Erin McGuinness // An Outlander Fanfiction

Chapter Three

The sound of a door slamming jolts me awake. I sit up with a start, pulling the blankets closer to my chest. "Who goes there?" I hiss into the darkness. I see a slight movement of darkness move quickly closer to me. I jump off the other side of the bed and grab my gun, pointing it at the figure. I pull down the safety.

"I said" I begin, growling, "Who goes there?"

"Erin, sh." I immediately recognise Liam's voice. I put down the gun and turn on the lamp next to me. "What are you doing?" I ask, narrowing my eyes.

Still in his night clothes, Liam looks worried. He is holding a pistol and his eyes keep darting towards the door. "Liam!" I hiss. He gives me another look, "Thieves." He growls. "On the ship."

I was prepared for this. Wasn't I? After many trips out to see, I'd never had this happen but I was prepared. I rush over to the door and check that Liam had efficiently turned the lock. I then rush over to the closet, pulling out some trousers, a blouse and a jacket.

"Erin, no!" Liam cries, as he realises I'm changing. "You can't. You're a woman, you don't know-"

"Excuse me?" I turn, my voice barely recognisable from the hum of my anger. "A woman?" I almost laugh. "And you think that gives the right for us to be robbed? Because your Captain is a woman?"

Liam stands up straight, his eyes darkening as he he storms up to me. I quiver back, moving away from my older brother. "I have pushed you from day one. If anyone knows what you're capable of, it's me. Don't you ever doubt that I don't trust in you or what you are capable of." He's shaking and his eyes are as black as night. "It's them I don't trust. Sleazy, disgusting thieves." 

"Liam, I-"

"No!" He shouts. I panic, looking towards the door hoping no one would hear that we are in here. He notices this and immediately softens his tone, "You're still my little sister Erin. It's my duty to protect you."

I take a step towards him. "You can't protect me from everything." I say quietly. His eyes are sad as he meets mine. "That's what worries me. You're unstoppable." 

I give him a small smile, before glancing at the door. "I understand what you're saying, but we are being robbed. We need to go." I grab my pistol, turn off the lamp and head towards the door. Liam is close on my heels as we sneak into the hallway. 

"Oh, thank god Captain." Eoin looks thankful to see us, as he too is cowering in the hallway, gun tightly grasped in his hand. "Do we know where they are?" I ask him sharply.

He nods, "Everywhere." 

My lip trembles at the thought. "We need to split up." I announce. Liam and Eoin look at me as if I've grown two heads. "No way." They say together. "Yes." I reply firmly. "Ensure that everyone is awake and ready. We all need to split up to make sure that we get them all." I barely notice them nod stiffly before heading off to knock on the doors. 

"I'll go below deck." I tell them.

I quietly but quickly move down the hallway, ensuring to check entry ways and rooms on the way. I head down the steps at the end, slowly taking each one. As I reach the bottom steps, I hear the voices. Almost inaudible but definitely there. I move swiftly behind a barrel. 

"The Captain will be impressed with these."

"No doubt about it Angus." The other voice chuckles. My eyes squint. I look around the room and notice that some of our stock has already been taken. I can't let them remove anymore. "What do you think you're doing?" I sneer, jumping out.

The two, scruffy looking larger men jump. I can smell the alcohol radiating from them. They look startled but when they look at me they begin to laugh. This angers me and I can feel my blood begin to boil. I shoot the ground between them. 

"Bloody hell! Crazy woman!" One of them shouts. Scottish. I notice.

"What do you think you're doing?" I ask again lowering my voice.

"What does it look like we're doing stupid woman?" The larger of the two sneers. I shoot at his foot. He shrieks and falls to the ground. "Who are you calling a stupid woman?" I shout. At first I was scared, but now I'm furious. The smaller man lifts his gun to me. I shoot him in the chest without blinking.

"Captain!" I hear Eoin hurrying down the steps. His eyes are wild and I'd never seen him look so terrified. "This is your Captain?" The larger man laughs, clutching his foot. I grab his hair and pull his head back, holding the gun below his chin. "Who is your Captain?" I demand. He spits in my face. I pull back the safety on the gun. "I'm not going to ask again." I push the gun harder into him.

"Captain..." Eoin starts. "Don't interrupt me Eoin." I hush him. 

I hear a bang from above deck, causing my head to flick up with a start. Before I know it, the man has me held tightly and my gun has been dropped to the floor. I kick and begin to shout, "You bastard! You do not know who you are dealing with!" He grips me tighter, one of his hands moving to my breast. He squeezes it tightly causing my to cry out. I look desperately for Eoin, my eyes dancing everywhere. 

I see him pull his gun from his side as he starts towards us.

*BANG!*

My eyes widen in shock. Eoin stops and his eyes meet mine. He glances down at his stomach, dropping his gun and his hands move up to his abdomen before collapsing on the floor. "No!" I cry as the man lets me go. I fall to my knees at Eoin's side and turn him over so that he is lying flat on his back.

"Erin-" He whispers, choking on his own blood as he takes his last breath. My body chills as I look up at the person who pulled the trigger. I choke when my eyes meet his.