Evocation

Chapter 9- Barren Seas

A few days go by and not much happens. I'm laying in bed a lot, eating a lot of soup, and pestering Hadrien about when I can get up, look around, and visit my crew. He still won't tell me who has died, as he doesn't want me fussing over it when I should be resting. I've been trying to occupy my mind, to little avail. Lorcan and Dean avoid me like the plague, but I've spent a lot of time getting to know Hadrien. At least he has me eating solid food again! Well, bread and beans, to accompany the broth.

I've gotten to know a lot about Hadrien as we sit and talk on my bed. He was a medic's aide back at his hometown, but I hadn't known how much he missed it. I've promised to buy him raw materials next time we stop at a decent port, so he has supplies on hand to make ointments, medicines, and the like.

Hadrien loves cooking, and he's damn good at that, too. Calico, one of our crewmates, is the one who typically makes all our meals. Hadrien seems to be doing most of it these days. My guess is that Calico is one of the dead crewmates, and my heart aches not having confirmation.

Hadrien talks a lot about his little sister who passed away. She was his best friend, and he's told me many stories of them dancing and playing and frolicking. Thinking of big, tough Hadrien prancing around with a little girl at his side makes me smile.

My door opens, letting in the early sunrise. I'm shocked to see Dean strolling in. His face is calm and stern, which is his natural resting state. The dark circles around his eyes are still very present, but starting to fade minimally while he heals. They're rimmed with charcoal today, giving him a dark, otherworldly look. When the world thinks "pirate" they think one of two things: either dark, mysterious, Dean, who is dressed in tight leather and has tousled dark hair, or they imagine tall, brave Lorcan, with long blonde hair and a hearty beard, flowy shirt to boot. I'm lucky enough to have both on my ship.

"Morning," I smile at the handsome, brooding man. "I haven't seen you in a while."

"Been busy," is all he says, walking over to me. "How's your leg?" He gestures to it.

"Broken," I say. I sit up and pull the blankets off of me. I'm wearing some loose linen pants and a sleeveless top that Hadrien helped me shimmy into last night. I was sick of being naked all the time. "Why do you ask?"

"Hadrien wants to get you up and moving."

"Truly?" I asked shocked. "Hadrien seemed content to let me lie in this bed forever."

Dean's mouth ticks up in an unexpected smile. "I guess it was Arlo's idea. He's missed seeing you around the ship."

"Arlo?" I ask, eyes wide. "He's alive?" My heart hammers in my chest.

Dean looks at me with confusion. "Yes. Did Hadrien tell you otherwise?"

I shake my head. "He wouldn't tell me anything. Didn't want to upset or worry me." A sob chokes out of my throat and I squeeze my eyes shut. My heart constricts and my belly flips. "I didn't know who was dead or alive."

Arlo, Hadrien, Dean, Lorcan, and I'm nearly certain Avi was in the rescue team to come get me. That means everyone else... Mac, Calico, Marque, Antony, Daegan, and Fenix. They're all gone. I bite the back of my hand, holding back a scream of sadness.

All this time I was begging Hadrien to tell me who we lost, who is left. I thought I could handle it. I suddenly understand that ignorance is bliss all too well.

Dean sits on the bed next to me and gently pulls my hand away from my mouth, then places his warm hand on my shoulder. It's not a hug or embrace, but it grounds me, helping me suck up my emotions and look into his dark brown eyes. Sadness swims in them, mirroring mine.