Linewalkers

20 | Embark and Mark

Not Edited 

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She had to admit, her situation could be a lot worse than it currently was. She orientated herself with the small space that would be her home for the next four days. She couldn't really complain, except for the tiny little window. She wanted to see the world outside but she quickly learned that there would be nothing but sea beyond. 

Kreve was asleep, a heavy arm resting over his eyes. His berth gently swung with the sway of the ship. It was a motion she was growing used to, given that she had never been at sea before. They had left the Harbor not long ago and she assumed they were making their way out of the bay. 

She checked the door and discovered a very old way of locking doors. It amused her but she grabbed the board and placed it into the groove on either side of the door anyway. When she was assured that no one could come in, she relaxed a little. Not that she didn't trust Kreve but he was sleeping, so she was just calming her nerves. 

Out of curiosity, she opened the sacks. There were different varieties of fruit, bread and other odd things that she assumed was edible. Meat was wrapped in cloth and leather pouches of water. However, she wondered if it was enough to make a four day voyage. Yet, who was she to make a judgement in a world she was still blind in. 

Finally, she moved to stand in front of the broken mirror. The clothes that Kreve had stolen were surprisingly close to her size. She messed with the belt, tucking the excess material, and she placed her hands on her hips. She looked different already, she had to admit. It was a disguise that she was picking up to fit in with this world. Dirt was smudged across her chin and she wiped it away before noticing how horrible her hair looked. 

Slowly, she untangled her hair with her fingers and then carefully braided it. Her cheeks flamed with embarrassment when she found several little twigs that had fallen on the floor. She had looked like an absolute mess. Then again, she wasn't trying to impress anybody. Kreve was simply her guardian until she could find Elias.

Suddenly, her eyes caught a dark spot beneath the collar of her shirt. She walked closer to the broken mirror and pulled the material down. Her lips parted in surprise when she saw a tiny symbol printed onto her skin, right beneath her collarbone. She studied the weird mark and then her eyes widened when she realized where she had seen it before. 

Then, she saw something else. Right over her shoulder, a symbol appeared on the wall. She spun on her heel and there was nothing on the wall. When she looked back in the mirror, it was there. She looked over her shoulder once more, nothing, and then in the mirror she could make out the shapes. The letters W and L. 

She gasped. 

"What's wrong?" Kreve's voice nearly made her jump out of her skin. 

She spun on her heel and sputtered, pointing at the mirror, "There are letters in the mirror!" 

Amber eyes flashed in confusion, "What? Are you seasick already?" 

"No, no," She looked in the mirror, the letters remained, "They just appeared on the wall, come look!" 

Kreve was still for only a moment, contemplating her sanity, and then he quickly moved to stand up. He looked in the mirror over her shoulder, "I don't see anything." 

She was gobsmacked, "What? They are there, don't you see them?" She could see them as clear as day. 

"What do they say?" 

"Its just the letters W and L." 

"And they just appeared, out of nowhere?" 

"Yes!" 

Kreve rubbed his chin, "I don't know a lot because I'm not a Fallan, but it could very well be Elias making contact with you." 

She felt her heart flip in joy, "Really? What's he trying to say?" 

"That we're on the right track," He replied, "Western Lateal. He's giving us his location." 

"That's wonderful!" She grinned, and then she remembered her mark, "Oh, and I noticed something else strange." 

Kreve raised an eyebrow, "Oh?" 

She pulled down her shirt, "This mark, it looks exactly the same as the one I saw flash on my computer screen when I cracked the codes. Does it mean something?" 

He glanced at the symbol, "Its the mark of a Linewalker, you should keep it covered at all costs. You'll be dead if anyone notices." 

"Oh." 

"If you don't mind, I'll be returning to my cat nap," Kreve said, light sarcasm dripping in his tone as he settled back into his berth, "I haven't slept in days." 

She mumbled an apology for waking him and tried her best to stay quiet from then on. She was still curious about Kreve's animal background and she almost wanted him to become a panther again, just so she could see the wonder for herself. She stood by the tiny window of the ship for quite a while with thoughts swimming in her head. 

She watched the land grow smaller and smaller as the ship sailed out to sea. She had a feeling that she was leaving a part of herself behind. While she was in a strange world, she needed to adapt in order to stay alive. Slowly, the cabin grew dark with the fall of the sun and she lit the lamp for a soft light. 

Noise of the crewmen could be heard overhead as they pranced around on the deck. She assumed they were celebrating something and she remembered how Kreve said the crew was always drunk. She felt a little unsettled about it. Kreve slept straight through it all. She could occasionally glance at him, watching the gentle rise and fall of his chest, but she didn't say a word. 

Eventually, she nibbled on a little piece of bread and then climbed into her berth. It took her a few tries to settle into the hanging material, it was like a hammock, and when she finally situated herself, her eyes began drooping. The gentle rock of the ship was a silent lullaby and before she knew it, she was out like a light. 

.    .    .    .    .    .

*hums happily* 

I definitely like how the characters are shaping up. I'm melting into their story more and more easily. They might start telling the story on their own soon. 

Who is your favorite?