I really hope you all enjoy this chapter. I know I haven't updated in while but school had a tendency to clump a mass of work and exams together in a very short space of time, so finding the time to write has been tricky. Thankyou to the one (tear), very beautiful person who reviewed the last chapter. Please, please, anyone just review. I know it sounds desperate and it probably is, but I need the feedback. So please be kind and review. It makes my day (wow, I have such a life)

Orianna, completely unaware of her new pursuer, kept to her original plan of direction and continued hurriedly through the maze like walls. Finally forcing herself to stop from sheer exhaustion, Orianna tried to calm herself down by breathing deep. Her body wasn't used to so much exercise; even just walking up a flight of stairs would practically send her into a hyperventilating seizure. Pressing her back up against the cold wall behind her, Orianna closed her eyes and considered the way her chest would rise and fall with each new breath, until finally, its rhythmic movements calmed her fear down until it was no more than a slight tingle in the muscles.

This was not how she had planned things to happen. She was meant to be the hunter, not the hunted, as clichéd as that sounds. Orianna wasn't only currently angry at herself for being so defenceless, but also at fate. Things like this had a habit of following her around, as if it knew when the most opportune time to rear its ugly head was. Orianna had figured out from the beginning that she was somewhat disadvantaged. No only wasn't she armed with a single sharp object but she also wasn't strongly built; she was what was referred to as willowy and somewhat lanky. But when the situation arose, she knew she had no other choice but to fight back, well attempt to anyway. Dreading that situation, she put it to at the farthest reaches of her mind.

If she didn't find somewhere to put her out of sight soon, then there was the profound chance that her journey would be cut short, leading to a future full of situations she didn't even dare to think about. Her thoughts fleetingly turned to her wooden box; the original instigator of this whole mess. With a defeated heart, Orianna admitted to herself that in all reality, she would probably never again be in possession of that small wooden treasure. Taking in another deep and heavy breath, Orianna felt a sense of tiredness wash over her; after all, it was still just while before dawn. With a weak smile forced upon her lips, Orianna resentfully set off in search of somewhere concealing enough to avoid detection.

Confidently and casually striding several paces behind, the young man kept up to pace with Orianna, concealing himself behind every corner when necessary. He didn't worry too much since he presumed that she was too absorbed in her thoughts to notice anything amiss…

He hadn't formulated a plan as such, but decided to let things play out for themselves. He still didn't question his motives for what he was doing; all he knew was that he couldn't possibly let a poor, defenceless young girl wander around this big boat all by herself now, could he? But there was something else, something else that made him follow her, possibly want to protect her. He frowned at that last suggestion; he had hardened himself against the illusion of anything more than lust from a woman. He had once let himself get in too far only to be scorned in the bitterest way and now …well, he'd learnt from his mistakes.

Orianna looked around her. A sense of recognition started to fill her senses as she realised that she was finally heading in the right direction. From what she could remember, after the next turn should be the last, lone hallway. She kept on walking until her suspicions were proved correct and she was faced with a straight, long, dark hallway, the last hallway on that side of the ship. Finally all her worry had all but disappeared as she edged closer to the wooden door at the far end of the passage way. From her earlier expedition around the boat, she had come across the heavy oaken door, and after a sneaky inspection, found that it led to the ships store room.

Although it was so secluded and far away, within in it was held every object thought possible. It was quite a large room, about double the size of Orianna's cabin. The great thing about it was that except for one small oil lamp, hanging to the left of the door, it afforded her absolute impenetrable darkness. If there was one place where she could hide until the pirates finished their pointless rampage, then this room was it. Even if by chace they stumbled upon the room, then there was many a place within it that could easily hide her from view. Orianna smiled at her genius.

The further down the hallway, the darker it got, and so at last when Orianna reached the end, she had to use her hands to feel for the handle. A tiny hint of panic arose in her when she still couldn't find it, but it was for nothing since she had to only move her hand a little to the left when a cold, round, metallic like object collided with her hand.

Orianna grasped her hand tightly on the door knob and used all her strength to turn it but it wouldn't move. Thinking it odd, she tried and tried again, but still to no avail. It just wouldn't open. Then using her shoulder, she slightly rammed the door in frustration resulting in only a sudden rush of pain coursing up her arm. A soft curse escaped her lips as she gingerly rubbed her tender shoulder; all the hope she had just moments ago, had now disgracefully deserted her.

Fruitlessly staring hard at the door, Orianna let her head fall against it hard wooden surface with a rewarding 'Thunk'. Although it was an uncomfortable stance against the door, she didn't care, as long as she had something to support her now disbelieving frame. 'What now' she muttered aloud, inwardly hoping fate would get the idea and finally leave her alone.

But alas, when has fate ever listened to your opinion?

The young man currently hiding in the shadows smiled at the turn of events unfolding before him; she had just created the perfect opportunity for him to carry out his plan. Shifting himself quietly out of the shadows and into the hallway, he silently crept up a few steps behind Orianna, whose back still turned, was entirely unaware. The stranger knew the darkness around them hid his shadow, as well as almost entirely covering him from the corner of her eye. Orianna felt her skin tingle and rubbed the back of her neck, hoping for it to go away. When a feeling came over her of closeness, her body instinctively straightened itself, listening for any trace of discrepancy around her. Finding none, she stepped closer to the door hoping it was once again the inner workings of her paranoia.

The man behind her though, enjoying the power of making her restless, stepped as close as possible to Orianna without making his presence know as yet. A shiver ran down Orianna making her head turn to the side, furtively searching for the source. The stranger took this as his chance and slowly bent his head to her neck, gently blowing a whip of air across her skin. A small gasp escaped her lips as she froze at the strange sensation; her mind filled with confusion, only aided in her growing fear. The man behind her couldn't help but grin at the reaction he got.

Orianna, to his surprise, whipped herself around so that she was now facing him. She let out a small cry when her eyes made out a faint outline of a person before her, her senses going into panic mode. Unfortunately her panic mode consisted of standing frozen, her feet heavy as led table. He let out a laugh that caught Orianna somewhat off guard before his voice trailed not far behind.

'You a bit lost?'

Somewhere inside Orianna a faint voice tugged at the back of her mind. She narrowed her eyes as recognition gripped her.

'WH…what are you doing here?' She asked incredulous

'You haven't figured it out yet' he asked somewhat slyly

Confusion covered Orianna's features 'what are you talking about? ... How did you get out?'

'Get out from where?' he responded back, enjoying the disorder

'You know…' when no reply came she added 'from the room they put everyone in'

'You have no idea do you' he asked bemusedly.

'What are you talking about?' she asked, finally getting frustrated.

Deciding to take advantage of his presence and wanting to end the confusing conversation, she turned towards the door.

'Could you try to open the door, I tried before but I couldn't do it?'

'Why' he asked, taking satisfaction in aggravating her

'Why else, it's probably the only safe place on this whole boat'

'Are you sure it's that safe?' he countered back

Although he couldn't see it, she had narrowed her eyes in his direction

'There's hardly a chance that the pirates would come around here'

He smiled at her naivety 'well it's a bit too late now don't you think'

Ignoring his last remark and not thinking anything of it, she shushed him with her hand. 'Since they haven't seen this part yet I'm sure it isn't too late, now hurry up'

He let out a small laugh at her brazenness.

A new plan had formulated in his mind already and for it to happen, he decided to let her think he was playing along. Orianna moved out of the way for him to try the doors handle, this was perfect since it would be easier for him to block it from her view. Using his acting skills, he feigned trying to force the knob around and gave an equally believable performance when he described to her that the door was jammed too tight, even for his strength. Its effects were obvious; Orianna's disheartened voice was proof enough. 'Well that's it I guess'

This was his chance. 'Maybe not, you know'

Orianna interests were piqued, she didn't quite know who he was but as that old saying goes, desperate times call for desperate measures.

'A couple days back I stumbled upon an old cleaning closet, although not large, it's quite well hidden.' He tried to see her face in the dark but only saw a mere sketch, he then continued, 'and since you clearly have no other options left, we may as well see if it's possible'.

Orianna wasn't so confident about the idea, but deciding it was her best chance, decided to follow along.

'Alright'

That was all he needed before he turned on his heel and started walking back in the direction they came from, Orianna following close behind feeling a bit suspicious at his confidence.

Orianna continued on following him, past the dozens of disarranged cabin rooms and through the ever constant entwining hallways. Her legs were starting to feel weak with tiredness and lethargic from the lack of sleep. Afraid of sounding like a child, she didn't dare ask him whether they were nearly there yet or not, so she kept quiet and kept on walking. Soon her surroundings started to look similar; in fact, she became conscious of the reality that the next hallway led past her own cabin room. Finding this strange, Orianna found a tense feeling had now come over her as she cautiously walked on and it only got worse as she passed her room. She looked towards the stranger who was still confidently and steadily striding ahead. Questions now started to formulate in her mind.

How did he find me? Why wasn't he scared of running into a pirate? Where was he taking me?

Deciding she wanted answers, she caught up to him so that she was only a few paces behind.

'So do you know where you're going?' She asked, expecting him to answer back in a smart manner. He didn't answer at all

'You do know you're heading straight for the front of the boat…don't you?"

He still kept silent

Orianna was now worried. She now started to question his motives and stopped abruptly in the middle of the hallway. The stranger upon hearing a cease in footsteps also stopped and turned to face Orianna.

She looked back at him with an intensity that made him look away

'Who are you?'

This question caught him unprepared. He raised his eyes to meet Orianna's and she was surprised to find him smiling.

'I thought you'd never ask'