Holding Onto Stars | Lady Lesso

One

'Tell me everything I've missed, and make it quick, I've got ten minutes.' I swept into the kitchen, as Hort looked up from his coffee mug. 

'What do you mean, ten minutes, are you leaving again already?' 

'Hort-' I glared. 

'Well your mother stopped by a few times, she hasn't seen you in a while, Katherine.' He started as I rolled my eyes. 

'She's wanting me to take over her business, and it's not happening.' I responded coldly. 'Carry on.' 

'Beatrix and Hester got married a few weeks ago, they missed you at the wedding.' He raised his eyebrows at me. 

'I don't do weddings.' I shook my head. 'I hope it was a lovely event though, I'll send them a gift.' 

'In the meantime, the barman at the tavern says you still owe him for that window, and aside from that, nothing terribly exciting has happened.' 

'Oh for fuck's sake, that window was not my fault, blame the wench that started a fight with me.' I frowned. 'Fine, I'll stop by on my way out and give him the money for it.' 

'Are you seriously leaving already?' He drained his coffee, walking over. 

I adjusted my sword belt. 'Of course. I don't see any reason to stay here right now. I might as well be going off on the ship with dad.' 

'Well, be safe. And remember you've got to be back in two weeks in time for work!' He reminded me. 

I scoffed. 'Safe isn't even in my vocabulary. And I know, wouldn't want to miss it.' 

'Give dad my best.' 

I said my goodbyes, heading straight out and making a quick detour to the Tavern. The barman's face changed when he saw me. 'Katherine, it's been so long!' 

'Only a month, James.' I shrugged, dropping a bag of money on the bar. 'Will this do for the window, that I see you've already repaired?' 

'That'll do nicely, thank you.' He nodded, taking the bag. 'Just please promise to not start a fight again in here. I don't think the place could take much more.' 

'I can't promise anything James, but since I likely won't be returning here for another year, your windows are safe.' I winked, striding back out. 

I headed back down to the docks, where my father was leaning against a wooden post, drinking rum straight out of his flask. 

'Starting early, are we, father?' I raised an eyebrow. 

'There's never a bad time to drink.' He grinned. 'You ready to go, lass?' 

'Aye. Let's get out of this shithole.' I nodded, walking past him, and headed onto the Jolly Roger. 

'This shithole you call home, you mean?' He followed me onto the ship. 'Alright lads, weigh anchor! We've got another mission!' The rest of the crew scrambled to retrieve the anchor to leave port. 

'I grew tired of this little town.' I responded, taking the helm. 'I was never one to settle down here.' 

He pushed me out of the way, taking the helm for himself. 'Good. You're a pirate, just like your father.' 

'Oh, absolutely.' I agreed. 

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'Katherine, run faster!' Gideon shouted, as we stumbled through the forest to escape. 

Sage grabbed my hand, and I sprinted to keep up with her, as low branches whipped past our faces, and the giant's thunderous roaring boomed behind us, along with the quaking earth with every stride. 

Suddenly Sage tripped, her hand slipping out of my grasp. I turned, slowing momentarily. 'Sage, come on!' 

She struggled back to her feet, but it was too late. The giant had caught up with us easily, and it grabbed Sage easily in one fell swoop. 

'Sage!' I screamed. I raised my hands to perform a spell to incapacitate the giant. 

'Katherine, are you mad?' Gideon grabbed my arm. 'That giant is 3 times bigger than you, you'll need a hell of a lot of power to bring it down!' 

'I've got to do something! We can't just leave her!' I yelled. 

'It's too late!' Gideon pointed. 

The giant was quickly squeezing the life out of Sage, and we watched in horror, as she was slowly losing the strength to fight it. It looked down at us menacingly, reaching for Gideon this time. Gideon ran, taking my hand. 

'Sage!' I screamed, fighting against Gideon who was pulling me along with him. 

'It's too late, Katherine! We've got to go!' 

I woke with a start, jolting upright in bed, breathing heavily. It took me a few seconds to realise tears were streaming down my face. I covered my mouth, letting out a muffled sob as the dream came back to me. It wasn't just any dream, though. 

I got up, grabbing my jeans and putting them on, tucking my t-shirt into the front, and I sat on my bed, putting my knee-high boots on, before heading up to the main deck. 

It was still the middle of the night, darkness surrounded the ship, and the only sound that could be heard was the gentle lapping of the waves. 

I looked out into the darkness, leaning my arms on the wooden railing. I sighed deeply. My heart had stopped racing, but it still ached from old wounds being reopened. 

That dream was a painful reminder of the day I'd gotten my best friend killed; I'd let my own arrogance get the better of me. The whole thing was my fault. Gideon had insisted it wasn't because he and Sage went with me of their own accord, I hadn't forced them. 

I still blamed myself to this day, though. It happened just before Christmas, I'd been reading up about fearsome creatures, and one day decided to go in search for one, out of boredom. Sage and Gideon had insisted on accompanying me, and I hadn't argued against it. We didn't find what we were looking for, but we had stumbled across a giant, and against my better judgement, I'd gotten cocky and decided to piss it off. Resulting in Sage's death. 

I heart footsteps behind me, and turned to see my dad joining me. This time he had two bottles of rum in his hands. He handed me one. 

'Thanks.' I unscrewed the lid and took a swig, welcoming the sudden rich, burning taste. 

'Couldn't sleep?' 

'Nope. You?' 

'No. I was constantly hearing Smee's snoring below my cabin.' He shook his head, swigging his own rum. 

'I had another nightmare.' I started. 

'Katherine, you need to stop blaming yourself. Sage's death was a tragic accident.' 

'Which I caused.' I took another gulp of rum. 'I'll never forgive myself. She was my best friend.'

'If she could talk to you now, even she'd tell you it wasn't your fault.' 

'It should have been me.' I muttered. 'She shouldn't have died because of my stupid carelessness.' 

'I know things might seem dark right now Katherine, but it will get better.' He told me.

I laughed humourlessly. 'Didn't anyone ever tell you, father? Villains don't get happy endings, so I seriously doubt it.' 

'Whoever said that is full of shit.' He answered. 'I may have had to deal with your bloody mother for a long time, but she gave me a beautiful and talented daughter which I'm grateful for, and I get to travel to incredible lands on my ship. I'd say that's a happy ending in itself.' 

I smiled slightly. 'I don't know. Maybe you're an anomaly. I don't know many villains with happy endings.' 

Dad looked over with an unreadable expression. 

'We should be reaching land in a couple of hours.' I changed the subject. I suggest we make preparations.' 

'Aye, Captain.' He answered jokingly.