Once at the docks, I despair to see that there aren't as many ships in port as I hoped. I immediately begin asking if anyone was heading in the direction of Port Royal, in Jamaica. I asked, and asked, but they all required, a price, whether money, or sleeping with some drunken captain. I only had 5 pounds with me which in nowhere near enough, sadly. And as for sleeping with a stranger, I wouldn't even consider this. I walk down the dock, with a sunken heart from bad luck. I see an old seaman walking toward a rather large ship called the HMS Dolphin. I hadn't talk to him yet, which gave me a bit of perk. I ran to him.
"Sir! Excuse me!" he looked at me with a kind smile.
"Yes, miss?"
"I was wondering if your ship was heading towards Jamaica?"
"I'm afraid not lass. We're heading to Singapore. But I know that that ship," he pointed to one across the dock, "is heading in that direction."
"Well, it's better than nothing, thank you." I smile. He gives me the tip of his hat, and begins up the gang plank to his ship. I started towards the ship. It was quiet, and dark aboard. This was a start at least, but I still had no way of getting to borrow a passage off. Not enough money and I'll be given my virginity away when it suits me. But then an idea enters my head; a stupid idea. I could stowaway. I knew a young man named Jack, who was a stowaway. He told me of his many adventures, and how he accomplished them. He did mention that it was quite the challenge unfortunately. I sat there in silence, biting at my nail, and considering this. The sound of a bell ringing startles me, quickening my decision. What do I have to lose. I looked around; the docks were empty and quiet. Only the sounds of waves crashing into the boats, and seagulls squalling. I walk slowly towards the gang plank. Many things running through my mind; my father, my home, my future, ect. I'm standing in front of the ship; watching it creak, back and forth with the waves. The sails waving against the wind. I walk up the plank, quickly on my toes. Once reaching the top I peak over, looking onto the quiet deck. There was someone sitting on the stairs that led up to an upper deck. I froze for a moment, but further looking, I see he's dead asleep. Glancing around, the deck, I make sure no one else is there. I see a door across the deck, leading, down below I'm guessing. I scamper across the deck, to the door, and creek it open. A warm light spreads across my face. I see no one, so I slip in, and close the door quietly. There was a stair case leading down, I slowly step down each of the steps, and peak my head down to see what was there. I freeze seeing many hammocks hanging about, some empty, but most full of men. I'm too far, to go back now. I keep my pace slow, and steady, heading to another stair case across the room. I hold my breath as I tip toe across the creaky wooden floor. Watching the men, who I assume and pray are all in a deep sleep, toss, and mumble in there hammocks. I slowly but surely, make it to the other staircase. I give a sigh of relief as I go down the stairs. On this deck I find live stock, barrels, and bottles full of rum everywhere. I look around; it was very crowded, and messy, perfect. I make my way to the back corner or the large room. I lay my cloak down, to cover the uncomfortable wood, and then position 3 heavy barrels, to cage me in to the corner. Once confident that I was safe, I lay down. I pray this works. After minutes of silence, I finally close my eyes and drift.

I woke up to figures around me. There was shouting and grabbing. I don't know what was happening, all I knew was I was caught. I was hauled up by a well built man with tattoos. He then tossed me over his shoulder, and I began to struggle.
"Let me go!" I shouted hitting his back; I knew it wasn't going to get me anywhere. I was more taking my frustration out on his back. He ignored me as he carried me up the stairs. We were soon on the top deck. The light almost blinded me, but once it cleared up, I saw men scurrying about. They all seemed to stop when they saw me. The man finally put me down, and grabbed my wrist dragging me across the deck. "Stop it! You bastard!" I yelled trying to resist his pull. He comes to a stop, and yanks me forward placing me in front of him with a firm grip on my arm. I look up and see… the man I ran into? This is his ship? He's the Captain? He stood there leaning against a post, arms crossed across his bold chest. We stare at each other for a moment. I glared at him, but he just grinned. I broke the silence.
"I remember you." I say.
"Well it's always nice to make an impression." He said, and is crew laughed. "Where are my manners? We haven't been formally introduced, Killian Jones." He says walking toward me. "Now, what are you doing aboard my ship?" I yank my arm away, from the giant behind me, and stare the captain dead in the eye.
"My name is Emily Anne Burrows." I sigh, "I'm a barmaid, at The Faithful Bride Tavern. My father has beaten me since I was four," my anger died down as I tell my past, "that's when my mom abandon us. And last night my father took it too far, so I left. That's why I ran into you." He raised an eyebrow at
me. "I was running to the docks, trying to find a way to Jamaica." He began to circle me.
"Why Jamaica?" he asked.
"A close friend of mine, moved there a couple years ago. I knew she'd help me." He stared at me, from bottom to top, and after silence, he smirked.
"Bring her to my cabin boys." I was tugged across the deck to another door facing the back of the ship. Inside they sat me in a chair, facing a large dark wooden desk. It was covered with maps, ink quills, papers, letters, and rum, of course. I herad a click, and glanced down at the noise. They hand cuffed me to the chair. I gasp, and pull at it.
"You can't be serious? This isn't needed!" I say to one of his bearded crew members.
"Sorry, miss. Captains orders." He said and everyone left the cabin. Then it was only me and Jones. He shut and locked the heavy door, then slowly walked over to the desk, again, watching me. He watches me like hawk, he does. The captain sat in his large red velvet chair. He leaned back resting his elbows on the arm rest, then placing his hands together across his chest. He had a focused expression on his face. We sat in silence; which seems to be reoccurring a lot between us. I sat up straight, and crossed my legs, waiting for him to speak.
" What to do with you?" He said thinking aloud.
"Why don't you just let me go? Throw me in a row boat or something."
"Hmmm," he muttered, stroking his short scruff thoughtfully while slowly pacing across the wine
cellar. "Sleep with me," he replied nonchalantly.
"No!"
"Then you see," he continued, "I'd get nothing out of simply letting you go." He says crossing his arms and leaning against his desk, in front of me. "I'd receive no benefit. Just the lost of a pretty girl, and a row boat."
"Oh, so it's all about you getting something." I say. "Seems a bit selfish doesn't it?"
"I'm a pirate, lass. That's one of the qualities needed in being a pirate." He smirks. His ice blue eyes narrow on me. He was so handsome, it was hard to focus, and defend myself.
"Fine." I say. "What do you want from me?" He looks at me and his eyebrow raises, then gives me a smirk. I roll my eyes at him. "Besides, sleeping with you."
"You said you were a barmaid?" I nod. "Then there we go. You'll be my maid, serve me dinner, and help my cook in the kitchen." I sit in silence.
"And if I refuse?" I say leaning forward, with a sarcastic grin. He then leans forward; an inch away from my face. My heart races.
"Listen, Miss Burrows. Let me tell you how it works on my ship." He smiles; he was so close. "I make the demands, and you follow them. You're mine now." Without warning, his lips are on mine. It happen so quickly, it took me a second to realize just what was happening. He pulls away leaving my lips, and then walks to the door. My mouth hangs open in shock. I hear the door swing open and him yell, "Mr. Gibbs! I need your assistance!" He walks back to me with a key, unlocks my shackles, and yanks me up from my chair.
"You're despicable." I say through my teeth. He chuckles darkly, and then winks at me. This man is getting on my last nerve. A short scruffy man burst through the door.
"Cap'n?" he said.
"Gibbs, take Miss Burrows here to Tituba. She'll be our new Cabin girl, then find her a cot."
"Aye, sir." He said then gestured to me, "This way, miss." I glared at the captain and yanked my arm from his grip, and walked out of the cabin with Mr. Gibbs. The man is a menace. And I barley know him! He so proud of himself, with his ship, and his crew, and his damn attractiveness.

I follow Mr. Gibbs down stairs, to the kitchen. It smelled amazing, in the room. It had an orange glow to it from a dimly lit fire on the far side of the room. There's a figure lurking over a stove, stirring a pot.
"Tituba got a surprise for ya." Says Gibbs. A beautiful, black woman turns from the stove, wiping her hands on her apron. She was young, maybe mid thirties. A smile spreads on her lips.
"Who's this?" she asks.
"This is Miss Burrows. She's our new Cabin Girl." He smiles. Tituba's face brightens, and she claps her hands together.
"Finally, another woman aboard the ship! The captain must have taken my advice." She puts her hand on her hips and looks at me with a smile. "He would pick a beauty like you."
"Well he didn't exactly pick her. Jon went below to get some supplies, and she was kickin' about in her sleep, in the far corner." He says with a laugh.
"Ah, trying to stowaway?" Tituba asks.
"Can't blame a girl for trying." I say with a shy smile. These two are the only ones that have been respectful and kind to me since I came aboard this bloody ship.
"Indeed not!" Gibbs says with a laugh, and heading to the door. "I'll let you two get better acquainted." Gibbs flashes a smile, and leaves. Tituba and I sit in an awkward silence for a moment. I watch her go back to cooking. She seemed to be a happy person, almost glowing with kindness. She didn't even need to tell me that; a stranger. Her words break our silence.
"So," She says staring at the pot. "Where were you trying to get to?" she asks.
"I was trying to get to Port Royal. My friend moved there a couple years ago. She said if I ever needed her, she'd be waiting for me in Jamaica." She looks at me with a puzzled expression.
"What was needed so badly, to run away from your home?"
"My father…" I say. My eyes begin to burn with tears. "He didn't treat me the best." Tears are now slowly running down my cheeks. "But now, I'm in this mess; stuck on a ship as a cabin girl. And don't even get me started on the Captain." My voice begins to crack, as my heart heavies. Tituba walks over to me, her happiness now replaced with sorrow. She puts her soft, dark hands on my cheeks.
"Listen," She says. "This ship is not as bad as it may seem." I feel her hands now holding mine.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"Give the captain a chance." She tells me, "He is-" I cut her off.
"Cocky? Rude?" I say with anger "Proud of himself? I've barley known the man for more than an hour, and he kissed me." Tituba laughed, and smiled at me.
"Yes, I know. But once you get passed the womanizing, thieving, and piracy," she says assuring. "You'll see that the man has a heart." She gives my cheek a little pat and goes back to her stove. "Trust me. I wouldn't still be here if he didn't."
"You're not here against your will?" I ask sitting down in a chair by the wall.
"I had lost my family, and had nothing. I heard that there was a pirate in port looking for a cook." She smiles to herself. "My mama just happened to be amazing cook, and taught me everything she knew. So I found him, and he hired me right then and there." She looks at me, and chuckles, at my surprised facial expression. "Like I said, he has a heart, it's just… darker than most."