THE LORDS OF THE SHIPS

CHAPTER 7 Attraction

"I almost didn't recognize you with that hair. Your family's been looking all over for you."

Judith stood still and didn't say anything. 

Then James said—

—"Why aya here?"

Judith didn't answer him and looked down at the floor.

"Your family will be thrilled when I tell them you're here." said James and Judith finally looked at his face.

Judith knew James all too well and realized in that moment, that James had no intention to tell her family that she was on the ship, at least not yet. 

But she didn't want James to know that she knew that, so she had to pretend that she was afraid that he would tell.

"Please, don't tell them." said Judith acting frightened.

"That will depend on you. I saw you talking with that bloke who's parents sold guns. Do you fancy him?"

Judith didn't look him in the eye to try and hide the fact that she was embarrassed.

"Do you fancy that chap or not?"

"No." said Judith plainly.

"All right then, how bout you go and tell him that, right now."

Judith gave him an 'I don't think so' look. 

James said—

—"That's what I thought. So you 'Do' fancy him then, that's fine."

Then James started to slowly circle her looking her up and down. 

Judith turned her head as he walked around her. 

Then he looked at the back of her black wig and ran his fingers along a strand of hair. 

Judith felt him touching her wig and felt boiling mad. 

It took all her will power not to hit him and she turned herself to face him so he couldn't touch her wig. 

She glared at him with a 'Don't touch me' look. 

James finished circling around her and smirked at her.

"I'm going to have a lot of fun with you here." said James and started walking back toward the door to leave.

"James. Please, Don't." said Judith pleading as James reached and opened the door.

James just smiled and walked out of the storage room. 

Judith shuddered and quickly walked out of the storage room heading back toward the work room. 

She went up the stairs and to the work room and saw Alex being beaten up by two of the guards as James watched. 

She watched the guards kicking Alex in the face and stomach.

Then she saw James looking over at her smirking. 

Judith heard James tell the guards that 'That was enough' and they stopped the beating and walked away with James. 

Judith watched Alex refuse help from his workmates and he picked himself up off the floor and wiped the blood coming out of his nose.

Then Judith saw Alex notice that she was looking at him and she averted her gaze feeling ashamed and unable to look him in the eye. 

So she turned around and went back to her work station.

EVERY DAY FOR A WEEK, when Judith went to her work station, she would see Alex receive some type of beating and see James looking over at her disappointed.