Vanessa [A Poor Unfortunate Soul]

31. Going Home

The wind blew in cold, gently tussled Vanessa's loose hair around her. She felt like a goddess, like her skin had been kissed by the lord himself. The cool breeze carefully tugged at the lower half of her dress and aided her perfect vision. Jane helped heave Milo overboard and back into the water, where he waved goodbye to them with his flipper. 

 Jakob turned from the opposite side of the deck to meet Vanessa's gaze, and in slow motion he made his way over to her. Stepping carefully into him she wrapped her arms around his toned body. He held her face and kissed her for the first time. She had been kissed before but this truly felt like the first time. And she wish it was.

Vanessa wanted to melt into the pirate and never return. Their souls bound. And perhaps they would have, if Jakob hadn't jerked backwards in pain. Clenching his chest he groaned in a deep ordeal. 

"What's happening?" Vanessa asked.

"That bitch!" Jane exclaimed. "Nadia cursed his heart."

Jane wrapped her arm around their captain and walked him to the other side of the deck.

"Is there anything we can do?" Vanessa asked before biting on her fingernails.

"Keep your distance." Jane said, motioning to Vanessa to stay back. 

"I'm sorry." Vanessa whimpered. 

"No love." Jakob said in his usual accent, trying to keep her calm. "You have nothing to be sorry for."

"There has to be something we can do." Vanessa pleaded.

"There isn't." Jane grimaced. "This is a rare curse from Wonderland, with no known cure."

"But with my power perhaps" Vanessa trailed off.

"Vanessa" Jane said. "As much as I wish you could do something, that's the very purpose of the curse. To separate two hearts. Even if you did have the power to reverse it, the spell would only backfire."

"So then what do we do?" Vanessa asked with tears falling from her cheeks and burning tiny specs into her feet. 

"We call it a night and think of something tomorrow" Jakob grunted, trying to put on a brave face.

"He's right." Jane said. "He'll need to rest up, school begins soon."

The night was restless, Vanessa closed her eyes but didn't sleep. The pain in her chest wouldn't allow it. Though she was sure it was nothing compared to the pain Jakob felt, she wished it'd kill her. That way she wouldn't have to wake up and watch Jakob suffer. Or at the very least, her love would never hurt another. 

She tossed and turned trying to find a somewhat comfortable spot. No position was any comfier than the last. Not that it was the mattress, it was all the same. Her mind wouldn't let her go. The pit within her stomach grew and reached to the tip top of her chest. That's what hurt the most, she thought. Not that she had failed again in the love department. The cold hard truth of it all. She had to admit that she had indeed fallen in love again. That was the worst pain of all.

"I love him." She whispered to herself and turned over into the pillow. The same pillow would end up soaked in snot and tears by the morning. 

When the morning sun crept its way into the cabin, so did Jane. She found Vanessa there by the bed, on her knees whispering a prayer. 

"What are you doing?" Jane asked, putting an emphasis on "are"

"I was giving a prayer for Jakob." Vanessa said and rose to her feet.

"Right." Jane said, quickly closing her eyes. "I forgot you were Catholic. Well, don't let me disturb."

"No" Vanessa said, catching her before she could shut the cabin door. "I was just finished."

"Good" She said and paused. The next words were obviously difficult for her. "Because we've docked."

Jane then turned and went up the stairs to the main deck.

"Where?" Vanessa called after her.

When Vanessa stepped outside the familiar scent took her back. And the docks reminded her of a time she'd rather forget. Copenhagen.

"I am so sorry." Jane said.

"Whatever for?" Vanessa asked and flicked away a tear. "I know that with Jakob's condition, I can't expect to remain part of the crew."

"Please know that this isn't what I or our captain want." Jane said and held her friend's hand. "The whole crew has grown fond of you, and you'll always have a home here."

Vanessa knew that last part wasn't true. The sentiment, of course. But with Jakob's heart, she couldn't be within spitting distance of the captain.

"Fret not." Jane said. "We won't rest until we've found a cure." 

"What if by then, its too late?" Vanessa asked, slowly braiding a strand of hair. 

"For you two?" Jane asked, somewhat shocked. "I have known the captain since we were babes, he has never felt for anyone the way he feels for you."

Before Vanessa could utter another self deprecating word, Jakob stepped out onto the deck. He didn't have to say anything. The expression over his face said everything it needed to. His pearlescent eyes drooped and his mouth sagged in a deep sadness. 

"Its time." Jane said and patted Vanessa's back.

The crew stepped in, two lowering the ramp, another held her hand as she walked down the cold and wood. Her bare toes twinged and shivered as if preparing themselves for the stone on the docks and roads.

"Jane." Jakob called.

"Oh right!" Jane stammered. "Vanessa!"

Vanessa turned and faced her friend. 

 "Yes?" She asked softly.

"Jakob asked me to give you this." Jane said after catching up to her and handed her a small white box.

The white box was rough on the edges to the touch, but you couldn't tell any ridges by just looking at it. Vanessa's nimble fingers pulled the lid open with a small creek. Inside was a folded note and under that was what looked like the ocean tied to a string. 

"He plucked it off a chief from Motunui." Jane said. 

"Its beautiful." Vanessa said and began tearing.

"Here." Jane said and helped her put the necklace on. It landed and rested just above Vanessa's cleavage and seemed to fit right at home there. "Lovely."

Before Vanessa turned to walk off again she threw her arms around Jane in a farewell embrace.

"Oh, and we're hugging." Jane said with a giggle. She didn't seem like the type to giggle, even if the occasion called for it. "We will see you again some day. That much I promise."

Vanessa tried for a smile but it probably looked painful. Which it was. 

Making her way through the busy streets Vanessa tried to recall the path to Derek's apartment. She unfolded the note, careful to not attract any oncoming traffic.

 My dear Vanessa,

 Words could not describe my contempt for this situation. Rest assured that my crew won't rest until a cure is found, and you're back in my arms.

Forever my love,

- Jakob

Vanessa held the note close to her heart and made her way through the chaos that was the remainder of her path in this life.