“So what do we do?” Ed asked.
“There a stick or something anywhere? I don’t wanna get punched.”
“Lemme look.”
Feet shuffled away and objects got moved around. With the silent grace of a cat, Jessie snuck to the foot of the bed and curled up into a ball against the storage cabinet wall blocking the bottom third of each bunk. She wedged her head away from the curtain draped across the other two thirds. She pulled the top blanket over her legs and torso and hoped it’d be enough to keep her in the shadows. The wood framing pressed against her elbow and shoulder, and her legs started cramping.
“This’ll work,” Ed said from one cabin over.
“Oh, nice.”
“You want the honors?”
“No, thanks.”
Ed huffed. Footsteps trudged back into Jessie’s cabin. She heard a loud click, then saw a line of light lance into her hiding place between the cabinet and curtain. A second line of light shined on the unkempt pillow and illuminated the head of the bed. Good thing she’d moved.
“Maybe she’s not even in here,” Ed said. “She could’ve gone anywhere on the ship.”
“Jessie?” Ted called out. “Please let us know where you are. We mean you no harm. We just want to cheer you up.”
“Yeah, don’t listen to that grump and his silly superstition.”
Both fell silent. Jessie held her breath and kept still, every last muscle taught and on the verge of shaking. The arm propping her up on an elbow was afire with strain. She willed them to go away.
Ed calling her name out at the top of his lungs made her jump. She smacked her head and a shoulder on the underside of the bunk above her, let out a yelp, then clamped a hand over her mouth. Both men gasped.
“Which bunk was that?” Ed asked.
“I don’t know. I’m just gonna pick one.” His voice sounded like he didn’t like his own idea.
Feet shuffled closer. Ed let out a fearful whine. The curtain swayed from being poked, Ed let out a strangled whimper, and the curtain fell still. “God, this is so scary.”
They both laughed nervously.
Jessie blinked and let go of the tension in her aching limbs. Them scared of her? And here she was curled up and feeling terrified of them, two big men. Why on Earth would they be frightened of her? She had plenty of reasons to be frightened of them, but them her? She almost laughed aloud.
The curtain swayed from getting poked a second time. Then the rubber tip of a metal rod slipped under the curtain and raised one corner.
“Hello?” Ed called tentatively as more light poured in. His face was blocked from view by the storage cabinet. She could only see the rod shaking and the wall on the far side. The rod rose to the rope holding up the curtain, then slid in a little farther.
It was enough to grab a handful. Jessie snatched and yanked it. Ed let out a girly scream, making Ted scream as well. Ed let go of the rod. A series of thuds followed, and then laughter sounded from the floor.
Jessie had to fight back a smile. Even though she didn’t want anything to do with them, they were still amusing.
“She got us good!” Ed said between breaths.
“She got you; not me.”
“You screamed, too.”
“Because you screamed.”
“Yeah, right!”
“Fine, fine. You win. But you’re still down a stick.”
“I know, but we can’t just leave her.”
“No.”
Ed paused, then said, “Hun, please talk to us.” He sounded emotionally hurt.
“Please?” Ted said in the same heartbreaking tone.
Jessie heaved a resigned sigh, then rolled towards the head of the bed and lifted the curtain. She did her best to wear a neutral expression. As much as she wanted to be left to the safety of solitude, she yearned for some decent friendship. And since these two were more like women with male equipment, they were hardly a threat.
Ed and Ted were sitting in the hall with their legs stretched through the doorway. They beamed at the sight of her.
“Hello, Miss Jessie,” Ted said. “May we come in?”
Jessie sighed again, then stuck her torso out and lowered the rod as far as she could before letting go. It bounced a few times before settling against the bunks. She slunk back into her bunk and pushed aside the curtain.
Both men got to their feet and cautiously drew closer. Ed, who was in front, said, “Promise you won’t hurt us?”
She nodded, gripping the raised edge of the bunk so they could see her hands.
Ed drew within punching range but Jessie felt no need to start swinging. He said, “May I give you a hug?” She thought a moment, then nodded again. He stuck his arms and head inside and pulled her into a tight hug.
The hug felt so good, so… so much like her father’s good night hugs. The same reaching in, the same arm and head placement, and the same love-filled squeeze. But that man and those hugs were gone. Her fond memories got strangled by the memory of watching him die. His love-filled smile morphed into open-mouth shock as he collapsed. A sob escaped her.
“I’m coming in,” Ed said in a tone that brooked no argument. He slid past her and wedged himself between her and the wall, then slipped an arm under and and pulled her back into a hug. She held on tight as he nuzzled his chin on top of her head.
Strangely, she didn’t feel in the least bit threatened.
Ted bent down and planted a kiss on Jessie’s cheek and placed a hand on top of hers. She flinched. “Oh, hun, you can’t let that guy get to you like this. He’s just an arrogant jerk.”
“It wasn’t that.”
“Oh?”
She turned to her cuddler. “Ed or Ted?”
“Ed.”
“You just—” Her throat tightened. The memory was so powerful. “You hug just like my dad used to.” More tears came out. She stifled her sobs as best she could.
“Aw.” Ed squeezed her again. “How long ago and what happened?”
“Two years. Quasi-children.”
Both men sucked in air through their teeth. Ted said, “The world we live in nowadays…”
“Yeah,” Ed said. “I’m sorry to hear.”
“It’s okay,” she said softly. “The hugs are good memories.”
“Well then I’ll hug you plenty,” he said, giving her a gentle shake.
Jessie smiled. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome, Jessie.”
“Amphitrite. I’m from Cyprus. ‘Jessie’ is just a nickname that’s easier for people to say. I prefer my real name but the captain wants me to go by ‘Jessie’ instead.”
“Did he say why?”
“No, but I’m too scared to disobey him.”
Ted leaned closer. “We can call you Amphitrite when no one else is around.”
“Works for me.”
Mido appeared in the doorway with the new techies’ swords and duffle bags. He looked quite shocked and overburdened. He tried popping a smile but it came off as more of a grimace. “Hi,” he said. “I heard a commotion and shouting. I…” He paused. “I guess everyone’s okay.” His pale blue eyes found Jessie’s. “Jessie, who are these guys? I thought you—”
Ted popped to his feet. “I’m Ted and that’s my partner Ed.” He pointed to Ed, then shook hands with Mido. “We’re your new techies.”
“Oh.” He set the bags and swords down. His gaze fell on Jessie, then on Ed and he narrowed his eyes a little. “Mido. The ship cook.”
“Oh wonderful!” Ed said. “Lemme know if you ever need any help in the galley. I love cooking.”
Ted turned on him. “Ed, you keep your sooty hands out of everyone’s food! You never taste test when you experiment.”
“Fine, fine.”
Mido said, “And Jessie, you need to stick with your nickname while on this ship.”
“Why?” she asked.
“It’s—” Mido glanced up and down the hall, then took a step into the room. “Your name’s from Greek mythology.”