Disclaimer: I do not own POTC! I only own my OCs (Annaliese and Nikko)!

Enjoy chapter four!

It was an island…

Hope filled Annaliese and conquered all the terror that resulted from the attack just minutes before. She continued to swim across the ocean with Nikko close by, not daring to look back at the two ships. The sheer cloth that covered her mouth clung to her face as it soaked up the salty water, making it rather difficult to breath. The ongoing cries of the hopeless crew members and the continuing cannon blasts from the opponent ship could still be heard.

Annaliese was suddenly overcome with grief; the captain, who had been so kind to her and Nikko over the past week, was now doomed to die on his ship along with every one of the crew members while she swam away with the chance of living. She tried to convince herself that there was nothing she could've done to help, but the sounds of everything behind her were both devastating and depressing.

Annaliese finally forced her mind to focus on the island in front of her. She had to get to it even if it took hours and hours…there was no other option.

Night had fallen when Annaliese's feet finally touched the muddy floor of the ocean. She had never been so exhausted and relieved in all her life.

"Nikko…" she panted wearily, taking the goat into her arms and carrying him. Annaliese continued to trudge through the water towards the beach. To her relief, she could see a town and hear distant sounds coming from it. She also noticed a large dock packed with many different ships.

Annaliese rose bit by bit from the water as she neared the shore. Once she finally stepped onto the dry sand, she collapsed upon the ground exhaustedly and desperately gasped for air. Nikko shook the water from his body and sat down next to her wearily. Annaliese petted his damp fur as she breathed in heavily and listened to the calming waves. Once again, she felt thankful and safe…

After a few minutes, she opened her eyes and stared up at the dark, empty sky. Her breathing rate was slowly returned to normal. She gathered enough strength and courage to sit up and look out to the sea. Both of the ships had vanished without a trace... Grief began to creep up upon Annaliese, making her turn away from the clear sea.

She and Nikko both stood up wearily, brushed the sand from their bodies, and faced the town. Annaliese wondered if the citizens on this island were sympathetic, seeing as her and Nikko's stomachs was begging them for food and she had nothing but her tambourine now.

The pair ambled up the beach together and came to a dirt road with a many little cottages along it. A few groups of people were staggering around and laughing together. As Annaliese passed them, she noticed grimy, nearly empty bottles clutched in their hands. She and Nikko continued down the road, observing the buildings and passing a few other intoxicated groups. The town looked similar to Palisadoes, but its citizens were not drunkards like these.

Where am I? What am I going to do? Annaliese asked herself anxiously. She hadn't any idea! Every citizen was intoxicated so she certainly couldn't ask for shelter or food.

A group of drunken men wolf whistled as she passed them.

"Hello, gorgeous!" they called, "Why don'cha hang with us tonight?"

"Come on, Nikko…" Annaliese sighed worriedly as she quickened her pace.

"Where ya goin'? Oh, come on, good-lookin'! We don't bite or nothin'!"

The town seemed to become more raucous as the pair walked further into its depths. They seemed to be in the downtown area now, considering they were surrounded by shops that were closed for the night.

Annaliese noticed a man was eyeing her from across the street. Tall and muscular, he was standing motionless with his arms crossed in front of him and his staring eyes on Annaliese. Seeing him reminded Annaliese of last week when the captain had first seen her dancing on the streets of Palisadoes. Only this time, the scenario felt eerie and dangerous…

Annaliese and Nikko halted to consider the situation: they desperately needed food and a place to stay for the night. Plus the man did not appear to be at all intoxicated. On the downside, he didn't look very friendly and the way he was staring at her made Annaliese feel sick and intimidated inside.

She sighed and decided that it was best to take the chance.

What's the worst that could happen? She asked herself convincingly. She scrunched her damp hair before slowly approaching him.

"Um…g-good evening, sir," she stuttered nervously, "M-me and my goat were shipwrecked here on thi-this island earlier and I was hoping you c-could spare us some food and a room for just the night."

"Sure thing, sweetie…" the man said as his eyes scanning her body with a wicked smile displayed on his face. "You can definitely stay with me…my bed can fit two people." Annaliese swallowed fearfully at his words, realizing this was not a safe situation at all and that she had to get away from this man before it was too late.

"Uh…" she searched frantically for an excuse of any kind, "…I should…go…" Annaliese immediately snatched Nikko up off the ground and attempted to run, but the man caught her arm.

"And where do you think you're going?" he asked her hotly. "You said you needed a place to stay…it'd be quite rude of you to ignore my…hospitality." Tears of terror raced down Annaliese's cheeks as the man pulled none other than a knife from his pocket.

"In…" he commanded cruelly, pointing towards the open door behind him with the knife. Annaliese noticed his grip on her arm had loosened slightly and automatically took off with Nikko in her arms.

"HEY!" she heard the man roar in outrage. She ran as fast as her legs would carry her and hoped with all her heart that he was not chasing her.

Unexpectedly, Annaliese felt Nikko fly out of her arms as she tripped over her own feet and took to the hard ground. She immediately turned over to see the man coming at her with the knife raised…

"No! Please, no! Please!" she screamed helplessly, shielding herself with her arms as she tried to get to her feet. The man reached her in a matter of seconds and forced her back onto the ground. Annaliese continued to scream for mercy as he held her down with his knees.

This is it… she thought in despair.

Then the knife came down and sliced her upper arm open…

Annaliese screamed in pain as the blood came gushing out like a river. Through her tears she could see the man raise the knife once again… At the horrific sight of it, she squeezed her eyes shut and waited for the plunge…

Then her legs were relieved of his weight… She heard grunting and scuffling nearby and opened her eyes in shock. A blurry, bleating Nikko was standing before her, blocking her view from her savior... She felt a warm liquid begin to soak her clothes and hair…

"Nikko…" Annaliese panted as the goat faded away and everything was consumed into darkness.

Can't you tell I love cliffhangers? ;) Heehee!

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