When the sun was about to set, we decided to end the swimming lessons. By that time, I could swim short distances by myself and I was proud of the progress I made. We went back to the boat, drying ourselves with towels.

-I think you better take a shower and get dressed now. - Dominic said. - It's getting cold.

I went straight to the toilet and took a long warm bath. After finishing and getting dressed, I went to the main room, and found Dominic, already dressed, waiting for me. I smiled and joined him, sitting next to him. I had never been so close to a person before, but I was beginning to like it.

-Dominic, do we have plans for tomorrow? Where will we go? -I asked excitedly.

-Probably we will go to the city looking for a friend of mine. His name is Heath, and he is a carpenter. - he answered.

-Carpenter? Will he join us?

- I don't know about that, but he will certainly help us a lot. We need a bigger ship. Joseph has already planned everything, so, according to him the new ship should be enough for us and for those who will come.

-Those who will come?! Does that mean we will have more companions? -I said getting even more thrilled.

-Don’t get too excited, Joseph's predictions may be altered. But there is this possibility.

-Ah! I can't wait!

-Never have I seen anyone as expressive as you. -he said analyzing me again, as if I were an exotic animal species.

-I can't help it. Everything is new to me. - I replied, trying to contain my embarrassment once again. - Of course, a person like you, who has travelled around all the world, cannot understand.

-Well... Let's say I'm also living something new. But anyway, I still find you extremely interesting.

We spent some time in silence. I saw that Dominic was thinking of something that would probably be difficult to say and he still hadn't found the right words.

-Althea? Can I ask you a question? If you don't want to, you don't have to answer, but I have to ask you. -he said while facing me with a sadden expression.

-Of course, you may ask me anything you want. -I replied, with my heart beating fast due to the anticipation.

-I couldn't help but notice. Your scars. How did you...? -he stopped talking, fearing the answer. He knew that his father could have left some very terrible scars on me, which was no lie. However, I decided that this information would do no good for any of us.

-In the end I failed hide them, right? Well, I have several scars. Those on my back, specifically, were made by only one person, while I was imprisoned. I have no idea how long I have them, however they are not so recent.

-Who was it? Do you know the name? -he asked a little less tense when he realized that it wasn't his father who made them. He still didn't face me, but I could see anger in his eyes.

-Yes, I certainly remember his name. Trevier. Leonard Trevier, son of General Rustan. I believe he was one of the leaders of the prison at the time... at least that's what I heard the soldiers talking in the corridors. Once a week he would make a tour around the cells, interrogating prisoners and checking that everything was in order. He always asked me the same question: "Why are you here?”. I never knew how to answer him properly. He was not happy for not knowing the reason why I was in a maximum-security prison. I think I was the only woman there. That seemed to interest him, and he ended up nurturing some kind of... obsession with me. Instead of coming once a week, he started to visit my cell every day and always the interrogation ended in a torture session. He thought I was hiding something. That man was kind of thirsty for my blood and seemed to have fun while he cut me until he left me in living flesh. His favorite place was my back, because he said he did not want to ruin my face or the rest of my body. It hurt the same way. Not much long after he started torturing me, I was transferred from that prison.

-Leonard Trevier was found dead about a year ago. Murdered. Orion has no pity on those who oppose him and do not follow his orders. Nobody in that place was allowed to touch you, hurt you or question you, unless he told them to do so. Trevier got what he deserved.

-Nobody deserves to die. -I responded, feeling shivers running through my body after hearing the coldness of Dominic's statement.

-I believe you will soon change your mind Althea... But no more morbid topics. I will show you something very beautiful.

-Something beautiful? What is it? -I asked curious and being quickly distracted from the previous subject.

-I won't tell. I want to see your surprised face.

-So, this is your plan? You're trying to mock me once again. Well, I don't want to see it. - I lied, defying Dominic. It was fun to challenge him, just to see his reaction. But I was a terrible liar and he soon understood what I was doing.

-I see that I will have to force you to go. -he said as he approached me. I tried to get away, but he held me and pulled me gently.

With ease Dominic got me to stop running and caught me in his arms. We went up the stairs and I complained non-stop "trying" to escape, but of course I could not, and he took me to the back of the boat, where we sat. I looked at the sky and I was amazed by the violet shades that covered it. It was around six o'clock in the afternoon, but the sun was already setting, leaving a magnificent work of art in the sky.

-It's beautiful! -I exclaimed.

-Yes. It's something you don't get used to. Every time I see the sun setting, I am amazed. And this color reminds me of your unique eyes as well.

Dominic then took my hand and touched it with his lips. I was surprised by that action, and I felt my heart racing.

-You have no idea how special it is for me to be able to show you the world out here. - he said, now touching my face and staring at me. - For a year, all I could imagine was being able to make you smile one day. I can't believe that day has arrived and that I can finally redeem myself in part for my sins.

-Don't... don’t say such misleading words. I'll end up becoming a presumptuous person and really believing what you say. - I spoke, trying to disguise the fact that I was blushing. He was very close to me, not only physically. I changed my posture and got a little further away from Dominic when I felt something like an electrical discharge going through both of us.

-I'm sorry. Avoiding this is as hard as staying away from you. In fact, I've already discarded this possibility. It's impossible. -he continued leaning even more towards me. -When did you become so important to me?

-Dominic, Althea? Where are you? -shouted Joseph on the other side of the boat. We both jumped away from each other immediately.

-We are here Joseph. -I answered, trying to sound as natural as possible. If we weren't interrupted at that moment, I was afraid that things would get much harder later when Dominic regretted what he was about to do. I was not a person who deserved his kindness.

I then saw Joseph, coming towards us, in quick steps. He smiled and started talking.

-Did you by any chance have lunch? - asked Joseph, who received an angry look from Dominic and reciprocated with a reprehensible semblance.

-To tell the truth, no. -I spoke trying to stop that silent fight. - But I think it's a little late for that.

-Yes, I think it's already dinner time. - said Joseph, now looking at me with a smile. - Let's go inside and you will try what I cooked today. Get ready to see what real food is. Dominic is a terrible cook.

-I have to admit that this is true. Joseph's food is divine. What will we have for dinner tonight? -asked Dominic, standing up and helping me up.

-Gratinated Cod. The good thing about being in these waters is that the fishing is of great quality!

-What is that? -I asked. It was something I had never eaten before. They looked at me a little surprised, but then they just smiled.

-You will see. - replied Joseph in the midst of a laugh.

We headed straight to the kitchen and Joseph started filling my plate with rice and with a piece of what looked like a fish, with cheese on the top.

After trying the first piece, my mouth felt like that was the taste of heaven.

-Wow!

-You liked it? -asked Joseph laughing at my expression.

-It is delicious! I could spend the rest of my life eating it.

-Joseph is a great cook, but he is very lazy. Few times I had the opportunity to try his food. Who knows if now that we have the Descendant as a companion he will stop his laziness and do something decent. - said Dominic slapping Joseph’s head.

-Lazy is the...

-Sure! Joseph wouldn't say no to a hungry young woman. -I spoke, trying to avoid the "compliments" that the two of them were going to start exchanging.

-Well, I think you are right. I can't let you eat anything. Especially if the food is made by that animal there. - said Joseph pointing to Dominic, who was laughing. - We also have to make sure that you will gain some weight and get your body health. I promise to make your lunch and dinner for the next few years.

-Or until I learn to do something. - I spoke.

The day passed fast. After the sunset, we were on the main room of the boat, and while I was lying on the couch, Dominic and Joseph were on the floor playing a game I did not know, with cards. It was already the twentieth game that they were starting and trying to explain me the rules, without any success.

It was almost one o'clock in the morning when Dominic gave up winning against Joseph and we decided to sleep. I arranged my bed and the two went up to the deck, to check the surroundings before going to bed as well. I tried to rest and close my eyes, but I couldn't sleep, even after having had an exhausting day. After an hour rolling from one side to the other, I gave up, got up and went to floor upstairs.

I climbed the stairs and arrived at the now dark kitchen, trying to do as much silence as possible to not wake anyone. I went out to the deck and sat on the edge of the boat to look at the starry sky. The air at was cold and I stayed there for a long time, enjoying the calm. Once again, the word "freedom" echoed in my mind. The overflowing emotions that were appearing inside me during that day were something I never imagined I would have in my life. Laughter, excitement, anxiety, warmth. All those feelings were overwhelming and uncontrollable. 

The cold wind started to get stronger, when I decided to go back to my room, and try to rest for that night.