Emerald Seas

Chapter 27

The storm raged on, it was deep within the night by now. The only light coming from the many candles around and the thunderstrikes every now and then through the small windows of the hospital ward aboard the ship, allowed Kate to see. The canon blows were hearable and it seemed as if this enemy ship wasn't giving up on them anytime soon. The men were doing everything in their power to turn the ship so it was possible for them to attack, but the quickness of the lighter pirate ship was hard to beat.

It had been quite some time but to Kate, it only felt like mere minutes as she was rushing through below deck to make sure every injured man was being aided the best she could. Her small handkerchief was removing the sweat from her forehead. As she lowered her hand relieving herself of a sigh she had a moment to breath as most of the wounded men were cared for. Looking down at her white apron covered in blood she washed her hands quickly in one of the buckets in the corner. Suddenly her ears caught something that sounded like a command that made shivers run down her spine. It seemed like the enemy was trying to enter the Endeavour. Kate was astounded and wondered what made them do something so desperate, the Endeavour didn't carry anything highly valuable for the pirates to want. Did it?

The doors of the hospital ward flew open with a loud bang. Kate's sight quickly raised to the person inside the doorway. It was Jack covered in blood, his clothes were ripped. His sword dangling beside him he marched into Kate's direction, quickly taking her waist.

'Are you alright?' Kate watched Jack's cheek that was dripping blood. Quickly rising her handkerchief she started removing the blood from the deep cut wound on his cheek, the flesh seemed ripped by the pieces of wood flying by.

'I need to stitch that..' Kate tried to run toward her tools but Jack kept hold of her.

'They are entering the ship..' Jack tried to calm down his breathing, exhausted from the fighting back. So she had heard it correctly.

'Why would they?' Kate whispered watching Jack's concerned eyes.

'They are after something, until we figure out what it is they want.. you'll need to stay here' Jack spoke quickly. Kate had to blink and shook her head. Jack lowered his hand, within his grip she noticed a bundle of keys.

'You are going to lock me up?' Kate watched through the cabin.

'More men need aiding, you can't lock them out?!' Kate knew if she was kept inside it made it impossible for them to bring in the wounded men. It would cost them their lives.

'It's a risk we need to take' Jack spoke beneath his breath.

'Did Cutler order that?' Kate recognized Cutler's words coming from Jack's mouth and without telling her she saw the truth in his eyes.

'He ordered me to make sure you are safe. He doesn't want anything to happen to you..' Jack's dark brown eyes were staring at the ground.

'And so do I..' he continued speaking quickly, like he regretted saying it he suddenly turned his back on her without any eye contact and started marching toward the door again.

'Jack, they need me! Or there will be lives lost. Besides, Emma needs me!' Kate shouted quickly raising the hem of her dress running behind him. Jack ignored her. Once in the doorway between the open doors, he turned his face toward her one last time, it was clear he was fighting going against the orders that were given to him.

'I am sorry love..' Jack removed his sight from her and quickly closed the doors. Kate banging on the doors watched the shadow of Jack's figure behind the small windows turning over the key and moving them into his pocket he marched away. Kate turned around and lowered her body against the doors to the ground, her dried up blood-stained hands were in front of her face. For a moment she felt the breath stuck in her lungs, trying to breathe slowly her mind went to Cutler, she was worried about his safety. Also, she promised Emma to see if she was alright, with pirates entering the ship her safety wasn't certain. Kate needed to escape.