Our Love Will Never Die

Chapter Ten

For many, many years I had tried to end it again... And every damn time I wake up. I have locked myself away in the house I once shared with Armando, Mostly keeping to the bedroom. Half because I don't want to see anyone, don't want to talk, eat, interact. The other half is because, well......... Ever since that night... The night I first tried to end it all.... I haven't aged. Now, back in these times if anyone found out, I would be branded a witch and killed.... Not that I can be killed apparently.... But still, it really hurts and I don't really want to know what being burnt alive feels like. Over the years tales have spread around about the Devil's Triangle. Tales about how if you sail into the waters near the triangle, your ship would be pulled in and you would never be seen again. Usually, I wouldn't pay much attention to things like that, but I have this overwhelming feeling that I should go to the Devil's Triangle and see for myself. 

To say that I had the money to fund such an expedition, was an understatement. I made quick of finding a crew, Capitan and ship to take me and let me tell you, finding men willing to sail with a woman on board was quite difficult, but I guess if you pay someone enough, they will be willing to do almost anything. Something that I did make sure of, was keeping a gun and dagger on me at all times. Being the only woman on a ship full of men, whether I was paying them or not, was dangerous. Luckily for me, the Capitan had some, albeit gray, morals and told his men that I was to be left alone for the duration of our journey and if anyone were to harm me in any way, they would have to answer to him. I was honestly very, very grateful that he said that, but still, I would keep my dagger and gun with me just in case. 

I watched as we sailed further and further away, the land, the place that I had called home for so long, getting smaller and smaller until finally, it was gone. I hadn't imagined my life to go like this. When I met, and later fell for, Armando, I envisioned us getting married, having children....Being happy. Not this. Not losing him so quickly. I knew that his job was dangerous, god knows I knew, but I never thought that I would actually lose him. As the days went by, I kept to myself, only occasionally asking the Capitan where exactly we were. I spent most of my time sketching in my book and day dreaming about Armando and what our life could have been together if he was still here. Would we have a child by now? Maybe more than just one. On many of the nights that we would be lying in bed together, talking and laughing, the topic of children would be brought up. Armando was more than happy to have children with me, willing to give me as many as I wanted, in his words, "I would give you as many children as you wanted, mi amore. You would make a wonderful mother and I have always wanted to be a father. And if I'm being honest, I would very much enjoy the process of getting you pregnant." Which promptly earned him a light and playful smack on his chest from me. Unfortunately, none of that would ever happen. Not now. I let out a sigh as I stare out into the dark abyss in front of me as I stand at the side of the ship. I wonder how much longer it will take to get there. I wonder what I will find when we get there.

A few days later, we made it. The Devil's Triangle. Everything was calm at first, but things quickly took a turn for the worse, as our ship started to be pulled towards and then into a large cave. The men were scrambling around the deck as I tried my best to stay out of the way, but I had this strong feeling inside of my chest. A feeling that was keeping me from running into the ship, away from the chaos and hide. As soon as we were inside the cave, we were boarded by pirates. The only thing was, was that these pirates didn't look right. They looked dead, with some looking like a mixture of decaying human and sea creature. Some even missing whole limps and chunks out of their bodies. Men were being slaughtered all around me but I couldn't do anything. I couldn't even bring myself to move. Something had taken over my body and it was hell bent on making me stay in place. Even as the remaining men were captured and lined up. Even as I heard the loud thuds of heavy footsteps. I remained still. Suddenly being aware of my presence, one of the ghostly crewmen grabbed me. It was odd, he looked kind of familiar but that wasn't possible. It couldn't be. He took me over to where the other men were and made me stand with them. Getting a few odd looks from some of the ghostly crewmen.

My heart was racing as the footsteps got closer and closer. Suddenly, the footsteps stopped and a man started to talk. It took a few moments for my brain to fully comprehend what I was hearing. That voice, though slightly different, It still sounded so much like Armando's. I moved to step out of the lineup, to see who the voice belonged to and to see if it was in fact him. Being held back almost immediately, I tried my best to fight them and see the man who now, after the commotion I had caused, had stopped talking. "Let go of me!" I yelled at the men who were holding my arms, trying to stop me from moving any further. Pulling against them still, until a loud voice spoke up. "Stop." He said, holding up a hand. "Bring her to me. Let me see her." He said, almost urgently. Now being pulled in the direction that I wanted to go, I didn't fight them. Coming to a stop in from of the man, I couldn't bring myself to lift my head. Not because I didn't want to see him, but because, what if it wasn't Armando? Or worse, what if it was Armando but, after all these years, he didn't care for me anymore? What if he ordered his men to kill me just as they had already killed so many just moments ago? 

I didn't have long to contemplate on it, as a ghostly and cold finger moved under my chin and lifted it, so I was now staring right into the face of the man in front of me. My eyes widened as did his. "Armando." I breathed out. "Lilliana." Armando whispered in shock.