Heart of the Sun

Chapter 12: Red Means Danger

Allister's point of view:
I have taken over the duties of caring for Isabel. I learned her name quite quickly because she insisted on having introductions.

She sleeps in one of the storage rooms and is aloud to roam in either her room or mine. She often stays in mine. Arther tried to offer his own but I shoot the the idea down, there was too much to get into in there. Each day I get to enjoy some of Isabel's company. Though she is still in our possession, her status has risen high enough too where her health is a concern. She eats more often and enjoys more comfortable freedom. She also talks to me, in a very friendly way too. It almost makes me guilty knowing want she's gone through, all while I was ok with it. She seems to be quite the lady now that I know her.

Arthur on the other hand hasn't been too well. Knowing that he has jealousy issues, his apparent crush becoming more obvious. It's going to be rough though since all he's done for Isabel is made her life shit. He could probably give her a diamond as big as her fist and she would still hate him. For that I wouldn't blame her. I'd except nothing less. Still I seems silly that she is so kind to me. I would have let her die had it not been for Arthur.

But at the same time, I would never take female captives.

Arthur's point of view:
I hate everything right now. The Spanish, the French, the cat, some guy I can't remember, and my brother. But above all else, myself. Whenever I see the Spanish girl, I feel all off. Like I've had too much rum or being the ship in a nasty storm. There's no longer a pirate captain when she's around. I hate her for it. Yet I don't want to see her leave, but the stupid French are buying her now. I despise them for that. The dumb undeserving cat who gets more attention than me. My blood boils because of him. Or the man who haunts my dreams, having what I most desire but out of my reach. I want to slice him up. Then there's the blasted red head. He tricks that stupid girl to believe he cares. I could throw him over broad personally. Yet no one upsets me more than myself. Here I have liberty of my most hated enemy, the Fernandez, and I find myself unable to inflict suffering on her anymore.

Why am I suddenly so weak.

Isabel:
The sudden opening of the small room door made me jump. I didn't expect anyone to want to visit me in my comfortable cage, I was a prisoner still. But scarlet tresses put me at ease. Allister carried some clean clothes, neatly folded.

"These are for you. I'm tired of seeing you in those rags. Plus, it would help us out with a better price from the buyer."

I look down, inspecting my dress which I had put back on. The bright red was faded and it's loose shreds were embedded with dirt and blood. But I also saw the memories of receiving it. How it took forever for everyone to settle on the "perfect dress". My heart broke at the idea of parting with that special connection it held. Smiling, I sweetly replied

"Well I'd rather wear this, red is my color after all.".

The older Kirkland looked at me mystified.

"But that dress is disgusting and these are-."

I cut him of.

"You shouldn't say rude things like that."

"Now you listen lady, that's the truth. I don't even understand why you'd want to wear that!"

Ouch. I felt a hit on my bruised heart.

"Well for you're knowledge, this is the last thing I received from my brother, a gift I got right before I was so kindly taken abroad your ship. To stop wearing it would be giving up the people who matter most to me. He stopped for just a few seconds.

"Well that's touching but, you can't keep wearing it, this is only for your health, I promise! You'll get yourself sick or something if you keep it on! So strip it off or I will take it off myself."

That stunned me.

"Wha-aat!? You wouldn't dare!"

His face was straight.

"Oh but I would if that's what I took to get you out of that dress."

I didn't even have a chance to react because my door burst open to my surprise for the second time.

Seamus' point of view:
Dealing with the Captain lately have been tiring. He acts weird and I'd rather deal with him wasted than how he is now. But even in the darkest of times, there's light.
Though he is oblivious, there's a certain lady he unknowingly chases after vainly. It's so funny that I'll find myself laughing to tears sometimes. But I'm not shallow enough to know that it isn't dangerous either. Arthur had some problems with pride and envy. If he ever suspected that  another man on this ship was getting involved with the Spaniard, there would be Hell to pay for everyone.
That's why when I overheard the First Mate getting aggressive with undressing the captive, I knew immediate action needed to be taken. But at the same time, I knew I wasn't a man of words so I'd have to figure this out quick. I slammed the door aside and ran right for the endangered female.

I then slung her over my back and bolted.