Bound by Fate | Eustass Kid X OC

Ch 4 • Breaking Points

•• Hanmee's P.O.V ••

Days blurred together in the brig of the Victoria Punk, each marked by my defiance and Kid's relentless interrogation. My resolve remained unbroken, but my body ached from the confinement, and hunger gnawed at my insides. Though Killer occasionally provided some leftovers, it was barely enough to sustain me.

I knew Kid was growing impatient. He wanted answers, but giving him real information would only lead to trouble.

He's a pirate. If he found out I used to work for the Navy, he'd either turn me in or execute me. My chances of finding my brother would drop to zero.

I eyed my dirt-stained clothes, expecting worse from Eustass. I'd heard tales of pirates torturing hostages to death, enslaving them, and worse. I'd seen none of it from Kid. Yet. That was what scared me the most.

Late one night, the door to the brig swung open with a creak, and Kid strode in, filling the small space with an unsettling energy. He didn't speak as he approached, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my skin crawl.

"Still not talking?" he asked, his voice dangerously calm.

I glared at him, my silence a stubborn act of defiance.

Kid's expression hardened. "You think this is a game, don't you? You're testing my patience, kitten."

"I don't care about your patience," I spat back. "And I don't care about you, Kid."

His hand shot out, gripping my chin with brutal force. "Enough of this. You will address me as Captain," he growled, his breath hot against my face. "You will show me the respect I deserve."

This is it. The nightmare I was afraid of. It's here, isn't it?

"Respect is earned," I hissed through gritted teeth, wincing at the pain.

With a sudden harsh movement, he threw me against the wall, pinning me there. "Then let's see if I can teach you some respect," he snarled, his grip tightening. "You want to play tough? Fine. But understand this, kitten, on this ship, I am in control."

His hand trailed down my arm, metallic fingers digging into my flesh with bruising force. I bit back a cry, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break.

"You will call me Captain," he demanded, his voice low and threatening. "Do you understand?"

"You are not my captain. I had a..." I stopped myself before revealing too much. Captain – that's what I was about to say. I finally ground out, my voice laced with venom.

"You had a...?"

I looked away.

He released me, stepping back. "The more you resist, the worse it will be for you." His expression was blank.

•• Kid's P.O.V ••

Everyone had a breaking point. I intended to find hers. Her refusal to submit was a challenge I couldn't ignore. It was starting to become personal. I couldn't make her fear me, and it hurt my pride.

I released her from my grip and was about to leave the cell when a dagger lying nearby caught my eye. I picked it up, and without turning back, I casually threw it in her direction.

Silence.

I left the cell, her anger and pain lingering in the air. Breaking her spirit completely would be a waste. No, I needed to bend her to my will.

•• Hanmee's P.O.V ••

As the door slammed shut behind Kid, I sank to the floor, my body trembling. I hated him. Hated the way he made me feel weak, the way he controlled every aspect of my existence on this ship. The dagger left a scar on my face. Droplets of blood fell on my now bruised shoulder. Tears of frustration and anger welled in my eyes. No one was here at the moment. Just me, my weakness, and darkness. I let them fall.

"I miss you, brother..."

In the suffocating darkness of the brig, memories of my past crept in. I thought of my life with the Marines, of my friends Koby and Helmeppo. Their laughter, their camaraderie – it seemed like a lifetime ago. We had been a team, a family. Now, I was alone, surrounded by enemies.

I closed my eyes, a flashback taking hold. My brother's face appeared, his smile bright and reassuring. He had always been my protector, my rock. But he was gone now, taken from me by the very forces I sought to uncover.

"Why did you leave? What happened to you, Sanji?"

"Hanmee, we'll always be together," my brother had said, his voice echoing in my mind. "No matter what happens, remember that."

The tears I had been holding back finally spilled over, and I cried for the life I had lost, for the friends and family who were gone. The weight of my choices pressed heavily on my shoulders, and I hated myself for the position I was in.

I failed as a soldier, a sister, and a woman.

•• Kid's P.O.V ••

I watched from the shadows as Hana broke down, her sobs muffled by the walls of the brig. She was strong, but even the strongest had moments of weakness. I knew that pushing her too far could break her completely, but I needed answers. Her presence on my ship was a mystery.

I approached her cell once more, my footsteps deliberately heavy. She looked up, her eyes red and swollen. "Ready to talk yet?" I asked, my voice softer than before.

She glared at me, her defiance returning. "Go to hell."

"I guess not."

I leaned against the bars, studying her. "You're hurting yourself by resisting. Tell me why you're here, and this can end."

"I won't give you the satisfaction," she snapped, her voice hoarse.

I sighed, frustrated but impressed by her resilience. "Fine. Stay here and rot. But remember, Hana, you're on my ship. Your fate is in my hands."

•• Hanmee's P.O.V ••

How many times will he keep saying it's his ship?

As Kid left, I felt a surge of hatred – not just for him, but for myself. For letting him touch me, for allowing him to see my vulnerability. I hated the way his touch lingered on my skin, a constant reminder of my captivity. I had to stay strong, to remember why I was here. But the fight was wearing me down, and I didn't know how much longer I could hold out.

As the night wore on, I curled up on the cold floor. I would survive this. I would find a way to escape. But for now, I had to endure.

And no matter what, I would never let Kid break me.

Suddenly, the oh-so-silent outside didn't seem silent anymore. Huh?

>> 🌸 To Be Continued 🌸 <<