The Fallen Stars

Chapter 34 Damiao

I left her there in that small dark room, I left her... wondering if it all will work out. She told me that she loves me. That will keep me going. To face my sister, I will repeat her words in my head. If I have Esme, then I have everything I need. 

As soon as we docked, the place felt strange... different. I don't know how or what is the cause of it, but all I can focus on is the meeting of my sister. It has been a month and a half since I last saw her. That small amount of time, and I have changed so much. The crew throws the ropes to the docking crew on the rocks. They grab it and tied securely around dock-polls. The crew gets the gangplank out and rests it against the ship and the rock. 

"Alright, listen up!" I call from the quarter deck, next to Abner. They all look up at me from the main deck. "Do not tell a soul about what happened on the Island... or the cargo we brought with." I say sternly. "AYE!" Everyone answers. "Stay close to ship, and be ready if we need to leave!" I order. "AYE!" They answer again. "And get some good RUM!" I yell, so that my voice echoes in the dock cave. "AYE AYE!" They all scream. 

I walk down the gangplank, I keep my eyes forward. 

I love you.

I play her voice in my mind.

I love you.

I walk into the dark tunnel.

I love you.

I let go of a breathe.

I love you.

***

After a few moments of walking through the dank and dark tunnel, I sword is held against my throat. I don't move, the sword is freshly sharpened. "I wouldn't try to kill me... I am the son of Casimiro Ladron." I say calmly. The dark figure, starts to laugh, a gurgling low laugh. "That would make them take you hostage, not kill you." The man says in Spanish. My heart drops. It can't be him. He should still be out at sea! Not here! "Father?" I ask keeping my voice even. "indeed it is." He answers, still keeping his sword against my throat. "You're a week early." I say nonchalantly. "A little test, I wanted to see how you and your sister would do." He explains. 

"Where is she?" I ask, swallowing carefully with the sword against my throat. "She went to see something in town." He says annoyed. "So, where is the girl?" He asks excitedly. "What girl?" Ask acting confused. "The girl with Agatha's blood." He hisses. "Ainsley, threatened to attack if we didn't give her back... we were out numbered."  I explain. He gives a low chuckle. "That is better lying... but not the right time to lie. Let's go see her." He says, putting his sword back onto his waist belt. My heart is beating fast. He walks past me, towards the ship... towards her. 

His crew is already on my ship and my crew helpless... if they dare stop them they would be killed. I pray that they won't find her. "I'm proud that you made her think she'll be safe on your ship... at Isla Maldita." He says, stopping near the gangplank. "I've learnt if you make them trust you... they would believe anything you tell them." I say, folding my arms over my chest. A moment later I hear Esme screaming. I clench my fists. "Ah, so this is Agatha's blood." My father says, motioning for the man to bring Esme down. Esme's terrified eyes finds mine... she pleads for help. But, I know my father is watching my every move... so I school my face not to show a glimpse of any emotion. "Damiao!" She screams. They start to walk down the gangplank, she tries to fight her way out of the man's grasp. 

They stop in front of my father, but Esme is only looking at me. Tears are near from falling down her cheeks. "You look almost just like her." My father says gruffly his accent very heavy. She looks at him with hatred. "Ah! The same glare. Well done, son." He chuckles bumping my shoulder. "Was it all just an act?" She asks, looking at me again. My heart aches, but I ignore it. "A pirate's way to get what he wants is to lie and cheat... that is a pirates life." I answer. My father laughs again. Her eyes change... from asking me to help her.... to she doesn't want to see my face ever again. 

 "You've returned!" A familiar voice says, her long dark hair curly... her eyes always a mystery. She moves through the crowd, and passes Esme, to kiss my cheek. "How was your voyage?" She asks. I look at Esme, her eyes in horror. "Oh, this must be the girl with the blood that pirates want to end." She says with a smirk to Esme. "My brother will come and destroy you all!" Esme says angrily. "Oh, aren't you just adorable! That is the plan, he comes  to save you and we kill him." She says sarcastically to Esme. "Enough. Take her to one of the cells." My father orders huskily. They start to walk away, but before she enters the pitch black tunnel she looks back at me... Please she mouthed. I blink twice to look down and back up at her. Her face has lost all hope. And she disappears into the darkness.

"Next time, tell me if you got a plan or an idea... before arriving." Maria whispers so that only I could hear. "I ran out of time." I say softly. "Liar." She sneers. "That makes two of us." I say motioning to our father. "I'm just as surprised as you are." She defense. "You had time to tell me. Or Connor could have done it for you." I say scolding.  "He is no longer part of my crew." She says, looking down at her shoes. "He is back on your crew." My father says, with a smirk. Maria looks up confused and horrified. "What?" She asks. "I want him on your crew, he will not leave your crew." He says with all authority. She quickly schools her face to not show an emotion. We both know it would do no good if we show any emotion in front of our father.

"I'll see you both in my quarters, for dinner." He says, not as an invitation... but as an order.

I walk back up onto my ship, my crew trying to act normal. I go into my room, and I close the door. "What am I going to do?" I ask myself. 

What am I going to do?

I love you.

Her voice slowly disappearing.

Please don't hate me Esme.