Though the crew found it strange... they got used to me being well... me.

Referring to me by name and treating me much differently. I was delighted though one member was not and took a little more buttering up before they'd trust me again.

The look on Janice's face had been enough to tell anyone they'd messed with the wrong person, she had a fit when she found out I wasn't Percy.

I had spent three weeks regaining her trust and rekindling a new kind of friendship.

Instead of a fatherly figure, I became a motherly one and she seemed delighted by that.
Tea parties and dresses and cooking with the ship's chef.

But I always ended up as I did every night.
Staring out to sea, watching for any sign that Milo may still be alive.

Tonight was no different as I stared across the rolling waves before me.

"Tsk Tsk Tsk, Oh Pearl my dear you cannot still be waiting." Ms. Laughingstock creaked below me which startled me but I soon relaxed.

"I'm just worried... he did so so much for me... he could have been happy with the rest of this crew.
If Percy ever returns to this body then everyone would be so happy... it could be peaceful again." I said as I looked down at her eye of which looked back at me.

"Pearl..." Laughingstock sighed. "You're too sweet sometimes." She said with a smile in her voice but also a little pity but I simply brushed it off.

"I know I can be... but I'm not giving up. Milo didn't give up on me so I won't give up on him." I said with a grin before I felt it.

It was an unimaginable pain in my chest. It shook me to my core, knocking the air out of me.

I felt myself lose balance and fall over. My chest hurt so badly that I felt as though it had caved in.

Ms. Laughingstock called my name but my ears were ringing too badly for me to confirm that fact to myself.
I heard noise, Poppy ran out and lifted me off the planks, the doctor raced out then opened up my shirt to check the issue.

Slowly but surely the porcelain had spread... and Dr. Tenderheart seemed concerned with that fact.

He told us we'd have to go to the professionals so we had to set a course for Ouchie Island.

Childish it may have sounded but I was starting to get scared.
What if I was stuck here with no escape? What if I had no way to get home?
What if I was going to die?
If I'm here then where is Percy?

The questions flooded my mind as Poppy laid me to rest in a cot.
Dr. Tenderheart cleaned my face of something red.
I was feeling dizzy and went to bed after I listened to them talk some more...
Seems this is serious but I am just too tired...