Savior

Fear

Adrian:

I struggled against my bondages; to no avail. They had locked me tight, my arms tied around the pole of the mast and my neck secured to the same pole with a grimy rope. Heavy and cold winds carried up from the sea storm slapped my frozen face. I fought to keep my tears in, instead, focusing on a lone, red satin ribbon that I smoothed in the palm of my hand. And here's the crazy thing about it all. Here I was tied up, on a ship full of barbarians called pirates, in the middle of the ocean, in a sea storm, and I wasn't afraid. Why? That damned ribbon; it had saved me, saved my soul. 

A hundred eyes glared at me, penetrating through my soul, piercing, fierce, and absolutely terrifying. Whispers broke out, and accusing fingers waved, all directed towards me.

"You let the girl go." they accused.

"You're the reason our loot escaped." All I could do was keep my head down, my mouth shut, and my eyes filled to the brim with a lie. And then, where a minute ago, there was commotion, there was now silence; a silence so stifling and resound that it twisted my insides. Something was very wrong. Smooth smooth, my brain commanded as my hands continued. I needed reassurance. 

A lone boot thumped on the deck, followed seconds later by the thick sound of wood scraping wood. A chill ran through my spine, seizing my heart. A man's dark shoe came in my range of view as I struggled against the damp rope chafing my wrists.

"Tsk tsk Adrian. I expected better from you boy." the owner of the boots whispered. His voice was soft, but nowhere near gentle. He spoke with elegance, but was far from human.

"You must realize child, that it was your doing that soiled our work tonight." His hand came into my view, decked with a single ring: a trophy to show the world, a reminder of who he was and why he should never be messed with. With a single tug, he pulled my face up to look into his.

I broke out in shudders, unable to hide the terrifying cold that had settled within me and the greedy hands of fear that clawed my heart. He was a menace, one to look at and one to be in the presence of. Dark, braided hair fell across his face, hiding most of his features. Brutal and twisted holes full of danger and death replaced what regular eyes should have been. He was tall, taller than most and even stronger than others. Scars marred his face, a face that could have been handsome a long time ago, a time where there was no Captain Scabb, where there was only Nigel.

"You will pay for what you have done." Captain Scabb promised, a smirk on his cruel face, his voice shattering the peace of the cold, winter night. "And as for the girl, I know why you did what you did. But you'll never do it again."

And try as hard as I might, I couldn't help but doubt him; anything for her. 

In seconds, grimy hands wrapped round my wrists, releasing me from the pole. Furious, burly men yanked me to my feet, beady eyes trained on my face, daring me to run. Tears ran down my face but they chose to ignore my pain- they chose to ignore the fear of an eleven year old boy. Dragging me away from the wretched captain himself, they pulled me towards stairs that led down to a desolate room, a prison.

It smelt like death. The stale stench of salt water permeated the air, along with something rotten. From the sliver of light that passed through the planks of wood, I could make out a cage. It covered half the room and contained nothing more than a tiny cot in the corner.

“Hope ye’ enjoy yer new quarters mat’.” The man with the iron grip on my shoulder cackled as I winced in pain, crushing her ribbon in my hand.