Chapter 4

As Jack stepped out into the light he rubbed his eyes. The storm had passed and the sun was out again.

"I could sure use something to eat" said Jack and scratches his belly. Something caught his eye in the sky. In they sky was a flock of seagulls.

"Better not shit on my head"

He started to think about it. What are birds doing out in the middle of the water? I thought they only…

"BIRDS! EVERYONE THERE ARE BIRDS!"

"Yeah genius they are birds'" sniped Lex.

Jack hadn't even noticed Lex and Ebony before. They sure looked cozy but they didn't understand there were…

"BIRDS! BIRDS!"

Soon Ellie, Jay, Trudy, and Amber were hurrying above deck. Ebony began to shift uncomfortably against Lex. She needn't say anything he understood and helped her toward a crate to sit.

"Jack what is the matter?" asked Amber as she shifted baby Bray in her arms.

"BIRDS AMBER BIRDS!"

Ellie sighed "Jack you've really lost it this time." and crossed her arms.

Jack was taken aback and frowned. "Ellie you know birds… As in land is near by…..?"

"BIRDS!" shouted Trudy.

Below Deck

"Salene! What's going on up there?" asked Lottie.

Salene, Lottie, Ruby and Ram had remained below deck.

"Why don't you go find out for yourself brat?" Said Ram slumped in his corner.

Salene stopped trying to prop Ruby up and turned to Lottie.

"Don't mind him Lottie. He just a cranky cuz he blew up our city" She said as she turned to glare at Ram. Ram glared at Salene for a moment then turned on a fake grin. Ram turned to Lottie still grinning,

"I hope Salene can keep you from washing overboard." Ram cackled a bit then stopped.

"Come on Lottie. I'll go with you and nobody is going to wash overboard." Said Salene and she put her arm around Lottie and took her above deck. Ruby's head started to slip off her makeshift pillow. Taking a deep breath Ram got up from his corner and went to kneel beside Ruby. He rearranged the cushions and clothing that were serving as her pillow. By putting his arms underneath her arms he pulled her up into a halfway sitting position. A slight murmur came from Ruby's mouth. Ram almost let her slip out of his arms.

"Ruby?" he whispered as he gently lowered her body. "Ruby?" he asked again. Ruby's eyelids started to twitch.

"Yeah" she whispered with a dry voice.

"Here let me get you some water," he said as he brought the container that sat next to her to her lips.

"Mmm….. Thanks." Murmured Ruby with her eyes still closed.

"Can you open your eyes Ruby?"

"Mmmno. Stuck", she murmured. Ram dipped the corner of a blanket into Ruby's water.

"Here" said Ram and gently wiped the crust from her eyes. Ruby's eyes flickered open.

"Ram?" Ruby was slightly surprised. Ram felt a pain in his chest. She had thought he was Slade. He was certain she must have. Ram stood up.

"I'll go get the others." He said.

"No" said Ruby. "Stay" and reached her hand out to him.