Lady of the Sea

Ch 13

The next day, Marina awoke to the harsh reality of a storm at sea. The wind howled, and the ship rocked violently with the force of the waves. It was chaos on deck, with crew members scrambling to secure the sails and keep the vessel on course. Amidst the tumult, Marina did her best to avoid Jack, grateful that the storm kept him preoccupied. The constant movement and noise provided a convenient distraction, allowing her to focus on the immediate dangers rather than the confusion of her feelings.

The sky was shrouded in dark clouds, blocking any hint of sunlight. The entire day was cast in a dim, foreboding gloom, with the storm intensifying as the hours passed. By afternoon, the wind roared and the waves towered, hammering the ship relentlessly. Marina clung desperately to the ropes on deck, determined not to be seen as a coward by retreating below.

"What are you doing here?" Jack's voice cut through the chaos, a mix of anger and concern. "Get inside!"

"No!" Marina shouted back, her voice nearly lost in the storm. But Jack was having none of it. He stormed over, grabbed her arm, and practically dragged her towards his quarters. Once inside, the door slammed shut, muffling the storm's fury.

"Are you out of your mind?" Jack scolded, his eyes blazing with frustration. "You could have been thrown overboard! What were you thinking, staying out there?"

Marina's eyes flashed with defiance. "Why do you care?" she shot back. "I'm not some helpless damsel who needs saving. I can handle myself."

"Handle yourself?" Jack scoffed, running a hand through his wet hair in exasperation. "You were risking your life out there! The deck isn't safe in a storm like this, and you know it."

As the storm raged outside, the ship rocked violently, making it difficult for Jack and Marina to keep their footing. The floor tilted beneath them, and they stumbled, grabbing onto whatever they could find to steady themselves. Jack gripped the edge of a table bolted to the floor, while Marina clung to a nearby shelf. The ship's lurching movements caused objects to slide and crash around them, adding to the chaos.

Jack reached out instinctively, catching Marina's arm to prevent her from falling as the ship listed sharply to one side. She grabbed onto his shoulder for support, her fingers digging into his wet coat. They were forced to lean against the walls and each other, their breathing heavy with exertion and tension.

Once they found their balance again, Marina continued the conversation, her voice rising above the sound of the storm. "I refuse to hide away just because things get dangerous. Isn't that what being a pirate—or whatever you are—is all about?" Her eyes flashed with defiance, her grip on Jack's arm tightening for emphasis.

Jack's jaw clenched, his expression darkening with frustration. "Being reckless isn't the same as being brave, Marina," he snapped, his voice edged with anger. "You should be smarter than that. There's a difference between courage and stupidity."

Marina bristled at his words, pulling away slightly but still keeping a hand on the wall for support. "I'm not stupid, Jack," she retorted, her tone sharp. "I know the risks. But I'm not going to hide below deck like some helpless damsel. I can handle myself, and I won't let you or anyone else tell me otherwise."

Jack shook his head, exasperation clear in his eyes. "This isn't about proving a point or showing you're tough," he countered, his voice raising over the creaking timbers. "It's about survival. The sea doesn't care how brave you are; it'll swallow you whole if you're not careful."

Marina met Jack's intense gaze, her eyes narrowing as a spark of defiance flared within her. "Does your survival involve not feeling any emotions?" she challenged, her voice cutting through the storm's roar. The question hung in the air between them, loaded with the weight of their previous encounter when he had nearly kissed her, only to retreat at the last moment.