Making a Deal
Cara picked one more peach. With her fruity bounty gathered in her shirttail, she headed back to the cave where Ace was still sleeping. Two days had past since the storm hit. When it quit she headed out of the cave to see what kind of island they were on. Apparently they landed on an island that was used for growing peaches. Though she had no idea if someone planted the island that way or if it was all natural. Either way it gave them something to eat, even if peaches weren't a favorite of hers.
Animals roamed the island from birds to deer, to a few bears. Luckily none came close to the cave that she noticed. They seemed to stay farther inland. And the best find of all was their ship. The storm had forced it onto the beach. With any luck they would be able to get it back in the water with the high tide.
Cara stepped into the dimness of the cave. She blinked a couple times to help her eyes adjust to the low light. Her brow rose upon seeing Ace sitting up. The young man yawned and stretched before looking at her while scratching his messy hair. "Well, you're finally up. About time."
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Ace looked around the cave. "Where are we? A cave?"
"You don't remember the storm?"
Ace hummed.
Cara shook her head. "There was a storm. You, in all your infinite wisdom, didn't think we needed to be unchained. So we both went over the railing. I had to swim your sick butt to this island in that storm." She dumped the peaches beside the young man then swatted him upside his head. "Which reminds me. You own me big time for saving your unconscious butt. I really should have let you drown."
"Right. Now I remember," Ace said, crossing his feet underneath him. "So a skinny thing like you managed to swim me to shore while chained. I'm impressed. I thought you would have escaped."
"Shut up and eat." Cara sat down, grabbed a peach, and took an aggressive bite. "And no complaining. It's all that's on the island." She chewed and swallowed before adding, "Besides... it's not your fault that old man sent you to get me. I couldn't let you die because of that."
"What about the ship?" Ace plucked a peach off the ground.
"It's down the beach. The sails have been ripped, but it doesn't seem to have been damaged much. Water damaged a lot of the food we had. Once high tide hits we should be able to get back out onto the sea." Cara dug into her pocket. Pulling out the key she tossed it beside Ace. "I guess you'll want the chains back on."
Ace picked up the key and stared at it for a while. "Tell you what... If you give me your word that you won't run away again, or punch me with that insane straighten of yours, I'll leave the chains off and we can take the long way back to Sphinx."
Cara's eyes shot to his. "You... your serious?"
Ace nodded with a smile. "If you really wanted to run away you had your chance. You chose not to. So that's the deal if you want it." He offered her his hand. "Do we have a deal?"
Cara studied his eyes for a moment before taking his hand. "Deal."