Aspiring Writer, feedback is much appreciated!
Inhale.
Exhale.
Morgan walked up to the Captain. She was talking and laughing with Tom, probably discussing what insanity the crew had done on their last trip ashore.
‘Shit, she’s already having a conversation. I shouldn’t interrupt.’ Morgan’s thoughts were racing, most likely caused by the anxiety running through her. However, just as she was about to turn away, she caught Onyx’s eye. Their look said keep going. Trust me. I’m here for you.
Another deep breath.
Another step forward.
Soon she was standing next to Liz.
“Excuse me, Captain?”
Liz turned and looked at her with a smile. “Hey, Morgan! What’s up?”
Morgan gave a nervous smile in return. “Uh, nothing much,” she replied. “I was just, uh, wondering if I could have a quick word with you? Um, maybe privately?” She twisted her hands together, rubbing at the skin.
“Yeah, of course! Would you prefer now, or a little bit later?”
Another glance at Onyx. Their look was still encouraging, reassuring Morgan. “I’d prefer now, please. If you can?”
“Yep, of course! I’ll talk to you later, Tom, alright?” Liz patted the arm of her first mate, and then gestured for Morgan to follow her.
The pair walked from on deck into the captain’s quarters. The room was modest, with a simple cot off to one side, a desk on the other, and storage for the captain’s personal belongings. Though, this was one of the only rooms on board the Mercy to have a door, meant for privacy.
Morgan walked through the door and sat down on the side of the desk closest to the door. Liz closed the door behind her, and sat opposite, at the desk. She crossed one leg over the other and leaned back slightly, relaxed. Not at all afraid of Morgan. Though she probably should be, Morgan thought.
“So, what’s up, Morgan?” Liz started.
Morgan glanced down at her hands, still slightly pulling at the skin. Oh look, her hands were actually shaking. That's cool. “There’s something that I need to tell you. And you’re not going to like it.”
Liz raised an eyebrow, though a soft smile stayed on her face. “I mean, maybe. But you’ll have to tell me first.”
There wasn’t a response for a good minute. Morgan kept looking down at her hands, which she had placed in her lap. Tears had started to well up in her eyes, though she tried hard to keep them from spilling over.
Eventually Liz seemed to get worried. She uncrossed her legs and leaned forward. “Morgan? Is everything alright?”
Then Morgan looked up. “My name’s not Morgan,” she blurted out.
Liz was a bit surprised, but mostly confused. “Alright, then what’s yo-”
“Adrienne,” Morgan interrupted. “My name is Adrienne.” When Liz still looked confused she spoke more forcefully. “Adrienne Baron.”
The captain blinked. Twice. Then, “Okay. Thanks for telling me.”
Morgan looked back down at her lap. Now was the part that she knew was coming, it was inevitable. “So, I assume I’ll be in the brig until we reach the next island?”
Liz looked confused again. “The brig? Why would we put you in there?”
And now Morgan was confused. “Because you need to put me somewhere, right? Where I can’t hurt anyone? So you can watch me?”
“Why do we need to watch you?”
“Didn’t you hear me? I’m a Baron. My [REDACTED] is the admiral of the King’s Navy. I’m untrustworthy, I’m a danger to your crew!”
Realization washed over the captain’s face. Ok. Now she got it. Now Morgan could go to the brig where she wouldn’t hurt anyone.
Liz stood up and walked over to Morgan’s side of the desk. Morgan tensed, bracing for a blow, yelling, something. But, what she didn’t expect was for Liz to crouch slowly to the ground so that they were face-to-face.
“Morgan, you have done nothing for me to think that you would ever be a danger to anyone on this boat. I don’t care who your family is, and it doesn’t matter anyways. No matter what, you’re a member of this crew. You are one of the Phantom Angels.”
Morgan sat in shock for a second. This was against everything she’d been taught. Family was everything, family was what made you. That was what her [REDACTED] had always drilled into her head.
But, maybe, just maybe, she could go by what Liz said.
Slowly, hesitantly, Liz opened her arms, almost like she was asking for a hug.
And after only a second's hesitation, Morgan threw herself into her captain’s arms and let the tears flow.