The sea stayed calm for two straight days.
No storms.
No ships.
No islands.
Just endless blue moving under a steady wind.
Kevin stood at the helm without shifting his stance.
Carina sat near the mast, watching the horizon quietly.
"…Supplies are becoming a problem."
Kevin's voice broke the silence first.
Not warning.
Just observation.
Carina tilted her head.
"…Already?"
Kevin nodded slightly.
"…We used more than expected during the storm."
Not wasted.
Used for survival.
But still reduced.
He checked the barrels again.
Water: low but usable.
Food: enough for a few more days.
"…We need land."
Carina leaned back against the wood.
"…So we stop somewhere?"
Kevin replied simply.
"…Yes."
No hesitation.
No debate.
Just decision.
By the third day, the wind shifted slightly stronger.
Kevin adjusted sails immediately.
The ship responded cleanly.
"…There."
Far ahead on the horizon—
A shape appeared.
Not large.
But solid.
An island.
Kevin narrowed his eyes.
"…Port island."
Multiple dock structures visible even from distance.
Masts.
Moving ships.
Smoke from cooking fires.
A functioning supply island.
Carina stood up slowly.
"…Finally something not water."
Kevin didn't respond.
He was already adjusting course.
The ship angled toward the island steadily.
As they approached, more detail became visible.
The harbor was busy.
Merchant ships.
Small pirate vessels.
Repair stations.
Food stalls near the docks.
A mixed economy.
Not controlled by one group.
Kevin observed carefully.
"…Neutral trade island."
That meant opportunity.
But also theft risk.
They anchored near a quieter section of the dock.
Kevin secured the ropes.
Carina stepped onto the dock first, stretching slightly.
"…My legs forgot land exists."
Kevin followed behind.
"…That's normal after sea travel."
The harbor was loud.
People shouting prices.
Carrying crates.
Fixing sails.
Arguing over docking space.
Carina looked around slowly.
"…So many chances."
Kevin glanced at her briefly.
"…For what?"
She smiled faintly.
"…Nothing."
But her eyes didn't match her words.
They moved into the supply district.
Barrels stacked everywhere.
Food stalls lined the streets.
Weapon vendors calling out offers.
Kevin walked directly toward supplies.
Focused.
Efficient.
Carina walked slightly behind him.
Watching everything.
"…This place is easy."
Kevin replied without turning.
"…Easy places are the most dangerous."
She tilted her head.
"…Why?"
Kevin answered simply.
"…Because people stop paying attention."
They reached a supply stall.
Kevin placed berries on the counter.
Started selecting essentials.
Water.
Dried food.
Rope.
Repair tools.
The merchant nodded.
Busy but not suspicious.
Carina looked around casually.
Then stepped slightly away.
Kevin noticed.
But didn't react.
A few stalls away—
A man dropped a crate.
Coins spilled across the ground.
People nearby hesitated.
No one immediately reacted.
Carina saw it instantly.
Her eyes sharpened slightly.
She stepped closer.
Slow.
Natural.
She crouched near the spilled coins as if observing them.
Then subtly moved one coin under her sleeve while helping gather others.
No one noticed.
She stood up and returned calmly.
Kevin finished paying.
Took the supplies.
Turned.
"…We're done."
Carina nodded.
"…Yeah."
No change in tone.
No expression.
But her sleeve shifted slightly.
They walked back toward the dock.
Ship still waiting.
Sea visible beyond.
Kevin checked supplies mentally.
"…Enough for a longer stretch now."
Carina walked beside him.
Quiet.
Then she spoke softly.
"…You didn't ask what I did."
Kevin replied without stopping.
"…I saw."
Silence.
Carina blinked.
"…And?"
Kevin looked ahead.
"…It doesn't change direction."
That made her stop for a moment.
Then she followed again.
"…You're weird."
Kevin answered calmly.
"…I've heard that too."
They reached the ship.
Supplies loaded.
Ropes secured.
Kevin stepped aboard first.
Carina followed.
The ship slowly pushed off the dock.
Wind caught the sails.
The island began to shrink behind them.
Carina leaned on the railing.
"…So we just keep moving again?"
Kevin adjusted the helm.
"…Yes."
She sighed lightly.
"…That sounds boring."
Kevin replied.
"…Then find something interesting."
She glanced at him.
"…Like what?"
Kevin looked at the sea.
"…We'll see when it comes."
The ship moved forward into open water again.
Carrying two people.
Supplies secured.
Direction unchanged.
And for the first time—
Carina didn't feel like she had nowhere to go.
Just somewhere she was already going.