The Vessel

Chapter 2: Transfiguration

I wake up on the hard floor of my cabin, not remembering falling asleep in the first place. I can feel stray pieces of dirty hair stuck to my clammy cheeks.
I feel sticky and gross, like I haven't bathed in days. Napping on the dirty floor surely didn't help.

I push myself up into a sitting position and try to gather my senses.

'What time is it?' I think to myself.

I could've been asleep for anything between a few minutes to several long hours.  Unfortunately, there isn't a clock in this tiny cabin room.

Disgruntled, I stagger up to my full height and slip into the nosiy hallway that connects my negligible cabin with the shared bathroom. I force my legs, stiff from sleeping on the floor, to the bathroom to clean myself up. Pushing through the swinging door, I'm immediately welcomed by a floor length mirror showcasing my long blonde locks and tan skin with -

My thoughts are interrupted by the faint sound of shouting, just outside the bathroom, growing louder by the second.

"Offical Tanisha announcement!"

I start to creep my way back towards the bathroom door and push it open a crack, just enough to see the commotion.

"Wanted criminal aboard this ship!" A thick man with a dark beard held up a small poster for the crowd that had gathered around to see.

The offical was wearing a sharp blue uniform and was accompanied by a younger man, perhaps my age, in a slightly different shade of blue. His back was facing me, preventing me from catching a glimpse of his face.

The colossal man proceeded to shove papers in everyone's hands without hesitation. He quickly stomped out of view, with the young man following behind him in tow.

I scrambled away from the door as a lady strolled in. Her dark eyes were focused on the phone in her hand as she tossed one of the signature fliers in the nearby trashcan and then entered one of the stalls. Terrified the announcement had to do with my escape, I snatch up the faded yellow sheet and turn it over. I'm met with a three year old photo of myself. It was taken on the day of my public school graduation. I'm standing with my arms around my brother and father, my mom hiding behind the camera, snapping the photo. Much to my delight the picture was taken with defective quality, hiding any of my distinctive facial features. But underneath the photo in bold letters, reads my name.

Nisa Roscoe; Wanted for treason

I hastily fold up the filer and shove it deep within my pocket, appalled at the thought of just one more set of eyes landing on it.

The risk of me being caught has just increased by a matter of mere seconds. I needed to be more discreet, otherwise I'd be left to rot in a cell with my precious family, unable to help them. I shift my gaze back towards the mirror. Hiding in the shadows of the ship wouldn't be enough to keep me out of the guards' sights, I'd have to make more drastic changes. The preoccupied lady within the stall finished using the bathroom and opened the stall door to wash her hands. Wedged between her skinny elbow and her side was a white bag encrusted with gold. After cleaning her hands, she dumped the bag on the counter and started to rumagae through it, pulling out make up products here and there. I returned to studying myself in the mirror.

Desperate for a bath, I turn the facet on and collect the soft water in my hands, enjoying the calming, warm temperature. After washing myself up the best I could, I lean my hands on the counter and tilt my head down towards the sink. It's better the woman doesn't see my face. Regardless of my attempts to stay unnoticed, the lady slides a box towards me. Confused I glace up just in time to see her walking out of the bathroom and out of sight. I turn my attention back to the box and find that it's hair dye. Black hair dye.