One Piece (SSW Backstory)

Chapter 12

Saphira's POV

This happy moment was ruined. One minute we were having a sibling embrace and the next we're being interrogated. I frown at the old lady as she gesture for us to sit on the bed with Charlie. She pulls the old looking wooden chair closer to us. As she got comfortable in the chair, I give Charlie a nervous glance. There are only two options to this. Either we lie or tell the thruth.

Either options, lying or telling the thruth, is going to get us in serious trouble. 'Does this mean, we'll have to leave and search for another place?' Granny Lilo cleares her throat to grab our attentions, "Now, tell me. Where did you come from?" She worded the question so strangely that the first things that popped into my head was: 'Does she think we're aliens?'

"Why do you need to know where we come from?" Charlie spoke up when we were sitting in silence for too long. "It would help me get a better idea of where Winifred got asphyxia." The old lady answered so quickly that it didn't give us time to think of any way out of these questionings. "Idan" Silver barely whispered the name, but we all heared it. Charlie and I stared at her wide eyed from the realization that, we might be screwed.

The old lady went quiet as she looks to the wall next to her. I try to read her face, but her unchanging expression was setting me on edge. I wish I knew what was going on inside her head. It felt like hours must have passed before the old lady desided to speak, "I see. So, you bunch are from that Island." She looked us with a frown. "The marines tried to cover up about what was going on at Idan, but just like everything else they tried to hide from the public, it gets eventually leaked."

'Oh no... does that mean we could be on wanted posters? Are we being hunted?' By the ghostly look on Charlie's face, I could tell he was thinking the same thing. "I don't really care about the possible bounties on your heads or that you might bring a pandemic to this island. What I care about is, are you infected with the virus?" The old lady looked us dead in the eyes as she asked her question. If we lied, I had a feeling she'd know.

"The infected shows signs after a day of being infected. We've been on that island for just a few months." I was building a nervous sweat the longer this went on. What if she is planning to call the marines? Or maybe even give us to a bounty hunter? "I see. That means you must have an anti-body." She seemed unsure of her own words as she analyse us. "But, I don't understand... when I checked Winifred, she showed signs of being infected."

I glanced between Charlie and Silver, 'Does this mean we could be-' The old lady cut off my train of thought, "Carriers. That has to be the only explanation." Granny Lilo looked older as her wrinkled face deepens into a frown. "Do you mind if I examine you three as well? Maybe, I can come to a better conclusion, or even just test my theory." Granny Lilo isn't a doctor or scientist, she only knew of the basic skills for medical care and herbalism. I didn't trust her one bit with our secret.

"Once I find out the oddity of your systems, we'll need to talk and change some rules to make sure that you four don't get caught by the marines." The old lady gave us a sad smile, as if she could see our distrust. "What rules?" I asked cautiously. If her rules are to keep us locked up, she's got another thing coming. I won't be a bird in a cage.

Granny Lilo calles for Angie. The girl quickly entered the room with a big smile, ready to aid the old lady at any second. "Have you done the dishes yet?" At Angie's nod, the old lady quickly gave her instructions. "Good. Wash them again and please wash the laundry too. Make sure you wash them twice too." Angie was confused by her requests but didn't question her as she left to do as instructed.

Granny Lilo turned to us with a serious look on her face, "We'll have to take precautions. You'll have to use separate utensils and bedding. You shouldn't share anything with anyone, not even you're brushes." I could understand where she wants to be careful, but I think she's going overboard here. Granny Lilo seemed to have read my mind, "I know what you're thinking, but this is necessary. The virus you four carry have no cure, so if you were to accidently infect someone, they'll have no chance of survival."

That is true. There is no cure or vaccine. If someone got infected, they were excepted to isolate themselves and wait for their untimely deaths. We nodded our heads in understanding, but our hearts were racing with fear and uncertainty. There are million worries going through my head, 'Did we by chance, infect someone and did not even realize it?' We've crossed paths with so many people on the streets, any one of them could be infected. The guilt of being the cause of this island's demise is just too overwhelming a thought.

"Before we get over our heads and worry about something that might not even be true, let me look at you three first, okay?" Granny Lilo's words and reasuring smile made me breath out a shaky breath of relief. I swear she can read my mind. She points to Silver as she got up from the chair, "I'll start with you first. Saphira, take Winifred and go wait outside. Don't make contact with anyone." I nod my head and quickly pick up Winifred and head for the curtains.

Granny Lilo stopped me before I was out of sight, "Don't mention any of this to the others." I wasn't even planning to. I nod my head and chose the other corner of the house, where Ralph isn't sitting, to stand. Angie stopped with washing the dishes as she looks at me with confusion. I only shake my head. She shrugged her shoulders as she returned to scrubbing the dishes. Mikey on the other hand...

"Yo, what did the doc say? Is the little bro gonna be okay?" He approached with a hop in his step and a large smile on his face. "Please, don't come any closer. Granny Lilo want's us to keep a distance." I quickly blurted out the words when I realized he was coming in for a hug. I pressed my back to the wall. I probably look like a cornered animal. Mikey, luckily, stopped before he got too close. He raised a confused brow, "Huh? Why?"

"Doctor's orders." I hope he or the rest of them don't pressure me into telling them. Mikey looks like the type. "Is it contagious?" Donny's soft voice almost made me think there was a ghost whispering in my ears. It made shivers run down my back. I also realized, this is the first time I heard him speak. "Yes, it is." My short simple answer was all they needed to back up and keep their distance.

Mikey looked sad that he can't give me or Winifred a hug, "Aw, that sucks. I wanted to play a game with you guys." He crossed his arms as he pouted on a wooden chair. Leo just patted his head as he looked to where we are standing, "Do you need anything? I can bring you a chair to sit on as you wait." He's kindness touched my heart, but I didn't want to take any risks. "No, I'll be fine, thank you." He nodded his head in understanding.

Ralph made a tsk sound, "Ungrateful brat." He was muttering the words, obviously not soft enough for us not to hear it. I chose to ignore him. I wasn't in the mood for a fight, verbal or physical. I only got an hour, at best, of sleep in last night. Thanks to the yapper, Mikey kept me awake most of the night. The other reason was my injuries. I felt ready to drop dead right here.

The art is mine. Thanks for reading~