The girl who crossed the sea

The strange man

In the arms of man, she feels uncertain. not afraid, but not safe. He is a man after all. Eyes dilated, body stiff. A low growl leaves her curled lips and the man simple smiles.

I sit still besides the man and somehow, no reason apparent, warmth surrounding me. No matter, he is a stranger, yet safety surrounds this man.

With this man, I am no longer prey to my fear. He has chased them all away.

" Your name?" He asks with calculating eyes.

" Trafalgar Layla.." He hums with a pleasant smile on his lips.

" I see. Layla, a beautiful name.. My name is Dracule Mihawk. " There is no hesitation in his voice. nor in his eyes. He is a confident man. On his back, a large sword is strapped.

" Are you not afraid of me?" He speaks with a thick accent unfamiliar to me with words that i do not understand.

I nod my head. I am afraid of him.. yet here i am, letting this man take me to god knows where, not that i would have the power to stop him.

He laughs slightly.

" I see.. You are truly a Porbrecita. For now I will protect you."

This man is unusual, I feel no malice in his voice or his person. Maybe he simple saw me as a sad girl and pitied me enough draw a bit a goodness out of himself, or he is leading me to my unknown death.

Nothing will be known until we arrive and in the distance, appears a dark island.

" It looks dark and alone, it is dangerous but no man, marine or pirate will bother you. You will be safe as I will protect you and perhaps train you." He hums looking off into the distance. I don't exactly know how my time has passed since we departed but I feel the sticky feeling of salt on my skin that wasn't there before and my stomach growls in complaint as being empty.

" Patience Layla, we will eat once we arrive." He lays a hand on my head gently as if I a a child. An endearing gesture for a man I barely know.

" Mihawk, why do you steal me away from my trouble like this? What will you gain?" I can't help but ask. He doesn't smile or smirk, not even a frown.

" I wonder."

He leaves it at that as we make shore. Stepping off first, he helps me cross onto the land and I instantly feel the horrifying aura the island it's self is emitting. I can even see the red eyes glowing, gazing at us from the trees and bushes.

" No need to worry, they won't attack. I've already defeated them. Though I warn you to never leave the mansion without me. They will take any chance they get at killing you.: He warns me with again, no ill intent but a shiver rolls down my spine.
We leisurely walk down the worn path and soon, a castle like structure comes into view and girl stands at the doorway, an angry look to her doll like appearance.
" When did you plan to come back you JERK?" Her voice is loud and somewhat shrill. Her outburst makes me shrink back and Mihawk catches me with a hand on my back. How can she yell at a man such as this, even I can tell that he is more powerful that all i have met so far.
" What a loud woman you are. " He mutters before beginning to usher me inside past the girl.
" I told you that I would be back when I finished my errand." He explains this to her none-the-less and she sort of pouts before looking at me with a questioning look.
The frightening man stops her from questioning me.
" This is Layla, she is in my care, therefore will be staying here until otherwise." He says nothing else, doesn't even introduce her to me, just leads me in and out of halls until we reach a single room, one of man all along the hall.
" Layla, mi querida, this will be your room, do what you want with it. Down the hall, the oak doors, is my room. " He gives me a moment to process this information before offering me his arm to yet again lead me to another part of the house.
" Perhaps it is time to eat. I will make a quick meal."
Within a few moment, we arrive in a large kitchen where a collection of cooking utensils are neatly place.
" Anything you don't like?" He asks this out of courtesy but he has already started the cooking process.
I answer with the single word that comes to mind.

" Cherries"

He stops for a moment and looks towards me.
" Curious dislike. That's too bad." He goes on to finish the dish as an unbelievable speed and before long, he has serves the table for three and the two of us are seated to eat.
" The ghost girl comes and goes. She will eat when she feels the need to."

As we eat, there is only silence, a deathly quiet.

" Do you think that you will like it here?" He doesn't look up from the paper he is reading. Nor down he put down his glass of wine.

Will i like it here. I haven't been here long enough to actually know but, since I have been here, since I have met this strange man, since I stepped away from Law, I feel less empty. Almost comfortable, maybe finally free, as if I can breath.

" I think I will like it here. Thank you." I answer back almost in a whisper and I hear the turning of his paper. He hums a reply but out the corner of my eyes, I see him peering at me from over his literature.

" Perhaps, you will forget all your fears and live happily here."
A loud crash sounds over head and he lets out an exasperated sigh.
" too answer your question of why I helped you.." He faces me with a serious look.

" it is because you look to good, quiet, companion." He says this with all seriousness that I find it alarmingly funny.

And I find myself laughing

Once let go, out of his arms, she ran with the intent to escape. From afar she looked back with her green and blue eyes to see the man waiting, holding his hand out.
The sound of her bell rang in the silence, accompanying her light footsteps against the dirt.
As she walked back towards the man, rushing against his leg, cautious but trusting of the man.
She was found