Sham of the Sea

Chapter 5

In the morning hours, Y/N awoke to a finger poking her cheek, startling her out of her sleep.

She was not used to her new surroundings yet, confusedly opening her mouth to tell off the person looming over her.

However, she found herself unable to speak. Her throat felt like one big open wound and not even a murmur could be heard. With wide eyes, she looked up at the woman with the black and white hair standing above her, her expression just as puzzled.

"Lost your voice, cutie?" Sana asked; her deep voice a mere whisper in the dimly lit room.

Y/N just nodded and rolled to her feet to follow the pirate outside. The sun had just risen and sat close to the sea on the horizon, sending warm orange light to illuminate the waves. The morning breeze was cool, ruffling Y/N's wild hair further. Her companion took one good look at her and gasped softly.

"What happened to you? Did Captain- Did she let them loose?" Sana seemed so strangely tame compared to everything else on this ship, stepping closer so that Y/N could feel her body heat.

One worried hand came up to turn the collar of what once was Y/N's good shirt between Sana's fingers, observing the bloodstains that had long since dried.

Y/N inclined her head politely, trying to express her confusion through her eyebrows.

Sana nod and smiled a little. "Ah, no, no, it does not matter. Captain did not, I would have heard. Looks like you had a rough night, huh?"

At that, Y/N nodded pitifully. She shivered as she recalled being forced underwater, having no way to free herself. Her body still quivered at the reminder of that vulnerability.

"Maybe I can sneak you out some soup. We met you yesterday and you're this ruined already; that's not that a very good score." Sana sighs as she straightens the collar of Y/N's shirt again.

Y/N liked Sana. The girl seemed more sympathetic than the rest of the pirates, thus leaving a good impression on her.

The two of them wandered over the deck and towards the very first mast closest to the wheel. Nayeon leaned against the heavy wood with one boot propped up against it. She discussed something with the captain, who stood with another woman next to her up at the wheel on the gallery. Apparently, they were debating their next destination and Y/N chuckled to herself as she saw Nayeon, who had not overslept despite looking forward to it so much.

"Good morning~" Sana draped herself like a cat over Nayeon's shoulders as soon as she was close enough.

When Nayeon turned her head towards her for a greeting, Sana pressed a peck onto her cheek with a charming giggle. Y/N blushed. They were in public and did not seem to care about the onlookers.

Was it even possible for two women to kiss in the same way a man and a woman could?

Y/N was too shy to ask. Instead, she avoided watching them as they murmured to each other, looking around. When she lifted her gaze, she noticed the fiery gaze of the captain on her.

Y/N went rigid immediately, meeting the woman's cat-like eyes head on with courage but also a lot of fear. The captain continued talking privately to her other crew member, but did not take her eyes off Y/N.

It was just after a moment that their conversation stopped. The other woman disappeared into the captain's quarters with some maps in her hands. When the captain grinned at Y/N, showing her pearl but many sharp-looking teeth, Y/N trembled again.

This woman exuded power that made me want to drop to my knees and- do what? Beg for forgiveness for things I did not commit. Y/N could not imagine doing anything else on her knees.