Legacy

nine

Despite the late hour, Alessa found it impossible to return to sleep after the events of the night. She feigned it easily enough, blinking her eyes open and rubbing them halfheartedly at the first of the shouts. She held back a yawn as she slid out of her hammock, feet planting on the ground this time. 

She stayed near her hammock, not wanting to reach the main deck alone, unsure of where the first blame would be thrown. Being a woman, the odds were not in her favour.

Marcus rounded the corner, eyes wide as he spotted her and darting forward. She clenched her fist, ready to drive it into his face. He hadn't been there, despite his promises, and she had been attacked because of it. 

The resentment faded as he grew closer and she saw the positively wrecked expression on his face, dark circles lingering under his eyes. She opted not to tease him or even berate him, staying silent as he stood behind her.

She rolled her eyes at his continued silence, making her way towards the top deck as Marcus trailed along in her wake.

"Five men, gone!" One man was exclaiming, "Where'd they go?"

"Someone must have killed them!"

Marcus' hand shot out, steadfast on the small of her back, fingers lightly digging in.

"Who'd have done that?"

"I bet it was the woman, she was talking to the small guy, Matteo, last night!"

Marcus took a step in front of her, holding his arm out protectively. The men turned to look at her accusingly, to which she feigned offence.

"I am a lady!" She scoffed around Marcus' side, "I do not kill for sport! What about Terence the Tank over there? He could have taken all five of them at once!"

"Me? What about the creepy guy who's ne'er spoken?"

And so it went, men firing accusation after accusation at each other until one of them finally grew tired of it and threw the first punch. Alessa, not eager to kill or be killed, allowed herself to be dragged off to the back of the ship, where the sound of breaking bones was much quieter back here.

"What did you do?" He murmured, watching her with concern more than anger.

"What makes you think it was me?"

She spoke indignantly but her voice wavered, something Marcus immediately honed in on.

"Alessa."

She swore under her breath at the burning tears threatening to break out. The more her brain ran over the events of the night before, the more the weight on her chest grew bigger and more painful, threatening to suffocate her. Noticing her distress, Marcus' eyes widened and he laid a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently.

"Hey," He said softly, "What happened?"

"T-they attacked me. Dragged me out of my hammock and threatened to...and..." She trailed off, shaking her head as the tears finally fell.

"Oh, Alessa." He murmured, patting her head in a way that was likely meant to be reassuring but was slightly jilted and awkward, "I'm so sorry I wasn't there."

"Ale got to your head?" She smiled tearfully, glancing up at him through her watery lashes.

"Clearly. I'm sorry. I was having a bad day. It won't happen again. I got your back from here on out, I promise."

"Because we're friends?"

"Don't push your luck."

"I hate to break up this love fest." A familiar voice spoke, "But we hic need to have a discussion about last night."