Chapter Text
Calm waters moved alongside the gentle breeze that blew through the island. Things seemed to be peaceful, and at this rate, would hopefully stay that way. She didn't expect anything new or adventurous as she stayed at the island. She wanted to be done with it and she got her wish.
Day in and day out, she only thought for herself and how to fend just for one. After her shift in the field was done, she would head back inside her small house and go to sleep. The next day would be the exact same as the cycle has been on repeat. She would always make sure she was out early so she could come back in before everybody else crowded the small streets of the island. She wanted to keep it this was as if she was just a ghost disappearing without a trace. It worked for the most part as many of the islanders never paid her any mind, but of course when she was in the field, she tried to keep her distance.
A few here and there would talk to her as they picked wheat and various other harvests. She didn't say much as the others insisted on making small talk.
"What do you think about the weather today?"
She shrugged her shoulders as she stuffed more into the bag. "It's fine today, can't complain much."
"Awe come on! There's gotta be more talk out of ya! Ya know all this time and I still don't know ya name!"
"Just call me D, alright?"
She didn't want to get too comfortable since she enjoyed her reclusiveness but small talk wouldn't hurt too much. From that day on, conversations had gotten lengthier while in the fields. On her way back home, still not too much was said. After taking a shower and relaxing a little bit, she headed out to the beach and sat down in the sand. Her toes were flush in the sand as the cold waves kissed her ankles. The view at night was something extraordinary. The more she sat here and watched made her miss things she tried to forget and once this happened, she made her way back to the house.
Nothing much was on the inside besides a table and chairs, a desk, a small couch, and a bed inside of the bedroom. It was so little but so much and sometimes she couldn't bare the sight of it. Actually, she couldn't stand the sight of anything. Going on what happened before hand, she thought it was just the pain that won't go away but that soon turned to anger and rage that just wouldn't dissipate. The only reason why she took up isolation was to deal with those feelings she tried so hard to deal with. Time went on and she figured it wouldn't be too much longer before people tried to connect with her.
She didn't want it; she didn't need it.
The next day had come and word had gotten around to the other workers that she was opening up. More and more people started to greet D and she felt uncomfortable. Leaving the field wasn't an easy task as islanders young and old started to speak, making her freeze up and not respond. She made it back to her house and locked everything behind her and closed every single curtain. She dropped to the floor and held her knees close to her body and sat in silence. All of this was bothering her and once again, she wanted to just disappear. In the midst of her anguish, a creak came from the bedroom and put her on high alert. Her reaction never failed as her hand darted to the small pistol that was draped on her waist. Darting to the back room only led to nothing being there but she couldn't be too sure. Even while inspecting, her hand never left the handle as she walked around the room. Peeping between the curtains confirmed her suspicions as to who was lurking around.
D had packed a few bags of what belongings she had and sat them in the closet. The plan for tomorrow was to grab her things and go once the next passenger ship docked at Port. Until then, she just had to wait.
Waiting seemed like an eternity. She walked around the streets and overheard numerous conversations, some about a delay of the passenger ship while others talked about a ship all too familiar.
"They said a ship was spotted not too far from here. Had a massive masthead that looked like the sun and it's on its way."
"No, it's a lion!"
The arguing went back and forth between the two people and D hurried away from them. Wherever she seemed to go, the same conversation was heard. She didn't want to believe it and even after hearing this, there was no way it could them. It couldn't be! She denied this fact as she stormed around the island, leaving heavy footfalls in her tracks. She headed back to the port to figure out why it was taking so long for the passenger ship to get here, only to find out that it would be delayed for who knows how long.
She wasn't mad per se but just irritated at the fact. Other people who were waiting on the ship were just as frustrated as she was. She huffed and headed back to her home. On the way there, a group of people were standing and talking on the sidewalk with a few kids playing around. A couple of the adults waved and she gave a quick one back as she tried to scurry off to the privacy of her home, but this didn't last as a child had shouted out for her.
She stopped in her tracks and looked down at the young boy who had called out. In his hands were a few stems of flowers that grew around some of the gardens. With an outstretched hand, the boy held the flowers towards her with a large grin across his face. "I wanted to give you these to cheer you up since you always look so down. I hope you like them!"
D had taken the flowers from the boy and gave a small smile. "Thank you."
"You're welcome! I promise to give you some more tomorrow!" The boy had ran back to his mother and waved before disappearing on the other side of her.
D walked back to her house and tried her best to hold back tears. Once she made it inside, she couldn't help but to let them go. A shout escaped from her lips as she thought about the young boy, only to be bombarded by those thoughts she had hoped to forget. The young children playing and coming up to her, claiming to want to be just like her. They were just kids, kids who didn’t deserve any of what had happened to them, too young to even know why. This was all she thought of when the young boy came to her and she just couldn't take it. She put the flowers in a vase that was on the table nearby and leaned against the counter. Tears still flowed like a waterfall as the painful memories wouldn't leave.
This pain was too much and the only thing that made sense now was to drink it all away. Inside the fridge were bottles of alcohol, waiting to be consumed. She took a couple bottles out and headed to the bedroom. She slid down to the floor and emptied the bottle with no hesitation. She cried and cried as she hugged the bottle trying to lessen the pain.
Sun rays peeked between the curtain and landed on her face. The bright warm light had woken her up from the night before. Sitting up was really no easy task as the hard floor was her bed. Empty bottles scattered the floor and there were more than she remembered, if she could even remember anything from the night before. A sigh escaped her mouth as she stood up and picked up the empty bottles. The hot shower sobered her up some but food would have been even better. The window in the kitchen provided a nice view of the docks as she tried to cook a little something before attempting to leave, again. Once she finished and ate, she packed up the rest of her things and kept the bags right at the door of the bedroom.
Leaving out and feeling the air for one last time was something she had to get used to. She didn't like it but it was time to move on. Giving the place one last look and buying a few items was the only thing to keep this place as a memory. It's just the fact of doing this now was too heartbreaking. A man garnered in a white and blue uniform, of which she knew all too well, walked past her and snapped her out of the train of thought. Quickly, she turned heels and headed towards the docks, only to be met with something she didn't want to see.
The bright rays, or even a mane, stuck out like a sore thumb off the head of the mast. Not to mention the sheer size of the ship was even intimidating than she last remembered. She was frozen in place as the ship never left her gaze and trying to look away was too difficult. Others stood at the docks and did the same, more in awe of the ship and the famed pirates that rode aboard, which was the opposite of her. D had stormed off in a fit of anger, not even knowing where she was going but she was more intent on staying away from whoever she does run into.
Avoiding any type of info about them was the hardest thing imaginable. All the people who walked around the island talked about the crew constantly. If it wasn't admiration then it was about how they looked. D thought she was safe at the beach, on the opposite side of the island, but she was proved wrong as word made its way to here. She thought about biting the bullet and going back home, only to grab her things and sneak out under the moonlight. She didn't have that much longer until sunset anyways so she figured it would work perfectly. Taking the long way around back to her home was needed as it help clear her mind. Not a lot of people traveled this way as it was such a distance from the small city. It was peaceful and somewhat lonesome, not that she hasn't felt something like that before but the feeling hit harder this time. Pushing those feelings away wasn't easy, especially after seeing the Thousand Sunny again, and she hated thinking about that. Of all times, why did she have to think about it now?
Being on this path alone was perfect as she took her frustrations out on a nearby tree. She launched a side kick right at the base of the tree and watched as it shook. Another side kick followed, one after another, before finishing off with a roundhouse kick. The tree fell over with a thud and she clenched her fists watching the downed tree. Tears started to fill her eyes but she quickly wiped them away before continuing her walk. She felt a little better and knew that she would have some bruises later, but she didn't care in the least as she was just ready to leave. Making her way back to the city, the crowds had died down a little or maybe shifted to where all the excitement was, leaving the streets pretty clear still. She walked past the docks and further down the beach to a railing where she stood and watched the water for a little bit more. A few minutes passed and she decided to head off only to run into the one person she hoped not to see.