Lunar Gaze

Chapter 12

"What is going on in here?" Asked the Captain. All of the men turned to him. He stepped forward, his walking stick clanking on the wood floor. "Are these the same men who destroyed our enemy just a few hours ago? What is occurring now? A library hour?"

"They wished for me to read to them." Josephine spoke. "They enjoy it."

"These are my men! I will say what they enjoy." The Captain angrily answered. "You have them getting soft. They should be enjoying spirits and doing what men do. Not sitting around listening to a negro woman read."

That comment in particular brought anger to Josephine.

"Everyone leave this room. Now." The Captain ordered. All the men began standing and walking out. Jack hesitated to leave, but had no choice but to follow her Captain's orders. Kidd, who sat right next to Josephine on a table behind her, was not so easily led.

All men left except him, which made the Captain walk directly up to him. "Did you not hear my order?"

"She came with me, sir. I believe it's my job to keep an eye on her." Said Kidd.

"And yet you have her behaving like Mother Goose?" The Captain told him. "I didn't want a woman on this ship to begin with. And now you have her distracting my men. Sure, it may not be with her cunt but her mouth seems to be just as damaging."

"I apologize Captain." Answered Kidd. "I'll make sure she is less of a distraction."

"She seems to be a distraction to you, because I should've sworn I asked you to leave." The Captain said.

"Captain sir—" Kidd tried to speak, but the Captain didn't care. He repeated his words again.

"I asked you to leave." The Captain ordered. Kidd rolled his tongue against his cheek as he hopped off the table. Then he took a look down at Josephine who still sat in her chair. She slowly shut the book as she looked at the floor. Kidd looked to the Captain, then obeyed by leaving the room.

"Shut the door." The Captain said once he reached the doorway. Kidd's hands balled into a fist. Reluctantly, he obeyed. Now all who stood in the room were Josephine and the Captain. Alone.

Josephine looked down at the book in her lap, running her thumb smoothly back and forth on the leather. The Captain stood firmly in front of her, his long beard reaching at eye level where she sat. Josephine still avoided looking up at him.

"As I told you before, I already wished not to have a bitch on this boat. But I was convinced on bringing you." Said the Captain.

Josephine wished to object, but she knew she had to hold her tongue. This was her only chance of returning to Westmoreland. "And I thank you, Captain. For your mercy."

"Mercy indeed." The Captain reached out a finger and placed it under Josephine's chin. Slowly, he lifted it so she may looked up at him. She began to shake. "Your beauty... striking indeed. That surely has no mercy on the men who lay eyes upon you."

Josephine didn't answer.

"You are on this ship, and yet you have not contributed to the crew. You don't clean, you don't cook." The Captain went on.

"Do you wish for me to cook?" Josephine asked, she was willing to do anything to stay on board. The rocking of the boat in that very moment caused her stomach to turn.

The Captain smiled, revealing an unappealing set of teeth, or at least what was left of it. "There are other ways in which you could show your gratitude."

Josephine cleared her throat. "And how would that be?"

The Captain held out a grubby hand, Josephine supposed she hadn't any other choice but to take it. As she stood up, quickly she was pulled in closely by the Captain. She looked to the side, the only thing facing him was the glow of the dim candlelight on her cheekbone.

"Beautiful indeed." The Captain whispered. Outside the room stood Kidd, who hadn't left. He had no intention of truly leaving Josephine alone with the Captain. But he also knew that there was no action he could take to prevent something horrid from occurring. So there he stood outside the door, and as time passed he began to lean on the wall, and as more time drifted by he sat upon the floor. Waiting for her exit.

Jack made her way back to where Kidd was. She crossed her arms as she looked at where he sat beside the closed door. "There is nothing you can do now, I'm afraid. Only hope for the best."

"I despise him." Kidd squeezed his hand into a fist.

Before he could finish his thought, Jack stepped forward and hushed him. "Are you mad? Suppose he overhears you?"

Kidd stared cold and hard at her for a moment. Then he spoke words of bravery. "Then let it be."

"If you wish to protect her you will not cause unrest on this ship." Jack advised him. Then she joined Kidd on the ground where he sat. Reaching into her long coat, she took out a flask and pointed it in his direction. "To take off the edge."

Kidd took hold of the flask, popped out the cork, and took a swig. The warm liquor made its way into his belly. After handing the flask back to Jack, she followed suit.

"And it's a shame." Jack said through a coarse throat. "She will not return home anytime soon."

Those words sent a shock up Kidd's spine. He looked to her. "What is it do you mean?"

Jack looked at Kidd with pity. "Has no one not told you?"

Jack stared, awaiting clarification.

"Well, your lassie finds herself farther from whence she came. She is but a great distance off the coast of Jamaica." Said Jack.

This caused Kidd to sigh and lower his face into his hand.

"After the recent attack we had no choice but to make a detour. We no longer are heading to Westmoreland. It is Hispaniola we are approaching." Jack informed.

Kidd's face screwed up, his hands in fists. He wondered if placing Josephine on this boat was the right choice. Could it have been an error to introduce her to such a crowd? For a long while, Jack and Kidd sat in silence. For once, Kidd had no words to say.