A Pirate's Life For Me

Chapter Eight

The wind howled. Rain pounded the deck. Gabriel was seemingly unfazed by the weather. He was staring up at the sky. There was still something of a smile on his face. Ash felt guilty that she'd have to have this discussion with him and wipe the smile off his face. She walked toward him, footsteps not heard over the rain. She came up beside him. He smiled at her. It was warm, grateful and something she couldn't quite put her finger on. It soon melted away to be replaced by concern,
"Are you all right? You look upset, worried even."
Ash bit her lip. She looked away. Gabriel's frown deepened. To both of their surprise, he took her hands in his. This made her look at him. She took a deep, steadying breath,
"What were the... Effects of the curse?" She was hesitant. Gabriel's eyes widened. He flinched and paled. He didn't speak for a good minute. Then, in a cracking voice, "Killed an awful lot of us." He closed his eyes tightly then opened them. His face was stony, "Soren hated me. And to punish me, he sent a curse on the ship and crew. Every week we'd sail into a storm that wouldn't pass for at least a day and the was a bout of flu or scurvy every month. It killed at least one of us every night! I was terrified to lose my family. The only living one I have left." His voice broke and he wiped something from his cheeks. It wasn't rain. His gaze went over to where Beth was gazing out at the ocean on the opposite side of the deck. Her hair whipped about her. It seemed that she too was in the same state as Ash had found Gabriel in. Ash looked at her and then at Gabriel. Pity swallowed her. Too lose one crew member was bad but to lose one every night and constantly worry about your only family. Well, she didn't think she'd be able to handle it. The captain smiled again,
"I owe you my life for stopping it."
"You don't."
They gazed into each other's eyes, cheeks tinting red.

Meanwhile on the other side of the deck, one of Gabriel's best friends almost seem to materialise next to Beth. He had pale green eyes. His aubern hair hung in a plait down his back. His skin was fair. You had to admit, he was rather good looking. Said person's cheeks were a little red at the sight of the woman next to him,
"What's so interesting out there that's caught your attention?" He joked. Beth smiled and looked at him. Her pale face had a red flush to it. She played with lose lock of her wavy hair, which was often kept out of her face by a lavender ribbon that (somewhat) kept it in place,
"What's it to you, Michael?"
Michael smirked, "Just thought I'd talk to you before your brothers and sister start hogging you again!" He chuckled as Beth playfully shoved him. There was silence between them, Beth gazing out to sea again,
"Feels nice, doesn't it?" She said unexpectedly. Michael looked at her, an eyebrow raised.
"Feels nice not to be cursed!" Beth explained, an amused smile tugging at her lips. Michael nodded, comprehension dawning on his face,
"Yeah. Feels nice not to worry about you too." He murmured, cheeks tinting red. Beth went even redder. Without another word, Michael patted her shoulder and walked off.
For the next few days, Beth's head was spinning. Michael had worried about her! She felt oddly light and happy now.

Joyous celebrations can't last forever. Little did Gabriel know there were three traitors on his ship, whose plan was about to be put into action.

Katherine Reina, red haired, brown eyed beauty, watched as Beth read in the library. Almost silently, she moved closer to the first mate and picked a book off the shelf. She smiled to herself and sank into the closest armchair to Beth. Beth, so absorbed in her own book, took no notice. Katherine smiled maliciously. Without warning, she sprung at Beth, knocked her out cold and dragged her to the brig.

Up on deck, Gabriel was talking to a man with long black hair and dark blue eyes. Then an awful feeling rose in his gut, making him gag.
"Are you all right, Gabe?" The man asked. Gabriel shot him a weak smile,
"I'm five, Ivor." He said, "It's probably just paranoia from the curse."
Ivor looked disbelieving but said no more.

Trigger warning: torture
In the brig, Beth was tied to a machine. Ropes were around her ankles and wrists. A cloth was tied around her mouth. Katherine smiled,
"Oh, Daisy?" She said, smiling evilly and brunette with dark green eyes, "Start her up!"
Daisy cranked a wheel attached to the machine.
Beth felt her legs and arms being stretched. She would have screamed. Tears streaked down her cheeks as her limbs dislocated. She wanted Gabriel! She needed her big brother! Eventually, Katherine told Daisy to stop. She dragged Beth to a pole and told Molly, blonde and black eyed, to do something that would have kicked out. The cloth came out her mouth just as a red hot poker iron was stabbed all over her. She screamed as her skin was burnt red and raw.

Gabriel heard the screams and ran straight to the brig. His eyes widened in horror upon the sight that met him there. Then he shot forward and punched all three of the traitors away from Beth and doused the poker in water. He untied Beth. She looked up at him, scared, as though she thought he was going to hurt her too.
"I ain't gonna hurt you, Beth. I would never do that!"
Beth nodded and hugged him tight. Gabriel returned the hug and carried her to his room.