Treasure of the sea |Lesbian story|

CHAPTER VI

The next morning, I woke early. I went about my usual business of reading, sewing, and doing my laundry. I was not accustomed to wash my clothes -a task I had always reserved for the servants- but considering all that Mary had told me about cleanliness, I was forced to learn. My arms were sore and my hands dry from the lye. I couldn't understand how the laundresses did such hard work, both in summer and winter, with the water always ice cold. I was already exhausted just washing my petticoats, let alone everything else.

I had decided to write a travelogue, so after breakfast I would stand behind my desk and dip my pen into the inkwell, my brow furrowed in concentration. I liked it there, ink staining my fingers, writing down everything that happened to me. I'd jotted down my thoughts, I'd described all the crew, the various seafaring stories I'd learned from Mr. Phillips, and of course, I kept writing about the irresistible urge to end that voyage and see my family again.

Late in the morning I stepped out onto the deck, eager to stretch my legs and go for a walk. I took a deep breath, savouring the salty air. The sailors were at work, but some of them were dozing with their backs to the railings, their hats over their eyes. It was a quiet morning and I enjoyed those balmy hours before it got too hot. I wasn't used to those perpetually sunny days. London's humid, cloudy weather made one long for those muggy days.

That evening, while I was reading a book, I felt the ship shake more than usual. I thought it was normal, probably just a bigger wave than the others, but then it got worse. The Galatea began to move dangerously and I had to keep myself in my chair, gripped by an insane fear. I looked out of the windows and realised that it was raining hard and the sea was stormy, rough and dark as pitch. I got up and headed for the exit, supporting myself on the walls of my cabin. Chaos reigned outside. The sailors were hurrying to lower the sails and tie up everything with ropes and ties. I climbed to the bridge.

"Miss Adler, return to your rooms!" cried the Captain as soon as he caught sight of me. He was busily steering the helm.

"Can't we avoid the storm?" I asked, deliberately ignoring his order.

"No, it's too late," he replied, annoyed. "Go back to your rooms and stay there. It's not safe out here; the waves will always be higher!"

"We're going to be okay, right?"

"Of course! I am not inept! I've weathered storms far worse than this! Now go to your quarters and don't come out!"

So, I obeyed. Back in my quarters, I went into the bathroom, feeling my nausea rising more and more. Despondent at the thought of being sick again, I grabbed the bucket from under the sink and placed it in front of me. I took deep breaths, closing my eyes. The vessel beneath me was moving so much that I had to hold onto the sink to keep from sliding across the room.

Please, Lord, please let the storm not be so terrible, I prayed. My prayer probably had an effect, for the sea did not stir any more than that. I was sick all the same, though. I threw up most of the night.

A little after dawn, Mr. Phillips came in. He found me in the bathroom, on the floor, completely exhausted. The storm had long since passed, but the discomfort persisted. He took care to empty the buckets into the sea and bring me fresh water. He allowed me to drink and to clean myself up. He said nothing, just took pity on me. While I was in the act of putting on clean clothes, I heard the sentry give a terrifying shout. I jumped with fright, seeing Mr Phillips as alarmed as I was.

"What happens now?" I asked, confused.

He didn't answer me; he didn't know. We went out together and looked around. The bell was ringing, insistent. The sailors were all rushing on deck, their hearts in their throats. I looked around, trying to see what was causing all the commotion. And that's when I saw it. A ship, right behind us. Mr Phillips stiffened suddenly.

"Pirates," he muttered.

My heart pumping wildly. "...what?"

The sailors were all on the alert. They had drawn their weapons, and Mr. Phillips immediately hastened to procure one. A cannon shot startled me. It came from below deck, from our ship. The shot struck, and some of the sailors rejoiced with gusto, raising their swords in the air. More shots followed. Apparently, the pirate ship did not retaliate, and this gave the crew greater confidence. Still, she was advancing anyway, though we kept on firing at her.

"Miss Adler, you must come with me now."

"No... no."

"Come on." He grabbed me by the wrist and led me below deck, quickly. I couldn't keep up with him; I stumbled awkwardly in my skirts. As we ran, the fear kept building inside me. I had never been so afraid.

"Try to stay calm, Miss Adler. We will fight, with all our might. I promise. We are a crew prepared for any situation. We'll send those scoundrels straight to hell, where they deserve to be."

"But what if...?"

"No, avoid such questions."

He wouldn't tell me. The alternative was too terrible to imagine. What would they do with us if we lost? What would they have done with me? I shuddered several times, feeling my heart clench in a grip of horror. It couldn't end like this...

"They're going to rape me, aren't they? And when they're done with me, they'll throw me overboard, like a mere object, even worse than a beast."

He remained silent and looked away. I started breathing hard. I was hyperventilating. I brought a hand to my chest and leaned forward. There was no air in there.

"Try to calm down, please! You will hide now."

I nodded, seeing no alternative. He took me to a closet well hidden from view. He opened the small door and invited me in. "Come on, don't be afraid."

I went inside. The room smelled musty and stale. Before Mr. Phillips closed the door, I held him back. "You won't leave me, will you? You're coming back?"

"Rest assured," he spoke.

"See you soon, then," I said, hopeful.

"See you soon, Miss Adler."

When I found myself locked in there, I panicked. It was too narrow and too dark. There were no glimpses of light and I could see absolutely nothing. That dense, heavy darkness terrified me. The worst part of the whole situation though was that I couldn't hear anything. I was too low to hear the sounds of battle and shouting. I sat down on the ground, grabbing my knees and bringing them to my chest.