Chapter 6
I follow Ace right through the heavy dark auburn, wooden door into a small Studio. The walls are a dusty brick color where different types of boots and shoes are displayed on the walls on both the left and right side. The strong smell of polish creeps its way into my nose causing an immediate sharp sting to my head. It's so easy to get so overwhelmed by all the scents on the island. Once you get so used to the smell of the Ocean, the island really makes you miss the peace. It's so crazy how the Ocean is resembled with peace, when it is often the most violent obstacle. But here I am, starting to get a headache and looking forward to setting sail again.
I take my time looking at the different types of boots while Ace talks to the shop owner about what he's looking for. I look down at my feet and see my pinky toe on my left foot, in its gray sock, through the ever increasing hole on the top. Okay maybe I should also get a new pair of boots. I chuckle at my own thoughts and at how ridiculous this hole looks.
“Ace, I think I may join you in shopping today” I shout out, but get no response. I look over at the front counter and notice that both Ace and The Cobbler are gone.
What is up with everybody disappearing on me today? It's unlike Ace to leave without saying something, even if he's going into another room. “Ace?” I shout a little louder but only hear my voice echo back to me. Where the hell did he go? Looking around the room, behind the built-in brick counter, is a small opening in the wall. You would have to slide through sideways to get to the other side but that’s the only place they could have gone. It looks dark on the other side so it's hard to make out exactly what is back there. I would have noticed if they opened the front door, that thing practically slams shut with how heavy it is to open. So that really is the only possible place they could have gone, there are no other rooms, doors or even windows.
I grab out my dagger from within my boot, and slowly walk towards the opening in the wall. The closer I get towards it, I can hear someone talking. A different voice than The Cobbler and certainly not Ace’s voice. I lean up against the wall with my ear as close to the opening as I can get it without poking out from the side. The last thing I want is for them to look over here and see me eavesdropping.
“I’ll do what needs done” says Ace in a daunting tone.
“We are confident you will, Ace.” says the other man. His voice was stern and sharp, similar to a Royal soldier. What could they be talking to Ace about? Confident he will do what needs done? Is he swapping services with Royals soldiers? I want to jump in there and ask what they are talking about but a huge part of me knows that I was not meant to hear this conversation. I want to know what he could possibly be doing for a soldier. We stay under the radar and this is absolutely not routine.
I am stuck in my mind trying to figure out what they could possibly be discussing when suddenly I hear their footsteps coming towards the opening. ?? Shit, Okay! ??I quickly scout the room and see a pair of thick, dark brown, high ankle boots that catch my eye. Perfect! I rush over to them and grab one off the wall to look less suspicious. I look over and see Ace and The Cobbler sliding back through the studio space. ??
“Ace! I was wondering where you ran off to.” I say with a smile. I grab the other boot and put my arm out, pinching the boots between my fingers. ??“I suppose I’ll be getting a pair of my own.” I force out a giggle. Anything to make myself seem normal. Though, just having him in my presence almost makes me forget everything I have just heard. He’s always had that effect on me. ??
Ace looks at the boots I’m holding and then down at the ones I’m wearing. “Yeah, it looks like it’s about time you did Abs.” He responds. His tone is off, almost like he’s hiding a sudden sadness. ?? What did they say to you, Ace? I feel a sense of worry surrounding me. His entire persona is off, almost guarded. But now is not the time to ask him about what I heard, not while others are learning around. ??
“Did you find what you were looking for?” I question softly.
??“No, nothing here really fits what I am looking for. I think I may steal a pair of your dads. He always gets the perfect boots.” Ace teases. He’s not wrong, my father practically stocks up every time we come to Parteis. I wouldn’t be surprised if that's the first thing he did when we boarded onto this Island. ??
“Well, I am going to buy these and then we can head back over to the ship. I’m sure there’s plenty to bring onboard before we head out.” I suggest. ??
“Yeah, sounds good. I’ll wait here for you.” He points over at the wall beside the door. I watch him as he turns and slowly walks over to the door. His shoulders folded in and his face cold with no expression. Jesus Ace, what did you get yourself into?
I quickly pace over to The Cobbler before Ace notices me watching him. The Cobbler is a middle aged man, probably only in his late forties but the island has not been kind to him. He holds a bold look on his face, sad eyes. He has a skinny muscular build with bruises and scratches visible on his arms. He has on an off white button up with his sleeves rolled up, though there is a mix of dust, dirt and polish stains all over his shirt and tattered pants. I set the boots up on the counter top, kneel down to my current pair and pull out a twenty dollar bill.
Of all things to change after the flood, the currency has remained the same. The Royals insisted on keeping this transaction, they also demanded that there’s tax on every business sale and person living on the Island. People are barely surviving as is. Many are entering themselves into life or death tournaments because being poor in The New World is worse than dying a slow painful death in front of the wealthy.
I put out my hand with the twenty laying flat for him to grab. I am huge on eye contact, so I look directly into The Cobbler's eyes and notice a cut right under the right eye. It's bruised and there is fresh blood festering out of it. Did that happen while they were in the back?
His expression softens as he folds my hand over the twenty. “No dear, those are on the house today.” He says in a soft cheerful voice.
My eyebrows furrow in as the confusion settles on my face. “N-No... I want to pay, sir.” I press on in confusion. He has clearly been through enough today, how could I possibly take something he has spent time working on.
“I insist.” He says as he ignores my hand still awaiting for him to grab the money and gently slides the boots my direction. “I have had these for quite some time and I know you’ll put them to good use.”
I pause for a moment but then decide not to argue and grab the boots. “Thank you. That is very kind of you.” I hesitate as I turn to face Ace. His face looks just as shocked as mine. Ace grabs the handle and shoves open the door, holding it open for me to follow.
“Always a gentleman,” I giggle and walk on through to the outside. I'm not sure what happened inside there but I am glad to be heading back to the ship where I can ask Ace privately.