The Informat of the Sea

Chapter 17

You opened your eyes took in your surroundings. It was white, everywhere. You were in your common attire, wearing your red cloak, black tee, green cargo pants, and black boots. You didn't remember wearing this during your fight. You sat up and crossed your legs. You didn't feel any pain and you weren't groggy. Confusion was settling in and everything was eerily quiet in this space. 

You stand up and look around, trying to see if you see anything. Just sitting around made you feel antsy. All it was all white, white, and white. You started walk around and felt a pull, like a string was wrapped around your heart and pulling it towards whatever was at the other end. You follow the tug, unable to resist its pull. 

The longer you walk the more things around you formed. The sea formed and transfigured into a lush forest. It sounded like a breeze was passing by with the ever changing view, but your hair and cloak didn't move with it, just moving to the sway of your steps. The scenery changed into a cell, and you froze. Once more before you was young you from 12 years ago. This time, she's not crying, she's humming a melody you can't place. Maybe it was a melody your mother sang to you long ago that you forgot by now.  

Younger you was swaying side to side, sitting cross legged, looking out at the bared window in the cell. You walk over to her and stay silent while standing behind her, uncertain what to say. She stops humming. "Do you really want to leave this world?" You blink, shocked and surprised by her question.

"What do you mean?" Younger you stayed looking out the window and hummed, taking time to think.

"There's a lot in this world we haven't seen yet, ya know!" She exclaims, turning to look at you. She doesn't look pale like you remember seeing yourself as. She smiles and stands up. "I thought we were going to be the greatest pirate there ever was so no one could pick on us again!" She puts her arms behind her back and rocks on the heels of her feet. You look down at her and frown.

"It's not that easy." She cocks her head to the side and stares. 

"Why not? I thought you said you wanted to be free, and to be free is to be the best pirate on the sea." Your eyes widen at this comment. You remember thinking that so long ago, thinking it would be so easy. Younger you walks closer to you and hugs your leg. You flinch and out your hands up. Your heart pounds in your chest, threatening to jump out. She looks up at you and giggles.

"It's easy, right? We're already there, so why don't we continue to fight to be free!" She lets go and jumps back, throwing her arms up in the air. You place a knee on the ground and kneel in front of this young girl full of dreams. Dreams you left behind long ago, dreams your heart still held on to. She walks over to stand face to face with you and offers you a small smile. "You want to be free, right? So," she grabs your hand resting on your knee. "Fight for it. Fight to see the sun. Fight to feel the sand between your toes. Fight to be the freest person ever, just like we were fighting for so long ago." Something drips on your hand and over your lips. You like your lips and it's salty. You wipe your eyes with your free hand and see tears have started flowing with your knowledge. You pull yourself into a hug and squeeze tight. She laughs and hugs back, snuggling into your chest. Your heart squeezes tightly and you let your tears fall. 

"I want to live." She hums.

"Then live!" You clench your jaw and hold her tighter. 

"I promise, we'll be free." Her muffled giggle vibrates against you and she peeks up at you.

"Aren't we already free?" You pause, a breeze barreling through you and whipping your hair and clothes. "We're nit in the cell anymore silly! So now we just have to fight to stay free!" You smile and lay her head. 

"Yeah... you're right. I am free, aren't I." Suddenly, she's gone and with her leaving is a weight on your heart. It felt like the chains holding you down finally fell off. Like everything you shoulder just dissolved. You stood up and looked around. The room changed into the sea. You could faintly smell the salt in the air as the waves crashed around you, the sun gleaming on the water. 'Free... I'm, free!' You closed your eyes at the intensity you felt and gasped. 

Your eyes shot open and its it white anymore. It's darker, and brown. You tried to sit up and felt heavy. You groaned and held your head in your right hand. Your left hand clutched the soft fabric below you and you looked around once your head stopped pounding. Your eyes felt swollen and your lips still tasted salty. You were in what looked like a small medical bay in a ship. You looked at the books scattered in the desk and tried to see whose hand writing was on the notes. From this far it was hard to tell, but based on the books and feel of the room you had a good guess you were in Choppers medical room. 

You sighed and laid back down. You were now feel the effects of the fight weigh on your body. If you moved the wrong way you would definitely get a bad cramp. You closed your eyes and let the rocking of the ship lull you back to sleep.