The Sea Witch's Revenge (ON HOLD)

Chapter Thirteen

The chef, who Victoria has since learned is named Otto, couldn't stall any longer. On the third day of work, he ran out of jobs for her and Victoria was handed over to Burges - who lived up to his promise. 

When the nights come to an end, Victoria's body trembles with exhaustion and sweat clings to her skin. Much to the captain's joy, Victoria bathes and then falls asleep almost instantly.

A week and a half passes in an exhausting blur. But no matter what, Victoria does not complain. Despite her exhaustion, when she serves dinner, she does it with a wide smile on her face. 

"How do you cope, sweet Vici?" one of the pirates, Thornly, asks as she sits down to eat her dinner.

"Because I'm big and strong," she replies and jokingly winks at him. She shoves a spoonful of soup into her mouth and her stomach lurches. As she swallows, she resists the urge to be sick.

The last week and a half of exhaustion has not helped with her hunger. If anything, it's exacerbated it. Her stomach claws and Victoria tries to hide her wince as pain shoots through her. If she's not careful, her body is going to start rejecting human food soon.

How long had it been since she fed? A month?

"I don't think I've ever seen Burges so grumpy," Thessaly says, leaning over to Victoria. The two women look to the end of the table where Burges sits with his arms crossed, glaring at Victoria. She laughs at him and blows a kiss.

Burges huffs and stands up, his chair scraping back loudly. 

"Eat quick," he growls, "there's still work to be done."

Internally, Victoria groans. Externally, she smiles and salutes him.

"Whatever you say, boss," she replies and the other's all laugh as his face, as usual, reddens with anger.

Victoria forces another spoonful of soup into her mouth. She gulps it heavily, trying not to pull a face as it feels stodgy and thick as it goes down. When it reaches her stomach, she shudders and wretches a little.

She puts the spoon down and shudders.

"Are you okay, Vici?" Oscar asks from across the table.

"Of course," she replies and smiles. Victoria stands and balls her hands into fists to stop them from shaking. Her stomach pangs again and she hides it as best as she can.

When she looks up, she sees the Captain looking at her with narrowed eyes. Victoria glares back at him, then takes his empty bowl and starts clearing up the table. 

"Thornly, you're helping us tonight," Otto orders. 

Thornly groans and slumps back in his chair. Victoria comes over to him and pats his shoulder. 

"Awww, there there, Thornly," she says mockingly. 

"Fuck off Vici," he laughs. She chuckles and leans down, kissing his cheek. 

"Oh, can I get some of that," Oscar laughs and jumps across the table. 

Victoria lets out a bark of laughter. "The only one getting anything out of my lips touching your face would be me getting some sort of flesh-eating disease," she replies.

The other pirates laugh and Thornly slaps Oscar on the back. "She got you there, lad," he says.

"Who said anything about kissing my face," Oscar retorts. Victoria laughs and rolls her eyes, pushing him away lightly. He falls back into the table, going along with the banter.