Disclaimer: IOOMOC
J.L.: So another bit of waiting on this chapter's reveal. Sorry about that; life. Anyways, let's continue on and I'm glad you guys are enjoying this.
JILL
It wasn't but two days before we were at sea. The problem was having enough supplies loaded on the Alpha Stream to last us and having the crew sign up. I also had to leave Renold in charge of the Estate for the duration of my leave with specific instructions on how to handle the affairs. The old man was happy to receive them, but not so happy about arranging the funeral for my mother and dealing with the Duke's family. There was a lot of legal obligation to sort through as well, on whether I was the Duke's bride prior to his death. For that matter I had Renold cooperating with the local justice system on the whole mess, sorting it all our hopefully by the time I would return. I had also obtained a warrant for my brother's arrest. Due to the amount of activity that had occurred in those two days, sleep had not been an option until I was on the ship. I was passed out on the bed in the Captain's quarters when Barry came in.
"Miss Valentine?" He asked, awakening me from my erratic slumber filled with nightmares and confusion. I sat up and locked eyes with the man I had entitled as First mate.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Well, the crew would like to know their positions on the ship. A bit of infighting is threatening to erupt with your absence." He warned. I stepped out of bed and pulled my boots on, and then made my way for the deck. I saw two men arguing back and forth, and spotted Chris making his way towards the two with a fist balled. Right as he went to swing it, I caught it.
"That will be enough!" I roared and the men shut up.
"Why are you the Captain? You're a woman!" One of the crew, the man named Carlos, called out.
"This is my ship. I own it, all of it. I also have four years of sailing experience and was first mate to Captain Wesker for two of those years. You point out a man on board this ship who is more qualified and wants the job, right now or shut the fuck up." I barked. Carlos cowed back, and kept his mouth shut.
"Ahem, crew placement, Captain?" Barry reminded me. I glanced around, looking amoung the faces. Most were new, but a few were not. I was surprised to see Rebecca on board, and couldn't recall signing her on. Perhaps Barry had done so.
"Very well then. Sullivan, you are my second mate. You know the seas better than anyone else on this ship and you would do well with the navigation. We have no teenagers on this ship, but a lot of inexperienced sailors from what I see. I suggest those of you who have problems with taking orders from me speak up now, my first mate Mr. Burton here will be more than happy to assist you with your insubordination. Gentlemen, We are on the tail of the Duke's murderer and his band of pirates. It is our duty to our country to not only detain these criminals but to bring them to justice and I will not have petty arguments undermining this mission, do you understand me?" I roared out. Nods occurred all over and I took my leave.
CHRIS
Rebecca joined me out on the deck at dusk on night, the both of us tired from cleaning up the ship. It seemed as though the crew had struck a nerve within Ms. Valentine and she struck back with a long list of chores that were to be completed without complaint. The Captain kept to herself in her quarters, having Barry issue out orders instead. Part of me was glad for this, as I had forgotten that I would be within a hundred feet or so of her at all times when I signed up for this rescue mission. Things would be incredibly awkward if she didn't spend most of her time in her cabin and when she did come out, it was only to talk with Sullivan or Barry. This was one of those rare times in which Jill did emerge from her quarters and made her way for the bow of the ship.
"You should talk to her." Rebecca whispered. Jill's gaze was locked out on the horizon. I looked back at Rebecca.
"What do you mean?" I asked, not sure if the two women had talked about what had happened.
"She's been through a lot, and it would probably mean a lot to her if you listened to her. She hasn't told me anything of what has happened since we disembarked the Delta, but having to witness your long lost brother murder your fiance on your wedding day isn't exactly normal." Rebecca advised.
"There's more to it than that." I replied. Rebecca shook her head.
"You two were close, whether you want to admit it or not. Even I could tell with all those wistful stares you two shared that something was going on. I don't want to know what happened, but you mean something to her and she will need you. Be there for her before you lose her for good." Rebecca advised.
"I doubt Leon will harm her." I responded. Rebecca shook her head.
"People don't always die physically." She replied in kind and left. I looked back at Jill, taking a better glance over her. Blackened eyes, duller skin and a slightly noticiably drop in weight suddenly registered. She wasn't taking care of herself. I looked around a bit, checking to see if anyone was watching, but most of the crew had retired below decks already.
JIll
"How long ago has it been since you last ate?" I heard someone say from my left side, the voice barely registering as familiar as I was locked in my own mind with turmoil over my brother.
"Yesterday morning, I think?" I answered as truthfully as possible, but the days had long since blurred together for me as I continued to mull over possible routes and destinations that Wesker would have lead my brother through. Chris grabbed my chin and pulled it towards him.
"You won't be able to beat Wesker if you don't eat." He threatened. I jerked my chin free from his grasp, glaring him down. He returned the glare.
"I'm fine. What do you really want?" I replied. Chris stood quiet for a moment, a million things running through his mind. Finally, he settled on something and sighed out.
"I'm here to listen if you need me, Jill." He offered. My attention went back to the now dark horizon and my hand tightened on the rail. I had not been able to really look Chris in the eye after that night on the ship but I had gone over the speech a million times over on what I would say to him if I could ever speak to him again. Language was failing me miserably and nothing was clear. I still wasn't entirely sure if my last name was Spencer or not and if that even mattered at this point. All the legalities that were involved now with the marriage and my brother were on the shelf until I returned to the mainland. I shook my head of that thought train and looked back at Chris.
"I...part of me doesn't want to find him. If had been a farmer he would have just wound up in jail...but he killed a Duke, and he'll hang for that in public. I don't want to see my little brother hang Chris, but I don't want to see him as a Pirate Captain either. I wouldn't even be chasing after him if it weren't for him kidnapping your sister." I admitted. Chris's gaze softened a bit.
"Don't worry about your brother's fate until you get there, okay? You are not responsible for his actions and you shouldn't take it on yourself to decide what happens." Chris said. I nodded and ran my hand through my hair to brush back my bangs.
"I know..." I muttered. Chris's hand found my should and gave me a reassuring squeeze, while something resembling affection swirled in his eyes. I released a bated breath, my relationship with Chris now in dark waters. I glanced around to see that no one was around then flicked my gaze back to Chris.
"Something wrong?" He asked.
"We have...a lot...of things to sort out, you and I. I...am not going to be able to do anything about it until after we get Leon and I hope you can understand that. I'm sorry but..." I tried but my voice wavered in it's ability continue. Chris nodded and removed his hand from my shoulder.
"I understand. If you need an ear though, I'm here for you." He offered and then walked off. My heart stung and I felt like hitting my knees for a damn good cry but I had managed to keep my tears to myself up until this point so the point was moot. Instead, I focused again on the dark horizon and hoped that Wesker had taken Leon to the isle of the Muluki tribe as my gut instincts told me.
Chris
Jill had chosen to take myself, Billy and Barry on the row boat to the Muluki tribe's island. Memories from the year prior came flooding back as we touched the shore, Barry and Billy dragging the row boat out of the current. Jill's eyes were scanning the shoreline, and then she was off and walking towards the treeline.
"Is she always this intense?" Billy asked Barry. Barry shrugged and then a scream ripped through the air. I took off running, deep into the woods and into the clearing where the tribe had held their celebrations. Jill was on her knees, her hands balled into fists. Death's putrid stench claimed the air, much like the charred bodies of the Muluki tribe decorated the area in various displays of grotesque horror and pain.
"Have mercy..." I heard Barry mutter and Billy gasp. I walked up next to Jill and pulled her to her feet, the normally independent and strong woman clinging to me as if her own life was being ripped from her. She shook with silent tears, my own throat locking up on me as well.
"We really need to stop your brother." Billy said and Jill stopped crying. Her eyes locked onto mine and for the first time, I saw an anger rise within them that I had never known her to have.
"Yes." She agreed and stepped back from me, readjusting her coat and dusting the dirt and sand from her knees.
"Perhaps we should bury them." Barry suggested.
"Gather the bodies, and burn them. Burn the whole village if you find no survivors. I will be looking for clues on my brother and Albert. Meet me back at shore at dusk." Jill ordered and like that she was off. I looked over at the other two, worried. I was not alone in this sentiment.
J.L.: Let's see if I can finish this story before the end of this month, eh?