Page 87 of Found at Sea
25
Fletcher
Five days had passed since Alek had been sent to the brig. The days were lonely without him, but any chance I got to sneak down and see him, I took. Horace had been assigned to watch over his cell, and I was grateful for that. I wouldn’t trust anyone else around my friend.
“I’d do it again if given the chance,” Alek said, looking at the cards in his hands. I’d brought the cards with me when I’d gone to see him that midday, and we had to play through the bars between us. “He didn’t deserve to die.”
“What do you think he wants on the ship?” I asked before playing my turn. “He said he’s after something.”
Alek was quiet as he studied the cards I’d laid down before focusing back on the ones in his hands. “You are truly awful at this game, my friend.” He made his move, beating my hand. “Wanna play again?”
“Why are you avoiding the question?” I asked.
Alek sighed before dropping his gaze. His cell was musky and the only light was coming from the oil lamp I’d brought, and the one Horace had hung on the wall beside him. The bars between us caused shadows to move across his face, and I wished I could just hold him like we used to do when one of us was sad.
“Because I’m not certain of the answer,” he said at last. “When I looked into his eyes, Fletch, Ifeltsomething. Something strong, as if I was being tugged toward him by an invisible thread.” His eyes flashed back to mine. “I couldn’t stand by and let him die.”
“I wish I would’ve helped you do it,” I said as guilt coiled through me.
“So we could both be sitting in this dank cell?” Alek lightly laughed. “No. I’m glad you didn’t.”
I smiled, thankful he wasn’t upset with me.
“You said once that you can feel when he’s near,” I said, studying my friend’s face. “Do you sense him now?”
“No. I haven’t felt him since that day. I think he’s gone, Fletch.” Alek leaned his forehead against the bars and heaved a defeated sigh. “Probably for the best. It’s not safe for him to be around this ship anymore.”
“Why do you think he’s followed us for so long, but hasn’t tried to make contact?” The question had plagued me for a while. In the half a year since first sighting him, the nymph hadn’t once tried to communicate with us. “Don’t you think that’s strange?”
“Well, he hasn’t constantly followed us,” Alek said after a moment’s thought. “He’s come and gone. I’m not sure why he hasn’t attempted to talk to us, but now we will never know the answer.”
Hearing voices behind me, I turned to see Dax at the bottom of the stairs, talking to Horace.
“I’ve come to reprieve ya of your duties,” Dax spoke in a casual tone. “I can watch the lad for a bit.”
Horace crossed his arms. “That so? Did the captain order it?”
“Step back, old man, and get back up on the deck.” Dax’s voice was less than friendly now. “Or I’ll have ya tossed in that cell with ‘em.”
“Think you’re mistaken,” Horace said, not backing down. “You’ll be the one tossed in that bloody cell if ya don’t leave my sight. I was on this ship while you were still shittin’ your britches, boy, don’t you forget that. I take orders from the captain and no one else. Now get.”
When Dax’s gaze landed on mine, I sharply looked away. He stomped back up the stairs, and I released the breath I’d been unintentionally holding. A bad feeling stirred within me.
“Wonder what that was about,” I said to Alek.
His face was pressed to the bars, and he appeared so withdrawn. The carefree and amusing friend I loved was gone right then, as if everything was weighing down on him all at once.
I reached between the bars and grabbed his hand.
“I’m exhausted, Fletch. Do ya mind if I sleep for a while?”
It was only midday and not even close to the sleeping hour, but I reminded myself that he’d been down there for days, and time passed differently for him.
“Of course,” I said, squeezing his hand one last time before letting it go. “I’ll return this evening to see you.”
Alek nodded and laid on his bedroll, facing away from me. I stared at his back, wishing I knew how to make him feel better. Deciding to leave the lamp for him, I stood from the dirty floor and dusted myself off before heading for the stairs.
“Fletch?”
