Chapter Ten: Wait...
Page held the sword out tentitavely. Pearl lowered behind him. The man had said he was here to help... but Page found it hard to trust a man who commanded a ship of half sea monsters.
Suddenly a sharp pain seized his leg. He yelped and dropped the sword, immediately his hands went to his searing knee. The crew tensed at his cry and the man keeled down. Looking at Page with worried eyes.
Pearl pulled herself out from behind him, she placed her cold hands on his burning face. Page didn't realize how hot he was feeling. His body was working overtime to try and save itself.
She turned to the man. Page closed his eyes willing the pain to go away.
"Please, he needs help. He was shot.." Pearls voice broke and she put her hands back on his face. Page didn't want to open his eyes. This was embarrassing. Page was a loner. He didn't like for others to solve his problems. This was hard that he was hurt and couldnt do things like, walk...
The man spoke. There was something familiar in his voice. Page couldn't quite place it. " We need to get him on a bed. Where was he shot?" Pearl moved his hands gently away from his face and pulled up his pant leg. Page opened his eyes to look down at the bright red circular wound that only hours before had been normal skin. the blood had stopped flowing and Page was grateful. But even this small improvement wasn't enough to save his life. Page could feel something solid next to his kneecap. it was the thing causing him the most pain. Suddenly the thought hit him, the bullet is embedded in my knee...
Pearl gripped his hand. "Page? Page!" He looked up from his leg. His breaths were coming in short gasps. Pearl looked on him with sharp panic. The sea monsters around them noticed the mood change and started to disperse. They knew Page probably couldn't hang on much longer. This was a personal moment. Page was grateful for the small show of respect.
The man placed a strong, calloused hand on Pages good leg. "What's wrong kid?" Page tried to gain control but he could feel hysteria building in his chest.
"T-the b-b-bullet. It's s-stuck." Both Pearl and the man seemed to understand quickly the peril Page was in. The man scooped Page up and nearly ran to the back of the ship. Page clutched at Pearls hand. She kept up quite well with the man considering her short size.
The man kicked open a door, inside was a large cabin. It was warmly lit with books decorating every free space. The man set Page down on a bed. He looked anxiously at him.
Page didn't notice much, the burning in his leg was all encompassing. He sat, eyes closed trying to get his breathing under control. He heard the man talking softly to Pearl in the corner.
" The bullet is lodged in his knee. We need to do surgery, he's losing enough blood as it is. That wound needs to be sealed." Page knew he would need stitches but hearing it was still a shock to the system. The man continued. "It would probably be better for you if you waited outside... It's going to be messy." Hesitation from Pearl immediately caught Pages attention. He opened his eyes.
"Pearl, it's ok. I'll be fine." She looked at him with tears in her eyes. Then she turned on her heel and rushed out of the room. The large wooden door closed loudly behind her. The man turned. His dark brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail at the nape of his neck. His intense brown eyes seemed to look at Page with a new respect.
"That was brave kid." Page smiled weakly. The man sat next to Page on the bed. "I'm William. What's your name?"
Page looked into the intense brown eyes that reflected his own. "Page."