After All

Chapter 2

Emma's eyes pop opened, visualizing her surroundings with blur. Her head hurt and she was dizzy.
Closing her eyes, she stayed put on the bed for some minutes until the headache and the blurry vision were gone.

Once on her feet, she still had the sensation of being dizzy.

"What the hell?"

She walked forward and looked outside through the window. Water, water and the sky. Blue and more blue.

What am I doing on a ship? I thought-

Then it hit her. The storm. The screams. Her parents. The image of them lying on the water crossed her mind.

They died. They have probably died.

After that she could only remember some ferocious waves trying to drown her. A small tear fell from her right eye.

Emma wiped it away before realizing she had a small bandage on her head with a sharp pain in that part of her body.

The princess opened the door willing to meet her rescuers. To her surprise, they weren't who she had thought.
All the crew stared at her as Emma began to walk.

"Who are you?" She asked leaving a strict distance between herself and the filthy men.

"A noble crew of pirates, milady" a voice responded behind her. She turned to him swiftly, meeting his gaze.

"Excuse me? This must be a really good joke"

"Do I look like I'm kidding?"

She shook her head.

"I see your bruise is getting better" he said looking at the wound.

"It still hurts though" she replied unsure.

Uncrossing his arms, Killian stepped closer to her but not that much.

"Where are my modals? Killian Jones, but most people know me as Captain Hook" he made a small reverence.

"It's a... pleasure" she answered without stop gazing at the pointy hook he had instead of his left hand.

"The pleasure is mine, Your Highness"

Her eyes retuned to met his as she smiled nervously.

"You must be mistaking me with someone else"

"I doubt it. You know, besides the fact that I'm quite perceptive, you had an expensive piece of jewelry on your head that only princesses wear"

"I might've... stolen it"

"Look love, you can't fool me easily. I know you're from the royal family"

"Don't call me 'love' again." She said madly "And yes, I'm a princess. So?"

"That means you're going to be our guest of honor"

"Thanks God. I thought for a moment I was going to be a prisoner" she said sarcastically.

"Why would you?"

"I'm not an idiot. I know you're planning on asking for a ransom to my parents. Guess what? They are not even alive so I'm useless!"

There was a silence. Emma felt the urge to ran away and cry because what she said was true. Her parents were dead and she was alone in the world. All by herself.

"We shall see, maybe there are other ones interested on you. Meanwhile I offer you my room for your staying"

"There's no need. I demand you to take me to land immediately" she said seriously.

"I'm afraid I can't. You see, there is no land nearby but mere ocean. I suggest you stay with us until we return to the Enchanted Forest so you can reunite with... Whoever you have left"

Emma gazed around. Should she throw herself to the water or stay with a crew of pirates on a ship?

"Fine. But I shall sleep in another place"

"If that's what you wish"

Taking her by the arm, Hook leaved Emma at the supplies room located in the lowest part of the ship. There were bunches of sacks filled with fruits and grains. A small window was the only place where she could see the outside.

"Still haven't had the honor of hearing your name" Killian said.

"I don't think it really matters, does it?"

"I need to call you someway. Unless you prefer that I keep referring to you as 'love' "

"No... It's Emma. My name's Emma" she said after a small pause.

"Very well then. Welcome to the Jolly Roger, Emma" he stepped out and before closing the door he said:

"Oh, and watch out for the mice"

"Wh-mice?!"

He was just kidding. There weren't any animals there, Emma confirmed it after taking a look around the small room. Once she ate an orange from one of the sacks she sat with her legs against her chest, surrounding them with her arms.
She couldn't help crying. She was alone in the world. The storm had taken her family from her.

A painful feeling of sorrow overwhelmed her heart. She wished to hug her mom and dad tightly, to tell them she loved them and see their smiles illuminating their faces. Those smiles that gave Emma hope and joyfulness.

"Mom, Dad. If only I was with you right now" she whispered.