Chapter XVI:

We pulled into the harbor weeks later. I can’t let them get to me. They will not take my sanity. I have to know my enemy. There is that girl. But I know that she isn’t the only one.

Shortly just before we docked, I could’ve sworn there were two men staring at me. I couldn’t make out their faces but I could see them staring at me. Ever since that night, I tried to ignore them. It’s the only thing that helps. I figured that out the night after I saw all of those bodies. I closed my eyes and rubbed my head.

“Something wrong?” I heard behind me. I turned and looked to see one of the other crew staring at me. I shook my head and waved him off. I tried not to form any bonds for this trip. I couldn’t resist having anymore dead people around me. I kept my eyes around me as I worked. I couldn’t afford to see any of them die. I practically held my breath every morning.

Despite all of this, I still had to prove my worth. I worked hard with every order I was given. The captain did approve of my work but didn’t say it aloud. I’m sure the rest of the crew had their whispers about me. I was okay with that. As long as they kept their distance they would be safe. Still, I couldn’t let down my guard. I could still see those two men following at me.

I haven’t seen her that night. I didn’t know if this was good or bad. She could still be around, watching me. The three of them have to be together. The closet I got to an answer was from an old man on the ship. I didn’t notice him until after that night. Had he always been there? Something told me to go over to him and spoke to him. The first time wasn’t going to be easy. When I first approached him, he gave me a cold look of death. His eyes alone were enough to frighten me off.

But I still had to try.

Days before we landed on shore, I found that old man in the corner of the sleeping cabin. I could’ve sworn that he never slept. He just sat watching us sleep. That’s what I believed at least. For some reason that night I believed that I would never get another chance. I took a breath and quietly walked over to him. It didn’t take long to feel those eyes on me.

“Evil,” I heard him hiss. I about fell out of my bed. My eyes adjusted to the dark. There was that old man staring at me.

“Evil,” he hissed again. I shook my head.

“I am not evil,” I whispered. That old man looked deep into my eyes.

“You let evil in,” he warned me. “They will follow you around until they have your soul.” A cold chill ran through my body.

“Wait, how do you know that?” I asked.

“I see them,” the old man said. “All of them.” I took a step back.

“How do I make hem go away?” I asked. He gave me a small shake without moving his head too much.

“It’s too late, boy,” that old man said. “They will never stop chasing you.” My face dropped. This had to be a cruel joke.

“I do not jester, boy!” he said. My body gave into trembling.

“W-Who are you?” I asked. The old man leaned in closer in my direction.

“I am nobody,” he said. I couldn’t move. I probably would’ve passed out if I was able to move. Suddenly, I had the feeling that we weren’t alone. Those two men were behind me, watching. I kept my eyes on the old man. Was he…? I hoped that he wasn’t.