Arabella

Escape Attempt No. 2

The dirty cobblestone street, dimly lit by the light of the full moon, passed quickly underneath Arabella's feet as she ran for her life. Her boots flew silently over the stones, her breaths coming fast and shallow. Fear pushed her on, forgetting her weariness.

He would be after her in a matter of minutes.

The wind rushed through her loose curls as she raced down the main road, intent on escape. She stopped for a moment as she reached the end, where the sandy shore stretched out before her. Arabella bent over in an attempt to catch her breath and get her bearings.

The pebbly path gave way to sand as the shore stretched out towards the sea. The full moon reflected on the many shells littered about on the sand, giving the allusion that the beach was sparkling. The night breeze whipped the hair away from Arabella's face as she looked out at the dark sea. If she were not in the middle of running for her life, she would have taken a moment to appreciate the view a little longer.

She needed a plan. Simply running would not suffice.

The island only went on for so long, eventually the captain of the Dream of Melissa would find her. Arabella knew that even with a pistol she stood little chance against a practiced criminal.

Because that's what he is, a thieving, murdering, pirate.

She reminded herself of this fact as the image of him kissing her flashed through her mind, his lips flush against hers. The distinct taste of salt and whiskey on his breath. The way he had held her...

Stop it!

The princess shook her head to clear it of those dangerous thoughts, bringing herself back to the dire situation she was in. She needed a plan. Now.

Desperation tugged at her mind as thoughts of escape swirled in her head.

She must escape. There was no question about it. This could be her last chance.

Where would he not suspect me to go?

The ship immediately came to mind, but Arabella quickly dismissed that idea, for obvious reasons. It would not be wise to go back there.

The inn.

There might be a back door that she could slip through unnoticed.

Quickly making up her mind, Arabella took off, retracing her steps back towards the Singing Parrot; back towards Him.

~*~

The Captain smirked to himself as he watched the girl tear out the door like her life depended on it.

Maybe it does.

HIs lips were still slightly swollen from the kiss and he ran his tongue over them again at the thought.

She was a fiery one. No lady had every refused his advances before. She seemed to hate him with every fiber of her body. He could see the repulsion in her eyes every time she looked at him. Her body reacted in defense whenever he made a move towards her, even when he had wrapped her wounds aboard the ship.

I'll break her eventually.

His eyes narrowed.

And then I'll break her father.

"Should we go after her, Captain?"

The pirate's thoughts of revenge were cut short as one of his crew spoke.

"Nay," he replied, not bothering to turn his head. "I may be a pirate, but I am a man of my word."

"But her time is up!"