Bloodtide

Part 57

"Land ho!" Jones shouted with glee as we approached the island, his voice echoing across the deck. The sharp cry cut through the early morning mist that clung to the ocean's surface, pulling everyone out of their tasks and into a state of excited anticipation.

The island loomed ahead, its dark silhouette rising from the sea like a forgotten gem, waiting to be discovered. The rocky cliffs were lined with dense, emerald foliage that promised shelter and secrets, while the golden sands of the beach glimmered in the distance, kissed by the first rays of the morning sun.

The crew, already alive with the energy of the new day, moved with purpose. The shouts and thuds of heavy boots on wood filled the air as everyone prepared to disembark. Sails were lowered, ropes were secured, and the anchor was dropped with a resounding splash into the azure waters below.

I could feel the anticipation crackling through the air as we neared the shore. Jones's grin was wide, almost boyish, as he steered the ship into the island's natural harbor. His enthusiasm was contagious, spreading through the crew like wildfire. Even the usually stern faces of the older sailors softened with excitement.

"I can sense this place doesn't want us here," Hallow whispered to me as I stared at her, confused.

I had no idea why we'd stopped here, but it seemed Jones and his men had a mission. Once we got close enough, they all moved quickly to get off the boat. Hallow placed herself in a seat, sitting idly by as she watched everyone move. Jones came down from the deck, glaring at her.

"Why are you just sitting? Hallow, you know this place," he said with an evil smile as she turned her head.

"I'd rather not upset the sea, and you know who," she smiled back as he rolled his eyes, stepping closer.

"Let's go," he grumbled, grabbing her arm tightly and forcing her up.

Anger boiled inside me as I jumped in between them, stopping him. "She said she didn't want to go," I demanded, glaring at Jones as he laughed in my face.

"Listen, dear, I wouldn't suggest getting buddy-buddy with Hallow. She's a snake," he spat, walking off from us.

The tension from the encounter lingered, thick in the air. Hallow rubbed her arm where Jones had grabbed her, her eyes avoiding mine. Before I could say anything, I heard footsteps approaching. John appeared, his eyes scanning the area before settling on me. His expression softened, a mix of concern and curiosity crossing his face.

"I can sense this place doesn't want us here," he said quietly, echoing Hallow's earlier words. His voice was laced with unease as he looked around. He shifted closer, his hand brushing against mine in a subtle gesture of reassurance. "Are you alright?"

I nodded, but the unease gnawed at me, and I could tell he noticed. Hallow remained silent, her gaze fixed on the ground as if lost in thought. John glanced at her, then back at me, sensing the tension.

"What's going on?" he asked, his tone more serious now.

"Jones was being an ass," I muttered, my anger still simmering. "He tried to force Hallow to go with him, but she didn't want to. I stopped him."

John's jaw tightened, and I could see the muscles in his neck tense as he processed what I'd said. He knew as well as I did that Jones could be dangerous when provoked, especially when it came to Hallow.

"Did he touch you?" John asked, his voice firm, his eyes searching mine for any sign of hurt.

I shook my head, feeling the weight of his concern. "Not me. It was Hallow."

John's gaze shifted to Hallow, who still stood a few feet away, her expression unreadable. His jaw clenched, and I could see the anger simmering beneath the surface. The protective side of him, the one he tried so hard to keep hidden from everyone, especially from me, was showing.

"Stay close," John said, his voice low, almost a growl. He stepped closer, his hand brushing against my arm in a way that felt both comforting and electrifying.

The touch was brief, but it sent a shiver down my spine. We had spent so long pretending, playing this game of distance and indifference, but moments like this chipped away at the walls we'd built. I wanted to tell him that I was scared too, that the darkness in this place was seeping into my bones, but the words caught in my throat.

"Let's go before grumpy pants comes back" Hallow announced standing up from her chair and heading to get off

I stared at John as she shrugged his shoulders as we both followed the group. This island was already giving me bad vibes as there were large trees and a deep forest

Henry was among the front of the group with jones. We haven't spoken much since our argument and I wasn't going to be the one to apologize.

As we ventured deeper into the forest, the thick canopy above blocked out the sun, casting everything in a dark green haze. The dense air was filled with the sound of rustling leaves and distant, unnatural whispers. Hallow moved through the trees with an eerie grace, her presence like a shadow dancing in and out of the fading light, seemingly unbothered by the ominous setting. Her eyes flicked to Jones once or twice, though, as if she sensed something more than just the heart at stake.

Jones, however, led the way with a sense of purpose, his heavy boots crunching against the underbrush. His eyes were sharp, scanning the forest like he could already taste victory. The glint of his cutlass caught in the stray beams of light, and I knew this quest wasn't just about the heart for him—it was personal. Something darker stirred behind those steely eyes.

"Well, that's the fun for today. Finding it," John whispered back to me, his breath warm against my ear. His words lingered, but there was a spark behind them, a flicker of a plan he wasn't ready to reveal just yet. The smirk on his face was telling, but he kept his cards close to his chest, as always.

"John..." I started, but he cut me off with a wink.

"Don't worry, love. I've got it under control."

But the further we walked, the more I realized control was slipping away. The forest seemed to close in on us, branches twisting like skeletal fingers. There was a chill in the air that hadn't been there moments ago. It wasn't just the heart we were chasing—it was something ancient and alive, watching us, waiting.

Suddenly, Jones halted, his gaze fixed ahead. "There," he muttered, pointing to a clearing shrouded in fog. In the center was a stone altar, half-consumed by the forest's wild growth. Atop it lay a chest, old and tarnished, but pulsing faintly with an eerie glow.

"That's it," Henry whispered, stepping forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

But before anyone could make a move, Jones' hand shot out, blocking Henry. "Not so fast, lad. This heart's got more curses than you've got sense. We need to tread carefully."

John laughed, though it sounded forced, his eyes scanning the clearing. "Careful's not really our style, is it?"

Jones shot him a cold look, but before they could argue, the ground began to rumble beneath our feet. Roots twisted up from the earth, snaking toward the chest as if to protect it.

"That's new," John muttered, drawing his sword.

"Of course it is," Jones growled, his eyes blazing with determination. "Nothing worth having comes easy."

With that, the battle began—not just against the forest, but against each other.