Newbie's Skill

Nineteen

"Can't sleep?" I glanced over my shoulder to see Thatch standing there with crossed arms. I shrugged, looking back up at the stars. I was thinking about the dump that I left almost three months ago. My brothers always treated me like garbage. My parents abused me, hence why Grandpa took me away. Now, I don't even have him left. I was a nobody...just a lost child on the sea. Just like the chef said. "What's on your mind?"

"I used to be a slave to my own family," I informed him. He leaned back against the rails with a shocked look. "I never thought running for the sea that night would be the best thing that happened to me."

"Oh, Ashlo. You know we all care about you, right? Even if some of the crew hasn't fully learned to trust you just yet, I want you to know that we still accept you as family. We all have had our hardships. Pops took us all in when nobody else wanted us. When everyone else believed that we just needed to die. Pops changed our perspectives on living and dying. I'm just glad we could save you when we did."

"I'm young," I theorized. "I'm young and naive to the world around me. I have a lot to learn."

"But that's why you have big brothers and Pops to teach you." He put a reassuring hand on my head, rubbing my hair with a huge smile. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and Thatch stiffened.

"What a beautiful night." I just barely got to look at him, and he was suddenly close to us. Thatch kicked him, but he blocked. Thatch shoved me away as Teach killed him. I couldn't determine how. I was in a broken mind. I saw the big man grab something from Thatch. A devil fruit. That's why he had to die? All for a damned fruit? I couldn't help but stare at the lifeless body in front of me.

"Mar-!" Teach grabbed my face around my mouth as silent tears streamed down my face. The sun was rising, but no one was awake.

"Stay quiet, Little Ashlo. You'll be coming with me." I squirmed in his hold, but Izo and Jozu swiped at Teach. He let go of me instantly to dodge. He took off below deck, and a minute later, I saw him paddling swiftly away. He killed Thatch...and then tried to kidnap me. Tears poured down my face, hugging Thatch, lightly shaking him to wake him up. I just wanted this to be a dream. Izo pulled me from him, cradling my head on his shoulder.

Jozu went to probably tell Pops what happened, and by morning, the entire ship was in an uproar. My mind felt shattered. I don't think I was even part of reality for the majority of the time. I was just in my own little world. I didn't know what they did with Thatch's body. I couldn't just sit still though.

"He was part of my division. He was my responsibility!" Ace argued. He wanted to go after Teach to deliver his consequences. I wanted to go, too.