Resurrection

Chapter 2: The Crew of a Madman

"Woah woah woah, what the fuck are you two doing?" yells a voice from the crew. Saraghina can't help but notice that the voice sounds feminine, but there is no other woman in sight. One of the crew members charges forward towards Ivan, Fang, and Saraghina with Oluwande following close behind.

"Captain's orders, Jim." Fang responds flatly, avoiding eye contact. Saraghina is breathing heavily, but is listening.

"Wait, it's that girl from the tavern. What's going on?" Oluwande adds.

"You know this girl?" Jim asks, snapping their head to Oluwande.

"Yeah . . . it's a bit of a long story. I encountered her briefly on the island." Oluwande responds.

"Well what was she doing there? She didn't just wash up with the waves." Jim says urgently.

"It's Ugly Mug. He was trying to . . . sell her." Oluwande explains.

" Que puta madre ." Jim grits to themselves. "Weren't you with Frenchie and Wee John? What'd you all do to help her, huh?"

"Don't put this on me, Jim." Oluwande asserts. "We had a half hour to get off this bloody ship. We can barely walk with how much we've been slaving, let alone fight multiple men with swords and pistols. If we intervened we all would've ended up dead, including her."

Jim is quiet with frustration as they look at Saraghina, still being restrained by Ivan and Fang. Saraghina's breathing is heavy and she's quietly weeping, but there's also resignation in her face.

"Well what the fuck is she doing here?" Jim threateningly asks Ivan and Fang.

"Captain's orders." Fang reiterates, now annoyed. "Get out of the way so we can get her on the ship."

Fang and Ivan push through Jim and Oluwande, still holding Saraghina. Her breathing picks up and she squirms.

"WAIT!" Jim yells after them. They don't stop. They continue up the wooden walkway onto the ship, like they're loading another box or bag. Jim runs after them with Oluwande close behind. The rest of the crew grabs the remaining items from the dock and follows earnestly, confused.

Watching from the dock, Izzy Hands yells after the frantic crew.

"HEY! Don't drop anything or I'll make you fish it out yourselves!"

Ivan, Fang, and Saraghina arrive on the ship's main deck. Then Jim and Oluwande, then the rest of the crew. They put their loadings down carelessly, and rush to the girl being detained.

"At least put her down, pendejos ." Jim demands of Ivan and Fang.

"If we put her down she might jump." Fang retorts.

" Que estupido , I won't let her jump. I don't want her to die either. Trust me and put her down." Jim commands.

Ivan and Fang look at each other, then at the whimpering, wriggling girl in their arms. They then look at Jim whose face shows nothing but intensity.

"You know if you try anything, we're all dead." Ivan confirms to Jim.

"I know. There's nothing to try." Jim says with intense eye contact. "She either stays on this ship, drowns, or gets killed by other pirates on the island. Put her down."

Fang drops Saraghina's legs and Ivan lowers her body to standing.

"Take hold of her before I let go." Ivan demands of Jim. Saraghina's mind is racing, her ears are ringing, and her breathing remains heavy. She stares intensely at all parties involved with red, puffy eyes as she's lowered to the ground.