The Pirate Princess

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

I stayed there looking at the ocean for pretty much the whole voyage. Alex occasionally came up to me with food but I wouldn't accept it. I wasn't that hungry. Every now and then, I would have Steve steal me food. I would have done it myself but I swear Alex was always watching me. I didn't dare move from my spot. He tried to start some conversation but I usually said a rude comment and he left after that. I was glad for that. I wanted to be left alone. (Steve wasn't much company. He just sits there and stares at you or he does his own thing)

Alex came up to me. "You need to eat something. You can't starve yourself to death. Your father wouldn't like that if you died on the way back to Oria. I don't think your little boyfriend would like that if you died either." That's it. I lost it. I pushed him back so his back was against the side of the ship. My arm was against his neck.

"Mention him again and I will kill you." I threatened.

"With what? Your pet monkey? I am not afraid of you." He grabbed my hurt arm and inspected it.

"What happened here? Your boyfriend decided he didn't like you anymore?" He squeezed my arm harder than I thought he could. I ignored the pain and pushed my arm a little farther into his neck. "Mention him again, and I will make sure father hears of what you did to me."

He paled. "You wouldn't."

"Yes I would." I let go of him.

"Serena you've changed." was all he said. My arm where he squeezed hurt. A bruise would definitely form there. Then he left. I stood there in shock. He was right. I have changed. I use to be this girl who was afraid of every little thing. Now look at me.

Oria was in view about fifteen minutes later. I thought of my options. I could stay here and see my parents who are most likely waiting for me at the docks, or I could run as soon as the boat lands. But where would I run? I couldn't run out onto the docks because guards will most likely be there to excort me to the castle. I could jump off as soon as the boat docks. That could work but I would have to swim fast. Maybe I could do it. My parents would be angry and Alex would therefore kill me for jumping and leaving me but I have no other option. I don't want to talk to my parents right now. I guess jumping it is.

I waited until the boat stopped. I could see father, mother and Harry start walking to the ship. Now was my chance. I ran to the edge of the ship and climbed up. I jumped. The water was freezing. The cold tore through me. I reached the surface and started to swim as fast I could. I heard people yelling. "Get her!" one called. I heard a splash behind me and I immediately swam faster. The person behind me was faster there. Arms grabbed me and pulled me closer. I looked at who had grabbed me. Alex.

"Let go of me!" I cried, trying to wiggle out of grasps. I ended up elbowing him in the eye. He loosened his grip just a little but not for long. He got ahold of me once again in seconds. I tried to break out of his grip but It didn't work. His grip was too strong. He pulled me back to shore. Two guards were there waiting. They grabbed me when we were close enough and they lifted me up and out of the water. They set me down on the floor and someone handed me a towell. They then helped Alex out of the water. Someone handed him a towell and he stood right next to me.

My parents walked to where we were. I gulped. My plan had failed. Father crossed his arms when he reached me. "Serena I am disappointed in you." I didn't dare look into his eyes. "Why did you run?" I didn't answer. "Serena I asked you a question, why did you run?" he asked again. A little louder now. He grabbed my injured arm and pulled me up. He touched the cut. I cried out in pain.

"Sir she's injured." Alex said. "We need to get her back to the castle."

"Since when do you care if I am hurt or not?" I asked. He ignored me.

"Who did this to you?" father asked me. I couldn't tell him the truth. "I was walking with a knife in my hand and I tripped. It cut me." I lied.

Thankfully father accepted it. "Let's take her back to the castle. Put her in her room. And keep her there. I will come talk to her later." father said. The guards nodded and motioned me forward.

I got put into the same carriage as Alex. Was I happy about that? Oh no. I think my dad put me here on purpose.

"I can't believe you jumped off the ship. That is crazy."

"Welcome to my life." I said.

We reached the castle about twenty minutes later. I got put right into my room. I was freezing. I went into my bathroom and changed some different clothes. I had nothing to do so I just sat there on my bed waiting for my father to get here. In truth, I am terrified. I don't want to talk to father. I want to run. This is the last place I want to be at the moment.

I waited and waited and waited for father. Finally he came in. He sat down next to me on the bed. "Why? Why did you jump?"

I sighed and looked at him. "I like it out at sea. I was fine until Alex showed up. Why did you have him come?"

"I knew you wouldn't come with me if I went. I had to get Alex to do it. I know you don't like him. But I had no choice."

"Why did I have to leave? I was doing fine. We were going to be back in time for the wedding." I said.

"I know. It has something to do with the captain and the first mate. I am sorry but you cannot go with them any longer." father said.

"What? But father..." I love him. I thought. You can't take me away from someone I love. But of course, he doesn't know I do.

"No buts. I am sorry but that is just the way it is going to be. When it's time for the wedding, you will not be able to leave your room. You will be taken to your seat and then taken out after the ceremony. I am sorry that is how it has to be."

I felt like crying. "Father please." I begged. "Let me go with them."

"No why do you want to go with them anyway?" he asked. "They are not good people to be around."

"What are you talking about? They are the nicest people I know."

"That's what they want you to think. They are not good people."

"Father what are you talking about?" I stood up, very angry. "The boy is so nice and sweet. He is fun to be around. And the captain is so loving. They are both so nice." father looked at me nice and hard.

"What?" I asked. "What is it?"

"You love him, the boy I mean. You love him, don't you?"

I went to far. I didn't speak. "You do love him! Oh Serena. I am disappointed in you. You are not supposed to love him."

I gulped. I heard a screech. Steve came running in. "Hey buddy!" I said. He jumped in my arms and put his arms around my neck. I guess it was his way of hugging me. "You are a weird little monkey. You disappear and then reappear." he licked my face in response.

I looked back at father. He sighed. "I'm sorry Serena but you will never see that boy again."

"No father! Please don't do this to me."

"I'm sorry Serena." he said. He left. I heard the door lock behind him. "No father! Please!" I cried. I banged my fist against the door like a child. "Please." I begged. I sunk to my knees and cried. Tears streamed down my face. Steve made a weird screeching noise then jumped on my shoulder and wrapped his arms around me, as if to hug me.

"Thanks Steve." I said. He licked my face then disappeared. The tears fell down my face as I sat there.

Eventually I fell asleep.