The Red Force floated idly on the unusually calm ocean beneath a near perfect full moon. But unlike the the ocean, the ship itself was not completely placid. There came a strangled scream from inside the ship followed by the sound of bare feet running on wood. The door leading to the lower decks burst open and Star, pale faced and sweating, appeared on deck. She spun in place, her wide, panic stricken eyes darting about the shadowy ship as though looking for something. Seconds pass and Star appeared to calm down slightly before staggering to the edge of the ship to lean heavily against the railing, tremors wracking her body.
Shanks was out on the deck just having a walk under the stars when an ear splitting scream filled the air. “What the-” His hand instinctively reached for his sword and stared down over the railing of the upper level to the deck below.
The girl they had picked up not long ago burst out of the doors and out onto the deck crouched over in a position as if she was about to fight someone. She spun around looking to the empty deck and finally seemed to be calming down… Must have been a false alarm.
When she relaxed Shanks realized his hand was still on his sword. Sheathing it back he made his way quietly down the stairs hoping he didn’t startle her.
“Oi…what was that all about?”
Star jumped at the sound of Shanks’ voice and fell to the deck.
“Wha-?!” she responded as she quickly turned around to see who had spoken. Star was visibly shaking, her face ashen and covered in sweat.
“Oh… Shanks…” she said, slightly breathless. “Did I wake you? I’m sorry. S-sometimes I get bad n-nightmares and just… I’m sorry…”
Star tried to smile but the awkward twitch of her lips only served to highlight the lingering fear in her eyes.
