Bound by Fate | Eustass Kid X OC

Ch 7 • Bonds of Survival

•• Hanmee's P.O.V ••

Amidst the drudgery and the ever-present threat of violence, there were moments that offered a glimpse of hope.

One of those moments came in the form of Killer. His presence was a stark contrast to the brutality I had come to expect. He was silent, observant, and seemed to carry an air of quiet authority that made the crew heed his commands without question. It was through him that I began to see a sliver of humanity in this otherwise hellish place.

Next evening as I was cleaning the deck. Killer approached me, his footsteps almost silent on the wooden planks. "You’re doing well," he said, his voice low and even.

I looked up, surprised. Compliments were rare here. "Thanks," I muttered, unsure of what else to say.

He nodded, his gaze drifting out to the horizon. "We all have our roles to play," he said after a moment. "Do yours well, and things might get easier."

I took his words to heart. The days that followed were still grueling, but there was a subtle shift in the air. The crew seemed to regard me with a mix of curiosity and grudging respect. And slowly, ever so slowly, I began to form a bond with Killer.

***

We sat on the deck after a long day, I gathered the courage to speak. "Killer," I began hesitantly, "have you ever lost someone important to you?"

He was silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on the dark waves below. "Everyone has," he said finally. "It’s the nature of our lives."

I nodded, understanding the weight of his words. "I lost my brother," I said softly, my voice barely a whisper. "His name was Sanji. I don’t even know if he’s still alive."

He frowned, "Sanji? As in black foot Sanji?"

I shook my head, "No, I don't think so. Sanji, a pirate? I don't know though." My response seemed confusing, even to myself I was. Confused.

Killer turned to me, his eyes filled with a rare, quiet sympathy. "Tell me about him," he said.

I hesitated, the memories painful but also a source of strength. "Sanji was always looking out for me," I began. "He was kind, stubborn, and had this unwavering sense of right and wrong. He wanted to be a cook, to travel the seas and find All Blue, a place where all the fish from every ocean gather."

Killer listened without interrupting, his attention making it easier for me to continue. "We got separated during a raid & that's all I remember," I said, my voice trembling. "I’ve been searching for him ever since. He’s all I have left."

Killer nodded slowly. "Family is important," he said. "It gives you something to fight for."

His words struck a chord within me. In this harsh world, where survival often meant putting your own needs above others, Killer's acknowledgment of family was a rare and precious thing. It made me feel less alone

***

Couple of days left to reach Spheonix Isle, Killer and I developed a routine of sorts. We would work in silence, but there was an unspoken understanding between us. One afternoon, while we were scrubbing the deck, Killer spoke up. "How are your cooking skills?"

I glanced at him, puzzled. "I’m decent, I guess. Why?"

He gave a small, almost imperceptible smile. "We’re short on cooks. How about you help me prepare lunch for the crew?"

The prospect of doing something other than the usual menial tasks was a welcome change. "Sure," I said, trying to hide my eagerness.

In the galley, Killer showed me where everything was stored. It was a chaotic space, but there was a certain order to it that he seemed to understand instinctively. "We’ll keep it simple," he said, handing me a knife. "Chop these vegetables while I work on the meat."