The Poison Rose

Veintiún

I felt very seasick. Though the night air helped it. At the speed we were going, for four days straight, I couldn’t imagine myself not being.

Kain stayed at the wheel day and night, only stopping to take care of himself and then he was back on it again. Well, only if Pepe could ease his hands off it.

I didn’t blame him for being alert of the big blue ship that was tailing us. I did blame him for getting us into the situation in the first place though.

Roseline stayed under deck the whole time. I, however, stayed in the special spot in the front of the ship.

I couldn’t bare to look behind us, so I chose to stare at the front.

Yes, I knew that the life of a pirate was adventurous. Not murderous.

I haven’t slept but a few hours here and there, for fear of them catching up to us and killing everybody. Torturous people we are.

“Nyra.” A voice, all of the sudden, brought me back to the world.

I looked behind me, only to see Kain.

I scoffed and turned back to face the sea, “Shouldn’t you be driving?”

He sat next to me, but was sure not to let our skin touch, “Pepe forced me to ‘go take care of my needs’. And right now what I need is for you to forgive me.”

I was quiet. Thinking about what he just said and half tempted to let our arms touch and make it seem like an accident.

I decided not to.

“Why’d you steal that old man’s money?” I asked, closing my eyes against the seamist that persisted to slam my face.

He sighed, “I’m a pirate. I don’t play nice. Besides, MAN he was getting on my nerves! And…”He looked bashful, “He’s only chasing us because Of something I should have done but didn’t.”

For a second he got this faraway look in his eye, but it quickly disappeared and he looked at me. His eyes pleading.

I grinned as I thought about his explanation, “Well, that’s good enough for me!”

I jumped and gave him a flying hug, Pushing both of us down.

I laughed as I hugged him. I missed this. I missed being so close that I could smell his cologne and the metallic smell he got from carrying his sword around all the time.

I missed being so close that his breath, landing on me, gave me Goosebumps.

Even if it had been only four days.

It felt like an eternity.

“Nyn, Por favor, get off me.” Kain squeaked as I squeezed his neck.

I smiled at let go, looking out at the dark sea.

 “So what time is it?” Kain asked as he sat up, “I’m pooped!”

I studied the watch I always wore, “2:41 AM”

“Kay then, I’m going to hit the hay as you Americans call it. But first, “He reached for my hand and helped us both back on deck, “let’s go check on Junkie.”

We both walked to the post where Junkie practically lived.

“What for me.” He kissed me on the cheek and climbed the ropes that led to Junkie.

I looked around the lightly lantern-lit deck and shivered, wrapping my arms around my torso. It was cold without him next to me.

I felt happy. Despite the slight sense of impending doom, I felt happy.

All of the sudden, though slightly muffled, yelling and arguing came from above me. I looked and saw Kain take a telescope from Junkie and look out of it hurriedly.

I saw his mouth move in a swear and he threw the telescope at Junkie, speedily climbing down the ropes.

“Come on.” He grabbed my hand swiftly and began walking to the door that led to the under deck.

“What happened?” I asked as I struggled to keep up.

“That idiota fell asleep and therefore, wasn’t able to warn me about our up coming island!” He almost broke the deck door.

“Can’t we just turn around?” I asked.

He flicked his tongue off the top of his mouth, “Too risky. The second we do, they’ll t-bone us. Also, there’s no time. The second we hit land, everybody off! Every minute we waste is another minute they can catch up with us!

“And it’s no doubt in my mind that they’ve noticed our disadvantage. There’ll be bloodshed for sure!”

My blood ran cold, “What?”

“We’ll have to fight.  Now go wake up Lana and Maria, get yourselves ready and meet me above deck. Go!”

I gave him one last look before taking off down the hall, and straight to my room.

I pulled my sword belt on and my jacket. I pulled my hair up with a ribbon as I ran to Maria’s room and stepped in. I noticed her remake of a nightlight (a candle) and went to wake her up.

“Maria, sweetie, please wake up! Quickly! We’ve got to go!” Her eyes flickered open.

“Nyrz?” She croaked.

“Hey sweetheart. Come on, get up and get dressed, we’ve got to go.”

“Why?” She asked, but got up and did what I told her anyway. Grabbing her sword on the way out, “I’ll explain later, but come on!”

Waking up Lana went flawlessly. As we headed up to the deck, the ship gave a huge lurch.

“Here we go…” I said, then walked through the door and saw Kain ushering the crew off the ship.

When he saw us, it was like he had taken a breath of relief. When we reached him, everyone was off the ship already.

“Nyra, I want you, Lana, and Maria to go find somewhere to hide. I’ll come back for you. I promise.”

I nodded and he helped us off the ship.

“Now go!”

Lana, Maria and I didn’t move.

Maria was breathing hard then, suddenly, ran and hugged him. So did Lana.

“Be safe Mama Sweeny. You too Lana.”

They shared one last hug before letting go and stepping back.

Kain and I stood still a moment, before I ran and hugged him too. He turned my head and kissed me flat on the mouth. Right in front of Lana and Maria.

When we pulled away, he whispered, “Take care of my family, Nyn.”

“They’re my family too.”

He smiled and gave me one last hug before taking off into the dark woods.

I took a step to see where the blue ship was, and how close they were.

It was close enough for me to read the name:

Hanna’s Heart

I shivered, they were too close.

“Let’s go.”

I took off into the woods with Lana and Maria hot on my heels. Who knows how long it’ll take them to catch us…