East's eyes grew huge at the sight of the greasy meat on the table, but Jack pushed it away from her.
"Uh uh. You can't eat that." Her eyes begged why, as clearly as if she'd said it, though she didn't make a sound. Jack knew better than to let a starving person gorge themselves- death, most likely, and if not, a pungent need to use the loo, without stopping, for hours. He wasn't going to let that happen to East. Instead, he handed her a bowl of pottage. It was really quite disgusting, but it was the best thing she could eat at the moment. He had one too, just to prove to her that it wasn't all that bad.
After eating for several minutes with his hands, Jack looked over at East. She was staring at him. Oh Buggah. He thought, She eats like a lady, don't she? In response to his thoughts, East dipped her hand into the food and started stuffing her face. Jack grinned and dug back in. At least she isn't a stuck up, like some lord. East lookd over at Jack with her big grey eyes. Did I do something wrong?.
Jack was confused by the face she was making at the porridge, not of disgust, but...shame, and the fact that she refused to lift her eyes above the bowl. Not being the type to try and figure it out, Jack bluntly asked her. "Hey runt, what's wrong?" he held her chin to make her look at him. East shook her head hastily. "Oh really? Then why are you acting...like...like...like I'm gonna hit you at any moment?" She said nothing.
By evening Jack already forgot her strange behavior. East had been asleep most of the day, giving him time to complete his normal duties around the ship. By the evening he was everywhere and already getting into trouble again. He wished he had made her stay with him, so it would force her to join him in the blame.
They're all so nice... even though they're pirates, could it be...maybe that this is where I'm supposed to be? East was not asleep. She was afraid she would loose her new happiness. Does this mean that Aunty is now dead and I...possibly that maybe I can..NO will be loved? Or treated kindly? All these thoughts flew through the youth's mind as the stars began to brighten. She was afraid of the life she had lead. Afraid that her Aunt might have her beaten again. And afraid that someone might try to hurt the black haired boy who had cared enough to actually help her.
Then East collapsed into sleep. When she awoke, she did not remember her past. All she could remember was Jack, the boy with black hair. If he could be found, everything would be allright.
East laughed. It was the first sound she'd made.