Echo:
Time is moving much too fast. After the rain cleared, Captain Bradley wanted to immediately go out to search the same spot Christopher was bitten while searching for the Skull Gem. He was convinced that the storm, the shark, and Dean passing out was all connected. He thought the Skull Gem had to be there. So every day for a week, we went out on the water, dove in that area, and came up with nothing. The only highlight of the past week has been coming back to the island and having nightly bonfires while drinking and fucking. But now we are left with two weeks to find the Skull Gem.
After searching the same area every day for a week and coming up empty handed, we've decided to get back on our route and continue heading in the direction we were before our adventure took a detour. We're taking down our hut, packing up our belongings, and leaving this afternoon. Everyone is hard at work preparing to leave, when Captain Bradley approaches me, wringing his hands nervously.
"Can we talk in private?" He nods towards an empty spot of grass. I set down my half-packed bag of supplies to follow him. When we're far away from any ears, he speaks again. "This is uncomfortable for me to ask you, but I need to know. Have you appointed a new captain for after your passing?"
"No. Why? Are you interested?" I ask, eyeing the tall, brunette man.
"No," Captain Bradley dances around what he wants to really say. His eyes glance between mine and his teeth clench and unclench with unspoken words.
"Well, Lorcan would have been my obvious answer if you'd've asked me a few months ago. I trust Dean now, but I know he needs help staying put together some days. So I suppose I will appoint Arlo as the new captain. Or Dean and Arlo could be co-captains." I offer the information freely, hoping it will guide Captain Bradley to say what he intends to.
"When my job is finished... when my debt to Alastair is done... my family and I are free." Captain Bradley looks uncomfortable as he speaks. "I would like to bring my family here, to this island. I think we could be happy here together."
"Ah, but you don't have a ship," I connect the dots. "So you want my crew to bring you back here."
"I know it is a selfish ask."
"You would finally be free of Alastair. You will get to raise your children without him looming overhead. I will gladly see that those arrangements are made," I promise.
"Truly?" Captain Bradley looks surprised that I'm agreeing. "My sailors and I have already imposed so much. You've fed and bedded us without asking anything in return."
I shrug. "This is a pretty island though. It would make a beautiful home to start a family."
"Your kindness is always refreshing," he says with a sigh. "Are you nervous for the next two weeks?"
"Of course," I say. "But we're going to keep looking for the Skull Gem, despite how impossible the task is. There is hope yet."
"Aye," Captain Bradley nods. "There is hope."
I join the others in packing The Evocation with all our belongings. Everyone is quiet and working hard, keeping to themselves to get the job done. The energy is bleak. Lorcan has holed himself in his room again, becoming a recluse once more. He has been avoidant since our first bonfire, where I got too drunk and he put me to bed. He's probably uncomfortable with all the drinking since he's sober now. I don't blame him, but I was hoping that the social Lorcan we all once knew would stick around a little while longer.
Bart and Arlo take the lead navigating us North bound. Everyone assumes their tasks they previously had. Things get back to their comfortable state, but the carefree passion and love we all shared gets left back on our island.
Permanence is not something I have ever attached myself to. The life of a pirate is always changing, the people and the seas always moving and growing. But there was something ethereal about that place. Unfortunately, I have to leave it there. Maybe I'll ask my crew to take me back to the island when I'm dead. I could be laid to rest next to Christopher, a graveyard for two. A tight hug from the warmth of the island wouldn't be a terrible place to spend eternity anyways.
YOU ARE READING
Evocation
Adventure"I promised myself the next time I saw you, I was claiming you. Your mouth-" he gazes at my lips while biting his own. "-your body.." he squeezes at my hips. His hands trail up and he wraps his thick fingers in my hair, pulling softly. "Watching you...
