Chapter 17

            “Maria, sweetie, calm down. It’s alright. Come here.” Travis pulls me to his chest, my tears run down and soak the shirt as I sob into his chest. “It is alright. Here, lay down and I will stroke your hair.” I lay back on the bed, his hands gently stoking my hair. Slowly, the sobbing subsides and I can speak again.

            “I just can’t stand thinking of someone being killed. He deserves to get in trouble but not to die. I can’t think… I just think…” I begin sobbing again and he pulls me closer to him, protecting me.

            “Shush now. It’s alright. Come here. Calm down now.” He whispers to me comfortingly.

 

 

            Why doesn’t she want that b*****d dead? He tried to rape her, the son of a b***h! That dirty man w***e! Even the captain didn’t like the thought of him touching her! The stupid man needs to burn in hell!

            “It’s ok, love. You won’t get hurt. I’ll protect you no matter what.” I pull her through me, my words portraying love while my mind only speaks of hate. Why does this girl have a mind tha feels sorry for the man who tried to rape her? When the knock comes to the door, Maria is sobbing into my chest. I yell for them to leave, telling them that Maria is not descent.

            “It’s the captain! Let me in, midshipman!” he calls through the door. I jump to my feet and open the door for him. Maria continues to sit on the bed, tears running down her face.

            “Hello captain.” She chokes out, her voice caught in her throat, as he steps into the room.

            “I thought you would like to know the background information of this ship you are working for. This is the HMS Hopeful and I am Captain James Willard. I have owned this ship for 5 years. We are a military ship that’s job is to stop piracy and slavers. You are coming onto the ship as a midshipman. Travis is your protector and mentor, he will teach you everything you need to know. I am sorry for what you have had to go through on these first few days aboard. Your midshipman uniform is in your room.” In all my 11 years of service, I have never heard him sound like this. Where is this man coming from?

            “Th-thank you, sir.” Maria says still choked up. Her crying has stopped yet her voice has not completely returned to her. The captain bows to her and turns to leave before he remembers something.

            “Mr. Westing, You may begin training her when she is up to it. Do not push her too hard, we don’t want her getting sick.” The captain speaks with a fatherly tone, a tone that I have never heard before.

            “Thank you, sir.” I say. He turns and leaves the room.

Reviews

[Moyo]

So she's gonna be trained, huh? I wonder in what, could it be fighting or midshipmen work? Who knows, I'll have to wait.