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Chapter 4: Setting Out on a Journey


"They're gone. They're all gone," Helen's shaky voice penetrated his ears. "I'm the only one that's left. They…they took Enola. I don't know what's happened to her. I don't know what they needed her for and I don't know why they took her. Nobody could do anything about it when they came."

The Mariner brought his gaze to her. "Who are they? You still haven't told me that."

"They called themselves pirates and thieves," Helen responded as tears rolled down her cheeks in soft waves. "They came here looking for some treasure. I and everyone else kept telling them that there was no treasure here, but they didn't listen. First, they threatened us, and then, when threats didn't work, they started to murder us."

Hearing this, the Mariner resisted the urge to growl in contemptuous rage. His hands curled into tight fists at his sides as he gazed down at his lover that was resting on a bed. He had cleaned her up as best he could and found her some fresh clothes, but she still looked weak and fragile, like she could break at any moment. Shaking his head, he tried to calm himself. What other devious things had these so called 'pirates' had done to his Helen and Enola?

"I'm the only one left," Helen repeated in a sorrow filled tone of voice. "They murdered everyone and then tried to destroy the land, but you saved it. I…their captain, Captain Ringer, had beaten me senselessly and without a care while everyone watched. He kept asking me where his treasure was as he continued to land blows upon my body. I kept telling him I didn't know because that's just it…I DIDN'T KNOW!" she yelled, more tears escaping her eyes. "…He thought he killed me and I didn't have the strength to go after them and save Enola. I was too late and I was too slow."

The Mariner released a deep sigh, shaking his head once more. He stepped closer to the woman in the bed and gently removed some of the tears that had escaped her eyes. The man used his fingers to get rid of the liquid on her cheeks. When he was done, he gently caressed her cheek. "It's not your fault," he told her. "You had no control over what happened. Don't blame yourself. I'm going to get her back."

"Not without me," Helen informed him, sitting up in the bed and grabbing his hand, squeezing it tightly. "You're not going to save Enola without me. I know I'm not in good shape, but you can't do this alone. You need my help. These pirates and thieves are vicious. They don't have any feelings and they don't care who they kill!"

The Mariner gently tugged his hand from her grasp, cupping her face in his hands and staring deeply into the female's eyes. "That's exactly why I don't want you to come, Helen. It's going to be really dangerous and you're not fit for this," he explained to her sincerely. Obviously, he was concerned for her. "I can't let anything else happen to you."

Helen was about to speak, but she could see the guilt in his eyes. The guilt swam in torrents, consuming him whole like a shark devouring its midmorning meal. There was also shame there too, and sadness was present. Helen knew that the man she loved was experiencing tremendous guilt because he wasn't there for them to begin with and that he had left them all those years ago without visiting. Sure, she got mad sometimes while he was gone, but she always missed him and she always loved him.

Leaning forward, Helen pressed her lips against his in a sudden and soft kiss. The Mariner kissed back, pulling her closer to his body. Then, after a few minutes, they parted and continued to stare into each other's eyes. Helen gave him a small smile and shook her head. "You don't have to worry about me. I survived this long without you, right? You don't have to worry about me. I'll be fine. What you do have to worry about is Enola," she elaborated in a low tone of voice. "I forgive you for leaving all those years ago."

That was all the Mariner needed to hear. He gave her one more kiss before sitting up straight and helping her off of the bed. "Alright then, it's settled. You're coming with me and we're going to get her back."

"Right," Helen nodded her head, determination flickering across her facial features. She removed herself from the room with his help and the two of them left the hut, heading towards the beach to set sail. As they journeyed there, Helen could see the many bodies of people and horses and it made her sick inside. So, to get her mind off of it, she explained to the Mariner what the massive ship looked like and she also described how the pirates and thieves looked.

The Mariner listened to every single word that exited her mouth until they finally reached their destination. He climbed onto his boat and then got everything ready. He looked to his significant other and saw that she was just solemnly eyeing the land that she had been staying on for many years. Her eyes also roamed the dead horses that were on the ground, spotting the one that belonged to Enola. The woman almost collapsed to her knees in grief when she saw the sight of the burnt animal. Enola would not be happy when she found out about her longtime friend.

"Enola…" whispered Helen, blinking back tears furiously. What would become of her? Would she and the Mariner be able to rescue her before it's too late? What in the world was going to happen to her? Would she even be alive when they found her? There was so many questions that she didn't have answers too! It was so very frustrating!

"Helen, we have to go. The longer we stay here, the more time we give them to do whatever they please to her," the Mariner mentioned to his lover, placing a hand upon her shoulder and motioning towards his boat. "Let's get moving."

Nodding her head, Helen joined him on the boat and the two set off on their journey to rescue Enola.