House Of Gold

Chapter 2 - You've Got Spirit, Kid

James paced the deck in the morning sun. The ship was abuzz with activity, something he had not experienced in awhile. Finally, they were ready. Ready to conquer the sea again.

"Ramsey?" a voice behind him called. "We got company."

He turned toward Heath. "Who?"

"This 'lil girl," she smirked, jabbing her thumb behind her. "Says she knows you."

A blonde girl followed behind Heath, looking around the ship with raised eyebrows. She wore a deep frown and a baggy sweatshirt that seemed to swallow her whole.

"Oh." He grinned. "Heath, did I introduce you to my new first mate?"

Heather rolled her eyes, walking away without another word. James gave a small chuckle, watching her. She made for a good first mate, even if she didn't much appreciate his sense of humor. She was apathetic, hard to throw. Good qualities for a female pirate.

James turned his attention back to the girl standing in front of him. "What do you think?"

"Crew looks better sober," she smirked.

"Thanks, I guess," he replied with a half smile. She looked past him at the open sea. "Dare I ask why you're here?"

The girl hesitated for a moment. Then she blurted out, "I want to go with you."

His heart skipped a beat. "What?"

"Please? I can't stay here."

He narrowed his eyes, looking her up and down. Her face looked pale as porcelain, her eyes rimmed red and wet. The scars and bruises on her face and neck glared back at him when he looked at them.

"Olivia, no." He shook his head. "I already told you, when we come back, we'll train you up, get you something to cover your head, find you a sword and get you onboard. Just be patient."

"I can't be patient!"

"Look," he said. "If it were my choice, I'd say come on aboard--"

"But it is your choice! You're the captain!"

James shook his head. "No. It's your choice. And it's too early for you to ruin your life, Olivia."

Olivia glared at him, stepping closer so they were almost nose to nose. "Do you see this?" she growled, pointing to the bruise on her throat. "And these?" She held a hand up to each of her cheeks, emphasizing the purplish marks. "I can't live like this, James. You have to let me come."

"No, I don't."

"James!"

He sighed. "Come on, Oliva. You're young, aren't you? Still in school?" She nodded. "It's too early. Look, I like you. I think you'll make a good pirate one day, but not now. You've got spirit, kid, but you're not ready."

Olivia scowled at him. "Don't call me 'kid'. You're only a couple years older than me."

"I'm twenty three. I'm an adult. You're not. Now please get off my ship. I'll contact you when we get back."

She put her face in her hands, her shoulders shuddering. "So you're just going to leave me here?"

He looked away. "Yes."

"What if I'm dead by the time you get back?"

He tried to ignore the way his heart clenched at these words. He couldn't look at her tear stained cheeks, her ubiquitous bruises. He watched the sun twinkle over the sea, trying to escape the moment in its blinding rays. "You have a better chance of surviving here than out there."

"James," she begged.

He shook his head. "I'm sorry. You can't come."

"I hate you," she spat.

"Sorry to hear that."

Olivia glared at him. "You really don't care, do you?"

"Should I?"

"Well, no one else does!"

"Goodbye," he said, turning away.

Olivia didn't move. "Don't leave me here, James."

"Get off my ship."

She took a deep breath, glaring at his back. "Fine."