Cursed and Sealed (ONC 2020)

Chapter 3

It was so very cold. It touched every part of me right down to my bones. My body began to quiver uncontrollably as the rocking of the ship began to pick up. Then I heard the noise, that same noise from before. The sound of feet sliding across the floor. She was coming back for me and this time she could drag me down to hell with her. Pulling my covers over my head, the sound drew closer until it stopped. Only the sound of the creaking walls of the ship remained.

I drew my arms to myself praying that it would all just go away, that this would disappear and I would be safe and warm in my bed back at my parents estate back in Sussex. That didn't happen, opening my eyes I realized I was still under the covers in the humid cabin of this ship and I wasn't alone. Adrenaline rushed through me as I realized I needed to get out of the cabin and to someplace where I wouldn't be alone. 

I threw the thick blanket off of my head and not even three inches from the face was the old hag. The sores on her face oozed and her teeth were still rotten. I tried to scoot forward and away from her, but her bony hands grasped my shoulder holding me nearly frozen. My chest felt as if it would burst at any second from sheer pain. The old lady closed in what small gap we had into between looking at my eyes as if staring right through me. A ghastly smile form on her chapped lips and she squeezed my shoulder tight causing my chest to burn so intensely.

"I told you this ship was cursed. It was the cursed from the moment you blew out the flame." the words came out cracked and broken which made me shake even more. 

"Please, just leave me alone" I let out and she gripped my shoulder even harder until I could swear she would tear through my clothes and skin. I screamed from the pain of her nails ripping at my skin. The pain of the burning of my chest. I just wanted it to end whatever that took. 

More hands grabbed at me pawing at my arms and legs. Then one last scream escaped my lips before I felt strong arms lift me up.

"Alice, wake up!" The voice said patting my cheek gently. I opened my eyes to see Henri now holding me in his arms. He put his hand on my head and then slide it down to my neck as I shook from the aftershock of it all. It all felt so real, it had to have happened. 

"I told Marie not to leave you. At least this time you aren't burning up with fever."  Henri held me so close to him that I could her the quick beat of his heart. "You've been sleeping this time for only a few hours. It's the witching hour right now and I could have sworn something was truly happening to you by the way you were screaming. Please say something."

He was still a stranger even if we had spent time together that I didn't remember. He was still comforting and I didn't want the witch to come back for me. The candle light flickered on us and the walls showing his deep eyes and all the concern they held. My strength was once again gone and I let my head fall into his shoulder as I couldn't managed to hold myself up anymore. 

"Stay, just a little longer." I said, my voice weak and stumbling over every word. 

"I won't go anywhere." Henri said now getting up and laid me down. I grabbed his hand to stop him and he leaned down to look me right in the eye. 

"She might come back, I don't want her to come back." I said and tears welled up in my eyes as I relived the terrible moments in my head with the hag. Henri picked me up just slightly sitting across the bed and put a pillow across his leg laying my head down on it. Just having him close and feeling his warmth made me feel safe. 

My whole body ached and I could feel the world slipping in and out. I clung to the pillow that laid on top Henri. If anyone knew I was sharing a room with him, my virtue would be ruined. I had already sold my soul it seemed, so I guess it didn't matter anymore anyways. I clung to the pillow as Henri's hand fell on my shoulder lightly caressing it. It was wrong, but I didn't want it stop so I didn't.