The Poison Rose

Veintidós

** = Beginning of new and improved!

We eventually found a small cave, hidden by the trees and close to the water.

We all sat down to catch our breath. My heartbeat was slowing down to regular pace, but when a gunshot and a yell echoed to my ears, it spiked up again.

Maria came and sat down next to me. Her back against the wall and her hair scratching at my cheek. Lana did the same on the other side.

“Nyra?” Maria asked in the darkness, “Do you think they’ll be okay?”

I nodded, “They’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”

She sighed sleepily and nodded. I wasn’t surprised that she was tired. All of this was physically, mentally, and emotionally tiring.

Plus, waking someone up, telling them to get dressed, get off a ship, say goodbye to someone you’d die for, running and all without asking questions is hard. If not for my speed racing heart, I’d be sleeping too.

Lana began humming a lullaby, and soon after, Maria was out like a light bulb.

As soon as we found out she was asleep, be both physically relaxed slightly. It wasn’t a negotiated act, but it came naturally. We were both acting strong and brave in front of Maria, but in all truth, we were terrified.

“You okay?” Lana asked me.

“Yeah. You?”

“Fine, Gracias.”

Those were the only words we spoke for the next twenty minutes. Just listening to Maria’s soft breathing.

All of the sudden, a gunshot and a cry echoed through the forest.

My heart rate spiked up into hyper speed.

“What was that?” I asked, moving to sit on my knees.

“I’m not sure Chica.”

“It sounded like a gunshot…”I stood up, “And the person who got shot…could have been Kain.”

I took off running, trying to find Kain with Lana calling for me to come back. She wouldn’t leave Maria Though.

Banana leaves and tree branches whipped across my face and body as I ran in search of anybody, somebody, especially Kain.

It was hot and muggy and I was sweating profusely.

**Another gunshot sounded to my right and caught my attention. A light burst through the trees and right at me. I put an arm in front of my eyes.

“Hay, ‘ou lookie here capin’! We got ourselves a girlie!” rustling sounded, getting close to me.

I couldn’t see. The light was in my eyes, so I didn’t know where to run!

All of the sudden, a cloth was over my eyes, binding on my hands, and I was thrown over and onto someone’s shoulder.

“Hey! Let me go!” I kicked my feet as they started walking. “The only person who’s allowed to carry me like this is Kain! Put me dow--ah!”

I was dropped on the ground hard and my butt made contact harshly.

They ripped off my blindfold and I looked around. Everyone was gagged and lined up  against a wall. We were in a room, lit by candles.

Before I could gasp, I was gagged and picked up.  I looked to my right at the sound of low speaking.

Kain and Captain Maks had each other at sword point, arguing about something.

I felt my heart in my throat.

At first, I decided to for once, to be the damsel in distress:

Please, save me and the others and be safe Kain.

But, then I remembered that I was never the push-over type and that I was always ready to kick some ass.

Well then I decided to be all:

Yeah, you better kick his ass while I untie myself and find that bitch Roseline.

I grinned to myself as I pulled the pocket knife out of my back pocket.