Silver Raven

Raven's Final Song

Her scream of agony pierced through the oddly calm morning air.  The smell of iron, no, blood was potent. Her blood covered almost every inch of the deck. The swish of the whip reverberated through the air and a sickening smack followed. Only, this time, the girl didn't scream. Finally, Raven could take it no more.

"Gord, stop it." Raven walked up to the group of men who were laughing around the mutilated girl.

"Don't be so uptight, I'm getting information out of 'er." Gord slurred his words. It wasn't even noon yet and the man already reeked of liquor. He cold blue eyes stared into her's menacingly, as if daring her to try to stop him.

She stood her ground. "We both know she knows nothing. You're just doing this because you're a fucking sadist bastard."

"Such an ugly mouth on such a lovely girl. Are you wanting to take her place? I could find a better use for you." He scanned her still-forming curves that peaked out under her revealing clothing. When Raven didn't return his smile his mood turned sour. "So what if I'm doing this for fun? Who cares?"

"Don't tell me you've got a thing for women too," one of his companions joined in on the conversation.

"Don't tell me that you're going soft. I might just have to tell your mother." Gord tried teasing the girl. Yet, her expression didn't change. "How about a deal, I won't tell the captain if you take a crack at it." He held the end of the whip out for Raven grab. She glanced at the woman tied to the mast. Her back oozed blood out of multiple wounds and here eyes were dead. She'd already given up hope. Raven recognized the look, the woman was lost in her mind trying to escape the pain. Her shoulders were slumped in defeat and her breathing was ragged. The woman wouldn't last much longer if the beating continued.

"I won't stoup to your level," Raven swatted the whip out of the man's hand. His companion laughed at the gesture while Gord glared at her.

"You're going to regret that," he growled while walking away. Once he was out of sight Raven began quickly untying the rope that bound the woman's hands.

"Raven!" Her name echoed across the whole ship, her mother was furious. She rounded the corner into Raven's sight in a matter of seconds, Gord following behind. She took in the scene in front of her before sighing.

"You're uncle was right. You're not cut out to be a pirate." Misty glared at her in disgust.

"You- you're wrong! I'm doing just fine!" Raven tried her best to appear strong but her wavering voice gave her away. The truth is, she could care less about being a pirate. She just knew she would be abandoned if she wasn't strong enough.

"Oh ya? I'll be the judge of that. Fight me to the death." Misty demanded while unsheathing her sword.

Raven's jaw hung open, "What?"

"If you're strong enough to kill me, then I'll be wrong. But I don't need any cowards or weaklings on my ship." The two were starting to attract the rest of the crew. A circle of bodies were beginning to form around them.

"I won't fight you. You're my mother, I won't kill you!" Raven stated proudly but it took all her composure to keep from shaking.

"You were a mistake. I can't believe a coward like you is actually my daughter. We'll all be much better off once you're dead." Misty shouted at her daughter loud enough for all to hear. Loud enough to embarrass her. Raven found herself searching the crowd for her father but he had set sail on a different ship earlier that week. The only person from the crowd who met her eyes without disdain was Cappy. But even he turned his eyes down in regret, refusing to step in. She was truly on her own.

"I- I won't fight you! I refuse!" Raven shouted one last time.

"Then die!" Misty was beside her in the blink on an eye, thrusting her sword at Raven. Raven jumped out of the way and the crowd parted around her. Raven finally drew her weapon but all she could do was block the blows. Two more swings of Misty's sword and Raven was pushed to the edge of the deck. Her mind was numb and the cheering of the rowdy crew members blocked out any noise. 

"Stupid pirates. Who would want to live this kind of life anyways?" Raven thought as Misty threw one final attack at her youngest child. "I don't want it, not anymore." Raven tried jumping back out of the way, but the blade caught the soft tissue of her stomach, pushing her over the edge. As her body hurtled towards the water, dark crimson began leaking from her wound. When she slammed into the warm ocean, the crew above cheered. As her body sank deeper into the abyss, they thought she was dead.