on my way- part 19

                                    

                                          






In the hospital bed where Kenzo once was, Shay sat cross legged across from 7 the transponder snail, staring intently.





"I know its nice, how you can do things other snails can't, but it would be soo nice to call someone I know from home.. you know?", Shay spoke softly to 7.


In that moment, Shay remembered that Nami had a transponder snail watch, one she used to communicate when she was out collecting money for her payment....











Lost in thought, she sprawled out on the bed as 7 crawled onto her head.














"Nami!........"


"Namiiiiiiiii!"





"NAMI! Where are you silly!", a younger Shay giggled as she called out for her friend.


"Namiii!", Shay said as she burst through the doors of the cartography room in arlong park. 


"Shaykyo!", Nami grinned back. 


"What're you working on?", the fishman girl questioned curiously as she leaned on Nami's work table. 


"Another map, the usual..", Nami sighed as she put her head on the table. 


"Oo, this one is really nice, I like the funny circles!", Shay stared intently at the older girl's work. 


"These show the highest places, and the lowest places", Nami explained, pointing her finger on the map proudly. 


"I wanna try!", Shay exclaimed as she grabbed a blank piece of paper. 



"Slow down! Watch me first-", Nami redirected.


"OOh okay okay!", Shay nodded eagerly.








Shay's found memories of watching Nami were interrupted by a loud ringing that pierced through her ears.








"Ow!", Shay hissed, trying to figure out what was happening.


"Hello?", a voice that sounded suspiciously like her orange-haired friend answered.


"How did you get my snail's number? This is a private line!", the voice said.


"NAMI? OH MAN I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT YOU! HOW HAVE YOU BEEN?! THE PILLAGING GOING WELL?", Shay asked, eyes lighting up with excitement.


"SHAY?- Shay your alive!? It's been almost a year since I've heard from you!", Nami answered, quieting her tone as she was in a fancy dining hall on a ship, but her voice was coming out of 7.


"Is it really you Nami?! Or is it my hallucinations from being in a ship for so long?!", Shay spoke, putting a seaweed chip in her mouth. 



"I can't believe it.. why would he say you were dead though....?", Nami mumbled quietly.



"Who said I was dead?! I'm alive- headed back ho-", Shay tried to explain but the connection was lost as 7 crawled off of Shay's face.



"OHHH WOW! I can't believe it! You actually can make calls!", Shay cheered as she rolled off of the bed and onto the floor with 7.





As this was occurring, Nami put away her transponder snail watch and buried her head in her arms.


"Why would Arlong say that Shay was dead?... What did she do this time..", Nami winced.


Suddenly, a loud explosion that shook the ship she was on startled her to her feet, so Nami took the opportunity and disappeared into the frantic crowd of people, ready to enact her plan.