Rough hands grabbed her arms, pulling her out to the harsh rays of the sun. A yelp of surprise left her lips when they yanked her to the side. She squinted as white spots danced in front of her eyes. She could hear deep hums of approval and loud laughter from one side as someone pulled her out to the upper deck. Slowly, her vision cleared and soon she was met with the sight of men dressed in cloths only pirates would wear.
Her eyes fell on the torn flag of the Griffin. Bodies with bloodied uniform were laid across the wooden floor. Her chest tightened as her heart hammered in fear, her stomach dipping when she recognized a few of their faces.
They really lost.
She held her breath when she tried to find Wells, trying to look for any hope that he was still alive. But the laughs from the unknown men brought her back to the center of the attention.
Looking at them, she knew what they wanted. She knew they were capable of getting what they want either.
"So, princess..." a scrawny looking man smirked, walking towards her. He looked a bit over her age. Just then she realized how young they all were. How could these men be fearsome pirates at such a youn age?
Clarke took a step back, trying to get as far away as possible from the man. But she knew it was futile when her back hit someone's chest. She looked up and saw another guy with a grin on his face.
She put on a glare and turned toward the man. "What do you want?"
He chuckled and was soon followed by the other man. He stepped closer and his hand shot out to grip her arm tight.
"Don't touch me!" she shouted as she tried to get out of his grip.
He roared in laughter that sent shivers down her spine then he stopped abruptly, leaning in until she could smell the rum in his thinking, she moved her other hand, sending a punch straight to his nose. He grunted in pain and she was hoping that he would loosen his grip but she was wrong. When he recovered, his grip tightened. So tight she knew she would have bruises after.
"Move, princess." he snarled at her, his eyes burning into her skin with so much ferocity.
"Murphy!"
The familiar loud voice boomed and shook the whole ship into silence. Suddenly the man named Murphy stepped away from her. Only the distant sound of seagulls and the sound of footsteps were heard.
A flash of black caught her eye and Blake emerged from Clarke didn't know where. Now he was standing in front of her, eyeing the reddening marks on her arm. He then turned around sharply, looking at his crew all standing in attention.
"No one touches her." he said in a firm tone. Now he was looking straight at Murphy.
Judging from the looks of the crew, she knew that they understood the threat in their captain's voice. And she was grateful for that. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all.
"No one touches her but me." he added with a sidelook glance at her over his shoulder.
Her stomach dropped as his words shook her. Before she could open her mouth to speak, he nodded to the man named Lincoln and darkness overtook her vision as pain blossomed behind her head.
She was moving.
No.
She was rocking from side to side.
Her eyes shot open as she sat up on the soft bed she had been lying on. They immediately fell on the mass of unruly dark hair and her stomach dipped.
So it wasn't just a dream.
Then a glass was shoved in front of her. She glared at him and was about to open her mouth to refuse his offer when she realized how dry her throat was. Her cheeks grew hot as she sheepishly accepted the glass, not looking at him. Though she could see the smirk on his face as she finished the cup.
She moved and she suddenly felt a tug on her hand. When she looked down, she saw rope around her wrist. Her mouth fell open as anger spread across her chest. She would very much do anything just to wipe that smug grin off his face.
"Just a precaution. You did break one of my crew's nose." he said, looking amused which surprised Clarke. She thought he would be furious at her for retaliating. "That was one hell of a punch. I wouldn't risk my face."
Rolling her eyes, she groaned in disgust. Men and their egos.
"Now, now, is that how a princess should act?" he asked in a teasing voice.
She knew what he was trying to do and she was having none of it, deciding to play the innocent princess act. He tilted his head, confusion flickering in his eyes for a moment, taken aback by her brashness. Then he laughed, straightening his back. A shudder ran through her as he walked around the room, his eyes never leaving her.
She suddenly dropped her head, letting her hair fall around her face. She willed the tears to come out, her chest exploding in a certain sadness, her breaths shallow. Her lips started to trembled as she whispered. "Help...please..."
She saw him kneeling in front of her through the thick curtain of her hair, and she smiled inwardly.
"Poor princess. Kidnapped by a fearsome but dashing pirate."
Why were men all the same? She rolled her eyes once more. Keeping the act together, she whimpered, wanting him to come closer.
"Don't worry." His hand moved to part her hair and tuck it behind her ear, his fingers tracing the side of her face. His touch so light, it sent shivers down her spine as her heart beat fast in her chest. "I'll take care of you." he said, his voice deep and low.
The tone of his voice made her eyes fall on his dark brown ones, silently hoping that there was some truth in what he just said, somehow searching for some sincerity. But all she saw was the dark hunger in his eyes as it flicked to her lips down her body.
Why did she keep on hoping that he would suddenly turn good? Why was she searching for a good man underneath that pirate garb? Perhaps she was just desperate for safety. But she now she knew. Now she knew that there was no way for this man to show any mercy. Her stomach dipped at the thought of what he was capable of doing to her, but she held on. If she was going to be assaulted in any way, she better make them fight first before they get to touch her.
When he was close enough, she braced herself and with all her strength, sent her knee to attack him. She felt her knee connect with something hard - his jaw, she realized a few moments later. She heard him grunt and she raised her head to see him stumble back a few steps clutching his abdomen. Now it was her turn to smirk in victory.
"Fuck off!" The curse sat awkwardly on her lips but it did its purpose to make her feel better.
Fury flared in his dark eyes, his face darkened, his fingers touching the reddening mark on his clenched jaw. Shivers went down her spine as the fearsome pirate emerged from the lean frame of the man. His hand went to his belt, pulling out something gleaming as he slowly took steps toward her. Her breath got caught in her throat, only the sound of his footsteps echoing in the room.
She wasn't sure what he was going to do. Maybe he was going to use his knife to get revenge. Maybe hew as going to slit her throat open. Maybe he was going to slice her skin until she truly begged for mercy. But she did nothing to stop it not when fear overtook every single part of her. She couldn't move and think straight when he finally stopped in front of her.
The knife disappeared from her vision, only his dark curls bordering on the edge. Suddenly she felt the rope on her wrist come off. Her mouth hang open in confusion, opening her mouth to ask.
"Take her below!" he barked at the door.
The door opened and the man she remembered as Lincoln came out. He firmly grabbed both of her arms, pulling her out of the room. Horror fell upon her as she realized what was happening.
Their eyes met. Now Clarke desperately searched for something. Anything she saw before they turned cold like they were now. She found none.
Of course. She finally let go and for the first time in her life, Clarke decided it was better to just give up and lose the battle.
I hope you guys are liking it! Reviews to fuel my muse to write faster :D
