บท 132: Black Shark
Erebus felt a wave of warmth wash over his stiff body, a stark contrast to the cold, damp tunnel he had traversed for what felt like an eternity. His senses, dulled from exhaustion, slowly returned as the crackling fire in the hearth cast flickering shadows around the dim room.
The sound of footsteps roused him fully. His eyes snapped open, and his hand instinctively grasped the iron poker resting beside the fireplace. Rising swiftly, he positioned himself near the door, his grip tightening as the steps drew closer.
The door creaked open, revealing two men. Without hesitation, Erebus swung the poker. One man dodged the blow entirely, but the second—a rugged figure with an eye patch—wasn't as fortunate, the iron grazing his cheek and leaving a thin line of blood.
"That's dangerous, man!" the injured man exclaimed, wiping at the scratch.
The other, unfazed, merely muttered, "Well, he's awake now."
"Who are you?" Erebus demanded, his voice icy and sharp.
"Is that how you greet your saviors?" the man with the eye patch grumbled.
"Saviors?" Erebus echoed, skepticism dripping from his tone. The idea that anyone would willingly save him—branded a traitor and a criminal—seemed absurd.
"Where is this place?" he asked, his voice cold, but laced with unease.
The second man sighed. "We found you in the cave," he began, his voice steady and practical. "You were barely alive. And you used the code."
"Haggler's Den," the man with the eye patch interjected, dabbing at his cheek with a handkerchief. "That's a code known only to members of our organization. If you know it, you're under our wing."
Erebus's grip on the poker relaxed slightly, but his wariness did not. "And who are you?"
The man smirked, dragging a chair to sit directly across from Erebus. "Call me Black Shark. And you? You've come through the tunnel. That means you were sent by him. What do you need from us?"
Erebus hesitated, his gaze briefly flickering to the unconscious figure of Luciana on the bed. Finally, he said, "A ship. And an experienced doctor or midwife."
Black Shark's smirk widened. "That's all? I thought you'd ask for something impossible." He stood, extending a hand.
Erebus stared at it for a moment before grasping it reluctantly.
"We'll do our best to serve you," Black Shark said with a glint of amusement. "Enjoy your stay at Siren's Cove Haven."
"What's the cost?" Erebus asked bluntly, ignoring the pleasantries.
"First services are a free trial. Consider it goodwill. We'll talk payment next time." With that, Black Shark and his companion left, closing the door behind them.
Erebus glanced at his palm, still tingling from the handshake. For once, it did not twitch with unease. Perhaps, he thought, he might find help after all.
---
The streets below were washed in the muted glow of orange and yellow lights. Patrols moved through the city with precision, a constant reminder of the peril outside these walls. Erebus bit his lower lip, his mind racing with thoughts of escape. The faint taste of blood reminded him that he had bitten too hard.
He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and turned back toward Luciana. The warm glow of the fire bathed her gaunt face, highlighting the toll of their shared hardships. Guilt gnawed at him, the weight of her suffering pressing heavily on his shoulders.
Erebus reached out and gently stroked her cheek, his fingers brushing against skin that was far too cold for his liking. Her life, he realized, was slipping through his fingers, no matter how desperately he tried to hold on. Leaning down, he pressed a kiss to her forehead, her faint warmth a fragile assurance that she was still clinging to life.
A soft knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. He rose, his movements slow and deliberate, and cracked the door open.
The man from earlier stood in the hallway, accompanied by two others—a man carrying a leather bag and a woman dressed as a midwife.
"We've brought the doctor and midwife you requested," the man said quietly.
Erebus nodded, opening the door wider to let them in. The first man left without a word, leaving the trio inside the room.
The midwife and doctor moved quickly, their practiced hands examining Luciana and the child, Nemesis. After what felt like an eternity, the midwife turned to him, her expression somber.
"Your wife has miscarried," she said gently, but the words struck Erebus like a blow. He had known—deep down, he had known—but hearing it aloud was a cruel confirmation.
"She's entered a coma to recover," the doctor added, his tone measured. "Her body is fighting, but she's not out of danger. She will wake, but we can't predict how she'll respond to the news."
Erebus swallowed hard. "How… do women react to a first miscarriage?"
The midwife hesitated, then spoke softly. "It varies. For some, the grief is unbearable. They may become emotionally unstable, even suicidal, without proper support."
Erebus clenched his fists. "I understand."
The doctor handed him a list of medications and instructions before turning to Nemesis, who had woken during the examination. The boy flinched as the midwife approached, but she was careful and efficient, cleaning and bandaging his wounds with gentle hands.
As they prepared to leave, the doctor reassured him, "I'll return tomorrow to check on her. The medication should help stabilize her condition."
Erebus nodded, closing the door behind them.
He turned to Nemesis, who sat silently on the bed, tears streaming down his face. The boy tried to hide them, but Erebus saw through the effort.
"Come here, Nemesis," Erebus called softly.
The boy obeyed, climbing down from the bed and approaching him hesitantly. Erebus lifted him, settling him onto his uninjured leg.
"Crying won't bring her back," he said, the words harsher than intended.
Nemesis nodded, biting his lip to stifle his sobs.
Erebus sighed, softening his tone. "What I mean is… it's better to pray for her recovery. She'll return to us. She has to."
The boy rested his head against his father's chest, his small frame trembling. Erebus held him close, his own resolve hardening. He had to protect them—both of them—and ensure they survived this nightmare.
For now, survival was enough.
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