Chapter 8

A Chapter by Luna

“Oh, I feel sick. Leave me alone.” I cry while Travis tries to coax me out of my bed. “Nooooo.” I begin to wretch and a stream of vomit flows out of my mouth and onto the floor.

“We are taking you to the deck. Joshua, take her left arm, your gonna help me get her up. Jacob, open the door. Thomas, open the hatch.” Travis grabs my right arm and begins to lift me.

“Nooooo. Leave me here to die.” Groaning, I try to get them to let me go but all that happens is another string of vomit.

“Maria, you aren’t gonna die. You are just sea sick. Come on. It is alright. I am here.” He is so soothing.

“Why aren’t… why aren’t you… sick?” With each pause come a new string of vomit pouring out of my mouth. Ugggh.

“You wouldn’t be so bad if you had eaten. This, in theory, is mostly your fault.” The way he says it makes me feel bad because my lie has been discovered.

“You didn’t answer… answer my question.” I pause in the middle to wretch, pain wracking through my chest.

“I did get sick. Everyone does. You aren’t alone. Most of the ship’s boys are all sick right now, vomiting over the side of the deck. That is where we are trying to take you.”

“Alright, but don’t… leave me… alone.” Vomit spills from my mouth to the floor below me.

“I promise you I won’t. remember, you are safe with me and I will always protect you.” He seals the deal with a kiss on my feverish forehead, assuring me that the promise was true. I try to smile but my body is too weak to even allow me that small gesture. “Joshua, I’ll take it from here.” Joshua nods and scampers away as Travis bends down and grabs my legs. His other arm slides down to my back. I curl up in a ball and fall asleep against his chest.

My head is lying in Travis’ lap when I wake up. He is sitting on the deck and slowly rubbing my head

“Mmm.” I coo.

“Good morning. Feeling any better?” He asks, sounding cheerful though I can hear the concern behind his voice.

“As long as you’re here, I am perfect.” I’m still half asleep. He continues to rub my head comfortingly.

“Do you think you can eat and drink something? You’ve been vomiting up stomach acid.” The concern has completely taken over his voice. “I’ll help you sit up. The rail is right behind you.

“But won’t I get in trouble?” He is on one knee, pulling me up. Anger flashes in his eyes.

“No but if you do, the b*****d captain can get eaten by sharks and go to hell!” His voice is full of flames that could kill anyone if they got in the way.

“Is this your ration?” I ask him as he holds the cup up to my lips to drink. I take a small sip, waiting for his answer.

“Yes, it is.” He answers me, the flame completely gone from his voice.

“Will you eat, too? I don’t want to take your food.” I say, remembering how he is still recovering from his surgery though the stitches had been removed and the cut was nearly gone.

“Yes, I will. We can take turns. Is that alright with you?” A twinkle forms in his eyes. I believe it is one of amusement and compassion.

“No tricks?”

“No tricks.” As he says this, he picks up the cup of water and takes a sip. He takes a spoonful of the burgoo and puts it in my mouth and then does the same for himself.

“It is funny to think that yesterday I was doing this for you.” I say and try to muster the strength for a small chuckle, but I can’t.

“It wasn’t yesterday. You’ve been asleep for six days now. You were starting to worry me.” the amused twinkle flickers out, leaving only worry in his dark eyes.

“How long exactly am I gonna be sick?” A smile breaks out on his face and in his eyes.

“Well, I am no doctor but I think you are almost done. It looks like you can move back into the berth tonight. Well, that is if you can stop vomiting and…” He pauses, trying to think of a proper payment. “…give the handsome Travis Westing a minute long kiss on the lips.”

“I will do that, but…” I pause mockingly. The amused sparkle returns to his eyes. “…only in the privacy of the amazingly handsome Travis Westing’s berth.” He smiles at me and winks before he proceeds in the process of picking me up.

“Wot?!? Bloody ‘ell, we’ve got a girly on our ship!”

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