I turned quickly towards the horrifying sound that was now joined by a painful cry. The solemn sound chilled my blood and stopped my once joyous heart as its beats grew faster and full of terror. I began to race blindly towards the sound, fearing for what I knew had happened. I came upon a clearing to see that my nightmare, my haunting thoughts, had come true.
I did not hear Sam's footsteps as he raced behind me, but I felt his touch as I fell to the ground sobbing. He held me tightly as my sorrowful cries broke the silence that had settled in the cool night air.
"I'm so sorry Nicole." He breathed as he held my waist, slowing my descent towards the earth.
"Why did they do this?" I sobbed, as my knees touched the damp ground.
He released me after a few moments as I slowly rose and walked over to a small lump that lay upon the earth.
"Yuna..." I breathed as I stroked her bloodied fur; a tear fell from my pained eyes and gently landed on my beloved friend's body.
That's when I heard a soft whimper... I looked down at Yuna to find she was still alive.
"Yuna?!" I breathed; my voice increased her whining as I cried, "She's ALIVE!"
I gently picked up my wounded companion and wrapped her in a blanket from my bag. I cradled her in my arms as I heard shouts coming from the road nearby.
"They're coming!" Sam cried, rushing over to me.
I looked down at my beloved Yuna as she lay in my arms, her small head resting on my heart.
"Promise me you'll take care of her." I said after a moment, a tear flowing down my flushed face.
"Nicole... What are you...?"
"PROMISE ME... You will take care of her." I said again, my voice cracking and tears now pouring from my eyes.
"Nicole..." He sighed, "I promise..."
I handed him my dear friend, gently stroking her fur, before I said my final goodbyes, as I sang,
"I'll never forget, the first day we met. Time did fly and now I do cry, as I say... Goodbye..."
As I finished, I looked into Sam's crystal blue eyes, which now revealed one tear that slowly fell from his cheek like an autumn leaf as it glides from the golden trees. He smiled faintly as I hugged his neck tightly and then kissed his warm lips one last time before disappearing into the night. I could not speak for my voice had vanished and I could not reply to him as he breathed,
"I'll never forget you..."
He looked sorrowfully after me as I raced off into the cool air; tears fell like bombs from my eyes. I did not look back as the voices faded and became more distant... I kept running till my body collapsed to the earth. Exhausted and hungered, I felt the world fade away; not fighting it any longer for the pain was too great.
I only remember voices, shouts, before truly everything went black. I did not feel pain nor misery or even the strong hands that grabbed my frail body and carried me.
I awoke, disoriented at first, waiting a few moments as my eyes adjusted to the blinding light before I realized where I was. I looked around in this strange place to find myself chained to a metal pole that stood in the middle of a wooden room which reeked of alcohol and rotting fish.
Where am I?
I sat shivering, my arms wrapped around my knees, in the fading light. Hearing no sound but the creaking of this strange room. I sat deep in thought trying to recall what had happened and where I am...
"A SHIP! I'm ON A RUDDY SHIP!!" my mind screamed.
That's when a hearty voice cackled, "Well, look who finally has awakened! Hello sleeping beauty!"
I strained to see from whom this voice came, but was stopped by the blinding light. The man after a few moments soon came into view. He was large, about 6 feet in height. His stomach bulged over his tight belt and he wore a dirty red shirt that had a few holes in it, a black vest over that and brown slacks that were caked with tar. He had a grey, scraggly beard, that had remnants of once jet black hair, and the hair on his head was shimmering ebony, accented by grey streaks. He had a cheerful smile on his face that made him seem not as fierce as he was.
"Are you well child?" he asked, kneeling down to my level, "You do look a bit pale, but a damn lot better than ye did when we found ye."
"You found me?" I inquired shakily, my voice wavering from the surprising dryness of the air.
"OH YES Milady!! Half dead ye were... Brought cha' board the ship with me. Since ye seemed like ye had no home." He chuckled, his eyes dancing in the blinding light.
"You assumed correctly sir." I replied, bowing my head from his, "I do not have a home."
"WELL THAT BE GOOD!! Then ye can stay with us!! I have always wanted a child... A little girl to raise as me own. If ye like that be..." he bellowed, his eyes glimmering with a fatherly kindness…
I had always longed for a father… Someone who could protect me…
"A home? Here? I could stay here?" I asked my heart raced with anticipation of an answer.
"WHY OF COURSE CHILD!! I am the captain of this ship and my word is law. I can teach ye all sorts of things bout the sea if ye stay. Ye can be my apprentice; I believe that is the correct term." He said his voice deepening as he stated his superiority.
He had a twinkle of humor in his eyes that made his offer to good to refuse…
"So what say ye? Want to be a pirate?" he chuckled.
Pirate...?
"Yes sir." I spoke shakily.
I have no where else to go and at least now I have a home, food, and friends...
Friends... Oh Yuna... Sam... Please forgive me... Forget me...
"Well then lassie, ye need a bit of food in yer belly before your training can begin! What say ye if I escort ye to the mess hall for some grub and get ye out of these chains?" he inquired, reaching for a key that hung in his pocket.
"Yes! Please Sir! I shall not leave!" I cried out, clasping my hands together in a pleading motion as I bent over on my knees.
"I know you won't... Ye poor creature... You won't be alone anymore." He said, smiling.
"How do you..." I began as he helped me to my feet.
"Yer eyes lassie... Ol' Captain Willington can see it in yer red eyes..." he replied as he freed me from the chains that were fastened around my ankles.
"So... you are not afraid?" I inquired as I looked up into his green eyes, fear filling my soul.
"OF COURSE NOT!! Afraid of what deary? Of the way ye look? Why that is preposterous!!" he cried out, chuckling a moment, stopping once he saw the pain in my eyes, "Ye've been hurt before haven't you?"
"Ye... Yes..." I replied shakily, turning my head from him once more.
"I'm sorry lassie... Now ye won't have to worry... Nobody will mess with ye if I can help it! Now shall we?" he cried out, his eyes sparkling as he extended his hand towards mine.
I smiled and took his huge hand in my own.
"What be yer name?" he inquired as we walked across the ship.
"Nicole... Nicole Rose Demira..." I replied.
"Nicole aye? Well yer gonna need a new name now... Got any suggestions? Tell me if ye do while I think" He replied as he disappeared into thought, "Well ye walk like a ghost... and your hair is white as ivory. Yer eyes as red as tomatoes..."
"I've never given any thought of it..." I began but was stopped as he cried out,
"PHANTOM!! No wait ye be a lady... Phantess... Yes... That has a lovely ring about it and will suit ye perfectly."
"Yes sir..." I replied...
Phantess... I did not realize the significance of that name then and I would not for years to come...
He then escorted me to the mess hall, as he called it where I ate happily, listening to the tales he told the crew and introducing myself to my "ship-mates." It was so odd being excepted so quickly into this giant family… They were not like the pirates I had always been told about… These men were very kind to their own and would give their lives for their brothers. Now I had not only a fatherly figure but a family to boot…
A new life... Another chance...
