The Island

Chapter 7

Erika's POV

Cam and Gordon barrel out of the house in a hurry and run towards us.

Cam and Gordon are in front of Sophie, whispering in hushed tones. I watch Cam, curious as to why he seems to care so much for the young girl when he seems so cold and detached.

I can tell Sophie is special to him and possibly the key to getting closer to him and the secrets of Pandora. Maybe that is something I need to look at closer.

Gordon and Sophie are talking about the pirates but I don't pay attention to the conversation. I zone out, thinking about the peculiar relationship between them all. The strange family dynamics, yet Cam isn't family. Or could he be?

I suddenly feel eyes on me. I look up and find Cam staring at me but then it turns into a glare. Icy cold eyes penetrating my soul.

I hear Gordon suggest to Sophie that they go into the house and they walk away, leaving Cam and I on the shoreline. He's looking out at the ocean now, waiting for the pirates to arrive. I notice that the ship is getting closer.

"You know, you don't have to stay." Cam grunts out, obviously hoping that I'd leave. Maybe even praying for it.

"I'm aware, but I'm not leaving." I meant it as a double meaning but he didn't say anything. I wonder if he even heard.

If I'm truthfully honest with myself, I'm worried about meeting the pirates. I've never met one before. Will they be like the thieves they are portrayed as in Hollywood or something different and more sinister?

"Ever meet pirates?" Cam asks after awhile still staring at the ship as it moves across the water. Coming closer.

"No."

"Maybe you shouldn't be here then." He pauses as if waiting for me to become defensive. "Pirates are cunning and can turn there back on you in a second. Don't trust them." His stance is tense. I can tell he doesn't like that the pirates are here and he seems to be speaking from experience.

The boat is closer now and I notice the pirates aren't risking the ship by coming closer to the reef. Small boats start to descend from the ship and come towards the island. When they reach the shoreline, one of the pirates in the leading boat gets out and walks towards us. I notice he casually glances at me before speaking with Cam.

"Well, well, well, what has it been mate, a year, six months since I last saw you?"

"Something like that." Cam says through gritted teeth as he shakes the pirates hand and whispers something in his ear. The pirate looks at me. I can honestly say he isn't what I expected.

He's clean.

When I think of pirates, I think of dirty yellow/black teeth, long rurally hair and ripped clothing. The pirate that stands in front of me is nothing like that.

He has sun kissed brown hair with grey eyes that remind me of storm clouds with stubble and a smirk that has bad boy written all over it. He's surprisingly wearing a shirt that shows off just about every muscle he has under it. I know just by looking at him that he knows he's good looking too.

"Who's this pretty lass?" the pirate questions. I notice that the other pirates stay in the boat and I assume that's an order from the captain, whoever that is.

"Capt'n, this is Erika Strong."

"Capt'n Logan Smyth, milady." The pirate says with a smile that could melt hearts.

Captain Logan's POV

My crew and I come closer to the island and I could see two figures standing on the shoreline. I knew the tall male figure but the small blonde woman? Now that is a mystery to me.

"Capt'n?" John asks to get my attention. "What are thee orders?"

"Stay in thee boats until I tell you otherwise."

"Aye, captain." he says. "Do ye want us to stay on thee ship at dusk?"

"Aye, would be best." I confirm as he walks off to inform the rest of thee crew.

My men descended the boats and we row to shore with my boat in thee lead. I get out of the boat and walk to my dear friend.

"Well, well, well, what has it been mate, a year, six months since I last saw you?" I asked him.

He doesn't look happy that I'm here and I wonder if it has something to do with the little lass standing beside him.

"Something like that." Cam grits out and walks over to shake my hand and whispers how are you. I say good and look over at the pretty blonde now standing alone. She's small and has beautiful green eyes.

"Who's this pretty lass?"

"Capt'n, this is Erika Strong."

I cut him off. "Capt'n Logan Smyth milady." I say, giving my signature smile.

"So capt'n what are the honours to see you on my island once again?" Cam asks crossing his arms, trying to look intimidating.

I'm a pirate mate, ain't scared of yeah.

"Just thought I'd come visit an old friend. Is that eh problem mate?" I question, raising an eyebrow.

"Not a problem at all, just know I can't house all your men."

"aye, my men are staying on me ship. No need to worry about that mate."

"Fine by me." Cam says.

I notice that this Erika stays silent the whole time. I wonder why she's here? I knew about the islands legends, how does she connect with it? Is she the one to free the cursed one?

"Erika, why don't you go inside? I need to talk to the captain alone." Cam says and when I look away from Erika I see Cam glaring at me.

"Yeah, okay." She says, walking back to Cam's house. I raise an eyebrow at him and he nods to me crew.

"Mates, go into town or back to thee ship. You're free to do what ye want." I command and my men disperse into town, leaving the boats on thee sand.

"Capt'n?" John asks.

"Go have some fun for once mate." I demand and he has a confused expression on his face but turns and walks in the direction the rest of the crew went.

Cam doesn't make a move to talk. So, I decide to take the leap. "Does she know about the island, the curse or the prophecy?"

"No and I'd like to keep it that way." Cam growls.

"Wow" I raise my hands above my head in surrender and laugh. "I won't tell your secrets, mate."

"It's not just that. She doesn't know anything. So don't say anything. No matter how many questions she asks, Logan."

He's more uptight than usual. My lucky day!

I smirk, "Fine, fine." I pause. "Do you think she's thee girl in the prophecy?"

"I sure hope not." Cam growls and walks towards his house leaving me on the beach.

Well mate, she just might be as much as ye don't want her to be.