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“Elsbeth!” Charles’s voice echoes in my ear. “Something’s wrong!”
It takes a few minutes to get my bearings and leave the dream. “Charles? What are you talking about?”
“Bertram’s breathing weird. I don’t know what to do.”
I turn toward my youngest brother, realizing hishead is on Charles’s lap. His breathing is shallow, he’s soaking wet, and his skin is pale. “When was the last time he ate?” I ask.
Charles shrugs. “I don’t know. I don’t even know the last time I ate.”
“He needs food and water. I’ve seen him like this before.” An older woman in the village once told my mother that he had a sugar sickness. When he was a baby, he would have attacks often. As he grew, they became less frequent. I stand, moving toward the door.
“Where are you going?”
“To find food.” I look up, realizing Mama and the rest of our family are still sleeping. “I’ll be back soon.”
“I’ll go,” Charles moves to stand.
“No. I’m smaller and will blend into the shadows. Stay with Bert.”
He nods. “Hurry.”
The sounds of snoring echo through the hallway as I make my way toward the main deck. I’m relieved to find it empty. The full moon illuminates the wooden floorboards as the waves lap gently against the sides of the ship. I take a minute to appreciate the beauty in front of me. I’ve lived near the sea my entire life, but this is the first time I’ve been surrounded by nothing but water.
Laughter behind me draws my attention back to the present. “Food for Bertram,” I remind myself.
Light shines onto the deck from an open window not far from the helm. I move closer, hearing whatsounds like a game of some sort between a group of men. “Play the damn card, Cap’n,” a deep voice bellows. “We all know it ain’t nothin’ good.” Loud laughter echoes through the room.
The sound of something slapping against wood brings a roar of laughter from the crowd inside. “Oh, look,” a voice I recognize from earlier says. “I did have a good hand.” The men continue laughing as the sound of coins being moved around follows. “Get some rest, gentlemen. Something tells me this is going to be a long trip.”
The door opens, giving me enough time to slide into the shadows and watch as a small handful of men exit the room. Most appear drunk and are too busy trying to walk upright to notice me.
I wait until the men are no longer in sight before moving toward the still opened door. A small candelabra is glowing, filling the room with light. In the corner is what I need. What looks like a half-eaten loaf of bread is sitting next to an apple and orange. My stomach growls at the sight.
I’m not sure where Captain Rex went, but the room is empty. I move as quietly as possible inside and straight to the table holding the food. A large napkin sits near the bread. I shove the apple and orange into my apron pocket, before wrapping what’s left of the bread inside the napkin.
I turn, expecting someone to be there, and thankfully, discover the room is still empty. Moving towardthe table, I find a pitcher full of liquid. I doubt it contains water, but Bertram needs something to drink.
“I didn’t peg you for a heavy drinker,” the voice I recognize as Captain Rex’s says from behind me.
I turn, facing the large man. The coat he was wearing earlier is off, along with his shirt, revealing parts of a man I’ve never seen before. My eyes betray me, taking in every peak and valley of his chest, down to the waistband of the loose-fitting pants he’s wearing.
“It’s not for me,” I answer, not sure what else to say.
“Who’s it for?”
“My brother. He’s ill. He needs food and drink.”
Captain Rex moves into the room. “Don’t give him what’s in that container. Let me get you water. I have some back here.” He turns, leaving me alone.
I don’t know whether to run or follow. I choose neither and stay put. He’s back less than a minute later with a crock full of liquid. “Here. This is clean. Is there anything else you need?”
“Food,” I answer truthfully. My family is hungry and hasn’t eaten in a few days.”
He nods toward a box on the other side of the room. “Take what you need.”
The tigereye wooden cabinet opens easily. Inside, I find an uncut loaf of bread, along with several more apples. “Are you sure?”
“Of course. I could never eat all of that. Take whatyou need.” I feel his eyes on my back as I take the bread and enough fruit for each child to have their own.
