Initial completion: August 2, 2021

Breakfast was over in a flash and cleaning was done just as soon. Once the coast was clear Silver left the kitchen and snuck back into the room he'd stayed in. He shut the door and groaned as he rubbed his temples, "Oh, boy… not what I'd in mind fer today." He began pacing in the small room and tried to collect his thoughts.

It wasn't on his agenda to be cleaning this morning but he didn't mind too much, he supposed it was relatively fair. What he did mind quite a bit were the police, and if they were going to be investigating around here he needed a plan. If those robots caught him they'd pull up a list of felonies long enough to wrap around his belly tenfold.

And if he was found guilty of certain crimes he might find himself facing a death sentence.

Plus, if the dock was in need of repair chances were that no boats would come in or go out until it was properly fixed and inspected.

The only doable option would be to stay here and hide. His smuggling buddies could run The Silver Fish front and back without him so that was no problem. But he would need to wait until the dock was fully operational again before he could snag another boat or stow away on a ship.

A soft knock at the door interrupted his racing thoughts.

Apprehensively, he approached the door and opened it slightly, "Who's there?"

"Sarah," the familiar voice answered. "The innkeeper."

Silver released his held breath and allowed her to step inside, immediately catching a whiff of the breakfast plate she had brought with her. "I didn't see you leave the kitchen to eat so I brought some leftovers for you," she explained as she lifted the dish, "… John, was it?"

Silver smiled warmly at the kind gesture. "Thank ya, miss. Didn't think ye'd go through th' trouble for little ol' me," he said as he gently took the plate.

He stood there a moment, waiting for her to smile, say 'you're welcome', and be on her merry way.

But instead, she remained at the doorway, staring up at him as she slowly placed her hands on her hips, "You know, a resident mentioned some details about the suddenly broken dock over breakfast." Her voice had lowered to almost a whisper as she spoke, "They said they saw someone last night escaping a police chase and then crashing their boat off the dock and into some buildings."

Mental cogs and gears began turning in Silver's mind as he tried to figure out his next move.

"No casualties but there was quite some extensive damage," Sarah continued. "Initially, I thought nothing of this, but then I remembered someone mentioning having a 'rough landing' the night before." She looked up and shot him a suspicious glare, "You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"

He looked down at her, paying special attention to the fact that her head barely reached his shoulders and her generally small frame was no match for his.

He could easily overpower her, make a run for it, and forget all about this little adventure come sunset.

But the second he stepped out the door his advantageous size would be easy to spot by police and it would be lights out for him.

So instead, Silver moved through the room and carefully placed the plate of food on the small nightstand. He returned to her and lowered his voice, "I have got an explanation, but I'll need ye to close th' door a bit."

While Sarah was clearly uncomfortable being alone with this large stranger, she seemed to be convinced just enough to at least hear him out. She reached back to close the door most of the way, just enough for the cyborg to begin explaining himself.

"Well, the one who was chased by th' cops and caused th' crash was me," he began, quickly waving his hands in defense when Sarah grimaced and stepped back.

"But it was the only way to save me life!" he exclaimed. "I was kept a prisoner on a pirate ship, forced to work with other kidnapees."

Sarah's face was still skeptical, but she did appear to be listening.

He continued, "I took me chance to flee on a small boat durin' a scuffle. I'd've done it sooner but we'd been passed off as legal slaves whene'er th' authorities questioned 'em. And their fraudulent papers would ensure 'at anyone who tried escapin' would be brought back by the police, leavin' th' poor soul to face the pirates' wrath."

With her face in a shocked expression Silver knew he was getting through to her. "'At's why I hurried meself back here after I finished cleanin'," he explained. "If the police or anyone else realizes who I am then I be on a one-way trip to me grave."

Silver's eyes begged for help as he pressed his hat to his chest, "I'd be more than willin' to help ye out with dishes an' the kitchen an' whatever else ya need if I can stay hidden, just until investigations lessen."

Sarah took a long look into his eyes and her face had softened considerably. She seemed to be struggling internally and Silver only hoped she was kind-hearted enough to help him out.

"Well," she eventually sighed, "I guess I could use a hand around here."

He also sighed in relief as he mustered the most puppy dog smile he could make. "I be eternally grateful fer yer help, miss."

"And I'll be grateful for yours," Sarah replied. Stepping out of the room she turned to him again. "I'll expect your help for dinner tonight, but If you need any sheets, clothes, or anything else you just need to ask."

He grinned again, "Thank ye, miss."

"Just call me Sarah," she said, finally smiling a bit. "Everyone does." With that, the door closed and Silver was alone again. He slowly stepped back and sat on the bed, allowing a brief moment to pass.

Once he was sure she was out of earshot he began chuckling to himself, "Ah, ye ol' snake!" His impromptu plan worked like a charm.

He was no one's prisoner, of course. The authorities just happened to see him while he was on his way to an arms deal, causing him to be chased and eventually take a nasty swerve.

Then again, he did feel a bit sore for lying to such a nice and hospitable lady. Still, it wasn't anything unlike a pirate such as himself. He wasn't going to stay long anyway so one lie wouldn't hurt anyone. Just a few weeks, maybe a month or two, depending on how long it would take to repair the dock and hitch a ride.

As he sat on the bed he soon realized that if he was going to stay here and hide he would have nearly nothing to do. He sighed before getting up and leaving the room to find some work to do for the innkeeper.

Or Sarah, as she said.