Author's Note: Well, I've finished the story. I'm sorry the next couple chapters are so short. I felt I've said all I want to, but it didn't flow nicely as one chapter. I did combine the epilogue and last chapter for obvious reasons. I hope you enjoyed it at least a little bit. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Lieutenant Pullings gently pushed her aside. "You don't want to see this, Miss Santiago." When she started to protest, he said more forcefully, "Get below deck. This is not something a lady should see."
"So, now I'm a lady? Not a whore anymore, Tom?" she asked irately. "What's changed now?"
Tom looked flustered, trying to persuade her. "Please, Paca! You mustn't stay here!"
"I want to see him!" she cried.
Some of the crew glanced over their shoulders at them, talking quietly amongst themselves. Tom took her arm and pulled her aside, further from the gathering crewmen. "Don't you know what flogging is?"
She nodded. "Joe told me. I know what is going to happen to him," Paca said desperately, "and I don't want him to be alone!"
"He won't want you there!" Tom insisted. "Trust me," he said in softer tones. He paused, taking a breath, and said with difficultly, "No man would want his sweetheart to see him this way."
Paca nodded again. "All right. I will go below." Tom heaved a sigh of relief when she disappeared from sight. He placed his hat on his head and walked back to Captain Aubrey.
She sat alone on the berth deck, listening to Joe's screams. It was all Tom's fault. He hadn't had to say anything to the captain. He could have kept his mouth shut. At that moment, she wished he was dead.
Suddenly the cabin was filled with shouting. The men were calling out, and she strained her ears to make out what they were saying. "Sail ahoy!" she managed to pick out. Quickly, Paca went up on deck, curious. She couldn't see Joe. "They're Spanish, sir!" the same man called out again. The crowd parted and she met Joe's eyes. Spanish…perhaps they were bound for Spain? Her head was filled with wild thoughts of returning home. She would find her grandparents and tell them what had happened. She would be home. Joe's gaze was mournful and she suddenly knew what he was thinking, because the same thought had entered her mind.