A/N: Day 8 already..
~Day 8~
Emma woke up more rested than she had anticipated. Though chilled to the bone despite the sticky heat, wet from rain, still slightly sore from the bruise and the cramped hiding the night before, not to mention the hours of walking... the net had proved to be surprisingly comfortable.
Her pride hated that fact, but she needed to give the pirate the benefit of the doubt. He had kept her safe, fed, and gave her a bed of sorts. Though she wasn't ready to trade in her amenities from home, she found this way of living was easily doable.
She could live a life of survival. Her mother would be proud.
She managed to creak open one weary eye long enough to memorize the daylight that was fluttering through the trees in the most peaceful way. She was content just to lay there, staring up at the incandescent greenery. She could not recall a more tranquil feeling than what she felt at that moment. She could easily rest here the whole day, watching the light bounce from leaf to leaf.
She snapped awake in an instant, and she realized she wasn't here alone. Killian was right next -
No, he wasn't. He, and his net, were both missing.
She was so startled by this realization, that she sat upright so quickly that she nearly capsized out of her own net. She managed to rock back into a stationary position, but her heart was racing as fast as her thoughts were.
She knew he wouldn't have voluntarily stayed in his net all day, in a tranquil meditation as she had daydreamed about… Not in their current situation anyway. But where would he have gone? Not too far, on foot.
She wondered if he would have woken her for a dangerous situation, as he did previously? But that situation had been a surprise, while they were in a more vulnerable position. Now, with her high positioning in the tree, it wasn't likely she'd be found, and he had insisted on taking care of any danger he could, on his own.
She knew she didn't know terribly much about him, but this moment she felt the lack of information, and once again he made her question things. Though, she supposed it was her own fault for not trying to get to know him better. He'd always been forthcoming before. For now, though, all she could do was guess.
Had he left on an adventure of his own? Being a pirate, she was sure this could be a possibility… had this not already been his adventure she had stolen from him. No, he wouldn't have just left her to fend for herself - she recognized the look in his eyes. The same look her father gave her mother.
She shook that thought from her mind.
She'd already ruled out danger… or had she? If it were a bear, dragon, or other dangerous creature, she supposed he might let her sleep while he took care of it. Somehow, she didn't believe it. Man or beast, she felt he would have woken her.
When her own stomach growled, she decided the likeliest thing would be food. He must have left to hunt or gather something. No need to wake your partner for something as simple as their next meal.
Partner?
No matter, he was still on foot and couldn't have gone far.
She shivered, carefully relaxing back into the net, weighing her only two options with a weary sigh. Stay, or go? Going after him would violate another of his rules, which made it all the more tempting. But it also might prove fruitless, possibly resulting in her own loss of direction, setting the entire trip back until they found each other again. This deep in the woods, it was near impossible to tell where the sun's location was, though she was rather clever when it came to tracking. She may not have Red's nose, but Graham had taught her everything Red couldn't - mainly how to, without the nose. Red taught her how to use, and listen to, her own intuition. It was there for a reason.
Though there was the intolerable fact that someone was likely after her. Some strange soldier, sporting colors she did not recognize. Leaving her post would make it easier for them to spot her if they were near, and Hook wouldn't know what happened. How would that affect him? Would it affect him?
She imagined it would, even in the slightest. He'd least be upset at taking the blame for her disappearance, of this she was sure.
But to hide out up here, just waiting? It wasn't a thought she relished in, despite all the reasons she should just stay put. Patience was not her strong suit. Aside from that, she felt like a damsel in distress just waiting for a man to rescue her from her own loneliness and insecurity.
She decided her higher vantage point may allow her to spot his black clothes in the sea of greenery. She sat up, slowly, craning her neck to peer around for any open patches through the leaves and branches - there weren't many. She cringed when she realized it wouldn't be that simple. Nothing in life ever was, was it? Choosing a husband seemed a much easier choice, now.
The only invited man she could see herself with, Dylan. That was logical. If only she hadn't promised herself to give Captain Jones a chance… He had asked to court her, if unofficially.
She shook her head, remembering what Jones had said about her distractions. Such trivial thoughts when she really just needed to decide on a plan, to stay or to go.
Something caught her eye. It wasn't black, though it was a beast she could scarcely describe.
Her inhibitions, self concern, and worries all immediately vanished as her curiosity rose. She readied herself to climb down to examine the thing from a much closer distance.
Thank you for reading!