Gold Or Gone

Chapter 9 | New Guy

The Thornes settled into their small cabin, taking in the sight of four narrow bunk beds crammed into the space. The room was dimly lit by a small, grimy porthole, casting a weak beam of light across the dusty floor.

"There are only three of us, but four beds," Ava remarked, her voice echoing slightly in the cramped quarters. "I wonder if someone else is supposed to join us."

Lucas shrugged, dropping his bag onto one of the lower bunks. "We'll find out soon enough."

Just as they were starting to unpack, the cabin door creaked open. Standing in the doorway was a small, frail boy, no older than eight, with wide, anxious eyes and disheveled hair. He clutched a tattered bag to his chest, his knuckles white with tension.

"Is... is there a bed here?" the boy asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ava glanced at the boy with a mixture of indifference and curiosity. "Yeah, there's a bed. You can take that one," she said, pointing to the empty bunk.

The boy hesitated, looking around the room at the three unfamiliar faces before stepping inside.

"Thank you," he said, his voice wavering.

William, sensing the boy's unease, offered a curt nod. "I'm William. This is Ava and Lucas."

The boy nodded silently, making his way to the empty bunk and placing his bag on it. He moved with a cautious grace, as if afraid that any sudden movement might draw unwanted attention.

The Thornes left the boy to his own devices as they finished settling in. The small cabin, with its rust-stained walls and creaky floorboards, felt oppressive. The air was thick with the smell of salt and sweat, a testament to the harsh conditions of the ship.

Lucas took a moment to look around the room. The bunk beds were narrow, with thin, worn-out mattresses that looked anything but comfortable. A small, rickety table stood against one wall, and a single chair with a broken leg leaned precariously against it. A tiny washbasin in the corner completed the sparse furnishings.

"This is going to be home for a while," William said, his tone resigned.

Ava snorted. "Better get used to it."

As the ship began to move, the gentle rocking of the waves set in. It was a strange, disorienting sensation, making the small cabin feel even more confined. The sound of the creaking wood and the distant shouts of the crew added to the sense of unease.

The Thornes sat in their cramped quarters, the tension palpable. The boy, whose name they still didn't know, sat quietly on his bunk, hugging his bag tightly. He watched the three older occupants with wary eyes, his small frame trembling slightly.

Lucas spoke without looking at him. "Keep to yourself, kid."

The boy nodded silently, clutching his bag even tighter. The Thornes continued to unpack and organize their things, each lost in their own thoughts.

The ship's environment was harsh. The corridors were narrow, with low ceilings that made it feel even more claustrophobic. The smell of oil and seawater permeated everything, and the constant motion of the ship made it difficult to find any sense of stability. The crew, rough and unfriendly, went about their duties with little regard for the passengers.

Meals were served in a communal mess hall, a large, dimly lit room filled with long tables and benches. The food was basic and barely palatable, consisting mostly of hardtack, salted meat, and watery stew. The passengers ate in silence, their faces a reflection of the hard lives they had left behind and the uncertain future that lay ahead.

The Thornes and the boy made their way to the mess hall, where they found seats at one of the long tables. The boy sat quietly, his eyes wide as he took in the sight of so many people crammed into one space. He kept his head down and ate in silence, mimicking the Thornes' actions.

"Eat up," William said curtly, not looking at the boy.

The boy nodded, forcing himself to swallow the tough, dry bread. Ava watched him briefly before turning her attention back to her own food. Lucas focused on his meal, barely acknowledging the boy's presence.

As the days passed, the boy continued to follow the Thornes, keeping to himself and staying out of their way. He learned to navigate the ship's narrow corridors and avoid the more dangerous areas where the crew congregated. The Thornes, for their part, maintained their indifference, treating him as little more than an afterthought.

One evening, as the ship rocked gently on the waves, the Thornes sat in their cabin, preparing for the rough seas ahead. The boy watched them silently, his small hands trembling as he tried to help.

As the evening wore on, a sudden storm hit with a vengeance, the ship tossed violently on the waves. The wind howled and rain battered the deck, leaking through cracks and seams, creating small streams of water running across the floor. The cabin creaked and groaned, feeling like a trapped animal struggling against its constraints.

Lucas secured their belongings, tying down what he could to prevent them from sliding around. 

"Everyone, hold on to your bunks!" he shouted over the roar of the storm.

Ava and William braced themselves, gripping the edges of their beds. The boy, eyes wide with fear, clung desperately to his bunk. The ship lurched violently, throwing him to the floor. He scrambled to get back up, his small frame shuddering with terror.

Ava glanced at him. "Hang on, kid. It'll pass," she said, but her voice betrayed her own uncertainty.

The ship pitched again, and a heavy chest slid across the floor, slamming into the boy's legs. He cried out in pain, trying to push it off. William, seeing his struggle, crawled over and helped him, grunting with effort as he shoved the chest back into place.

"Stay put," William ordered, his tone harsh but his actions speaking of a reluctant concern.The boy nodded, tears streaming down his face, as he clung to the base of the bunk. The ship continued to heave, and a large wave crashed against the side, causing the entire vessel to shudder.

Lucas, seeing that the door was threatening to burst open from the pressure, grabbed a rope and secured it tightly. "Make sure nothing else moves!" he barked, his voice strained as he fought to maintain balance.

The storm raged on for what felt like hours. The Thornes and the boy huddled in their small cabin, drenched in sweat and seawater. Each jolt and sway of the ship felt like a battle against an unforgiving force.

At one point, a particularly violent wave knocked the ship sideways, and Ava was thrown against the wall. She groaned in pain, clutching her shoulder. Lucas reached out, steadying her.

"Are you okay?" he asked gruffly.

"I'll live," she muttered, wincing.The boy watched them, his fear mingled with a growing sense of awe. Despite their rough demeanor, they were strong and resilient. He tried to emulate their stoicism, biting his lip to keep from crying out with each violent shake of the ship.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the storm began to subside. The howling winds died down, and the waves grew less ferocious. The ship settled into a gentler rocking motion, the immediate danger passing.

Lucas took a deep breath, wiping sweat from his brow. "We made it," he said, though his tone was more relieved than triumphant.

Ava nodded, still clutching her shoulder. "Everyone okay?"

William looked over at the boy, who was still trembling but unharmed. "We're fine," he replied, giving the boy a brief nod.

In the dim light of the cabin, the boy looked up at the Thornes. They were not the family he had lost, but they were the closest thing he had now. For the first time since the war had taken everything from him, he felt a flicker of hope.

The storm had tested their resolve, and together, they had endured.

Note: i dont even think anyone's reading this note. well its been like half an year since an update. lemme know what ya'll think about the chapter. It was super hard to write honestly, just thinking of how each character feels about the boy and how he himself feels was super tough. hopefully anyone reading this found it enjoyable.