Lunar Gaze

Chapter 6

Josephine looked out on the city, the many lights made it look as though the sky extended with yellow stars. The ocean was in the distance, but it was too far to be seen. It was only heard, the waves crashing against the fragile shoreline of Port Royal.

"I haven't your name." She said. He looked to her with slight surprise, continuing to drink from his bottle. "You save me from all those men and now you act surprised of me asking your name?"

"Kidd Bonny they call me." He answered. "Kidd for short."

"But you are no child." She observed. She took in every detail of his facial profile, what a handsome profile it was. She figured someone ought to put it on a coin.

"I've been in this life since I was one." He told her. "And I suppose the name stuck."

"What's your real name?" Josephine asked.

"That means nothing to you." He answered. She laughed out.

"You saved me. The least I can know is your name." She smiled at him. He gave her a certain look, then he looked to the ground.

"Men like me haven't a name." He answered. After an exhale, Josephine looked out onto the city.

"So this is the place that so many speak of." She said. "A city of sin."

"That's why it's no place for you." He told her. "You'd probably be scarred. A sheltered miss with her maidenhead staying in a place like this."

"What makes you think I have my maidenhead?" Josephine asked. Kidd's hand that was bringing the bottle to his lips stopped for a moment.

Then he spoke. "I figured so, you are such a lady after all." Then he mimicked her voice. "And you are to be engaged."

"Many ladies have romances far before marriage." Josephine corrected him. "And they extend beyond what the general public is aware of. So see? I am not so sheltered. I've some experiences."

"Sure, I'm positive you've had plenty experiences." Kidd said under his breath before drinking more. Josephine looked at his bottle as it went to his lips.

"How about I have some of that?" She asked.

"Why would you want to drink?" Kidd asked.

"I've been taken from my home and now I am a runaway slave. Why wouldn't I take a drink?" She asked before extending her hand.

"You don't even drink." He told her.

"And may I ask how you know that?" She pondered. "You have no clue what I do or don't do."

"I guess you're correct, only that I met you at a party if you recall. And you hadn't had a drop." Kidd reminded her. "So, I figured you simply don't drink."

Josephine became quiet.

"Well I'm willing to start." Josephine broke the silence.

"You want to try it so badly? Here. Take a swig." He handed her the bottle. Once she took the large thing, it was heavy. She almost dropped it. He clenched his jaw and looked away for a moment, processing her clumsiness. Then he watched as Josephine slowly took the bottle to her lips. "Well?"

"God, it's difficult to swallow!" She cried out. Then she handed Kidd back the bottle. Kidd grinned, drinking more of it. "Where'd you get that thing anyway?"

"I swiped it." He answered. Josephine went quiet. "Come on, this is what I do. Stealing some liquor is no problem for me."

"Do you believe the authorities are after us?" Josephine asked.

"Well, yes and no. Yes, because technically you are someone's property, and the lug of a man probably wishes you'd return to him. But also no, because we are in Port Royal, one of the most sinful cities there is. I'm sure they've got their hands tied with larger manners."

"Like what?" She asked.

"Bootlegging, mugging, robbing, arson, murder—" Kidd listed.

"I understand now." She waved. "If you wish to protect me from such a city, where will we lay our head tonight?"

"Nothing like sleeping under the stars." Kidd smiled up at the sky. He stood up, then stumbled a bit trying to catch balance. Afterward he walked a few feet away, stomping his feet on the ground.

"What are you doing?" Josephine asked.

"Searching for a proper place for you to sleep tonight." He pressed his foot on the ground. "The softer, the better."

"I will not be sleeping on the ground tonight. I believe you've got this all confused. I sleep in a mahogany bed nightly..." Josephine complained.

"And that mahogany bed is on the opposite side of the entire island, so I suppose your bed will be these nifty leaves for now." Answered Kidd. Josephine stood from the rock and walked over to where Kidd stood. And after looking into his eyes, which were so gorgeous it practically angered her, she laid on the ground to sleep where he suggested.

She stared at him as he stood over her and looked down. She could see his entire body from where she laid. She could particularly see his package in his pants, which was most prominent from that angle.

"Don't worry, I can act like a gentleman when I wish." He told her, then walked off to make a respectful distance between them. He laid not too far away, close enough where he could keep watching of her. Together they laid on the ground in silence, and patiently Josephine looked to the moon.

Moon, how you are just as bright and vibrant as you were at home? Your grinning face looks the same as it did from the balcony of my room. But now, I lay here on the cold ground, alone and far from all who I care for. Everything I thought I'd have, everything I wished for while looking upon your pale face has now slipped through my fingers. Why then, do I still feel hope when I looked up at you? If there truly is a God, and his divine fingers placed you in the sky for all to see, then please tell Him that I wish to return home. I pray that my family looks upon the same moon tonight, and once again it will be as though we are together again. I will dare to wish upon you once again, although you have shown you may not grant them. You, and the heavenly stars that scattered around your mighty sphere, are the only thing of my old life I still have. And so I speak to you, moon, to restore all I've lost.