Page 79 of Found at Sea
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Fletcher
“You cheated,” I said, eyeing the cards in my hand before looking at what he’d played. “I really thought I’d win this one.”
Horace smiled. “Not cheating, lad. It’s just years and years of being aboard this ship and havin’ nothin’ else to occupy the time with. Now, hand them over.”
With a pout, I looked at the assortment of nuts on the small table between us. It was the last of the stash I’d gotten from the island.
Aboard theCrimson, it became a luxury to have a nice treat to look forward to. After weeks at sea, most food became…well, not as appetizing. And when fish was your only meal, even though fresh, there were only so many days in a row you could eat it before tiring of the taste.
“Very well,” I said before scooting the pile toward him.
Gunfire sounded from the town—one shot before a second closely followed. I snapped my head that way, not seeing much. From our spot at the harbor, a few buildings were in view, but the busier part of town was a little farther off.
“Relax, lad,” Horace said, observing me. “That’s to be expected in this place. Just stay on the ship and you’ll be fine.”
It wasn’t me I was worried about. Kellan and Alek were out there. The two people in my life I couldn’t bear to lose. Even though I’d been upset with Alek earlier, he was still my best friend. My brother. And Kellan had gone after him becauseI’dbeen the one to drive a wedge between me and Alek and put us at odds in the first place.
“Let’s play another hand,” Horace suggested, nudging my forearm. “Get your mind off it.”
But I couldn’t focus on a game of cards when my mind was so taken with worry.
When a yell echoed in the distance, followed by screams of terror, I stood from the card table and rushed to the railing of the ship. I looked out into the dark night, but I saw nothing but a few straggling men carrying torches and some who sat near the bay with large bottles of rum and drank themselves into a stupor.
Even Horace looked worried as he came to stand beside me.
Before I could think twice about it, I turned and headed for the ramp to leave the ship. Horace caught up to me and seized my arm, jerking me around to face him.
“What do ya think you’re doin’, lad?”
“Something’s wrong,” I said as heaviness pressed down on my chest. “I can feel it.”
“And what do ya think you’ll do ‘bout it? Run down there and save the day like some kind of hero?” Horace responded in a gruff voice. “The captain would flay me alive if I allowed ya to do somethin’ so reckless.”
After minutes that felt like hours, I saw some of the crew returning to the ship. Byron stood above them all, his large body easily distinguishable. Tig, Redmond, and Sexton were with him, followed by Kris and Ian. They were talking loudly, but not loud enough for me to hear their words, and they seemed to be in a hurry. Frantic, even.
“What’s happening?” I asked once they were on board.
Redmond regarded me, and even though he’d always been nice to me, he looked intimidating right then. “Like ya don’t know. Your friend is a damned mage, boy! Quite the ruckus he’s causin’ in town.”
“Alek’s in trouble?”
Redmond shoved past me before joining Sexton and Tig several feet away. Byron clapped a hand on my back but didn’t say anything before doing the same. Ian looked like he was going to talk to me, but decided against it last second. Dax and the rest of the crew boarded theCrimsonnext.
It looked as if we were down a few men.
The pirates then jumped into action and started preparing the ship for sailing. I watched them, confused. We were supposed to stay in Bones Bay for at least a few days.
“Someone tell me what’s happening!”
They ignored me.
They’re leaving Kellan and Alek behind. As the realization hit me, anger boiled to the surface. But just as I was about to make a scene, I saw Alek rush aboard with Kellan behind him. Relief like I’d never known flooded my veins and I ran to them.
I didn’t give Alek a chance to speak before attacking him with a hug, slamming against him so hard he nearly toppled backward.
“I’m sorry I yelled at you,” I said as my eyes filled with tears.
