Chapter 6

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Ambrosius groaned groggily at the soreness that immediately erupted in his leg once he awoke. 

  He forced himself to sit up, rubbing at his eyelids that are swollen with sleep. As he became more aware, he felt confused, because he’s not feeling the sway of the ship. As a matter of fact, the bed feels different as well. It’s too soft, and the air is too dry, too still.

  He blinked his eyes open and looked around, finding himself in a cell. Sunlight from the morning sun shined through a small barred window near the ceiling, giving the cold cell a warm glow.

  Memory came rushing to Ambrosius and he gasped as fear immediately collected within him.

  It’s morning. They’re going to hang him soon.

  His heart began pounding wildly as he frantically looked around, desperate to figure out a way to escape, despite the logical part of him that knew that he can’t get out of this one. He’s never felt so much panic before. He’s not sure why he wasn’t freaking out last night, but whatever was holding the fear back decided to let it all loose now that his fate is within what could be minutes of grasping him.

  Ambrosius forced himself to his feet, stumbling to his cell door and grabbing onto it, but what is he going to do? The lock is far more advanced than what he can solve before they come for him.

  He scanned his cell again, but there’s nothing he can use. The window is useless; even if he managed to break off the bars, it’s too small for him to climb through.

  His fear increased tenfold when he heard the footsteps coming down the hallway.

  No no no, his mind screamed. He doesn’t want to die. Not yet.

  Two guards stopped in front of his cell and looked into it, and once they saw Ambrosius, they met gazes and nodded.

  One of them leaned closer to the door, his blue eyes looking into the pirate’s. “Are you Ambrosius?”

  Ambrosius scowled and stepped away from the door, staring at them in silence. How do they know his name?

  “Has to be,” the other guard responded. “He looks just like Hades.”

  Ambrosius’s eyes widened, then he glared at them. “What?”

  “Ambrosius,” the second guard said softly, meeting the young pirate’s gaze with periwinkle eyes. “We’re here to help. Your captain sent us. We’re going to break you out.”

  Ambrosius hesitated, studying the two guards who apparently aren’t real guards. He’s not sure if he can believe them, because he has no idea who they are, but if they know Hades, then clearly something is going on here.

  “Your crew will be here soon,” the blond man whispered. Ambrosius blinked, then nodded.

  “Aye,” he managed. “Be quick. I will be hanged this morning.”

  They both nodded, then turned to walk down the hallway as if they’re just patrolling.

  Ambrosius took a deep breath, taking a moment to process this.

  They’ll be here soon. They’re going to save me. Ambrosius lifted his hands to brush his hair back, exhaling heavily and closing his eyes, but then furrowed his eyebrows at the sound of footsteps again, and voices. He opened his eyes and looked towards the hallway, although he can’t see who’s there.

  “It’ll only be a minute,” pleaded an unfamiliar soft, deep voice.

  “Who are you looking for?” Asked one of the guards. One of the fake guards, due to the voice. The blond one.

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