The little girl gets up slowly, like every movement causes her body pain. She wipes her tears, which just smears the flecks of blood across her face. She shambles over to me, and she just falls against my leg, hugging it. I put my hand on top of her head to comfort her as she starts sobbing.

The player that I paralyzed is looking at us with tears in her eyes, “How the fuck are you that strong? We didn’t have a fucking chance against you! Fuck y’all both.”

I turn to her, letting the anger I feel show on my face, “Yea, I bet this little girl was saying something very similar about five minutes ago. I’m glad you understand her point of view.” I look down at the girl, “Come on, let’s go get you cleaned up.”

She looks up at me while ugly-crying and shakes her head. I pick her up, putting her on my shoulders since walking is clearly painful for her.

The paralyzed player holds out a hand, “Wait, your just gonna leave us like this? What the fuck am I supposed to do now?”

I kick one of the knives lying on the ground over to her, “Off yourself, bitch.”

I relish in the silence as she tries to comprehend what I said. I’m sure she’s wondering how I could possibly value the ‘life’ of the little girl riding on my shoulders over whatever life that bitch is on. It’s pretty simple for me… she was a part of a group that just pushed this little girl to cold blooded murder. I mean, the fuckhead deserved it, but he was laying on the ground with a crippled leg. He couldn’t have hurt this girl at all, but she was filled with so much hate, she used a rock to beat his face in. They pushed this girl to keep beating him even after he was dead. How could you hurt someone so innocent, so badly? Because you’re weak, even in a group. Why else would you attack a little girl so violently?

As I walk in the shop, the guy behind the counter flinches at my face before asking how he could help me. Then he looks up at the little girl with a blood-smeared face… and almost runs into the back. While we wait, I wonder if this is the shop Billy came to? The guy from earlier brings back an old woman with a hunched back. She’s studying me as she waits for my answer.

“How can I help you? She need a bath and clothing?”

I give he a wry smile, “Yes, she does… but if you hurt her, I’ll kill you.”

A huge grin spreads across her face, “Good, good, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Follow me darling.”

I set her down and motion after the woman. I have to reassure her, but she eventually relents, following the old woman. I walk outside to wait for them to finish, and enjoy the breeze blowing in from the sea… I really hope this little girl starts talking soon. I have no idea how to take care a little girl, and I don’t want to have to worry about her on a pirate ship. Talk about a big, dysfunctional family… well, I’ll just do what I can for her.

My nose starts to itch, and I resist the urge to scratch it, “Dammit, I’m so tired of not being able to scratch my fucking nose… wait.” I reach up to to touch my nose with bated breath. Last time I did this, I almost passed out from the pain. I touch it, feeling the sensations you’d expect from a normal nose. I start to scratch lightly at first, but then I pinch the bridge of my nose, rubbing it like my sanity depended on it. Once the itching subsided, I noticed a couple changes.

My nose is perfectly straight, and I have no problems breathing. Although, there is a rough, raised scar stretching 3 or 4 inches across my face. I can’t tell exactly how bad it is, but it’s definitely going to be the first thing anyone that sees me notices. I’m just glad I have the bridge of my nose back.

“She’s ready sir.”

I turn around to see the little girl in a long dark skirt, and a white shirt. Her dark brown hair was braided into a long ponytail that reached midway down her back. Her face looked clean… except for the black eyes and busted lips. Thankfully she was pretty tan, so they don’t really stand out as much as you would think. Her light brown eyes were staring at me with a odd look, a look somewhere between anger and thankfulness. I’m feeling really awkward right now... like, I don’t know what to do with my hands awkward.

“You feeling any better? You look better.”

The girl just shrugs as she holds my gaze.

“Uh, you gotta name?”

She nods slightly, never looking away.

“Can I know it?”

She shakes her head slowly, never breaking eye contact.

“Alright kid you haven't blinked in like 20 years. You’re creeping me the fuck out. Like my hands are sweating.”

Her face twitches slightly… never blinking.

“What the fuck is wrong with you!” I look at the old woman, but she just shrugs. When I look back, the little girl has her head slightly tilted and her eyes wide open. Her black eyes make her eyes look impossibly big . Her mouth is upturned into a terrifying smile. I’m just waiting for her to open it and show me some kinda second demon-mouth.

I jump in shock, and I end up losing my footing. I fall back on my ass, feeling the shock along my spine. Before I look up, I hear the sweetest little giggle, and that giggle turns into this little girl rolling on the ground laughing her ass off while pointing at me. Once she gets over her initial shock, the old woman ends up laughing at me as well. She doesn’t hit the ground, but I think that’s only because she wouldn’t be able to get up after.

“HAHAHA, y’all laugh it up, both of you.” I glare at the little girl rolling around on the ground, “You little shit, I save your life and you do me like this?”

She looks up at me with a warm smile, and I can’t help but break out laughing as well.

“Alright, you both had your fun. Oh, and I’ll get you back you little shit. Just you wait… now, speaking of shit…” I look over at the seamstress, “I’ll need a wet rag, some new underwear, and some new trousers.”

The old woman’s face blanches, but the little girl just pinches her nose as she renews her high-pitched laughter while pointing at me.

After I clean myself and change clothes, I go back up front to see the little girl playing with a little cloth doll the seamstress made her. I stare at the little girl for a few moments... she looks way too at ease for a little girl that just caught a beating. Her movements are still pretty stiff, and she has bruises all over her body… you know, she has some pretty beefy arms for a little girl. I look at her hands, and her knuckles look to be pretty calloused.

“Hey kid.”

She turns to look at me, and yep, she has scars on her chin and eyebrows. I didn’t notice them because of the blood and bruises, but now she’s clean, they are pretty obvious.

“How often do you end up in fights kid?”

She stiffens for a moment before she forces herself to relax. She just shrugs and keeps playing with the doll. Jesus, I wish she’d talk to me.

“That’s all I’m going to get from you, huh? Well, come on I have an errand I’m late for. I’ll find you a safe place after I’m done.” I turn to the seamstress behind the counter, “How much do I owe you ma'am.”

She takes a moment to watch the girl play before giving me a warm, wrinkled smile, “No charge sonny. It warms my heart that even in this cesspit of morality, someone other than that crazy-ass priest will look out for the children. Just don’t change that part of yourself is all I ask.”

Stolen story; please report.

I smile at her while I nod, “Thank you ma’am. I’ll be off.”

I motion to the little girl to follow me. She starts to rise, but I can tell it’s painful for her. I reach down, grabbing her hand to help her up. Damn, her hand is really callous. She must have worked with a shovel or something to get her hands this tough. Her knuckles were the same way. Honestly, I bet her knuckles are tougher than mine…

As we walk through the streets towards the Brown’s place, I think back to what the seamstress said. I guess I could take her to the priest, but I don’t really know if that’s a great idea either. Oh, I could just ask Zijde what he thinks.

About that time I feel the girl poking me in the side. I look to see her pointing to the same food stand that offered me the pork kabob a couple days ago. Before I could say anything she runs up holds out her hand.

The stand owner cocks an eyebrow at the child standing before him, “You gonna be able to pay for this little girl?” She just points at me as I walk up behind her. He looks up with a flash of surprise, “Oi, your face looks a hell of a lot better! I’m glad to see you’re doing better!”

I am so glad the game has been filling in the blanks for my face 'magically healing'. I don't think it would be possible to come up with a believable story. I just nod at him, and he offers the girl a pork kabob. Before I could say anything, she shakes her head no and points towards the beef kabob. The guy just shakes his head, “Dammit, none of the kids eat the pork on this island.” He hands her a beef kabob, then turns to me, “That’ll be a reale.”

I hand over a cut up piece of peso. I just hope this is enough silver to cover it. I don’t have anymore pieces cut up, and I doubt this guy has press cutter for a peso. He takes the pie shaped piece of metal, inspects it for a moment, and pockets it.

I nod to him as we go to leave, and the girl has already eaten half the kabob. She’s ripping it off the stick and chewing with her mouth open. Her smacking could be heard across the street, and there was no sign of her stopping. I just sigh and smile, “I have a question kid.”

She looks at me with a cocked eyebrow and cheeks filled to the brim with meat.

“Damn you look like a chipmunk. Anyways, why didn’t you want the pork?”

She just shrugs, continuing her impressive display of awful manners.

“Alright, I guess I’m gonna go back and grab one then. I think I’m getting hungry.”

I go to turn back, but she grabs my arm, stopping me. She just gives me a serious look as she swallows, and she slowly shakes her head.

“Mh, so I’m guessing you know about the priest, huh? You know, I really wish you’d talk to me. I have a bunch of questions for you, but that’ll have to wait for now. I guess come up here with me. I don’t want you getting into trouble while I meet with Mrs. Brown.”

She just nods her head as she picks her teeth with the kabob. I walk through the front doors, and find the bouncer that usually takes me up to meet with Mrs. Brown. He looks me over a couple times before a spark of recognition shows on his face, “Hmph, you look better. Here, I’ll take you to the boss.”

I just nod and go to motion for the little girl to follow me… wait, where is she? I look around, but I can’t find her. Dammit, I’ll just have to make this meeting quick and find her after. He takes me upstairs, and I see Mrs. Brown coming out of the room across from her office.

Her eyes travel up and down my body before settling on my face. She cocks an eyebrow, and smirks at me as she takes out a cigarette, “Hand me that candle beside you darling.” I pluck the candle off its sterling silver mount, and hold it up for her. Once it’s lit, she takes a drag and puts it into a cigeratte holder… made out of ivory. It irks me that an elephant had to die for a fashion statement, but saying anything would just cause problems for me.

She exhales the smoke, and gives me another smirk, “Well, you were right. You did heal up quite nicely. I even think that scar between your eyes gives you character. It could be very off putting though… if your weren’t into that type of thing. Oh, darling, no need to blush! I’m just saying that I think you’d be the perfect man for my job… among other things, but that’s a topic for a different time. Come into my office and I’ll handle your payment and job details.”

She motions for the bouncer to leave with a wave of her hand. She uses a single finger to motion me to follow her into her office. I watch as she swings her hips, while making her way to the door. She opens the door, freezing as she looks to her right.

“How the fuck did you get in here?”

My stomach drops as I hear a very familiar giggling coming from her office.

I poke my head into the office, looking over Mrs. Brown’s shoulder. I see that little girl standing over Mr. Brown with an inkwell and quills spread around her. She’s standing over there with a big, beaming smile, while she’s hiding something behind her back.

I give her a deadpanned look, “Dammit kid, how did you even get in here?”

Mrs. Brown looks at me over her shoulder, “You know her?”

“Yea, I saved her about an hour ago. A group of people were beating the hell out of her just for shits and giggles. I thought it was odd that she was up cracking jokes less than thirty minutes later, but I’m starting to think there’s more to her than meets the eye.”

The little girl’s smile gets even bigger when she hears my words. She takes a step to the side, waving her arms like an artist reveals a painting behind their back. Mr. Brown is covered, head to toe, in doodles drawn on him with a feather quill and ink.

Mrs. Brown lets a smile creep across her face, “Well, I think I like this little girls sense of humor. Here little one, I think I have candy in my room. Utah, be a dear and have a seat. We will be right back.” She looks back at her husband and giggles, “I’ve always enjoyed a little one’s artwork.”

“You know kid, you’re something else.”

She doesn’t even look at me while she licks her third lollipop of the day. Mrs. Brown and I got the details of my next job worked out. She even gave me my payment up front. I guess she assumed that all she’d need to do is mention it to Zijde. There is no way the Cap’n would lose his main fence like that. I have a pretty good description of the guy I’m supposed to kill. Tall, dark hair, scar on his face, and a silver streak going through his hair… he should be pretty easy to pick out in a crowd.

Now, the mercury is probably going to be the most difficult aspect of this trip. I asked Mrs. Brown about mercury shipments as of late, and apparently there is constantly a shipment of cinnabar sitting in the Havana harbor. She had to explain that cinnabar was, but I didn’t know that there was a mineral that you could basically distill mercury from. She gave me a letter that I can give to one of her contacts in Havana, and she should know which ship to target. Now, all I have to do is convince Zijde and the crew that it’s in their best interests to take a ship like that. Knowing how worthless it is without gold ore, I suspect that will be pretty hard. Speaking of Zijde…

“Hey Cap’n, how’s it going?”

“Pretty good Utah, I’m glad to see that your face is better! Although, that scar is hard to look at without your skin crawling. What…”

He looks down at the little girl covered in bruises walking beside me. She freezes, mid-lick, once she realizes he’s staring at her. She lowers her candy, cocks and eyebrow, and stares back at Zijde. After a few seconds, Zijde bursts out laughing, “Holy hell Utah, you just seem to attract all kinds of headstrong people don’t you? That little urchin seems to be a barrel full of pride.” He turns to her, “You know I’m a pirate captain, right? Other that the man standing beside you, I am the meanest dog on board my ship. You sure you can hold the gaze of a man like that?” Zijde’s eyes have a strange twinkle in them while he waits for her answer.

The girl just scoffs, flicking Zijde off while she climbs up on a barrel to sit. I try to hold it in, but the dumbfounded look on Zijde’s face is too much. I start to roar with laughter. The kid just stares at me at first, but she starts to cackle in a cute little girl kinda way. Zijde just shakes his head, smiling, “Yep, all kinds of headstrong people... so, do you have any updates on your plan?”

Well, that was easier than expected. I told Zijde about the cinnabar shipment, and he was all for the idea. Something I didn’t think about, most mercury shipments also contain payroll and goods for the mines. Apperantly finding one in harbor is a very rare, but lucrative oppurtunity. It just so happens that the Spanish are really trying to up their gold and silver production now there is peace between the global powers. So, it isn’t as rare to find one in harbor, but they are much better armed now… which is why about 20 of us are going to collect some shields from Liber’s shop.

I look at the little girl walking side by side a bunch of dirty pirates like she belonged. I feel a twinge of regret that I can’t bring her along… she really is growing on me rather quickly. A pirate ship… no, a ship in general isn’t a place for a child that young.

When we get to Liber’s shop, I knock on the door, but there isn’t any answer. The door is locked, but there just so happens to be a hammer shaped hole I can reach my hand in to unlatch the door. Inside, Liber is passed out in the corner.

“Hey Liber. Liber. LIBER!”

I get no response other than soft snoring… well, I guess that makes sense. He did stay up longer than any man ever should. I point out the shields neatly stacked up in the corner. The crew starts grabbing them, carrying them back towards the dock. I grab the last one, looking it over. Good, he put the spikes on the bottom. I go over putting a sack of 500 coins on the table, and I write Liber a note letting him know we took the shields and we’ll be back for the rest of them in five or so days. I also put in the post script not to buy anymore stupid shit.

I walk outside to see 16 men holding shields. I raise mine shoulder high, “Alright boys, who wants to learn how to use these babies?”