Bloodlines

Chapter 28

Her body was light weighted as she floated in a dark abyss. Her blue eyes stared at the darkness around her and she felt peace all around her. She enjoyed the feeling of content and let out a deep sigh.

Was this how death felt? Was it an eternity of floating around in darkness filled with the feeling of peace? That was boring. She expected it to be something more extravagant. Bright flower fields filled with the laughter of the deceased as they all enjoyed their drinks.

However, this was exactly the opposite of what she expected. As always, she was reminded that if you expect something, you'll always be disappointed. She always seemed to learn that the hard way since she never listened.

"Well, well well, you came here quicker than I expected. When are you going to learn not to get yourself in deadly situations?" Liza's eyes widened at the male voice and she snapped around in the darkness, a gasp escaping her lips.

"C-Captain H-Hendrickson?"

"Hey, did you see her face? That's quite a face you can make, Little Blue. Don't look so shocked. You should've expected to see us." She glanced behind her and saw a bunch of familiar faces pop up one after the other.

"Everyone...you're here."

"Of course we are! The question is, what do you think you're doing here? You haven't even gotten to your dream and then you go and get yourself shot. Do you have any idea how many people are worried about you?!" Hendrickson scolded at Liza and she blinked a few times.

He watched as a sad smile came onto her lips and her face softened. "Yeah, I know. I'm not regretting anything. I'm glad that I could save Aston's life. I wouldn't mind dying for someone-OW!" Liza growled angrily at Hendrickson after he pinched her.

"When are you going to grow up, Little Blue? Didn't we teach you anything?" Dart, Hendrickson's first mate said and Liza looked back at him. She didn't understand what he was saying. For that, matter she didn't know why she was pinched either.

"You don't die for someone! You live for them," Hendrickson said and Liza's eyes widened at his statement. She knew that statement all too well. He always said it, always. He told it to his men almost every time they got into a fight.

It was the Black Skull's code.

"I-I know... I guess I broke your code. I wasn't going to let him die, he was too young and a dear friend. If death was the result, then so be it," Liza said, her face serious and her blue eyes gleaming brightly.

Everyone around her chuckled and she raised an eyebrow. "You were always the stubborn one, Liza. Who said anything about you being dead?" Hendrickson asked and Liza's eyes widened. What? She wasn't dead?

"If... If I'm not dead... Then... Then what are all of you doing here?" Liza asked in a hesitant tone and her voice shook slightly. She didn't understand anything that was going on. Why otherwise would she see them.

"We came here to give our last goodbyes," Hendrickson said and Liza's eyes snapped towards him. "It's time for us to go and for you to move on since you already taking the first step. Thank you for not forgetting us."

"Yeah, even though it was irritating at first, we do appreciate the sentiment, Little Blue. You have to let us go now. You have new friends who are all waiting for you," Dart said and Liza glanced back at him.

They watched as Liza smiled and nodded, their eyes widening slightly. They didn't expect her to be so calm about it. Then again, she was a very unpredictable person. That's what they always loved about her.

"I understand. Thank you for everything you ever did for me. I will never forget any of you. I will let go of the past now. Otherwise, I can't move forward, right?" Liza said, her smile widening and they all laughed at her.