Page 53 of Ship Happens
Instead of tensing with concern, Jim relaxes into his chair and kicks his leather boots onto the desk. “There be skullduggery afoot,” he whispers, with a devilish glint in his eyes. His face contorts beneath the makeup, making him look almost gleeful.
“Why the fuck are you smirking like that? Didn’t you hear me? Ice Pick ismissing, Jim.”
He waves me off. “Who is this Jim you speak of, boy? My name is Edward Teach, and as one of the most trusted men in my pirate crew, you should know that best. But please, call meBlackbeard.”
“Drop the fucking act, man. I’m serious. We’re all very concerned.”
Jim rolls his eyes and finally breaks character. He pulls his boots off the desk, then leans forward on his elbows as he steeples his fingers beneath his chin. Some of them disappear into the coarse hair.
“The only person you need concern yourself with is Frankie.” He sits a little straighter and peers behind me. “You didn’t leave her to her own devices aboard this ship, I hope. A few of her compatriots are tucked away below deck, and I’d hate for her to run into them. All of your hard work could come crashing down if they remind her that she isn’t one of us when she’s just starting to think she might be.”
“Could you stop focusing so hard onherand put some of that energy toward some concern for ourfriend?” I close my eyes and squeeze the bridge of my nose. “Please...can some of us go backto the ship so that we can check the security footage? If we can figure out where he last was, we can figure out where he went.”
Jim sighs. “I’m sure he’s just fine, but if it will make you feel better, we’ll organize a search party the moment we’re back on the Bruise Cruise. Satisfied?”
No, not really. We’re wasting valuable time here. Like Ezra said, every second that passes...
But Jim won’t be moved, and this is the best I’ll get. Plus, what he said about Frankie is starting to worm its way into my head. I don’t think Eve would have been silly enough to take her down to the brig, where the Cattle are being held, but I’ll feel better if I can lay eyes on both of them.
I leave without responding to him. He yells something at my back, something about getting my group together on deck, but I ignore him. If his little games cost Ice Pick his life, I’m not sure any of us will ever forgive him.
As I pass through the antechamber, a bell tolls somewhere on the ship. Orange-banded crew members hurry to their positions, leaving only the Sinners on deck. It’s much easier to find everyone now, and I spot Frankie and Eve standing with Grim and Rosie by the barrels. Frankie waves me over, and I hurry to join them.
“Grim saw Ice Pick this morning,” she says.
The wiry German turns to me. “He was following a woman. He said something about taking her out.”
“He’s going to murder a Normie, Maverick,” Eve says. “If we don’t stop him, he’ll get himself into a mess. ”
I raise my hands to silence them. “Hang on. He was with a woman and said he planned to take her out, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s going tokillher. Maybe they hit it off and he’s taking her out...on a date.”
Rosie shakes her head, and Grim nods.
“These behaviors were not courting behaviors,” Grim says. “The man was stalking his prey. He hid behind a plant until she passed, though he was much larger than the plant and poked out from all sides. Once she turned a corner, he continued hunting.”
“Could she be a fed?”
We all turn toward the Scottish accent and spot Aven behind us. He steps into the group.
“Madigan said he hid some of the shits in the Normie population.” Aven shrugs. “Maybe he’s making sure before he asks for the kill.”
“Possibly,” Eve says. “That doesn’t make me feel any better, though.”
We all agree, but there’s nothing to do about it right now. The anchors have come loose, and the ship is on the move. The games are about to begin.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Frankie
When I was seventeen, I went to the county fair in a little town in West Virginia. I arrived in early afternoon, and by the time the barkers started hollering for everyone to spend their tickets and get the hell out, I’d eaten my weight in turkey legs and funnel cake. I had three tickets left. That was exactly what it cost to ride the Tilt-A-Whirl, so I grabbed an extra-large cherry slush and chugged it while I waited in line.
All of that to say this: Despite the involuntary expulsion that occurred on that day, I have never felt as sick as I feel at this moment. I have never felt the urge to exist without insides, but with each dip and sway of the ship, I pray for this lifetime to end. A small piece of my soul vacates my being, and I’m certain I’m dying.
Cold water crashes against my neck and spills down my top, soaking my chest and back. My hands release the railing, instinctively flying upward as the icy shock drives down my spine. The ship rocks again, and I’m tossed sideways. Before Icrash against the deck and break open my skull, I land against something much more forgiving. Still so hard, though. His thin garments do nothing to hide that lean muscle.
“I’ve got you,” Maverick says as he steadies me.
“Thanks.”
