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Liberty
“Why can’t I come with you?” Liberty kicked the base of the captain’s chair just in case her father didn’t know how annoyed she was.
Instead of answering Aapeli asked, “Why aren’t you below deck as you’ve been instructed?”
Damn. Why couldn’t he see that she was now as tall as him and quite capable of taking care of herself? She had already proven over and over that she was a better shot. She could certainly out run him. That had been proven the day they had been helping Polly steal honey from the hives and things had gone horribly wrong. Why was Big Lake the only place in their travels he refused to let her join him?
Liberty opened her mouth to argue but the steely look in his eyes forced her to see that this was one of those times he wasn’t going to bend and let her have her way.
She bowed her head and only gave the briefest of nods before heading below deck.
“Damn. Damn. Damn.” Liberty made certain to say “damn” with each downward step, but was smart enough to keep the words low so her father wouldn’t hear. Even though he himself used a curse word in almost every sentence, he didn’t like hearing them come from her.
Still muttering under her breath Liberty absentmindedly rearranged the rows of jars, rolls of wire and the other bits and pieces her father had salvaged from The Forbidden Lands.
“How am I supposed to remember all of Father’s rules?” She smacked the top of a nearby crate. “Damn it. I’m almost grown. I don’t understand why this is the only place he won’t let me go overboard with him.” She smacked the top of the crate again even though her palm still stung from the last time. “Damn it. Damn it.”
Liberty sank to the floor and drew her knees up to her chest. “There are too many damn rules: I can’t do this; I can’t do that; I can’t go off ship while we’re here.”
She bit at her thumb nail. “And what’s this shit about love?”
Liberty kicked at the crate. “I’m supposed to remember that love leads to hate. What kind of nonsense is that? Like I’m going to fall in love with some guy.” She looked around the cluttered room. “Like, what guy?”
She swiped her nose and laughed. “Shit. I’m certainly not going to fall in love with Shatter. His chin is covered in spit and his hair with bugs.” As soon as those words were out, she felt bad, because even though the outpost owner wasn’t the cleanest person she had ever met, he had a kind heart under all of that dirt and greasy hair.
She leaned her forehead on top of her knees. This time she lowered her voice just in case the walls had ears. “Let’s not forget the best rule of all. No one’s allowed on Airus, and we’re supposed to be back onboard before it turns dark.”
A wave of frustration forced Liberty to her feet. She kicked the crate, nearly sending the jars on top flying. “What good are all of these damn rules?” She held her arms out and turned in a circle. “I’m going to die on this ship one day and who’s going to know or care?” She angrily wiped at her eyes, trying to stop the threatened tears from emerging. “I hate my life.” She kicked the crate again. “Hate it.”
“What are you carrying on about down here?”
Liberty’s heart almost seized up when her father stomped down the steps. Each thump sounded loud and angry in the quietness of the storeroom. Even though he seldom showed his temper to her, she had seen it a few times over the years and didn’t want to be the reason for it now.
She smiled, hoping to forestall a tongue lashing, but it slipped a tad when her father reached the bottom of the staircase and leveled his harshest expression at her.
“I can hear you all the way up on deck. Do I need to put you to washing the decks when I return? Because it suddenly occurs to me that I’ve given you too much free time if all you can do is bitch and moan about how bitterly you’ve been treated.” Aapeli planted both fists on his hips and sucked in a deep breath.
“No, Sir.” Liberty slipped her hands behind her back and crossed her fingers. She hated mopping. It was the most tedious chore in the world.
Aapeli pointed a finger. “I don’t ask much of you, Daughter, so when I do, I expect you to do as you’re told without all of this whining.” Her father stood to his full height and absentmindedly rubbed the old pocket watch he usually kept in his pocket.
Liberty took that as a good sign. Her father only did that for good luck or when he was in deep thought. It was a wonder he hadn’t already rubbed off the features of the lady etched on its cover.
He slipped the watch back into his pocket. “As soon as I’ve filled the tanks, I’ll fill the tub with hot water for you to have a nice bath.” He walked over and patted her arm. “It’s the best I can do to make up for you being stuck in here all afternoon, but one day you’ll understand I’m only doing this for your own safety.”
He turned to leave but then looked back. “This world’s a dangerous place, Liberty. I’ve tried to prepare you for it as best I can.” Aapeli slipped his hand into his jacket pocket before adding, “I won’t be with you forever, so you’ll do best to remember everything I’ve taught you. It will serve you long after I’m gone and maybe save your life one day.”
It wasn’t until her father was out sight that she dared breathe deeply again. His words seemed to bounce around the storeroom long after he’d left, making her feel awful for being such a brat. He was right. He didn’t ask much of her. After he returned she would mop the deck to try and make up for acting like a child. It was the least she could do.