Updated: 10/21/16

Chapter 10: Challenge

Nightfall couldn't have arrived at a more crawling pace.

For the remainder of the day the Straw Hats continuously paced back and forth throughout the vessel, attempting to keep themselves occupied while they anxiously waited for the sun to set, the ship echoing with each foot step.

Fire brimmed around Sanji's figure, as he simply couldn't comprehend the notion that one of his female companions was being held captive and quite possibly caught in the jaws of danger. He was peeved at Brook for not protecting Liara while she was in his care, but he also knew that the skeleton felt remorseful enough as it was, so he decided to keep his mouth shut and not say a word.

Brook had remained on deck, his gaze not once leaving the area where they were to venture to that night. He felt solely responsible for everything that had taken place. If he'd just kept a better eye on her, then she would be safely back with them on the ship and probably laughing and smiling with everybody else.

He cracked his knuckles and narrowed his eye sockets. They just had to get her back.

Eventually dinner arrived, but it was unusually silent. Sanji and Zoro didn't engage in their daily arguments, and Luffy didn't make an effort to snatch anybody's food. Brook only poked at his meal, not even bothering to take a bite until Nami placed a hand on his arm and gave him a comforting smile. "She's strong Brook. She'll be okay."

Luffy swallowed a piece of meat and grinned. "She is our nakama, after all. Only the very best for my crew!"

Zoro remained reticent but confidently smirked, as did Usopp, Chopper, and Franky.

Sanji took a drag on his cigarette. "I believe in my darling Liara, but I will definitely be kicking the shitty bastard's ass who took her away to begin with. She better be safe, or there will be absolute hell to pay."

Brook nodded and decided to take a bite of his shrimp to reassure his crew mates that he was alright, but he couldn't help worrying. Liara had barely used a sword before, and her captors had more than likely taken it from her. She wasn't physically strong, so the only thing she could really do was be smart and not let herself be dragged down. With a swallow of his food, he wiped his jaw clean with a napkin before excusing himself and leaving the room. He would make sure that Liara was brought back safely tonight.

[][][]

Her stomach rumbled. The aching in her head had expanded due to hunger, and her arms felt extremely sore from numerously struggling to escape. The only other time somebody came in was to deliver a tray of greasy, inedible looking food before he proceeded to heavily slam the door shut behind him after mumbling a few threatening words. Regardless of how loud her stomach growled, Liara refused to put anything in her mouth that they gave her. For all she knew, the food could contain poison or drugs, and that wasn't a risk she was willing to take.

Eventually the sun began to set, bringing with it a darkness that turned her alcove into an even more obscure prison. Time was running out for her, leaving her no choice but to take matters into her own hands. With a deep breath Liara wiggled and rolled around, doing whatever she could to release her arms from the bonding ropes. Her face grew hot and sweaty from the rapid movements, but giving up wasn't an option. With a determined groan, her arms finally slid out of the ropes, the unwanted material dropping with a satisfying thump onto the floor. She sighed in relief, but knew that now was not the time to sit and congratulate herself. Nervously, she gradually shuffled towards the door, only to freeze up when the floor boards creaked beneath her. She waited a brief moment before once again inching closer to her destination.

Liara briefly glanced around the room, trying to find something that she could possibly use to defend herself. The idea of her getting off the ship without any conflict didn't seem likely, and so far her options for a weapon weren't very great. The only thing she could see as being even remotely harmful was a modest wooden crate hidden in a corner of the room. She tiptoed towards the box and wrapped her thin arms around it, which luckily proved to be light and vacant. Once she had a firm grip on it, she placed herself beside the door with the wooden object in her hands, prepared to use it on the next person who entered.

Several minutes passed by and not a single person sauntered past the door. Liara cautiously set the box down before shaking her hands around to get rid of the cramped feeling in her fingers. Suddenly, the sound of heavy footsteps drew closer to her paltry chamber, prompting her to once again seize the crate as she pressed herself against the wall so she'd remained unnoticed. The door creaked open, cloaking her in complete shadow.

Captain Lurg entered the room with a mocking face, prepared to taunt his prisoner even further. When he saw the rope laying in a pile on the floor, he spontaneously grew alert. "What the hell?" he gruffly muttered to himself as he placed a hand over his weapon while he swiveled his head around.

Liara forced her nerves to perish before rapidly materializing from the shadows and slamming the wooden crate against the loathsome man's head. The blow was so intense that she nearly fell backwards before hastily regaining her composure. She lifted the crate again in an attempt to get in another strike, but Lurg was much faster.

"You little bitch!" he snarled as he knocked the crate out of her hands and reached forward to grapple her. With a gasp and surprised cry, she ducked and rolled out of the way to avoid the pair of meaty hands that were lunging at her. Her eyes noticed the open door, and she realized that now was her only chance to escape.

It was now or never.

Liara raced out the door and ended up on one of the ship's side decks. With her heart pounding a mile a second, she sprinted to her left, her bare feet slapping against timber flooring as she panted. She darted by multiple doors before reaching the main deck, only to skid to a stop as she saw a whole cluster of men armed with swords and guns relaxing in front of her. Goosebumps crept up her skin as she realized in horror that she was trapped. The masculine group of individuals, upon noticing her presence, got to their feet and made their way towards her. With a surge of panic she examined the surroundings to her left and right quickly to consider the best route before finally settling her eyes upon the mahogany-colored railings encompassing her. She scrambled towards the railing and proceeded to climb over it, but before she could catapult herself off the barge, a few pair of hands latched onto her arms, hands, and even hair. She cried out as she was forcefully yanked back over and dragged towards the middle of the deck, where multiple swords and guns were pointed at her.

"Trying to leave so soon, my sweet?" Lurg nastily cooed as he emerged from the direction of her cell, massaging the back of his head from her assault.

Liara peered up at him in dread. It was obvious that she had ticked everybody off, and since they were probably planning to kill her anyway, it would be unsurprising if they decided to kill her right on the spot. Lurg was soon face-to-face with his prisoner, who nervously stared at him with fear encircling her cerulean orbs.

"Sorry, but we still need you here," he sarcastically stated before he snatched her up and slung her roughly over his shoulder. She punted her feet into his bulky chest so he would release her, but all he did was cruelly chortle over he disadvantage. The crew that had held her hostage her only seconds ago put their weapons away and joined their Captain with mocking guffaws.

Once again she was thrust back into the confined and empty space she grown to strongly abhor. This time, however, she was placed on a wooden chair with her arms and feet tied around the legs and back of the uncomfortable seat, presenting a much greater challenge for an escape attempt. Lurg continued to cackle as Liara found herself unable to budge, much to her despair.

She glared as the foul man stooped down in front of her with an evil smirk. His hand flew across her face, emitting a slapping sound that echoed throughout the room. Liara's face was now turned towards her right, with a noticeable red mark evident on her left cheek and eyes widened with tears from the painful sting.

"Try to flee again, and it'll be worse next time," he threatened. As he turned to exit the room, he ceased all movement when he heard a mumbling sound behind him. He instantaneously turned around with a raised eyebrow. "Eh? What did you say?"

Liara angled her head up and bitterly looked fixedly at him. "I said my nakama are going to find me and you can't stop them!" she declared through clenched teeth.

"And I would like to see them try!" he taunted before he slammed the door shut behind him, uncaring about her meaningless words and empty promise.

She lay enshrouded in the darkness, her eyes squeezed shut and burning as droplets squeezed out beneath her eyelids and splattered onto her clothing. All she could think about was whether she'd survive the following day and what tortures awaited for her to endure. The images of the Straw Hats floated within her head, increasing her heartache even more as she yearned to reunite with them. She knew she needed help, and could only hope that they might discover where she was.