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Author's Note: As with most stories, this chapter is a transition between events. If you're looking for something spicy, read on. It's quite exciting, but no sex. Sorry, but if that's what you're looking for, wait for the next chapter. :)
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There are very few sights on the open waters that will tug at the fear deep in someone's mind. Katherine had been on the other side of many chases in her time, usually with her father at command as he hunted down merchant ships in the straights between Africa and Europe, sometimes through the English channel.
Most times, it was bloodless, the crew giving up before a shot was ever fired, but then there were times like this, when the crew would fight to the death. It was a something she had only seen once up close, two men fighting for her life and freedom, both losing their lives. It was the beginning of her long stay as a captive on the Ocean Blue, something that still sent shivers down her spine.
Katherine stood frozen in her spot, watching the horizon as she remembered the event vividly. Closing her eyes, Katherine could relive the moment as if she were a child again. It was pitch black that night, thick clouds covering the full moon and the ocean an inky color that hid everything. The tiny boat her father moved slowly over the water, sloshing and creaking as it got closer to the Ocean Blue. Staring out over the ocean, Katherine watched the shore of the land twinkle in the soft lamplights. It had almost been her home, had that sheik agreed to the deal her father offered, but the man had no need for a fourteen year old girl and her sixteen year old brother. Things would have been different, she reflected, had that awful man just listened and taken them in.
She remembered her father grabbing her wrist in the darkness and pulling her carefully to the side of the ship, placing her hands on the rough rope ladder that ran down the side. It was in that brief moment that he hugged her tightly, his damp cheek pressing into her neck. It was then that Katherine felt fear. Her father, that strong stone in her life, was crying over their hapless situation. With a soft kiss against her temple, he gave her a boost up, telling her to be quiet and not to draw attention.
She was climbing up the rope ladder, Danny pushing her from below as their father whispered to them to keep it quiet. Katherine grumbled at her brother was she reached up over the side of the ship and gripped the rough wood in her hands, hoisting herself over the side. It was then that two hands grabbed her tightly and practically threw her to the deck. A short scream was stifled as the man grabbed and hauled her to her feet, holding her tight against him as the lanterns onboard where lit and her brother looked on in fear as she saw her father's angry face appear over the side of the ship.
"Where have you been, Captain?" Bega asked with a laugh and a grin as he brought out his pistol and pointed it first at Katherine then turning it to the hulking man who was pulling himself over the side.
"You'll never find out." He growled, his hands clenching tight in fear and anger.
Looking around, Jim knew there was no way out of this. His plan for escape had failed and all he cared about now was the well being of his children. He stared at Katherine, angered by the tight grip that Bega had on her arm and the pain on her face, his eyes calming and reassuring that everything would be okay. Looking back up, he noticed the faces of the rest of the crew, all with eyes narrowed. Mutiny, he cursed himself, they had mutinied while he tried to get Danny and Katherine to the coast. Of course, it didn't surprise him, but he still wished that he could have gotten his family to safety.
"You're right, Captain." He spit out the word with such distain that it practically stung. "I never will."
It all happened in a blur, the sharp pop and smoke causing Katherine to wince and shut her eyes tight against the scene in front of her. A howling cry came forth from her brother and then a thud followed by a gurgling sound. She shook from head to toe as the laughter began and she opened her eyes to behold the sight in front of her.
She felt the cruel grip on her upper arm, the feel of a gun pressed against her temple. The air smelled of gun smoke, the barrel of the gun hot as it pressed into her curls. The sight of her father laying motionless on the rough wood made her fight back tears. Looking around the deck, she could see the faces of men that she had once considered her family, each laughing at the sight of their dead captain.
She heard the click of the gun, men jeering and urging him to do it. Just pull the trigger, they yelled as Bega said nothing, just gripped her arm tighter as he glared over the top of her head at her brother. Danny stood there, his face full of fear and resignation, unable to do anything else. His blue eyes locked with his sister's, a tear rolling down his cheek as he squared his shoulders and prepared for his fate. He jerked for a moment, his mind racing as he thought he could run or grab something to defend himself, but with a deep breath, he let his arms fall limp to his side and looked at Bega.
Suddenly, the hand let go of her arm and grabbed her tight around the waist, the gun pulling away and firing straight at Danny. His blue eyes widened in surprise as a cloud of red mist appeared before him. He clutched at his chest, stumbling back until he hit the railing before tumbling over board to the waves below. A loud splash filled the still air as the crew started to laugh, the sound of many voices filling the young girl's ears as she stood there in shocked silence.
"Danny!" She screamed, her voice high and shrill as Bega laughed and began to drag her across the deck, towards the cabin that was once her father's. She let him drag her for a moment, too stunned to comprehend what had happened, but it only lasted a few short moments before she struggled.
She fought like a fury, wishing that she could escape this hell that she was living, but the man's grip grew tighter, his fingers digging into the soft flesh that was exposed on her modest neckline. She would carry the bruises for a week, but it wouldn't be the only time she was bruised and battered during the next few months. She twisted and turned, screaming and kicked her legs in the air, anything to stop him from his journey.
With a jerk on the door, Bega shoved her into the cabin, glaring as she stumbled and finally fell to the ground, her legs tangled in her skirts. Katherine leaned up on an elbow and looked at him with fear, his face so clear in the moonlight. He held no pity for her, his dark eyes narrowing at the young girl before him. It was as if he had never seen her before, no longer the girl that had grown up on the ship, but as a woman who was ripe for the taking. A woman with a secret that he would drag out of her, come hell or high water. It was that night that the face of Bega was engraved in her mind, the sound of the door slamming shut on the cabin the last sound that she cared to remember of that horrible event.
It was two strong hands clamping down on Katherine's shoulders that snapped her out of the memory, making her jump as they spun her around. She gave out a cry of surprise as she came face to face with the man, his coat and uniform instantly registering in her mind. Captain Richards looked down at her, his eyes set in determination but Katherine could see the fear deep inside. She met his gaze, hoping that any sign of the memory was wiped from her eyes.
"Get to your cabin and lock yourself in." He stated, giving her a shake to get her out of her stupor. "I don't need to tell you what would happen if…" He trailed off, his attentions slowly turning to the ocean as he looked out to the horizon. "If you ever meet a woman named Constanza, tell her…tell her I always loved her." He whispered finally after a long silence, his eyes serious as he stared down at the girl in his grip.
