I did not wish to speak to him ever again after what had happened yesterday even so, I needed to know what was going on. Well, I didn’t expect any of the other crew knew about it but at least they knew a few bits of what happened right now. Neither Captain Kenny nor any of the crew spoke during our sail towards the so called Cannibal Island.
“Sis, stick together with the rest of the crew. Don’t ever get separated okay,” Chast with his sweet smile broke up the silence from the atmosphere.
“Okay, thanks for reminding me,” I smiled. “Say, how old are you Chast? And how did you manage to join this crew in your age?”
“Well, I’m 11 years old. I don’t know. Captain Kenny said there was this crazy old woman tried to eat me when I was an infant. Well, I don’t know much but he said that woman might be my mom. You see, I came from a very far land which you’d say had suffered from years of drought. Luckily he stopped her and took me away with the rest of the crew,” He explained in a very long but understandable statement.
“I see. Even the Devil of the Sea has a kind heart to even save an innocent infant from being eaten by his own desperate mother,” I put up with my own thought.
“Umm... actually, he was recruiting new crews since that the exact crew back then was very few in the list. You might say that uhh... Well, the old crews before I enter this pirate ship are Henry, our Master-at-arms, Scar, our boatswain, Hardy, our doctor, Sylvester, our carpenter, Fredrick, our gunner, Captain Kenny himself and lastly, our late cook Marcell. He was Captain’s junior while they were studying about self-defence.”
“Late Cook?! He told me that his former cook quitted due to the last fight!” I exclaimed a bit overwhelmed with fear and anger.
“Well, that’s not true. Marcell went into a fight just to save Captain but we found no trace of him after the fight except for stained clothes of his. I wish I was strong enough not to let him go for the fight. It wouldn’t turn into this if I were strong,” He blamed himself for what happened.
I patted his head and grinned to console him, “It’s not your fault. Everything has its own reason for happening during the appointed time. So, it’s definitely not your fault.”
“But, it is my fault! I didn’t stop him and even plead him to save Captain by that time! So it must be my fault!” His eyes watered with sorrows of agony and despair.
Captain Kenny who was standing nearby sat beside him and patted his head. His face didn’t look quite happy with Chast’s statement, “Don’t worry. Even if you didn’t plead for his help, he would still do that kind of foolishness of his. Don’t blame yourself for what happened.”
Chast sobbed as hard as he could as I stare at him, not being able to be any of the help while Captain Kenny was still consoling him by giving him a slight embrace with his right hand.
“Every beginning has its own end and what are left are our memories of bonds of being together. Never forget that,” He muttered.
“I will. I promise,” He wiped out his tears and gave a gesture of an ‘okay’.
“Sis, I’m hungry, can you fix me something sweet?” Chast turned towards me and gave a pleasant hug.
“Sure thing. What would you like? Chocolate? Puddings? Caramel bars?” I asked.
“Anything sweet that you can make,” He smiled.
“Okay. Want to assist me during the bake?” I asked.
“Is it okay for me to go?” Chast asked.
“Of course it is, silly. You are always welcomed,” I gave a slight kiss on his cheek.
“Captain, I’ve got a kiss from a girl! Don’t you want it too?” He mocked childishly.
“Another words and you’re dead,” He gave that scary look of his.
“Sis, save me,” He hid himself behind me.
For the first time, I laughed at Chast’s cute side, “How I wish that you are my little brother. You’re just too adorable.”
“Really? Yay! I’ve always wanted a sister. Captain, captain, can she be my sister?” He asked.
“Do whatever you like. It’s none of my concern,” He replied.
“Yay! Sis, let’s bake now!” He trotted with joy towards me and I replied him with a single nod.
After finishing baking the sweets for Chast, I went towards Fredricks room with a gloomy look of guilty on my face. I knocked the door weakly as an answer commanded me to enter the room which wasn’t locked during the time. I entered the room and gave a deep gasp since half of Fredrick’s body was coated with bandages. Tears ran down from my cheeks as I rushed my legs towards where he lay.
“If I weren’t here, this wouldn’t have happened,” I grieved over his pain.
He took out his right pale hand and patted my head, “It is okay. Didn’t I tell you that I’ll protect you? I’m honoured to do so especially seeing that you’re unhurt.”
“But it’s frustrating seeing you being hurt while I can’t do anything to defend myself,” I sobbed again.
He wiped away my tears and said, “Cry no more, my lady. It is me who was very weak that I, as a man, could not defend myself in order to save a soul of an innocent maiden.”
I frowned a bit, feeling guiltier than ever, “Well, to repay your kindness, please ask me anything that you need.”
“Then, a kiss probably?” He gave out a weak smile.
My face flushed with embarrassment. I had never for once kissed a boy and now he asked for such ridiculous request? But, he did save me but... I was not yet ready. I was about to kiss him when finally Captain Kenny entered and said, “Don’t fall for that womanizer. Hey Fred, don’t credit yourself too much. If the other crew didn’t help you, you both might die right now.”
“Womanizer?” The statement somehow was quite shocking and astonishing.
“Well, all ‘normal’ men does except for you Capt’n,” He laughed.
“Shut up. You’re trying to steal a girl’s first kiss by telling her to repay for your so called kindness? How suffocating,” He paused. “And you girl, think before you act. Don’t easily fall for that kind of man because it’s the worst thing that could happen. Got that?!”
I stood up in anger and shouted at the top of my lungs, “You guys are sick!” I hastily flung the door open and closed it with a loud ‘bang’. Tears still rushing down my cheeks as my heart ached so much. Why must this world be so harsh on me as if I had done any dreadful sin in my previous life?
I sat quietly at a secluded area and sobbed there until I was satisfied. No one was there to console me and I didn’t wish for anyone to do me that kind of favour. Somehow, that trick was very hurtful and frustrating that I lost all my confidence all at once.
Somewhere nearby, Rio came to notice that I was crying and walked beside me and asked, “Can I sit here?”
I replied him with a nod.
“I know that it’s quite shocking since that yesterday, you woke up as a normal girl and today, you’re a pirate. Yeah, I felt just the same as you when I first entered this crew. Trust me, capt’n was very mean to everyone when they first joined the crew. He sort of having this bullying essence inside him but with that, he tested his crewmates’ will whether they’re strong enough to continue this voyage. And now, it’s your turn,” He explained briefly with a single smile carved on his face.
“He ‘IS’ the Devil of the Sea,” I murmured in a shallow tone.
“Well, I can’t deny that,” He chuckled. “If you had something that’s burdening you, I don’t mind hearing them out. I have a little sister though she’s a few years younger than you. Well, what I’m trying to say is that... Please cheer up okay. I’ll be your big brother if you like.”
“Will you?” My eyes shone with excitement and the pain I grieved over just a while ago disappeared with that one little statement.
“Sure. Renka must’ve been a good brother to you, hasn’t he?” He smiled.
“Well, even though sometimes he did get on my nerves, but, he’s a protective and understanding brother,” I replied.
“Ah, good for you then.”
A voice broke up the merry atmosphere with the exclamation of, “LAND AHOY! WE’RE SETTING OFF TO THE SHORE!”
Captain Kenny went out of the ship, examining the area whether it was safe to land or vice versa. He called for our Master-at-Arms, that was Henry, and was discussing something that sounded fishy and quite interesting. Henry would frown and hold his chin for a while and talk again and hold his chin again. I was very eager to know what they were discussing about. And then, everything finished and Captain Kenny turned to me and called for my name. I went towards him with an angry face since I was still mad at him for no reason though he did save my first kiss and my life.
“Since that I cannot trust my crews to look after you, you’ll be coming with the rest of us. Since that it’s a Cannibal Island, I have a feeling that they prefer their own life compared to yours,” He explained seriously, without any smirk or evil grin carved on his face.
“I doubt that you might do the same towards me. You only value your own life other than others as well, don’t you?” I pouted sarcastically.
His face showed a bit disappointment even so, he left without words. He waved a gesture so that the half of us will follow him while the others guard the ship.
“Why did you say those mean words towards Capt’n?” Chast asked.
“Why, isn’t it true?” I replied. “He loves to get on my nerves and even when we first met, he called me a deaf woman! I hate him!”
“Well, about the bullying stuffs... I can’t deny that but, he’s not the type that’ll abandon his crew. Please don’t hate him,” Chast begged.
“Well, if you beg me that much then I won’t then,” I smiled at him to console him.
“YAY! Capt’n! Capt’n! Sis likes you!” Chast went forwards towards where Captain Kenny was.
“I doubt that that would ever happen. If so, something must’ve happened that made her head sway or so. She might as well need Hardy’s treatment,” He sneered while gaping towards me.
I had enough of his obnoxious and offensive statement, I exclaimed furiously, “I rather die than to fall in love with an immature delinquent as evil as you! Even if you’re the last man on earth, I’d prefer a donkey over you!”
“Oh, I’d love to see that. A tomboy in love with a donkey... That’s a history,” He smirked, giving his most annoying expression ever.
“Well, at least I’m still a normal girl who’d fall in love with a different sex than being a homo like you!” I replied.
“Well, a homo or not, you’re not attractive enough to make a homo like me fall for you,” He mocked.
“We’ll see who’ll fall for whom?!”
“Oh, a tomboy wants to make a homo fall in love with her? I wonder what methods she will be using after this. Oh, my... Are you planning any perverted stuffs? I’m sorry, you’re not strong enough to do so,” He laughed.
“Yucks. I’d rather die than trying to rape a homo. You ugly beast is nothing compared to Renka or Pappy. Low-life creature,” I turned my head away from seeing his irritating face.
“Ah, but that homo is stronger than both Renka and Pappy... He can even destroy that so-so mannered tomboy in just a blink of an eye,” He’s forcing me to fight back.
“You can chose to destroy me or not but then can you find a new cook?!”
“Well, I can always go from islands to islands to search for a male cook,” He sneered again.
“Why are you so against a woman?! What sin have we done to you?!” I asked with my eyes watered from anger.
He saw my expression and silenced for a while. The atmosphere has finally calmed for a bit. None of the crew dared to stop us from arguing. Chast hugged me and shook his head while saying, “Please don’t fight anymore, Sis. I don’t want to see your tears anymore.”
I answered him with a low grunt and finally, everything went on like as if nothing had happened. Not until one by one our crew was gone from our sight.
“Josh, Artney, where are you?!” I called.
“Josh, Artney,come back! Even if you want to pee, can’t you hold it for a sec?” Chast shouted.
“That won’t happen, Chast,” Brad and Rio both said in chorus.
“My bad,” He scratched his hind head hastily.
I chuckled for the cute act of his but then my mouth was shut abruptly and I was hid behind the bushes. I was so scared that I tried to fight back but they’re so strong and their hold were tight that made me unable to move. Their appearances were odd and I concluded that they’re the cannibals. I was tied and there, I saw Artney and Josh were tied up too except that they both fainted. I could hear Chast’s anxious call calling for me from afar, “Sis! Sis! Where are you?! Capt’n! Sis has gone! We must find her!”
“What?!” Captain Kenny’s voice of being in shock was vaguely heard. “That girl, I told her to stay in group!”
“Capt’n we must find her quick! If something bad happens to her, mammy won’t be pleased with it,” Chast cried.
“Don’t worry. No one would want to mess up with that tomboy but I guess... It’s kind of useless since that she’s so awfully weak. Well, let’s search for them first,” Captain Kenny finally give his orders.
“Aye, Aye sir!” Their reply were synchronised in the damp air of the forest.
How I would love to go towards him and punch him straight in the face. Tomboy who’s awfully weak? You’re so dead when I get out of their hold. We were brought towards a cave where there, a man wearing a dark-grey cape was staring towards our statures.
“Ah, that man’s underlings... How delightful to see them. Wait, is that a girl? Humph, I thought he hates women but unfortunately end up having one on deck. What a waste for such beauty to be on aboard with a demon on the ship,” He carved a smile while chanting those filthy words of his.
“Who are you and what do you want from us?” I asked.
“Who am I? Why don’t you ask them?” He said, pointing towards Josh and Artney.
“You supposed to be dead by now, Traitor!” Josh shouted a bit overwhelmed with anger and frustration.
“Are you shocked to know that Captain already knew your plans for the whole time and your plans backfired?” Artney mocked.
“Not quite since that you maggots revealed me out before I could even destroy him,” He gave an evil gape towards both two. “I’d love to see his face to see his crews especially the girl, face the judgement of the Devil of the Sea.”
“So you’re the phony!” I yelled.
“No. He stole the title from me! I suppose to get that title since that our master is my father! I should inherit the title!” He raised his voice.
Now that I finally found the culprit, actually, he brought me, Josh and Artney to see him and there’s no way of turning back. He might plan on dreadful tortures and lure out Captain Kenny to fight him or what’s accurate, destroy him.
