12 Blood (1/2)
Hesitation is the one and only step between success and failure. Hesitation is that tiny moment where one could think for endless possibilities and only come out with a face full of mindless regrets. Hesitation kills, saves lives, and ruins dreams. Therefore, hesitation must be taken cautiously, precisely, and strategically.
\tLuckily for Leonidas, that hesitation wasn't an issue. He didn't even tend to his wound before bouncing himself towards the remaining evidence. It was still dark, so covering the blood across the floor wasn't a priority. First came the raft, and then the lies to cover his mess.
\tLeonidas quickly rushed to the stern of the ship, hearing the restless voices of Kalvin and the others below him in the interior. After a few seconds of aimlessly searching for a rope that hung on the bottom portion of the railing — he untied it — letting go of the one and only spare raft that remained attached to the ship.
\t”What the hell happened here?!” Kalvin yelled from the port.
\tLeonidas rushed back as fast as he could, carefully glaring above him as the ship continued its path inside the split. Some of the rocks poking out of the mountainside ripped through the sails like scissors through paper. ”We're almost through the ridge!” He yelled back, trying to look busier than he truly was.
Kalvin noticed Leonidas running towards him from afar, slightly concerned but not enough to raise an extra eyebrow. ”I ain't no ship expert, but those noises don't sound right. All those jumps and hops woke me from my beauty sleep.” Kalvin pouted.
Cartuja yawned, cracking his neck in the process. ”There he goes again, dismal-in-distress princess woke from his sleep.”
”I'll have you know that sleeping is a vital part of recovery and hibernation.” Calvin slouched his hands on his hip, making a swaying gesture with his torso.
”Says who?” Cartuja cackled, ”Your mother?”
Cartuja started laughing at his own joke, all while Calvin directed his attention onto Leonidas — who was now standing patiently beside him.
Kalvin looked up, seeing the stars through the small cracks and breakpoints in the rocks above them. He noticed something odd for a moment, but dismissed it when Leonidas asked him a question.
”Is everything okay? I'm deeply sorry for the unexpected quakes, it's the only way through the split.” His face as innocent as ever, yet his words as powerful as the blade in his pocket.
”Everything's fine…” Calvin sighed, ”Do ya need any help out here? I can stay up for a few if need be.”
”No, No. Please, get some sleep. We should be on the other side within the hour.”
”Where's Cairo?” Rina stumbled on board. Her face twisted with worry and speculations.
”I'm afraid I haven't seen him.” Leonidas lied, showing no signs of doing so. ”I saw him earlier with the wolf, but I think he said he was going to sleep for the night.”
”Cairo and Mooks both asleep at this hour?” Rina questioned, ”Doesn't seem right…”
”Guess they must've had a rough night.” Leonidas smiled, acting as friendly as can be.
”Hmm.” Rina hesitated for a moment, deciding that asking any further questions wouldn't prove to solve anything anyway. She turned, taking a step back towards the inner rooms — when suddenly — she stepped into a warm, dark looking puddle on the floor.
They were on a ship, one that had tedious amounts of water all aboard. However, this puddle was different. It was dense, dark, and didn't smell like the usual salty seawater she was used to.
Rina bent down, tapping her finger into the puddle and bringing her finger closer to a lantern hanging above her. It was red, red like a fully bloomed rose. Red like the ribbon in Paris's hair. Red like a drop of fresh blood.
Rina's eyes suddenly went dark, and her mind didn't know if it should feel angry or afraid. Her heart raced with possibilities, but Leonidas broke her from her concentration.
”Pardon me,” He galloped, ”I'm afraid I wounded myself a little earlier while trying to steer the ship under control.”
Rina turned to him, now seeing the bloodstains on his arm under the lantern light. ”How did you wound yourself to this degree?” Her face as hard as a rock.
”When I was pulling the sails — Silly me accidentally let go of the grip, and my body dragged itself along the rigid edge of the railing end.” He laughed playfully.
\tRina tucked her innocence to the back of her throat, speaking like a queen to a peasant. ”Sorry to hear that… Do you need any help wi-”
\t”Nope!” Leonidas cut her off, ”All good up here. Nothing a few bandages and some sweet tea won't fix.”
\t”Very well, good night.” She jerked her head away from him, walking down the steps and carefully examing the drop of blood on her finger. She even went as far as to sniff it, only realizing that her sense of smell wasn't very well polished.