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“What?”
“Nothing. So, Boyz Will B Boyz fan,” Petra recovered quickly, “did you spend fifth grade getting pummeled?”
“Me? Sinjin St. Sinjin?” The captain waved off the suggestion. “Oh, shit yeah. But I stuck to me musical guns. Complete with dance moves. By the way, I hope you note that I am man enough to tell you this. Question is,” he purred, “are you woman enough to take it?”
Petra’s grin faded. She liked Sinjin, liked his silly humor and the way he didn’t take himself too seriously. She wondered what would happen when he knew the truth. Would he be able to see past what was and see what could be?
“There’s something I think I should tell you right up front… .”
Loud shouts reverberated in the cabin. George ran down the hall. He looked terrified.
“Cap’n! Cap’n!” he said, out of breath. “It’s Charlie.”
“What’s happened?” Sinjin said, all business.
“We were out in the waves, looking for fish, and he got stung. Jellyfish.”
Down the beach, Charlie lay sprawled in the pulsing tide, holding on to his right leg. His calf had begun to swell. “Jellyfish,” he said through chattering teeth. “Feels like my leg is on fire.”
Nicole pushed her way to his side. “It’s okay. I’m a doctor,” she said, peeling his fingers away to have a look. “We have to stop the poisons from getting into the bloodstream.”
“Hold on, Charlie. I’ll wash it off.” George cupped his hands under the tide.
“No!” Nicole shouted. “I read this in one of my auntie’s journals. You can actually activate the poisons that way.”
“I saw something like this on Predators of the Deep Week,” Chu said. “Bloke got stung by a jellyfish and his whole leg swelled up like a dirigible. They had to cut his leg clean off to save him.”
Charlie moaned in pain.
“Not helpful,” Nicole said.
“Please,” Charlie said, teeth still chattering. “Please help me.”
“What can we do? We have to do something!” Miss Ohio said.
“There is one thing that works,” Nicole said.
“What’s that?” Ahmed asked.
“Urine.”
“Gross,” Miss Ohio said.
George shook his head. “I’m not peeing on Charlie.”
An argument broke out about who would be willing to step forward and do the deed.
“M’ bleedin’ leg’s on fire! I don’t care what you do — just do it!” Charlie screamed, but it was as if everyone had been paralyzed.
“Oh for heaven’s sake,” Petra groused, marching forward. Quickly, she lifted her skirt, dropped her undies, and peed on Charlie’s leg.
“Thank you,” Charlie whispered.
“You’re welcome,” Petra said.
The pirates stood dumbfounded as Petra collected herself and smoothed her skirt back into place. “Take a picture. It’ll last longer,” she said as she walked away.
Captain Sinjin watched her go, openmouthed. Finally, he broke into a huge, face-breaking grin.
