A Demon of the Sea - Gravity Falls

Chapter 2

Dipper could get used to the smell as he lay there on the floor of a strange ship, arms bound and a disgusting bag over his head. But he couldn't do anything against the cold. He must've been near the edge of the ship, maybe by a window, because it felt as though he could've been above deck, naked to the intense chill of winter. Why don't they just come kill me already? He wondered. They were talking far too long. It's not like he wanted to die, of course, quite the contrary. He couldn't do that to his family, especially his twin sister. She would be absolutely devastated. Remembering her smiling face and cheerful attitude made him realize: I have to survive in any way I can. They didn't bind my legs; if I can just avoid being recaptured right away, maybe I can run out of here.
His escape route-planning was put to a halt by heavy footsteps approaching. "The captain wishes to see you. How lucky you are," said the same gruff voice as before, extremely condescendingly and sarcastically. He was picked up and thrown over the very burly man's shoulder. At least he wasn't being dragged anymore, but his head and feet were still in grave danger, which was very obvious even after the first minute of being carried like a sack of potatoes.
"What am I, cargo? I have legs!" he protested, not wanting to be unconscious when he got the chance to escape. "Yeah, little girl! You are cargo as of now! And the captain is gonna see whether we should haul the useless cargo overboard, or if you're lucky, he'll see some value to ya," he replied. Ignoring the 'little girl' comment, he remained deadly silent. If he didn't have success finding a job here, he wouldn't have to worry about working ever again. His chances were slimmer than he liked to admit. Far slimmer.
After few minutes of bruise-cultivating and anticipation, they stopped and the man opened a door, tossing him in. The bag was ripped off his head, and he couldn't help but take a moment to appreciate the fresh air that filled his lungs. He looked around the room when he managed to get to his feet. It was fairly large. Fine fabrics with depictions of sea monsters and eyes were draped on every available piece of wall space, adorned with golden trinkets.
Guards were positioned in every corner of the room. He looked at the center, where a large and messy desk stood. Behind it sat a man, no more than 25, with wild, sun-bleached-blond hair. He wore a brown overcoat, embroidered with threads of what looked like pure gold. In each ear were a bunch of golden piercings, on each finger a gold ring. What topped it all was a single, black eye patch covering the man's right eye, probably the plainest thing about this man, and it stood out against his unusual flare. Upon closer inspection, even the man's visible eye seemed to shimmer like the gold he clearly loved. He looked at Dipper with the look of a hungry predator, a look that sent chills throughout his body.
       "So, I hear yer looking for a job, eh?" said the man in an almost high-pitched voice, breaking the silence, "Well I've got one hell of an offer for ya! Join my crew! I'm a little low on manpower, if ya know what I mean." Dipper wanted nothing to do with this man. There was something, maybe it was everything, about him that made him feel very uncomfortable and almost vulnerable, like this man could see into his very soul. "What?! Why would I join you band of thugs?!" he blurted out. Maybe so you can escape with your life? Said a nagging voice in his head. "Do you really want to hear my other option?" said the captain in a voice that chilled his spine. He played lazily with a knife that had been sitting on his desk. The message was clear, though he already knew option two. He gulped and pursed his lips. "I can do one of two things with this knife," he said casually, "but I think you'd prefer the one where I cut those ropes and set you as free as you'll ever be." Dipper itched to have that happen so he could bolt off of this ship an back on the docks. "I wouldn't try running, we've been out if port for an hour now," said the captain, reading his mind. Seeing the increasingly uncomfortable expression on the brunette's face made the already wide, sly smile wider. "So? Your answer?" he asked.
       He had to survive. He just had to. "Will I have to do any of your dirty work?" he asked with an uncontrollably wavering voice. A collective laugh came from every pirate in the room. "Of course not! None of the killing, at least. You're way too scrawny to put on the front lines. Nope, you're gonna be my new Scavenger!" said the captain in an almost cheery voice. He explained that Dipper would have to sneak on other ships, sometimes while being plundered, sometimes in secret, and steal as much as he could carry. The thought of it made the Pines' heart sink. That was almost as bad as the killing! He would have to steal from innocent, hard-working people! He really wanted to spit in the captain's face and flatly refuse, but that would get him killed on the spot. He took a reluctant breath and said, "Alright. I'll be your Scavenger." The captain wore a cocky grin as Dipper was cut free from his ropes. "You truly are an interesting one..." the man muttered to himself.
       He considered taking the knife held loosely in the man's hand to take him prisoner on his own ship and make the crew drop him off on shore, but something about the man's aura seemed deadly. If he tried anything, it was certain to end badly. He resisted the urge as the captain got up from his desk and walked over to him, holding an arm outstretched toward him to shake. Slowly, Dipper grabbed the man's hand and shook it. "From now on, you work for me. Got it, kid?" said the captain. Dipper nodded solemnly. He was dismissed, and immediately ran for the deck. No one chased him, and he soon saw why.
Inky blackness, nothing but inky black sea as far as the eye could see. He ran to the railing on the edge of the ship and looked down. The enormous waves of the living darkness crashed against the helm, sending a spray of salty, liquid ice into his face. There is clearly no way I can escape, at least for now, he thought to himself as he shook whatever water off him as he could. I'll just have to be patient.