Chapter Eight
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ELODIE HAD GONE INTOa trance, twice, in the last who-knew-however-many hours.
The deep jet-black darkness of the brig, and the overwhelming sensation of losing one of her much-needed senses had thrown her into a fitful mess, setting her on edge as she strained to listen to any and every sound around her.
When she had just begun to acclimate to the lack of sight, the ship’s siren screeched, scaring sanity right back out of her.
Now she couldn’t see nor hear.
She’d been locked up for two and a half weeks but this was the first night she had truly felt alive again. Pressing her hand over her thrumming heart, she took pleasure in the feel of it under her palm. She slid it up to clasp her neck to feel her racing pulse. It was wild and wonderful and it was hers alone.
Elodie squinted, but the darkness remained impenetrable. No one could see her.
Maybehecan.She briefly thought of her new neighbor but shrugged it off, enjoying the freedom darkness gave her far too much to care.
At first, she’d been wary, thinking it was a trick, but after so much time, with no change, she relished the sudden privacy.
Elodie ran her hands over her body, massaging the aches and knots away, reaching up under her clothing and readjusting the band around her chest for the first time since she was imprisoned. Everything itched and she had the time and leisure to alleviate it, rubbing the raw parts of her body that had begged for so long to be released. It was bliss.
I could forego a half-cycles food for this.
She wanted more, and even though she was certain she’d be partially deaf from the sirens by the end, it was worth it. Every small comfort couldn’t be taken for granted.
Giddiness assailed her when she should’ve been tired, and excitement where she should’ve been afraid. She stood and stretched, feeling the pressure on her muscles melt away as she moved around without restraint, keeping her arms out in front of her to feel her way.
She raised her arms over her head and leaned back. Clenching her eyes shut, she, let the sounds flow over her. A cool breeze fell across her stomach. The feel of blood pumping freshly throughout her limbs had her lowering back to the ground and reclaiming her spot. Next, she slid off her shoes and let her feet breathe, wiggling her toes and bending the arches of her feet.
Now, if only the sprinklers would go off.She was willing to risk a cold shower even if the chill made her sick afterward.
Small comforts. I’ll pay some prices for small comforts.
A draft hit her and she put her shoes back on, allowing one knee to fall to the side as she hugged the other to her chest.
Her eyes went in the direction of the brig’s door. Had it opened? It niggled but she chalked it up to paranoia, squinting toward Gunner’s cell. She leaned against the bars they shared and rested her head on them. Her mind wandered, and she welcomed the escape.
The cold air suddenly vanished and a thick, heavy, encapsulating bubble of heat surrounded her.
Her nose twitched and the smell of rust and sweat filled it. Her focus zeroed in. She stiffened.
