12. Jasper

twelve

Jasper

We hung for hours, the blood pooling in the crown of my head created so much pressure it felt as if my forehead would burst. That, combined with the lack of food, dehydration, and exhaustion took its toll, and I drifted in and out of consciousness. At some point, someone tugged on the line, but I was so out of it, not only did I have no fight in me to escape, but I had no real awareness of where I was anymore.

Shadows came and danced around me. Some resembled trees, and some might have been pirates. I also thought I saw some cheeky monkeys, but they were more likely in my dreams. One thing was certain, Evie's voice never left me. That might have been a hallucination as well, but she talked me through each moment. "Jasper, we're going to be okay. Jasper, I really don't think this is that bad. Jasper, in the movie, the hero had gold to pay off the pirates. Do you have gold?"

That one made me smirk.

Or at least I wanted to smile.

I didn't have the capacity to move my lips anymore, and I was starting to be okay with the idea of going to sleep for good. I never wanted to die before, as I didn't feel like I ever had a chance to live, but at this point, it seemed like it would be peaceful. Better than waking up again to experience the kind of death those pirates wanted to give us.

Time passed, and I had no idea how long I slept. At some point, my ability to zone out reality became impossible, as my aching body throbbed harder and my insatiable hunger and thirst roared to life, jolting my eyes wide open.

Darkness.

Bone chilling damp air.

Were we back in the cave?

My hopes were immediately deflated as my hands found the floor underneath me. Unfinished wood I didn't dare run my fingers along as it was so rough, it would surely fill my palm with splitters.

"Jasper." Evie's sweet voice called softly, pulling my face to turn the other way. As I waited for my eyes to adjust to the absence of light, relief flooded my body.

She was alive .

"Evie." My whisper burned my hardened throat, but I was desperate to hear her voice more. "Are you okay?"

"I'm better now that you're awake." She must have been lying right next to me, because her tender hand found mine before my eyes un-fogged. A warm inhale came in like a hiccup, and I squeezed her hand so tightly, as if holding hands had the power to save us.

So many questions looped through my mind, but I still didn't know if it was safe to talk, and I whispered, "Do you know where we are?"

"On their boat in a jail cell," her voice was quiet, but not secretive. "We went down a flight of stairs and a long hall, so I'm guessing in the back of the boat."

A lump formed in my throat. That's the last place I wanted to be. "How bad is it?"

"It's mostly okay, for jail. The reason why you can't see anything is because it's night. During the day, there's a small amount of light which comes through a window."

Anxiety thumped to my heart, ramping it up. Evie had been surviving this whole time without me. My guts twisted when I imagined how frightened she must have been. I can't believe I was passed out this whole time, and they didn't just kill me to get rid of me. What is their reason for even bothering to keep us alive?

A small round window was at the very top of our cell, far out of reach for me. Now that my eyes had adjusted more, I could register a narrow beam of moon light. It cast a sliver of brightness so small, but it gave my eyes enough contrast to see the shadows, and I started to make out shapes. Evie's form finally came into focus. "How long have we been here?"

"Just one night and day. They gave me a little food and water twice a day. One time you woke a little—or at least I thought you were awake, because you were making a lot of gurgling noises—and I got you to take a few sips of water. I think that's the only reason you made it. You were really putting on a show for a while."

I squeezed her hand again, grateful to have an ally, as I'd never really had one. I'd always done life alone. Tiny shivers quaked through her hand, revealing how cold she was. With it being frigid temps, so was I. I was compelled to hold her closer, and I dropped her hand, extending my arm out, inviting her closer. "I don't mean to make you uncomfortable," I explained. "You're shivering, and I thought maybe if we held each other, we'd both warm up."

At first, her gaze fell on me with a straight lipped stare, but she slid over and laid her head on my chest. I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her into a tight bear hug. "Does it get warmer in here?" I breathed into the air, surprised I couldn't see my breath.

"A little during the day, but I wouldn't say it's comfortable." Her breaths were even against my chest, shudders seemly lessoning with each one.

"Did they say why they are bothering to keep us alive?" My voice cracked, as it hurt so badly to force anything out my throat, dried up like clay.

"No."

I waited for her to tell me what happened in the movie, but she never expounded. Frankly, I was terrified to ask. We laid there, conserving energy in each other's arms until a small ray of sunlight filtered through our window. I was able to see the cell now. It was small, only about six feet by six feet, with nothing but wood floors and a toilet behind a tattered curtain. The metal door was threaded with thick bars you'd be able to poke a finger through but nothing bigger. It gave me something to focus on as I dreamed of all the possible ways of escaping—not many.

Time passed, and the room got a little brighter, and the temperature slowly eased enough for us to sit up, claiming our own space sitting right next to each other. Our glances were shy at first, my cheeks heating when I thought about how we survived the night holding each other, but that's all it was—survival.

Because it wouldn't be anything else . . .

Wearing the same pants suit she'd been in since we crashed the boat, her hair was now a tangled mess on top of her head. Dark smudges of dirt lined her jaw, and cheek hollows had started to manifest, more than likely from days of not eating well. Despite her rumpled condition, there was a sparkle in her eye, outing a last little glimmer of hope.

Measured steps creaked all around us, and from the patterns and placements, I gathered there had to be at least a dozen pirates on this ship. As the light grew slightly brighter, familiar sounds came. Voices, and sounds like grinding metal.

And smells.

The undeniable scent of cooking food bubbled through the little window. Porridge of some sort, and smoked fish. My stomach rolled toward the smell, grappling for a connection to something—anything—of substance. As the aroma wafted stronger, and my stomach pangs turned to full belly aches, I fought the urge to cry out in tears, pleading for food. The agony was nearly unbearable, and I found myself rocking back and forth to soothe the bursts of pain. Just when I thought I would pass out again, a rattle sounded on our door, and the little window bars opened. Not all the way, but enough for a guard to push food through. He passed two small bowls, one by one, and Evie received them. After she set those on the ground next to me, he pushed two flasks through. As soon as the flasks were in her hands, the windows wailed shut, and the footsteps stomped away.

I no longer cared I was in jail. I was given a lifeline. Food to last another day, and best of all Evie was here with me, a loyal companion.

I stayed awake the whole day, studying the creeks of the boat, and patterns of footsteps. From what I could tell, it was normal sailing stuff. It didn't seem as if we were in immediate danger. We'd come so far, and I wasn't giving up hope now, even if I was in a pirate jail.

When evening came, my mind grew heavy, anxious for sleep, but the temperature quickly plummeted again, and the trembles came. I gazed at Evie with sleep-deprived eyes and held my arm for her. "You don't have to if you don't want to, and I more than likely smell worse than a garbage dump, but I'm happy to snuggle if you want to keep warm."

She immediately scooted over, laying her head on my chest, trapping in a pocket of warmth on that side of my body. It was enough to stop the quakes, but my breath didn't even out as it had done the night before. Instead, it went a notch farther, sending a whoosh of emotion to stir my heart. My brow lowered, as I concentrated on the tiny flutters that puttered against my chest right near Evie's head. Her sweetness crept over me, easing tension, creating a lighthearted feeling I'd never experienced. It made my brow soften, and the tips of my lips teased an upward bend. Despite our near-death situation, I enjoyed having Evie in my arms so much it warmed me even more, and I was actually able to relax on the wood floor, breathing easier than I'd ever remembered.

"I suppose it would be too much to ask the guard for a blanket," Evie's attempt at a joke made me smile.

"You tell me." My sleepy voice hummed, and even though we were literally rotting in a pirate jail cell, I was basking in Evie's touch. I've never felt something quite like this before. "What happened in the movie when they did that?"

"To be honest. I don't think they lived this long," Her voice was sullen, not as bubbly as her normal self, pricking at my conscious.

"Hey Evie." My throat had softened some over the day, and words were becoming easier, though they sounded hoarse. "How are you holding up?"

When she didn't reply, I lowered my gaze down to her face, a few inches from mine. I could only make out a few shadows of her face, but her breath was shallow against my chest, as if all her hope was being drained. "I don't know anymore."

Even in my weakened state I was pulled to comfort her, wrapping my arm around her shoulders tighter, only wanting to ease her fear. She'd been comforting me for days, and it felt cathartic to finally be able to be a safe space for her. "I have to think that they have a plan for us since they are feeding us."

"Slaves, probably," she whispered. "Just enough to keep us alive, but hungry enough we won't try to escape." Her voice was so serious, compared to her usual quirks and narration, and the listlessness tugged at my heart.

We'd been in survival mode for so long I had been unable to think about anything more than what was happening in the moment, but now, on reflection I recalled this was all my fault . All of this was over a stupid treasure map that I was never supposed to have. I had been so desperate for something of value to hold on to, that I'd risked both our lives. Now who even knows what our fate is?

And Evie, a victim in all of this hadn't once even yelled at me. If I were her, I'd scratch my eyes out. What I did to her wasn't fair at all, but she'd been the most loyal companion. Guilt engulfed my heart so thick it seeped into the threads of my soul. "Evie," I rasped out, immediately drawing her gaze to connect with mine. "I'm so sorry I got us into this mess, but if I ever get us out, I promise to make it up to you. I don't know how, but I'll find a way."

Neither one of us moved as we held onto each other as if our lives depended on it. Not sure if it was the cold, or a need for connection, but I was encouraged knowing that no matter what was in store for us, we were going through it together.

Sleep never came for me, the hunger pains fiercely clawed into my stomach walls, wrenching deep into my nerves. When a warm damp droplet fell on my shirt, I knew Evie was wide awake too. "Why are you crying?" It was a stupid question, that I already had the answer for, and I immediately scolded myself. "Never mind. I know why."

"I guess if I have to die," Evie paused before leaking another tear on my shirt, the stain of her sorrow seeped right into my chest, filling me with so much regret. If only I hadn't been only thinking of myself, and she'd never have been put in this situation. I never thought for a moment that death would be a consequence. "I'm fine with it, but I wish I had a chance to tell my family my side. I tore off in a fit of rage, trying to hold everything in to preserve what was left of my sister's wedding, but now I'm seeing things differently."

"How do you mean?"

"I don't think it's my job to always be the peacekeeper. Actually, I'd like to rephrase that. It's not my job to be the peacekeeper. As much as I like things to be drama free, and I love my family, I'm allowed to live my life, too. I'm also not perfect, as nobody is. They need to stop expecting so much from me. All I wanted was a normal life, but they were never happy with me unless I was showering them with gifts, which I could only afford if I was working."

"Interesting." My brows furrowed, as that's not at all how I'd ever imagined a real family to be. "I never had family, or anyone who cared what I did, but I always sort of romanticized it, envisioning people who had picture-perfect routines like getting donuts together on lazy Saturday mornings, and walking their Golden Retriever after dinner until the streetlights came on."

"I'm sorry to whine about it." She sniffed a few times, and at least for the time being no tears dropped on my shirt. "I must sound like a spoiled brat to you, but that's not at all what I had. I had family, but they only talked to me when they found out about auditions, they wanted me to go to, or needed some extra money to float them until payday. I would have loved a Golden Retriever to walk. I was never allowed any pet, because pets would have taken my focus off my career."

"I've heard Goldens are the best dogs, always accepting everyone." I closed my eyes, imagining the things I always did when I got lonely. Having a dog, who'd never leave my side, a loyal companion. Sure, I could have adopted one, but I never thought it was fair to make a sweet innocent dog live outside. Someday.

"You know, I still have your treasure map," Evie breathed out, her tone hinted of curiosity. "I thought they would take it from me when they captured us, but they said it was worthless. I had hoped to bargain for our lives with it, but it didn't work. What do you think they want from us?"

My mind wiped clean, all possible answers didn't make sense. "I really don't know."

The silence which dragged on echoed more loudly than anything I'd ever heard, giving both of us ample time to imagine all the possible outcomes. My mind was trained to avoid the bad, but I don't think that's the case for Evie. Another tear dropped onto my shirt, and a faint tremble rippled through her shoulders. "Don't cry," I whispered, feeling so much desire to comfort her, and I rubbed her back. "I wish I could go rewind all this, and I'd take it all back. I would have never put you in this danger."

"You didn't put me here. I had wanted to come."

"Yeah, after I conned you into hiring me to be your ship captain."

"That's not how it went at all." She hiccup-sniffed, before continuing, "I overheard those pirates talking about you. I heard all about their murder and looting, and I knew they weren't safe, but I also heard how you had gotten away with the treasure map. I so desperately wanted to find that treasure to prove to my family I was more than just an actress. As much as you were using me, I was also using you. This isn't your fault. We did this together."

I don't know why I laughed. It was uncanny, and so sad, but I sputtered out through my chuckle. "I guess we make one sorry example of a team, right?"

"Not right." Her chuckle was singular, more like a scoff. "We've survived this far. We can't be that bad. Plus, we've stayed together."

Together…the word slammed into my heart in a way I was unprepared to feel. It was the opposite of a gut punch, instead of deflating me, it pumped up my heart, making me feel as if I mattered to someone.

I mattered to Evie.

A smile of affection teased on the edges of my lips, and I was compelled to press a kiss to the top of her head. It was the perfect spot right on the crown, warm and cushioned with her silky hair. I guess it's the kind of kiss that happens when two people come together to comfort each other. My heart drummed hard against my rib cage as I waited for her reaction. She stilled for a moment before her shoulder rose again, and with sweet angelic infections, she said, "Thank you."

"You're welcome." I closed my eyes, feeling a little more at peace, and drifted into a light sleep.