The Dark Maiden

Chapter 9

Carmen read to them that night, and every other night, for about another two and a half weeks. In total, she'd been there about a month. Her homesickness was growing more and more faded, a tiny knot in her stomach instead of a wrenching pain that kept her from sleeping at night.

The Iliad was massive- Iz explained to her that it was twenty four books or chapters long, spanning nearly six hundred pages. It would take the entirety of their journey to read it. Sometimes they would need to pause because Joei didn't know a word, and then Carmen would watch, fascinated, as Sidi and Iz argued over its meaning- one that Carmen herself didn't even know. And then they would argue until one of them went into Sidi's room, pulled out his gigantic and ancient dictionary, and then argue over the definition that it presented. It was all very funny to watch.

She made the climb to the crow's nest every night, and sometimes every morning to watch the sun rise and set. Iz would wake her up early when she couldn't sleep, and they would climb up there together. Carmen didn't mind the early mornings and late nights- she was so exhausted from keeping up with Iz that every moment of sleep was well fought for.

Iz kept her busy by showing her various parts of the ship, explaining what certain parts did or where they were from. The ship was quite large- it could fit many more people than were occupying it, and this provided plenty of empty rooms for Iz and her siblings to play in. Each morning, after they finished their chores, they'd drag Carmen down there to play hide and seek, or build forts and make believe castles that they would fight pretend wars and defend. Sidi, the oldest of the three of them and most serious, even enjoyed it. Carmen did as well, just content to spend time with her little brothers and sisters. The pain of missing home had faded to a dull ache in the center of her chest, and when she didn't acknowledge it, she almost didn't notice it. It was easier not to.

One morning, Iz let Carmen sleep in. When she awoke, mid morning light was already streaming in through the porthole. She got up, groggy, and pulled on a pair of jeans, a sweater to keep out the chill off the water, her sneakers and her jacket. There were other clothes that she had gotten more familiar with- various sweaters, dress pants, boots or even dresses (Iz had made her try them all on for a fashion show one day)- but she still preferred her tried and true sneakers and jeans.

She tied her hair up in a ponytail, running her fingers through it first to get rid of any snarls. It was a tiny bit longer now, and greasier. She showered less, but she didn't mind. She had more fun running wild around the ship with Iz- who when she really got going, was a force to be reckoned with.

Carmen stumbled, still groggy, from her room to the bathroom. She splashed some cold water on her face, and was almost run over by Joei when she returned to the corridor.

"Careful there!" Carmen warned him, though she was laughing to herself. "You don't want to fall."

"Sorry Carmen!" Joei called back to her, still running through the hall. He paused, and then turned around to run back to her. "Iz told me to come and get you."

"Why's that?" Carmen asked him.

"We're going swimming!" It was only then did she notice what Joei was wearing. Swim trunks and a swim shirt, with bare dripping wet feet. He was getting water all over the corridor, and his normally perfectly placed curls were a mess. "She said to get a swim suit on- she said there should be one in your wardrobe- and then to meet her at the top deck."

"Alright then," Carmen chuckled. "I'll be there soon."

He smiled and ran back towards the hatch, his feet pitter patting on the floor. Carmen went back to her room and sifted through the wardrobe.

There was nothing hanging up that even remotely resembled a swimsuit, so Carmen sifted through the drawer at the bottom. She found a blue piece of fabric, that when closer examined was revealed to be a one piece swimsuit. She quickly put it on, surprised to find that it fit her rather well. She had no idea how Lilli knew her sizes, and she tried not to think about it.