Chapter 17
W e start walking down the stairs, they still have a soft red carpet on them. He leads me down into a hall where there is room after room on both sides. We keep walking, his hand still gently wrapped around my arm until we reach the end. He pushes open the door leading me inside. It’s a large suite, it has a private bathroom with both a shower and a tub. We keep walking, passing a kitchen space with tons of different fruits and drinks. I’ve never been anywhere so fancy looking. Is this all his?
We stop right by the kitchen and he grabs a plastic bottle of water out of the fridge and hands it to me. I grab the bottle from his hands and just look at it. It's so rare to find a fresh, unopened, plastic bottle of water from The Old World and here he has a supply of them just sitting in his room. Seriously, who is this guy? The life he must live or the scummy things he must have to do. To have these just waiting and to willingly hand me one, he lives in a luxury I have never known.
Caspian notices the amazement. “Is this your first time seeing a water bottle?” He asks genuinely.
“I haven’t lived my life completely without but I have never lived it so well to just hand off something so hard to find, like you just did.” I spin open the lid and hear the cracking noise it makes as the seal breaks. I can’t help but to smile in my excitement. I put the bottle to my lips and close my eyes as the water fills my mouth. It’s so pure, so smooth.
“It’s just an item, Abigail. I don’t put a high value on things. Not items, not food, and certainly not people, at least not most people.”
He gives me a quick glance and then continues, “They all come and go fast and if you put high value on something, you open yourself up to heartbreak.” Caspian says while watching me savor every drop of water I am consuming. His words are sad but his tone spoke with such confidence. No wonder he is so easily able to kidnap someone he doesn’t know to take them to their unimaginably disappointing fate. He values people's lives so low. I set the empty bottle down after shaking out every last drop.
“I couldn’t imagine living a life where I value nothing and no one. What is it all for, if not to enjoy the laughter, the passion, and the excitement of other people? All the little things, the small pieces of happiness. A life without all of that doesn’t seem like much of a life to me.” I respond with sorrow in my voice.
I truly couldn’t see a point of living at all if it wasn’t for the unconditional love I have had in family and friendships. This world is harsh and will devour you in a moment's time. Why would I not put value on such small things that keep your will to survive going?
For a short minute, I look into Caspian’s emerald eyes. They shine far too bright for a man who feels absolutely nothing. He holds my gaze and I can't help but to wonder how silly he must think I am to find joy in all these things. He breaks eye contact as he moves down the hall.
“Come, Abigail. I’ll show you to your room.” He says, this time his voice feels cold and emotionless. I follow silently, I know I’ve said enough. We walk down the short hall to a space with two separate rooms.
“The back one is yours for the time being. You can rest up. We have a long day ahead of us.” He states. “And Abigail, don’t try to be brave. It only leaves you dead.” He nudges me into the room and slams the door behind me. Dead? Shit, what am I going to do? I need to figure out a plan. I look around the room, it's nice. The bed is made and there is a connected bathroom. I do some of my best thinking in the bath.
I head into the bathroom, it has a simple white toilet, a large foot claw bathtub attached to the wall. It looks like this was connected to the wall after the world went to shit. I love the idea of a bath but not the movement of it when the ship starts to sway in heavy waves, I imagine. I turn the knob and watch as the water pours out into the tub. A huge feeling of relief comes over me. There was a large chance that there would be no water coming out of the faucet. I search through the cabin for spare clothing and find another tunic laying nicely on the bed. He thought of everything, didn’t he?
But this tunic is longer in the pieces making it look almost fancy. The sleeves are baggier, giving a puffy long sleeve look. There’s a black pair of pants laying under the tunic. Very similar to the type of pants Caspian and Arielle wear. I pull off my current dirty, raggedy clothing and walk over to the bath. I slowly dip a toe into the water to test the temperature. It’s perfect, hot but not boiling. I gradually fold into the water and rub the ocean's dried salt off of my skin. Once I am done, I just lay in the tub and let my mind wander.
I need to find out if this Keegan man is dangerous, dangerous to me anyways. Caspian is difficult to get information out of, but I think I can push more. He seems to be much more open at night. I could show a tad less attitude towards him and try to get on his good side? Seduce him? I mean, not that it would be a chore on my end.. He is quite good looking. How am I going to get back to Ace? I can try to convince Caspian he is making a mistake, but based on our last conversation I am just another dollar in his pocket. I am just going to have to improvise. Look for the right moment, an opening and just go for it. I have to get back to Ace.
I pull out the bath stopper and get out of the tub. I walk over to the clothing and put it all on. It fits so well and the pants have so much flexibility. It's no wonder they wear these. I wrap my belts around me and hide my dagger on my outer thigh, hidden behind two overlapping belts. I partially braid my hair half up and head over to the door. I put my ear up against it to hear any sounds. I can hear Caspain talking to someone.
“We don’t have a choice, Arielle! If we don’t do it, you will never get Russell back. You know what kind of people they are, you know what they will do to him.” Caspian says.
Who is Russell? For someone who doesn’t value anyone, this sounds like someone of value to me.
“I know, Caspian. I know! But if she really is the daughter, the heir that everyone is searching for. Caspian, she could be the one that changes everything. A new face in power to make this a better world, one that can be rebuilt.” Arielle pushes.
I now have my entire body pushing up against the door trying to hear the remains of the conversation. Anything to help me get them on my side. The conversation goes silent and I hear nothing else. Then as I am about to back away from the door, A loud knock smacks the outside of my door.
I shove back off the door, my heart pounding. Caspian pushes the door open and looks at me up and down noticing my change in clothing.
“It’s time to eat.” he says calmly and turns to leave but just as he's turning I see his cheek lift up. Another smile.
I follow him through his living space, looking around but Arielle is nowhere to be found. At what point did the conversation end? He opens his door to head back out into the ship's hall, holding it to let me go first. I pass by him carefully. I’m not sure why I feel so guarded at this exact moment but something feels off. Where did Arielle go? Did they know I was listening? I’m not sure what to expect next.
Just as I pass him through the doorway, I hear him take a deep breath in and then out. He doesn’t move, just watches me leave. Is he debating on what to do with me? Trying to decide if my life is worth saving? My stomach growls obnoxiously and I wrap my arms around my stomach as quick as the sound was sudden. Oh Fuck me! What timing. I think to myself.
“Sounds like dinner couldn’t be coming at a better time.” Caspian jokes. Embarrassment covers my cheeks and I can't stop myself from smiling. My stomach is so loud at the most awkward of times.
“Something like that.” I giggle and head down the hall.