In Chains

Trust

The clink of chains was but a whisper compared to the uproar around her; each voice shouted hate at Samira, some wished for death and others begged for her to be exiled. She reckoned either would be better than the trauma she had to face, being marched through the town in heavy chains as an example.

She kept her head down regardless and walked at a slower pace than the guards escorting her. They never slowed down or sped up, making her punishment much worse.

But nothing compared to what came next.

A child Samira passed and tossed a cluster of red earth at her, striking her side. But he wasn't the only one. Adults too began to throw clusters at her; some struck her back and lugs, but one hit her directly in the face, sending clumps into her hair. Her tears only made it worse, turning the earth into mud. And by the time Samira was through town, her face was stained with it.

She begged the guards to stop, but neither did as they were under orders not to. They turned and escorted her back the way she came and the torture started again.

Samira woke with a start and sat up. It took her a moment to realize that she was not in chains but wrapped in a warm blanket with her crewmate beside her, fast asleep. She took an uneasy breath and brushed her damp bangs from her sweat-covered forehead, checking her hands to see that they were not covered in mud. The pain she underwent was still present as if her nightmare had supernatural power over her.

Thank the heavens it was over. Samira sighed and laid back down. She was scared to go back to sleep, but it was apparent that the sun had yet to rise. What was she to do?

Turning to her side, she snorted as she looked at Ikkaku. The woman in question had her mouth wide open; her lipstick was smeared a bit, but she looked rested. How was she able to ignore her fear and sleep? She too was affected by the cactus juice. Samira didn't understand it. Perhaps the said woman was just stronger than her.

She put her arm around Ikkaku and pressed her face against her arm.

"Samira?" Ikkaku questioned with a start.

"Did I wake you?" Samira asked.

Ikkaku hummed in reply and opened her eyes.

"It's fine. Are you okay?"

"I had a bad dream," Samira replied.

Ikkaku raised a brow.

"Was it related to the hallucination?" She asked.

Samira took an uneasy breath, then shook her head. She wasn't ready to tell her the entire story, but she did owe her an explanation for waking her up.

"I've been ignoring my past for some time I just thought the trauma would be easy to ignore. But it's caught up to me."

It was a matter of time, Samira reckoned. Arsenio was right about her never being free, not only from her nightmares but from her trauma too.

"I don't know if there is anything I can say to ease your fears, but as long as you remain with us, we'll protect you," Ikkaku uttered.

Samira smiled softly.

"That's not too reassuring, I know," Ikkaku added with a laugh. "But our captain is one hell of a pirate and he won't let those assholes from your hometown hurt you."

Would Law protect her? Hadn't he already? He saved her from Arsenio and even made a deal with Daryllyn to keep Diana from killing her.

"I trust you all, even Law," Samira retorted. Her face heated up, but she was thankful that Ikkaku could not see her blushing.