For the third time in the past two weeks, Riff's eyes opened after he'd already thought himself dead. They felt heavy and gritty, as though they were full of sand. After opening them just a crack, he saw that he was in unfamiliar surroundings. He heard the shuffle of someone moving nearby and let them close again. He didn't want to "wake up" before he knew what was going on.

What had even happened? He tried to recall. He and Bernardo had been scaring that Francisco guy… who had offed himself before they could learn anything useful. For some reason, everyone assumed Riff had pushed him off, so they'd hid on the Mariangue, which had then set off…

He sat up quickly, glancing around in a panic. Bernardo, he was relieved to see, was awake and laying on another cot next to him. After catching his eye, Riff glanced around at the rest of their surroundings. It was a rectangular, low-ceilinged room, clean and utilitarian. A few small touches-a vase of flowers here, a colorful quilt at the end of the bed there-fostered a warm, welcoming atmosphere. There were four other beds, all filled with occupants, most of whom were sleeping.

A voice from behind. He turned quickly, regretting it instantly when his abdomen twinged in pain. A woman was standing there, about forty, with kind eyes set in a wrinkled face. "Hello. I'm Ramona." She handed him a cup of water. He didn't drink. "You and your friend are lucky to still be alive." She gestured to the other patients. "None of you are in fit condition to be running around." She gently took the water from his hands and set it on a small tray next to his bed. At her calm manner, and the fact that Bernardo nearby wasn't punching left and right, he figured they were safe for the moment. He started to relax.

"So, we're in a hospital then?" Riff asked.

"No, dear," the woman said, face crumpling into a sympathetic look. "You're on a ship."

Riff reeled back. "But-"

Bernardo coughed lightly. He looked over at the man, who slightly shook his head.

"But what?" she asked, head slightly tilted.

But the mafia controls it! "But… how long have we been here?" he managed.

"Five days, now," she said. "We restitched both your wounds. All six of you," she gestured to the other patients, "were on the verge of death. " She adjusted in her chair, and Riff realized with a start that everyone had assumed the two of them were supposed to be on the ship, and had been counted with the others as patients. At least we won't be tossed overboard as stowaways.

"And who are you?" Bernardo asked quietly.

"We have a family tradition of medicine, but it isn't regular Western medicine, so we're not supposed to treat people in this country. We run cargo ships across the Atlantic and up and down the coasts, but we always take care of anyone who needs our help. We had just dumped off a load of steel when we found you two in Atlanta." What the f- "You seemed to have been in a fight. At first, we feared that we would have to seperate the two of you, that you had attacked one another; but your friend Benjamin here assured us that you two were friends."

"He did?" Riff asked, looking over in surprise at Bernardo.

"Yeah, Rick and I go way back," Bernardo said dryly.

So we're using our made-up names, then.

"What about the other four?" he asked.

"We picked him up," she said, nodding at the one person not asleep. He waved slightly. "In Boston. Had a head wound, was wandering around the docks."

The alleged Bostionian seemed like he didn't remember this, but nodded anyway.

"The others all come from New York City," she said. "Most would have perished if we hadn't discovered them." She stood. "Now, rest. I have to go, but I'll be back to check on you soon." She exited the room, the door clicking shut behind her.

"What the he-" Riff started, but Bernardo cut him off.

"Not now."

Riff turned over, ignoring the pain, and sighed. They couldn't escape a ship like they left the hospital. Even if they got out of this room, there'd be nowhere to go.

They were trapped.

2345678

The next few days were full of surprisingly thorough, effective medical care for both of them. Good food, mandated rest periods, and deliberate exercise to strengthen them worked wonders on both Riff and Bernardo. Having slept on the floor and run around New York City for two weeks looking for clues, the respite was productive for both their conditions. Still, they were going mad, staying in one room, and wanted a chance to talk without the other patients overhearing.

They were at the door, ready to sneak up to the deck, when Ramona appeared. She was surprised to see them, and asked what they were doing out of bed.

"We were hoping to walk on-deck and take in the sea air," Bernardo said.

To both of their surprise, she agreed, seeming to think it a good idea. "I'll introduce you two to the crew man who found you in Atlanta."

Exchanging solemn looks, they followed her down the hall and up the short flight of stairs to the top deck. She led them to the burly man who'd hauled up the anchor when they first snuck aboard.

"Aye," he agreed when she asked him if he found the two of them. "I'd just gone ashore, to look for somethin' fresh to eat after months at sea, when I heard moanin' from an alleyway. Went to check it out, saw th' two of you bleedin' out on th' street. Someone was running away down th' alley, but I didn't chase them. Brought you to the ship, 'cause I knew they'd 'elp you out. They always do."

"Thank you, Aaron," Ramona smiled, then turned to Riff and Bernardo. "We stitched your wounds and took care of you for days. First day, you were a bit delirious, and said something about a streetfight and that you were visiting Atlanta. After that, you didn't say much." She frowned. "You must have woken up early and started wandering before healed up. We restitched you, and you've been improving every day since." She turned her face to the waves and took a deep breath. "Well, I'll leave you to enjoy the view." She disappeared through the door leading below deck.

Riff and Bernardo walked to the raining and leaned against it. After a moment of listening to the waves, Riff said, "They're all lying."

"Si," Bernardo said simply.

"The worst part is how honest they seem. I'd be second guessing myself if you weren't here." He shook his head in bemusement. "Why are they doing this?"

Bernardo slowly shook his head. "I don't know." He pointed at a blob in the distance which seemed to be a shore line. "We're supposed to be in the middle of the Atlantic, on our way to France. Not moving along the coastline."

"And it's a cargo ship. Where's the cargo?"

"I think those patients…" Bernardo said, staring at the horizon. "I think they are the cargo."