ABBY

Chapter 11

Hearing a feint murmur, scuffling and whispering, Abby opens her eyes. Looking up at the ceiling, it's somehow a familiar sight, but she can't recall from where. And it's not her cabin. The room is somewhat dark and her eyes needs some time to adjust. Seeing a figure standing by the window and another sitting, Abby tries to sit up, but fails. Her whole body aches.

"Ah, she's awake." A familiar voice reaches her ears. Dr. Hugh turns away from the window and approaches the side of her bed. "Hello, Abby. Welcome back." Smiling weakly, Abby tries once more to sit up, but this time, Dr. Hugh helps her. Gently he props her up against the pillows. Stepping out of the way, Abby focuses on the second figure she observed. Lord Bolton walks up to her, smiling as he takes her into a crushing embrace. "I am so glad you're safe." He says into her hair, holding her tight. "Don't you ever do that again, my girl. I was worried sick." He grumbles.

"And trust me, Vampires don't get sick. They get moody and moody Bloodsuckers are no walk in the park. What where you thinking disappearing like that?" Dr. Hugh scolds with a rather painful sigh, earning him a deadly glare from the Vampire King. "What? It's true. You and William were both like lions with sore teeth." He continues to mock. Lord Bolton lets go of Abby as a loud growl resounds throughout the halls of the hospital.  "See..." Dr. Hugh says, pulling up his shoulders on a playful display not backing down for a minute.

Looking between the two men, Abby starts to laugh. It's been years since she laughed. Her delicate features light up and her eyes sparkle. Even in her weakened state, she needs to hold her stomach, but she can't stop. Tears run down her cheeks as she tries to stop only to be overwhelmed by a giggling fit again. Two ancients acting like two-year-olds. Hilarious...

When her father left, Abby forgot what laughter was like.  She gave up on happiness altogether when she couldn't find him.  He continued to evade her. The traces he left, were few and vague. No one knew for certain if they truly saw Captain Sean Davidson or the Black Swallow.

Abby leans back against the pillows, catching her breath. She looks up at the two stunned faces at the side of her bed. "That just made my day." She giggles, breathlessly. "Good day, Dr. Hugh. It is amazing to see you again. Lord Bolton, I did not expect you to be here. But I do appreciate your presence." She states, somewhat formally. Sadness returns to her eyes and they take on a dark hue, even though she still has a smile on her face.

"Did you find what you were looking for, Abby?" Lord Bolton asks, still glaring at a snickering Dr. Hugh. "I did, but I didn't find it. He found me. I saw my father, Lord Bolton. But I was too weak to talk to him. I have to find him again." Abby says, looking out the window with a long sigh.

"At least stay till you're strong enough. The Dragon's Destiny crew is worried about their captain, my Dear. You're more worth alive to them then dead and your ship is safe in the harbor. The Harbor Master made sure of that, along with your crew. They will be well looked after." Lord Bolton states as he looks down at the tiny woman sitting in the bed. The last time he saw her, she was a teenager. Still in the early stages of her adulthood. So young.

For some reason he had a hunch that she would follow in her father's footsteps. He just didn't expect her to go this far. A captain of one of the most notorious ships to sail the seas. A leader to almost seventy crew members and dozens on standby. A merchant between two worlds, divided by a body of salt water. She's seen more than the average adult. From wars at sea to crossfires between gangs and thieves. She's ranked alongside the best of the best in regards to ocean logistics and yet.  She's never picked up a g*n or a cutlass to take someone's life, even though she owns both.

"Lord Bolton, how about some tea? I think there are a few eager people waiting outside and we don't want to keep them." Dr. Hugh says as he makes his way to the door. "Right, well. Abby, it's good to see you again. We'll be taking our leave for now." Lord Bolton agrees and also walks to the door, leaving a confused Abby staring after them.

Still staring at the door, she hears a rustling and the door almost bursts from it's hinges as Christopher and Samuel struggles the walk in through the door at the same time.  Joseph rolls his eyes as he follows the glaring duo. "Honestly. You two are the worst." He states as he comes to a standstill at the bedside.

Chris and Samuel straighten their backs and walks up to the bed. Abby giggles and leans back against the pillows again. Her guardian angels are surrounding her once again. She can relax and take her time to prepare for her next move.

"How long have we been in Windy Acres?" Abby asks once the silence fall in the room. "One week, Captain." Samuel answers. Looking at her now, he can see that she's getting better and well rested. The color is back in her face and the dark circles under her eyes are gone. "What are your orders, Captain?" He asks, feeling Joseph's glare on him, but knowing Abby, she'll become restless soon.

Sighing, Joseph opens his mouth to speak, but is cut off by Abby. "Chris, what is the status on the Dragon's Destiny? Is she ready to sail?" She asks, her voice calm and clear. "We're having repairs done to the hull that took some damage during the last raid and also the one mast the was cracked. The materials arrived yesterday and the dockyard is working around the clock to get everything done by the coming weekend." Chris finishes in record speed. Abby nods in satisfaction.

Looking over at Joseph, she waits for him to report. "All the men are healthy. We don't have any possibility of any illnesses thanks to the fresh fruit, water and food that we have on regular intervals. I've stocked the stores with everything we need on voyages. Fruit, meat, cheese and water. I've also arranged for some rum and wine to be delivered at the ship today. As for medical supplies. Dr. Hugh made sure we're stocked to the rim with everything we might need while out at sea." Joseph says.  Abby's back and he can start to concentrate on the work at hand. He is still concerned about her. She is still vulnerable, but she made it clear that it will take more that some random poison to get her down. That's what is worrying him the most. The enemy might start to plan more bolder tactics.

Abby looks at Samuel. "Get the ship and her crew ready, Samuel. We leave by Sunday. We're heading back the Castelena. I want to see my father again. I want to talk to him. This might be a long chase. The Black Swallow is fast and it will take a bit of manpower for us to catch up to them." She finishes, her golden hair frames her petite features and cascades over her shoulders, making her look god-like.

If Joseph didn't know Abby, he would've mistaken her for a noble woman out of town. "And while you are busy with all the arrangements, Joseph. Please arrange for some cloths. I hate these hospital gowns. They're so unladylike and scratchy." Abby complains with a pout, causing the three men to burst out laughing.