrounded a single woman, dancing around a pole in a purple bikini. A few more were 'working' one on one. Getting incredibly handsy with the poor girls. Based on the money being thrown at the pole dancer, at least they're getting paid for it. I could even see one of the pirates pulling a girl into the sleeping quarters.
Maybe now isn't a good time to give Cal a check-up.
The large building where Emily is hidden away, is completely shut off. Surrounded by pirates smoking, drinking or feeling up some random woman. There are going to be a lot of men complaining tomorrow, unless they have enough protection going around. Looks like nobody is going in, it's better to stay out then risk something. I hope she's doing okay in there.
Shoving my hands into my pockets, I make my way back to the room. Trying my best to avoid seeing something private. I mostly kept my focus on the floor and ignoring the damn music, it's better safe than sorry.
There were a few people inside, mostly drinking and no girls. A couple greeted me as I walked through the door, a little more relaxed then before. A few I've seen before and sporting fresh bandages, but one of them was still drinking his Molotovs. It's nice to know something never change. It's surprising to see everyone so calm during this time of massacres and loss. It was almost like Jason never even came to the island. Maybe something's changed. Maybe?
I make my way up the stairs, not sure what to do with myself. God, I hope this doesn't become a daily thing. Me, just wondering around aimlessly. That would just suck. If everyone wasn't 'busy', I might be able to see if Cal is alright. I could even ask someone if it was alright to go and see Emily.
The second-floor landing seemed bright then usual, the door to my old room is open. I stopped midway up the stairs, my nose is level with the ground, as I looked in. Nothing seemed different from when I was last in there. I couldn't hear any noise coming from the room, the first thing that came to mind since there is an actual bed in there. From this angle, I can't see if the bathroom door is open or closed. Vaas' door is still shut and the dog bed is empty.
I climbed up the stairs and slowly walked towards my old room, debating if I should go in or not. As I passed Vaas' door, I gave it a quick knock; just in case he was in there.
The bed creaked and footsteps. Someone moving around in my old room. I'm guessing they climbed off the bed and went into the bathroom. It couldn't be from Vaas' room. It was weirdly quieter to climb up from the pile of mattress then that old bed from. And those were some damn loud footsteps if I could hear them over the music.
I continued walking towards my old room, trying not to step on any creaking floorboards. Once I was close enough, I peaked around the door to find an empty room and an open bathroom.
"Hello?" I called out without thinking.
No answer. Well, that was stupid and not good. No movement. No sound. No anything. I don't know how but I could smell something inside. Something chemically from the bathroom. Something like body spray or deodorant.
I shut the door with a loud slam. Just trying to get a reaction out of anything that might be in there. That and the fact that this door only had one handle, so whoever is in there is stuck. Unless they jump out the window and land very close to a tiger cage. Either way, I am not risking going in there.
Pressing my ear to the door, I waited. I knew there had to be someone in there. I heard them move, I heard them dash into the bathroom. It had to be a person or an animal. I was mostly waiting for a reaction before heading back downstairs and saying something to the men. I couldn't hear anything over the music.
I waited a few more minutes, waiting for confirmation that I wasn't going mad. Determined to be proven right.
CREAK
I froze. I fucking knew it!
CREAK
It was getting closer to me.
CREAK
I didn't dare move.
CREAK
They must know I'm here.
CREAK
"What are you doing?"
I squeaked in surprised, jump away from the voice. Turning to find Vaas standing next to me, deeply chuckling to himself. He leaned against the closed door with his arms still folded. I sighed at the realization that it was him walking behind me, pinching the bridge of my nose.
"Seriously, what the fuck are you doing?" I didn't answer right away, as I tried to calm down. I pointed at the door after I had let go of my temple. Slowly breathing to calm myself.
"It's just…" I started. "I heard some…"
The blade of a machete came through the door. Inches away from my face.