Dawn- An Age Of Darkness

I woke up. I was glad to be woken up from that endless nightmare. Ever since that fateful day I've constantly had nightmares.

Brenda looked at me with pity. She must have seen me in a disgraceful state when I was having nightmares.

"So what's for dinner?" I asked rubbing my eyes. I didn't want to talk about the past anyway.

She had a bowl and a spoon in her hand, which she put on a stool by the bed. She grinned, her eyes opened wide. "Rabbit stew."

"Huh?" I couldn't believe and my mouth opened wide, twitching.

She burst into laughter and curled her hair. "I'm only messing with you. They caught some salmon today, so guess that's fish curry." She chuckled some more. "But boy, you really have a thing for rabbits."

Next time I'm gonna friggin punch you jerk!

I panted. "You almost gave me a heart attack. Is Biteria okay?"

"Here she is." She had Biteria in tucked inside her hair. How she did that was a mystery to me.

Thank goodness she's alright.

"Come here lil'lady." I took Biteria in my hands. I could move my hands but only slightly. Any complex movement and I were going through a loop of pain.

At first, she looked cute and stayed cuddled. The little devil was half the size of a typical rabbit but it was still just a baby. This made me wonder if this thing was a rare breed or something.

But as soon as I let my guard down, she solidly engulfed my left hand halfway through. It didn't hurt much but the bite was still very powerful. For once, I was glad it was just a baby. If it weren't, who knew what could have happened with teeth.

"Aww!"

"Looks like she likes ya." Brenda Giggled.

"I wonder…" Biteria did like me, but perhaps only my body but not me. Somehow I felt how girls might feel during those times. And I didn't even know why.

Brenda took her away from me. There were a few small marks on my hands. The little critter must have grown at least some teeth, still small though. Moreover it, itself had gotten bigger or rather fatter. What were they feeding the damn thing? It was still a baby for crying out loud.

Brenda picked up the bowl and stared at me. "Alright then, can you eat or should I feed ya?" She had a very suggesting aura about her.

"I think I can manage," I said. Who knew what she'd have done if I let her feed me.

She giggled some more and handed me the bowl. She lifted my back and cushioned it with something soft like a pillow. My back didn't ache much because of that. But moving around still wasn't feasible.

I never liked fish, especially fish from the ocean. To me, they had tasted absolutely horrible ever since I first ate my uncle's cooking. I've been traumatized, eating his cooking. Ever since then, I never regained my affection for fish. I probably never had any, to begin with.

Moreover, instead of actual curry, I was presented with curry soup. They are not the same thing.

The next time I reach soil, I'm sticking to it!

"Stop looking so lifeless and eat up already. I have other things to do too you know!"

"You mean you have to work despite the old man paying?" I asked.

She made a fist and looked ahead. "Hmph, that geezer only paid for ye and himself! Me and Jowy have to work our asses off to survive…"

Your accent's slipping though.

She kept on complaining. But honestly, she didn't seem that busy; especially since she visited me and stayed for so long. Was she worried or just remorseful? Either way, why? I didn't ask.

My face twitched, my mouth flinched, my body shook. I just didn't want to ingest more fish, but I had to. It took me a while of agony to finish the soup but I finished it.

After eating, I lied down, questioning the meaning of life.

"I have to give to ya. I didn't think you'd end up healing this quickly. Are you cursed or something? Do you know where I could get healing like that too?" She seemed genuinely curious but there was a hint of comedy in it.

"Ha ha ha." I laughed sarcastically. I didn't answer her. She might have been joking but she was right on the money. I was cursed. "By the way, how long was I out?"

"Six days…"

Only six this time?

Truth be told, I might have been a little disappointed. "That's it? Considering the trend, I thought I'd be under for longer."

"What trend?"

"Oh, nothing. Don't mind me, just talking to myself."

"Weirdo!"

Yeah, I don't want to hear that from a girl who pretends to be a guy….

She left with Biteria. She called me a weirdo but was still smiling. Was that mockery or was she having fun? Probably just fun, at least I hoped so.

I tried to get some sleep. Sleeping was the only thing I could do which I didn't want to. When you couldn't move around that's all there is to it anyway.

It took me some time to notice the noise in the background. The flow of water, the crew's chatter, the captain's screams were soothing to the soul. Their fun banter was putting my mind to ease. I didn't pay attention till now but they were all here. Light from the ship illuminated the floor and the ceiling.

I'm not alone…!

These last few months, my dreams of the past had eased up a little. Maybe because I was too worried about surviving. But for the last couple of days, I was having more and more dreams about my past. I wanted to forget those dreadful days.

Why wouldn't my brain give me a break? If my brain was a person, I'd have slapped it silly already.

So the whole event happened only six days ago? Rest in peace guys. I don't know why but I really liked you guys.

I liked those pirates. They meant more to me than my actual family. Maybe it was because they were outlaws but they treated me as their equal. I didn't like them at first but once I knew they weren't so bad, I changed my mind. They earned my respect and affection. I really hoped they could rest in peace.

I fell asleep.