Waves of Ruin

Chapter 12

I wake up too early, most of the crew are still asleep, I lift myself from the comfort of my bed. Too tired to notice last night, my nose finally picks up the scent Atlas must have left on my bed. That scoundrel. Breaking into the Captains quarters? I should have had Warren deal with him. I probably would if not for the fact that he isn't really supposed to me on my ship.

Realizing I haven't changed from yesterday, I stroll over to my trunk and open the lid. I lift off my shirt to put it on the pile of clothes I need to wash in the water. deciding it best to just keep the trousers I have on now, I put on my boots and walk for the door.

After making my way upstairs I can hear chatter, which is odd given how early it is. True the sun has just started rising, but my crew usually waits until it's heat can warm them before venturing out of bed. When I climb the ladder I hear someone laugh. As soon as my head pops up on deck I see who is responsible. A group is gathered around one person, the one responsible I can't quite see from here.

Instead of going up to them I head to the forecastle of the ship. I jump up and perch on the railing looking down at my crew, now remembering all the papers I need to look through in my Cabin. First I look around to make sure that even after the late night, no one is slacking on their duties. When my eyes finally scan to see who is responsible for taking my crew from their duties, I notice exactly who it is. Atlas is talking to a group of pirates. My pirates. They are circling him like birds in a field. I quickly jog over to run crowd control, when I realize they are laughing, like genuinely laughing with him. He told some joke that has made my quite serious crew, giggle like little school kids.

"Ah Captain here to join in the festivities." Atlas says, while still smiling from the joke he had made to the crew.

I was so caught off guard that I didn't know what to say. My crew and I had many laughs, but only ever in the private of our own company, never with new people.

"He is funny man." says Lilim. She is smiling so wide I can see her crooked teeth with a slightly brown shading to them.

I cross my arms, "Yes, I see that." I say trying to glare at him without making it very obvious to the others. I don't like him charming my crew when I know next to nothing about him.

Atlas notices my glare, but it only makes him smile harder. "I think maybe the Cap wants us to get back to work." He interjects, leaning on the railing.

I hate that he called me Cap, but I don't want to let him know that. As the crew grunts and talks amongst themselves while going back to their duties, I wait. When the last person leaves I grab Atlas by the collar and push him against the railing of the ship. Luckily no one is paying attention. "Keep to yourself, alright? I don't need you mingling with my crew. You paid me to take you to The North and that is exactly what I'm doing. I want you off my ship the second we dock, clear?"

He nods, but the hint of a grin is still on his face. I debated pushing him off the ship and calling it an accident, but my morals won't allow it. So instead I shove him back towards the ship and walk away.

"You don't like me do you?" he asks, no hurt in his voice, just curiosity.

"I don't trust you." I respond before I can think better of it. Then I stock off to my quarters without another word.

I reach my cabin and slam the door. What in the hells is wrong with him? What's wrong with me? I made this decision, one I had no details on, not to mention that the man who told me about it lied about what I was picking up. I sit down hard at my desk. The chair groaning in protest. Putting my elbows on the cold wood of my desk, I lay my head in my hands. The breathing hitting me like crashing waves. I know that I need to control my intake of air to slow my heart rate, but right now, I seriously consider letting it take me over and pull me under its spell.