That night...

Sweet poison marred my slumber,

Paining my heart, making it number.

As I tossed and turned that night,

My dreams were filled with fear and fright.

The only soothing noise I heard,

Was of his voice, which cooed like a bird.

I opened my eyes wearily to find myself surrounded by what was left of my crew. About half of the crew encircled my bed, of the few were: Mr. Kristian, Mr. Wayton, and My Great Uncle Mr. James.

"Captain! Thank heavens yer alive!" Mr. James cried out as my eyes began to adjust to the moonlight.

"The Poison... How did you cure it?" I inquired as I tried to sit up from my bed.

Met with agonizing pain, I slowly fell back down in my bed. I groaned as the wound inflicted by the poison arrow began to ache tremendously. I took a few deep breaths, found a comfortable position, and relaxed once more.

"We used this. It was given to us by a small bird of colors oh so wild that landed on the ship." He spoke as he handed me a bottle. "The bird called out yer name, captain and it gave us the cure and this note."

"Let me see the note." I asked.

"A LANTERN!" Mr. James bellowed.

A lantern was brought by Mr. Kristian and I sat and read the note.

It held,

Miss Phantess,

Death is the reason that we do survive, the music is calling and to it we must abide.

I watch and I wait for the music and its bait...

The Rain

"What does it say Captain?" Mr. James inquired as I set down the note, my hands quivering.

"It says that I mustn't stay here any longer." I replied.

"Captain! What do you...?" he exclaimed.

"These attacks, these deaths... are because of me... I can not stay here... I am leaving you in charge..." I continued.

"But Captain..." he began.

"I must leave and you must do the same." I said as I tried to sit up.

"Now Captain... I believe the poison has done something to yer mind... Now ye are too weak to leave anyways... So rest for the time being..." Mr. James said as he gently laid me back down.

I could not argue for the pain was too great. I lay back down without protest and they soon left while I did rest. Dreams did come that night and as the poison began to fade and the cure that he sent to me began to take affect, I felt a strange presence in my room as I slept.

I dreamt vividly and it sent my mind racing. A figure stood next to me and it spoke with the voice I so longed to hear.

The Voice: The rain does fall with your pain.

Myself: The Rain? You know of this name?

The Voice: The Rain does fall all around you.

Myself: Who is this Rain?

The Voice: The Rain follows the storm. The Rain follows you.

Myself: The storm?

The Voice: You have felt it, no?

Myself: Felt what?

The Voice: The storm. The lightning... The thunder and the death.

Myself: I do admit to the storm of which you speak but of the death... I do not know.

The Voice: The Death I speak of is one you know.

The figure began to fade away as I reached for its cool hand.

Myself: Must you leave now? There is so much I do not know!

The Voice: Everything you soon shall know, but I am afraid that I must go.

I awoke with a start in the early morning air, the crew was still asleep.

I must leave now...

I slowly rose from my bed, the pain was not as bad and stiffness soon wore off from the way I had slept. Grabbing the few things I had and putting them in my small bag that I always carried. A few of the items were: My old dress and shoes, my flute and its case, a flask filled with water, and few pieces of bread.

As I silently crept from my room, leaving it unlocked, I was met by a low voice.

"Where are ye heading off to so early captain?" spoke Mr. James and as soon as he saw my bag he continued, "I see the poison wasn't affecting your mind as I had thought."

"I can't stay here any longer. I am leaving you in charge of this ship and crew." I spoke, my voice wavered and a tear slid silently down my cheek.

"Until your return, I shall watch your ship." He spoke.

He then stood from his seated position and hugged me gently, "Goodbye Nicole. Your mother would be proud of ye. I know I am."

He released me, a tear slid down his grizzly face as he smiled slightly.

"Goodbye." I breathed as I walked off the ship and disappeared into the early morning air.

I felt his eyes stay locked on me till I disappeared into a small thicket, branches snagged my shirt and vest. After an hour or so, I estimated I had traveled four or five miles and that I was headed in a northeast ward direction.

I soon left the vegetation and sweet smelling grasses of the coast behind and was now walking through a dessert. Sand dunes rose high above the arid landscape as I walked aimlessly through them. The heat of the sand was near unbearable as I walked slowly through the arid land; a cool breeze was the only relief I had when I came to the top of one of the mountainous dunes.

As the sun set, the temperature dropped dramatically. A hot arid day turned into a chilly arid night. I sat next to a large dune, its size blocked a bit of the chilling wind.

As I sat, my knees in my chest and my arms in my vest, I heard voices in the distance and the sound of hooves. I stood, intrigued by the odd sounds and silently crept to the top of the dune.

As I peered cautiously over the top of the dune, I saw a few men riding horses that were fast approaching.

I must hide... But where?

I sank back down to the bottom of the dune and sat motionless, hoping that they would change direction...

My hopes were crushed... Literally...