CH - 16 [ Bear island ] part - 4

You've got a problem with your ship? Can't just turn around and leave?"

"No, man. Why is everyone of you guys so rude here? Jeez. Our ship is damaged and we literally can't sail with it the way it is. We need to seal it back up before we can go anywhere."

"How much wood do you need?"

"You're actually gonna help us?" Halcen was surprised.

"Anything to get you guys out of here. How long is it gonna take you guys to patch up?"

"A couple days, if we can get some wood."

"Alright, I can have the shipment sent down to the docks by this afternoon."

"Thank you, so much," Halcen sounded legitimately relieved. Halcen put in the order for all the supplies they'd need, paid the man, and then the three of them turned out the door, and headed back through town. It was time to get back to the ship. Halcen and Grey strode in the front while Valentina lagged behind, distracted by the penguin Halcen had bought her. She was floating on air.

They could hear her giggling. "Super penguin!"

"I'm glad that's finally over," Halcen sighed. "I don't want to spend any more time on this godforsaken island than we need to."

"I know what you mean. This place has a weird feeling," Grey said.

"You feel it too?"

"Yeah… it's off. There's too much negative energy here."

"Yeah… I don't know what's causing it, but everyone here is responding to it really badly. I mean, I'm sure they've been here for their whole lives, but I don't want to stay any longer than we have to. I mean, I don't want anybody on the crew affected. We just gotta get the Black Tail up and running, and then we can head straight for Loguetown."

"Speaking of," Grey began. "Are you sure you want to let the guys off at Loguetown?"

"The crew? Yeah, they don't have bounties. They should be fine looking around. Probably not a good idea to give Valentina too much cash now that I know she's an impulse buyer; something to look out for in the future," he laughed. "I just didn't want them coming out here cause we don't know jack about this place. I mean, hell, it's not even on the map. How fucked is that?"

"No, I meant the Marines. Bo and Kazuki."

"Oh! Yeah… I mean, why not?"

"Well, they're Marines, Halcen. They were sent to kill us. They were working with a Commodore. Are you sure you can trust them?"

"I don't see why not. They were sent to kill us, yeah. But they were left for dead. I know you didn't want that on your conscience either. They helped us fight Anosmia, and thanks to them, nobody died. So the way I see it, we're even."

"But bringing them straight to the Marine capitol of the East Blue? Is that really smart? They could gather the forces at Loguetown and come after us."

"No, I think they're really earnest about just wanting to get back. I mean, they're gonna catch hell… but that's what they want."

"Do you think they're even gonna be allowed back in?"

"I don't know. That's really not up to me. They came up with the plan themselves. They're plenty capable of making their own life choices. I'm in charge of the ship, yes, but not their free will. Anybody who doesn't want to be on the ship can leave whenever they feel they decide to. Why, what do you think I should do? Force them to stay on the ship and serve us, make them hate us, and then eventually have to fight them when they decide to try to kill us again? No, I'd rather not."

"Alright, I see your point." Grey conceded. "Just… let's make sure we're ready in case they do try anything."

"Grey, we're gonna be fine. I've already proven I'm stronger than them."

And the two quit their talking because they were getting close to the ship. They'd finally hit the docks. And they didn't want the Marines to hear their conversation. If they got wind that they were second-guessing their deal, they might be thrown into a rage and try something stupid. All Halcen wanted was peace on the ship. And he definitely didn't want to get in a fight here on this island with everything already going on.

"Hey guys," Halcen said as they walked up.

"Hey!" Kazuki called back, looking up at them. Then he looked around them, looking confused. "Where's Valentina?" he asked.

"What do you mean, she's-" Halcen turned to see that there was nobody behind him and Grey. His mouth caught and his chest seized. He looked to Grey quickly.

It showed in his eyes, Grey was scared. "I didn't notice."

Oh god. Halcen turned and started running back down the docks towards the town, his feet beating as fast as possible against the cracked ground. Oh god no! The air felt cold across his face. Please no! His hair flew wildly. Please let her be okay. He could barely get enough air to keep running. Please god! He ran as hard as he could, looking around back and forth along the way they had come. Please don't tell me I fucked up. Please don't… Finally, up the hill, he came to where she had last been standing. He stared down at a ceramic figurine. Halcen knelt down to pick it up. The penguin. She's gone.