Broken Spirits

The room Will and his crew walked into was by no means pleasant. An eerie green light swirled throughout the small, cramped space. A strong scent of sweat and rum ensnared them as they were led into the iron cell, the man behind them closing it firmly and locking it with a foreboding click. Grunting in satisfaction, he twirled the keys around a fat finger and sauntered up the steps. The crew of the Dutchman stood silent a moment, taking in their seemingly hopeless situation. Having recovered from Felix's parting gift, Will strode around the cell, swearing angrily. How could he let this happen? How could he have been so blind? All this time, Felix had been plotting against him; conspiring with Erebus right under his nose. Alanna had been right all along; and because of his foolishness, she was now at the mercy of his rival, while he and his men stood helpless. Arthur attempted in vain to console him.

"There was nothing any of us could've done," he offered. "How were any of us to know that Felix would betray us?"

"That's just it!" Will yelled. "She knew. Alanna knew something was afoot. And I didn't bother to listen to her! If anyone is to be blamed, it should be me!"

Will slammed his fist into the bars, but took no notice of the sting that followed. The pain he knew she would be enduring on his account was a thousand times worse. Angry tears threatened to fall as he gazed helplessly towards the stairs. The door that led to the cabin was propped open, no doubt to ensure he would hear her screams. Alanna he thought with a grimace. Please forgive me for what I've done.

The first thing Alanna noticed upon regaining consciousness was the sharp scent of peppermint. She sat up slowly, taking in the dreary cabin in which she now resided. Her hand drifted to where Erebus had slapped her, feeling a warm liquid beneath her fingertips. She could tell just by the resounding sting that it was blood. She drew her hand away and, sure enough, it shown crimson. Convinced she was alone, the purring voice that floated into existence startled her.

"I do hope you'll forgive me," it said casually. "But how else was I going to get through to you, hmm?"

It was only then that she noticed a dark figure standing in the corner, his features hidden beyond the light of the mysterious candles. She sat up straighter, recognizing the cool tone without knowing his identity.

"Show yourself, you coward," she hissed. "I'm not afraid of you."

Erebus smiled as he slithered from the shadows, moving to fill up a glass of wine. "I see why William takes such a special interest in you," he said, leaning over the table. "You're a beautiful woman, and who's to argue. But you're courageous and resourceful as well. Very few women have such strong qualities."

Alanna looked at him cautiously. This was absurd. If he wanted to do away with her, why was he making small talk? She racked her brain for any possible intentions while he filled his own glass. Sighing, he set the bottle down and came to join her. She moved as far away from him as she could, eyeing the glass he held warily. He chuckled softly. "You needn't be afraid," he said. " I have no desire to kill you. Besides, dear William will be expecting me to do something like that. Drink up, miss."

Rather than refuse and risk his temper, Alanna took the drink demurely and sipped it, watching him all the while. The wine slipped down her throat and into her empty stomach, reminding her she had no yet eaten anything that day. Erebus seemed to be expecting this, for he rose and grabbed a bowl of grapes resting on the table.

"So…Alanna is it?" he murmured, passing the bowl to her. "You must be famished. It won't do for you to be…useful on an empty stomach."

Once again she accepted the offering without complaint, secretly grateful to have something to build up her energy, should she need it. Determined to keep him on good terms, she tried talking to him civilly.

"Sir," she began. " If you intend me harm, why haven't you gone through with it already? You have what you came for. I'm of no value to you."

Erebus laughed. "Ah, but you are, my dear," he said, inching closer. "You see I don't plan to kill William…at least, not yet. As you will soon realize, my little swan," he paused, trailing a cool finger along her jaw line. "There are things far worse… than death."

Slowly, he moved closer to her, making her slide up against the headboard. His breath smelled faintly of peppermint and old wine, and she turned her head to avoid it. This only made him more impatient. Despite her struggle, he kissed her fiercely, without the slightest hint of tenderness within it. When he finally broke away, the coolness she had seen a moment ago had vanished. Before her was a completely different man, his cobalt eyes glittering with long-suppressed lust. He paused only to shed his shirt and leggings. Her eyes widened with horror. "Please," she pleaded, thinking rapidly of an excuse. "I am a virgin."

Erebus laughed harshly. "You think I'm that gullible? No, no…I have complete confidence my adversary has well taken care of that. Such a pity, considering I wanted you all for myself."

He leaned down once more, ripping her shirt easily. Upon seeing the locket, he smirked and tore it from her neck, casting it aside.

"A gift, no doubt," he rasped. "Such a shame. Oh well…his loss is my gain."

He smiled greedily, and struck for the tan flesh beneath him. He grabbed at her roughly, leaving a mark where his fingertips had once been. She tried to scream, but he sealed her lips with another fierce kiss. Sheer terror gripped her and tears of fright spilled helplessly from her eyes. He showed no amount of restrain or pity. She was helpless against him, and he knew it. The instant he broke away, the horrors within her were released in a scream fit for death.

As expected, the scream rang through the hall and down into the brig and, coincidentally, Will's ears. His heart screamed with her, the pain of it nearly unbearable. He doubled over, much to the confusion of the crew. As crazy as it sounded, her suffering was his suffering. Her pain had now become his.

"He's killing her," he whispered.

Arthur looked at him, startled. "He wouldn't," he objected. " It's not like him. If anything, he would keep her alive so he could- "

Arthur stopped abruptly, aware of what he was about to say. Will nodded reluctantly. He wasn't killing her in the literal sense, but rather destroying her spirit; the very essence of who she was. From here on, she would be a changed woman, taken unwillingly by a man she didn't love. Erebus's actions would haunt her for the rest of her days…and Will could do nothing to stop it.

Down the hall, things were getting worse. Alanna knew that within moments, he would take her fully, and she would be powerless to resist him. Just when she thought it would be too late… that the precious nights with Will were about to be taken from her forever… that the darkness that surrounded her would fully engulf her…

"Beg your pardon, sir."

With a growl, Erebus abruptly released her, turning an aggravated face to his first mate.

"Want do you want?" he asked, sighing sharply.

"Forgive me for disturbing you, but you're requested on deck. There's a mean wind coming in and they need your assistance."

The man by the door took notice of the woman entangled beneath his master and couldn't help but smile. It was clear he had taken advantage of her, and she showed every sign of it. Erebus groaned and hastily dressed. As he walked from the room, the man looked over his shoulder curiously.

"What about her?" he asked.

Erebus glanced toward the bed, shrugging.

"I don't think she'll be going anywhere," he said absently. "Now let's make this quick so I can get back to what I was doing."

With a final look, he swept from the cabin, leaving a broken angel in his wake.