Kilmy: The Indomitable

6/ Hunger on the High Seas

Landa didn't say anything about having to stay here. In fact, she told me to come to her if I needed anything.

So what's the harm in seeing if I can find a MEAL drink, right?

I don't even remember the last time I ate anything.

I open the door and peer out into the hallway as the ship gently sways. No one is there.

I slink along the hallway, my eyes peeled for anything resembling a MEAL drink. I walk out of the hallway where the rooms are located and start walking in a random direction, opening doors and peering through windows I come across. A few doors are locked, which only piques my curiosity.

Hushed voices are coming from a room ahead and I freeze, intently listening. I creep as close as I can without making a sound.

"Why do you refuse help from the city of women?" a female voice asks. Must be Landa.

City of women? What are they talking about?

A heavy sigh. "Because we don't need their help. They only view us as the bad guys. We will never get through to them."

Who is Landa talking to?

"You haven't even tried."

"Landa, in case you forgot, they have wanted posters of me plastered around the city. They're not going to listen."

"Maybe they'll listen to me."

"No!" Exasperation makes his voice go an octave louder. "I will not risk you like that. No one is doing it."

"Then how are we pulling this off?"

Silence. Finally, he says, "I don't know yet."

You better move before you get caught.

I yearn to keep listening, but decide I better not overstay my welcome. Don't need to give them a reason to put me in the cell.

A creak in the floorboard sounds not far from where I'm standing. I immediately back away, hoping no one asks why I'm standing outside listening to a private conversation.

"Oh hey, you must be the new pirate," a male says when he sees me. He grins at me. "I'm Igaz. It's nice to have someone newer than me here."

Igaz is a tall, rounded man with blond hair.

"I'm not a pirate," I inform him.

His smile dims a little, but stays plastered onto his face. "Right."

I glower at him. Maybe he wasn't told. "In case you didn't hear, I'm leaving as soon as we get to the next town."

Something flickers in his eyes. "What's the fun in that? Being a pirate is interesting."

And dangerous.

Don't they realize they're wanted? Why would they show their faces?

I don't know how to reply to him.

Is this what it's like to live a life as you please? To seem so...happy?

I'm used to the same thing. I'm used to having my MEAL drinks, and going to school to possibly go to Kilmy. Then work in the fields if it doesn't work out.

Sure, it may not be my ideal life, but at least I haven't gone hungry like here. At least I haven't been put into a cell.

They let you out...

Okay. Well. I was still in a cell. Doesn't matter for how long.

"What are you doing wandering around, anyway?"

I stare at him as my mind whirls. Do I tell him I'm hungry? Or do I act like I'm just going for a walk?

Can I trust him?

I don't even know why this is going through my head right now. I wasn't told to never leave my room, so it's not my fault if I'm not supposed to. But he doesn't seem to mind that I'm out.

"I'm just...curious."

He nods. "I get that."

"Igaz!" Jack calls. I glance around but he isn't anywhere to be found. "Come here!"

They must like yelling.

"Nice meeting you," Igaz says before walking away.

I watch him until he rounds a corner.

This ship is huge and has a lot of rooms to explore. I wonder if there's anything around here for entertainment, since I'm stuck until who knows when.

Eventually, I find the kitchen. I walk in, heading straight for the fridge. I hope they have an extra meal for me, otherwise this will be a long trip. I have no idea how long I'm going to be on the ship before I'll be allowed to leave. If I ever am.

They've given you this much freedom, so why wouldn't they keep their word?

My stomach grumbles again, but I don't see any MEAL drinks when I look through the fridge.

I start going through the cabinets next, wondering if maybe they're placed there to keep warm. Still nothing.

Instead, I find a whole bunch of canned food.

I haven't had solid food in a long time, and it sounds delicious right now.

"What are you doing in my kitchen?"

I spin around as my heart leaps into my throat. There stands a big man with tattoos. He's glaring at me, and his mouth is set into a stern line.

"No one said you could be in here."

"I–I'm hungry, so—"

"I don't care," he interrupts. "You'll eat at meal time and no other. Leave."

My mouth drops open at his abruptness.

What is wrong with him?

"Um, I didn't know anything about a meal."

He rolls his eyes, scowling at me. "Sure."

"Isn't there a snack or something I can eat?"

He crosses his arms. "You don't go into someone else's space and rummage through their stuff. I thought you were in the cell, not allowed to wander around."

I open my mouth but then snap it closed. It won't do any good.

Anger is radiating off of him. It's stifling.

Without another word, I turn and flee from the kitchen.

---

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