The ship rocked gently beneath his feet as it rode the rolling waves. Every so often, a larger swell crashed against the hull, sending a deep shudder through the vessel.
Above him, raucous laughter echoed across the deck. The Stryker Pirates sang off-key notes, stomped their boots against the planks, and bellowed drunken cheers into the wind.
Adam stood before a small mirror hanging from the wall. The person staring back at him was bald, his eyes were dark, and his face, though still haggard, looked far better than it had six months ago.
Yes. Six months had passed since the pirates abducted him.
He was still their "merchandise".
But even merchandise had its uses aboard a pirate ship.
Adam was given two meals a day. In return, he worked from dawn until nightfall and was allowed only six hours of sleep. By the pirates' standards, this was considered generous treatment.
The other slaves were far less fortunate.
