Treasure of the sea |Lesbian story|

CHAPTER XXVI

It was very quiet. The light was dimmed. I felt serene; everything was so peaceful. I opened my eyes for a moment and noticed the airy room with its old but clean furniture. My mind was foggy and the light penetrating the room was giving me a headache. With a jolt I pulled myself up to sit.

I was alone.

I can run away.

I got out of bed and smoothed down my wrinkled shirt. I felt dizzy and my temples throbbed painfully.

I wasn't feeling well. My stomach was upset and my throat was dry, reeking of alcohol. I groaned and closed my eyes for a moment, hoping it would pass soon. But it didn't, and I was forced to sit down again.

"Heavens..." I muttered.

Why have I reduced myself to this state? What had I hoped to accomplish? A momentary escape from reality wasn't the solution to my problems.

I descended the stairs in silence. The inn was surprisingly quiet in the morning. There were people having breakfast and I noticed two little girls sitting on a long wooden bench playing with dolls. I couldn't spot anyone from Arenis' crew, there was no one who knew me. With my heart in my throat, I tried to reach the exit as quickly as possible, without being seen.

"Are you going away?"

I turned, wincing in fear.

Arenis. She came out of nowhere.

"Where are your manners, Miss Adler? Leaving like that, without even saying good-bye..." she mocked me.

"I wasn't trying to escape," I lied.

She grinned. "Sure, right. Have a seat, there's bacon and eggs for breakfast."

I dropped into one of the chairs and sighed in irritation. My head wouldn't stop hurting. I brought my fingers to my temples, massaging them lightly. Half an hour later, Arenis paid whatever there was to pay and we left for downtown Nassau. It was late morning and the sun was shining high in the sky.

"You didn't wake me," I noted. "For the lesson."

"It would just be a big waste of time. You are lacklustre and hungover. You are in no condition to train. "

As soon as I saw Jackie Jay and Dilthey again, I knew they were in my exact situation. They had big dark circles around their eyes and looked like they were just pretending to be okay. To my amazement, Arenis agreed to my request to have them as the day's monitors again. Jackie Jay and Dilthey were the only ones who didn't see me as a burden.

"What do you say we go back to the gambling house?" I proposed, as soon as Arenis stepped back just far enough not to hear me.

I showed so much enthusiasm that Dilthey stared at me incredulously. "You're crazy. My head's bursting."

"We'll only play. No alcohol."

At first they both tried to object, complaining of hangovers and listing all the symptoms that were struggling to disappear, but when I mentioned the possible winnings and the money, they changed their minds.

"It's probably true when they say gambling is addictive. You are proof of that," Jackie Jay joked, walking beside me.

I faked a laugh.

In fact, I had found in the game the only method of earning a little money. Maybe in Nassau I could find a ship bound for South Carolina, maybe I could bribe someone and get me on board, maybe... I would get home.

I avoided games based solely on luck, I much preferred playing blackjack. Jackie Jay and Dilthey marvelled at how I could memorize the cards; I could remember which cards were dealt and which were played by other players. I would try to predict the possibilities. It didn't always work, but it was an effective strategy. A week later, I was able to boast that I had saved a good sum of money.