Just Make Believe

Chapter 9

He took my hand softly in his and helped me up. I didn't have to act like I was hurting that time, it hurt like a bitch to stand. He offered to carry me, but I shook my head, I wasn't going to let them see me too bad.

He shrugged but let me grip his arm as we walked trough the dark halls. We passed many drunk men pushing their faces against the iron bars, men whistling as we walked past, and of course men making unnameable jokes. Ash only scowled at them and walked faster.

Once out, what I expected to be blinding sunlight, turned out to be just a bright moon, just barely illuminating the valley in front of us.

We were in the center forest part of the crescent island. The stars shone brighter than I have ever seen, the moon hanging boldly in the black sky. My surroundings were like a fairytale, just fantasy.

I wish...

I gripped Ash's hand as he guides me through the vines and trunks of the forest. I listened to our footsteps, sloshing over the damp mud and leaf mixture, the sound of crickets and dragonfly wings adding to the fantasy feeling.

The forest ended in an abrupt, village. There was two lanes of shack-like buildings, lined similar to that of an old west town. The buildings were slanted as if they were going to fall instantly, but yet they stood.

There, right at the end of the town, was a large fortress. It was made of only wood, a large black flag waving violently at the tallest point. Four large wooden towers stood at each oftthe edges of a four cornered building. The building was larger than any of the others, maybe them all put together would almost sum up to the size, but most likely not.

And a loud, yelling, and off key singing was coming from the center of the town. We stepped through the trees to show all of the crewmen together in the center, swaying drunkenly and singing (if you can call it that) at the top of their lungs. Several were handing out wood mugs of rum, several passed out and scattered throughout what you might call a dance floor, and several surrounding what looked to be the Captain.

On hearing the horrible noise, I flinched and covered my ears.

Its surprising how grown ass men can make their vocals go to that high of a note!

A garble of sounds and mixed tunes came through the crowd. There was no telling what they were actually saying whatsoever, just screaming.

"I apologize for the..." Ash paused,"there's no other name for it, its just really bad singing."

I nodded in return, and we walked on.

Right when we reached the crowd, I felt myself get tense around the drunken sailors. I followed Ash close as we made our way to the Captain. Several men ran into me, but none seemed to notice me.

Maybe, just maybe, I wont try to kill anybody tonight...

Ash and I stepped through the last bit of the crowd, finally showing the high throne-like seat that Hook sat in.

He was looking at his hook, being polished by a scrawny man with a black cloth. Ash cleared his throat and his father flicked his head up.

"Well, that didn't take long at all." Hook said as a smirk came across his face.

Don't try to kill him. Play the scared and hurt girl.
Don't try to kill him. Play the scared and hurt girl.
Don't try to kill him. Play the scared and hurt girl.
Don't try to kill him. Play the scared and hurt girl.

I kept myself from scowling and looked down at my bare feet, trying to give off the right vibe. I heard him chuckle at his victory, pulling the attention from the crowd to him.

You bastard. Ill get you, don't worry.

I felt everyone's eyes on me now, as if the girl in a tattered, bloody blue dress just instantly appeared.

"Ah, I knew I would be able to break you." Captain stated, only making me more furious.

I bit my cheek and tried to calm myself.
Don't do it Deanna, keep it down.

I tasted blood in my mouth and stopped clenching my teeth.

I looked back up at the captain to see that he was satisfied by my appearance, and he bought the lie.

He looked me up and down, noticing my tattered hair, the bloody-and not even blue anymore- dress, and my bare feet. He seemed to stare at my wounds now, all of my red and throbbing scars.

I hope you feel like shit, you deserve to.

"Send her to the spare, get her some clothes, and send for a couple doctors." The Captain waved his hand and Ash took me away to the fortress.

Soon after, the music started up once more, and everything was back to normal, well as close as it was at first.

Inside the fortress was just tons and tons of everything you would probably see in Bowser's Castle.

Red velvet, plush chairs, creepy paintings, and tons of weaponry. Small decorative tables sitting under paintings of ships and some of, probably now dead, men it looked like.

It was beautiful in a creepy way, I felt like there was either people hiding in the shadows, or ghosts lurking through the hallways.

Ash closed the double doors and grabbed my arm once more, leading me up a large, winding staircase.

He walked silently, no words, barely the sound of his breath making any noise. He held my arm softly, but I knew that if I tried to go anywhere he'd be able to hold fast.

We stepped in silence for that felt like years, when Ash finally guided me to a hallway, and to my room.

A large queen sized bed, with red throw pillows and blankets, black curtains over a large glass-less window, a mirror with a small chair in front of it, a tall bookcase, and of course a closet with a series of dresses and outfits hanging. Ash led me to the bed and I sat down softly on the plush blankets. 

"Clothes, brushes, books, its all here. Until my father can trust you fully, your door will be locked at all times until meals. There are more that fifteen men surrounding just your window, guarding you." He said, opening the dark curtains slightly before sitting next to me on the bed.

"I'll be here to check on you every hour." He finished, lowering his voice.

"Don't try anything, I don't like seeing you hurt." His face had become uncomfortably close to mine.

Do you though?

I lean away from him just before his face would touch mine. Obvious disappointment showed in Ash's soft blue eyes.

He stood from the bed and walked to the large mahogany door, closing it softly behind him.

Step 1: hurt and scared... Check.