Imelda, All Warrior

Capítulo Tres

                                                     Capítulo Tres

                           “Que no es el destino tanto como el viaje.”

                     -It is not the destination so much is the journey.-

                                                           - Captain Jack Sparrow

            I wrapped my blanket, tightly around my little chest. Each breath I took came out uneasy as I silently tiptoed to my father’s quarters. The hallway was dark, adding more to the intimidation. I would stop every now and then, cautious about the creaks my tiny footsteps made, glimpsing for any shadows in the night. He warned me about El Cucuy.

            “El Cucuy is a bad monster and it comes only at night to take away bad little girls”, he would tell me and I believed him. I would press myself deeper into my bed, scared for my life.

            I loved it when he told scary stories instead of fairy tales, although I spent many nights crying with fright. "Melda," was what my father called me. The way he uttered my name warmed the edges of my heart, eventually igniting a calming fire within me and the fear would dissipate. He would tell me I wasn’t bad, but an angel.

            His angel.

             I continued to walk to his room and could see the outline of his door, beguiling me to come forth. I was afraid. I was afraid what my eyes would see if I opened that door. No good came out of my adventures. I should just turn back, I thought. I should stay in my bed like a good girl. But, my curiosity always got the better of me.

            Without another thought, I grabbed the door knob and turned…

          Mist covered most of the Caribbean Sea, and left the ship ghastly serene. It felt like the souls of the fallen were watching my every move. It hid us from intruders and unwanted visitors. I shivered with delight at the prospect of others among us. The foreboding atmosphere was perfect for tonight’s occasion. I could sense my crew awaiting my arrival – tense and ready for my evaluation.

          I kept walking towards the docks and could see dark figures looking down at me.

          I raised one arm, and the deck ladder came down. It landed with a bang; without a flinch, I began ascending the stairs onto La Marcelina de la Luz. My crew cleared a path for me as I stepped onto my ship.

          I walked passed frigid bodies and made my way to the poop deck – the highest landing upon my ship – so I could see everyone’s faces.

          I stared down each individual crew member; I turned away from the stern and stood with my arms propped; numerous pairs of eyes were looking up at me – each one of them with their own variation of uncertainty – dreading what I was going to say.

          I smiled. This never gets old. I was thriving inside; all this power was mine – to do with as I saw fit. Power is granted to those who knew how to control it, I thought.

            Fe lingered to the right of me, as still as the tree she was hanging upside down of moments ago. Fe was my first mate; my trust in her was unwavering. She stood with her arms crossed over her chest and mouth set in a grim line; her presence was useful to get the attention of the scallywags that made up my rowdy crew.