“Everything will be all right.” He gives me a kindly smile as he lies to me.
We both know nothing is all right. But I nod, pretending right along with him.
He pats my shoulder then limps back to the fire. The others give me a wide berth, all except Shiner and Widow. They sit nearby and whisper to each other, giving me concerned looks every so often.
I hold my bowl of hot stew until it’s cold and muddy. My gaze remains on the sea, on the hope that I’ll see Hook splashing to shore. Exhausted, hurt, but still breathing and daring this world to kill him.
“At least drink some water.” Shiner sits beside me and offers me her water skin.
“I’m good.” I let her take my bowl from me.
“No. Drink.” She shoves it into my hand.
I take a sip.
She glares at me.
I take a bigger swallow, then hand it back.
She stows it on her hip and settles beside me, her eyes also on the sea.
We sit for a long while, the lapping ocean waves and occasional subdued conversation from the crew the only sounds. The island is quiet now. No wild things braying for blood. I suppose they must’ve gotten their fill at the full moon a few nights ago. Now, bellies full and madness lessened, they hunker down and rest until it’s time to claw and rip and tear again.
Skylights strides up, his demeanor dampened, face drawn. “How are you holding up?” He drops to his haunches in front of me.
“I’m just waiting for him.” I muster the ghost of a smile.
He glances at Shiner, then back at me. “We’ll enter the cave at moon rise. Best get some rest until then. I’ve already gotten your bedroll situated closer to the fire.” He points. “You’ll be more comfortable there.”
“I’m comfortable here.” I look past him.
He takes my hand. “Moira, please, you need to rest. The caves aren’t an easy journey, and I have no idea what waits for us at the heart of the island.”
“I’ll rest when he gets here.” I squeeze his hand then pull away. “Until then, I’ll keep watch.”
He and Shiner exchange another look, and then he tilts his head toward the fire.
She rises and follows him, the two of them talking quietly as Widow takes Shiner’s spot beside me.
“You going to sleep at all?” she asks.
“I will when he’s here.”
She scoots closer and wraps her arm around my shoulder. “All right.”
I lean on her, grateful for her understanding. We sit like that until the fire is low, most of the pirates asleep with faint snores.
Standing, I stretch.
Widow gets up, too.
“I’m just going down the beach to look for him.”
“I’ll come along.” She rubs her ass. “That log is hell.”
I don’t disagree.
We strike out along the shore, scattering crabs as we go. Seashells by the handfuls wash up here, some of them glinting in the low light. I look past them, toward the lightning that brightens the horizon in almost constant flashes.
