Chapter 7: Chapter Six: Set Up

Umm.. I didn't really like this chapter.. Kind of long. I just wanted to end Johnny and Charlie right away instead of playing out a whole love scene thingy-a-bob. Tell me your thoughts!

*Charlie POV*

Johnny leads me inside his grand mansion and I am becoming increasingly nervous. My legs tremble ever so slightly and my blood runs cold through my veins. He doesn’t notice my nervousness and for that, I’m glad. I feel trapped in his expensive clothes he had bought for me earlier today, like they’re chains rather than clothing. My emotions clash against each other, locked in a vicious battle, I’m unsure what to feel for him. Part of me believes he’s that man he was yesterday, sweet, caring, funny, handsome; although he is not that man today. I foolishly try to convince myself he’s nervous but I know it’s wrong. I should be grateful for these clothes, but he had picked them out. Healmost demanded me to wear this and chose it for me.

Walking through the double glass doors, I look inside his home and I’m not surprised by the decorations. His mansion is just as beautiful, and jail-like, on the inside like it is on the outside. All of his windows, I notice, seem to be made of reinforced glass with metal frames painted silver. They’re covered by elegant dark grey curtains with a white, lace-like, pattern on the cloth, they allow no light to shine through. The only light here came from many wall lanterns and a huge crystal chandler hanging from the center of the ceiling, brightly lit with what seems to be hundreds of candles.

The floor is made up of elegant dark grey marble squares that are laid out in an orderly fashion throughout the house and down many hallways. Even the curved grand staircase is made up of the same marble and had iron railings. Surprisingly, the walls are painted a light teal color with white moldings which are carved with beautiful and unique details. It is a shocking contrast against the dark floors, almost like a balance of light and dark.

His foyer was truly designed to overwhelm the guest, displaying his immense wealth. It’s beautiful although, I am not impressed. Every detail of his home is of the finest materials and made for looks, only. There is no trace of comfort here, only of the snooty society of the upperclass that I will never fit in. He has a statue of what seems to be a swan sitting on top of a black side table. Large unique paintings are on almost every wall. One large painting is of his own home is placed in the center wall. I roll my eyes and look elsewhere, and a strange painting catches my eye.

It’s of a young mermaid, with eyes so green and real looking, it seems as if she will come alive and burst through the painting! The eyes to seem to hold sadness and if it were not for the water, her eyes would have been holding fresh tears. Her vibrant red hair is long and flowing freely in the water that surrounds her. The mermaid’s tail matches her red hair, expect her tips of her tail are bright orange. She is pale skinned, with a round face and a tiny, tiny waist. Her arms are long and skinny and she holds what seems to be a blue crystal neckalce. In her other hand I see she has a child, a newborn baby with the same fiery red hair. Although the baby doesn’t have a tail; it’s a human baby. I turn and look at Johnny wondering where he had gotten this painting and see he is arguing quietly with a young maid.

She is small with a plump face and couldn’t have been older than fifteen years old. Her blonde hair is pushed back into a neat, braided bun and she seems to be scared of Johnny. She keeps her head bowed down, not wanting to meet his cold eyes. He’s scowling and his fists are clenched in frustration but he notices I’m looking over at them and he quickly smiles at me. The maid looks up too, meeting my eyes which seem to be a reflection of my own emotions. A nervousness and a desire to leave are showing through her dark brown eyes. She then is sent on her way down a long hallway and disappears quickly. After, Johnny strides over to me and looks up at the mermaid painting too.

“Where did you get this?” I ask. “It’s so alive looking...”

“I didn’t buy it.” He states and I look up at him, confused. “I had someone paint it for me following my instructions.”

“Instructions?” I ask again. He doesn’t respond and continues to look up at the painting.

After a few silent moments he speaks again, “I saw her once.” He says very quietly, his voice hiding a hint of curiosity.

Who sees a mermaid long enough to know what she looks like... and live? I think to myself. I’ve barely have seen a glimpse of these horrid creatures. The word horrid rubs me a wrong way as I realize this mermaid does not seem to be so awful. I’m stunned at myself for ever thinking a mermaid could be anything but horrid. I try to shake my thoughts away but it refuses to leave me.

“Oh?” I’m unsure of what to say to him, all of my words have left me and I choose to remain quiet. He makes a sound of wonder, like he himself couldn’t believe he had seen this creature.

“It was when I was with my father many, many years ago, on his pirate ship sailing by Fiona Piers. We heard the most lovely sound being carried in the wind, well I did, nobody else woke up except me. When I woke up, I ran out on deck as fast as I could to look for the voice... Then I saw the most beautiful thing, it was that exact mermaid who stared back at me with those eyes over the front of the ship and she was holding a human baby! I couldn’t believe it Charlie! She had stolen a child!” he rants excitedly.

I frown. “Mermaids don’t steal children off shore. How could they?”

“Oh, but this one did! Don’t know how, but the bloody mermaid did! So I took a spear and I threw it as hard and as fast as I could. She saw it coming though and dove down into the ocean to escape but, I had stabbed her!” his eyes light up at the memory while my stomach twists with repulsion. “I hit her tail and she had screeched a sound so awful that it had haunted my dreams for months. Her scream,” he pauses, pursing his lips together, “it still echoes in my dreams sometimes, not as much when I was a child though. It doesn’t scare me anymore. My father woke up and ran onto the deck but by the time he did, she had gotten away with the child.” He shakes his head sadly. “The little shit got away with a human child...”

*Prince POV*

Still holding onto Aurora’s hand, I swim as fast as I can towards mother down cave like corridors. The healing rooms are located deep down in the castle inside a large open cave. I’m half pulling Aurora and she’s half swimming. She pants heavily, struggling to keep up with me. She asks me to slow down but I cannot. She’s still young and her tail had just become fully formed, she’s only eighty three years old! Barely into her mid-teens.

This matter must be solved right away and I drag along my sister. We pass a young healer, she scolds us to slow down and Aurora yells back an apology. After a series of twists and turns we finally arrive to the Healing Hall of the castle. Our mother is helping a sickly child who seems to have an upset stomach. She has her hands on the child and rubs his stomach, flowing her healing abilities through her hands and into his stomach. Her light green tail glows with her power and it is a beautiful sight to see.

“Mother!” Aurora yells breathlessly. “We- we need to- whew... we need to speak to you.” She pants, trying to catch her breath.

My mother looks up sharply from the child and lines of anger are etched into her face. Her long white hair is nicely styled in a up-do which holds her silver and ruby studded crown. She wears a modest violet colored sea jewel necklace that hangs down, covering her breasts. Her big hazel eyes fall on me and she frowns, clearly embarrassed in front of all the other healers who look respectfully away. An older mermaid comes and brings the child to another room. My mother is the most talented healer in our clan, and probably in the other clans as well. She used to be second best, when Tyron was still live.

“I do not even know what to say to you right now young prince of mine.” my mother speaks in anger. “I am stunned beyond belief that you decide to barge in here, disturbing these sickly merpeople!” She swishes her light green tail and comes close to me.

“Mom. Wait!” Aurora cries and immediately my mother’s angry face crumbles. “What is it my darling?” She pulls my sister into a loving hug and Aurora sobs into her chest, unable to speak. “Lets go somewhere else okay?” Aurora nods in her chest and together we all leave the room to go to my mother’s favorite room. I meet my mother’s eyes and I softly nod in apology. She nods back with understanding.

My mother’s favorite room is actually small section of the castle which overlooks the entire open ocean and down below you see the colorful coral reefs. My mother and Aurora settles down on a soft bed of kelp and I clear my throat. Aurora looks up with red eyes and sniffles.

“Mom, do- uhm..” Aurora starts to shake and my mother rubs her arms, sending some of her healing abilities through her.

“Dad’s starting to hunt again.” I blurt out and my mother looks up sharply.

“What is this foolishness?” She snaps. Aurora looks up at my mother and she shakes her head, letting out a slight whimper. My mother’s eyes widen in shock and her tail starts to shake with a building anger. “I am the Queen.” she whispers, shaking her head.

“Mother?” I timidly ask.

“I am the Queen!” she says more loudly. “I am the Queen! How dare your father hold this from me? Oh, I’m going to find your father and have a word.”

Aurora swims over to me and loops her skinny arm through mine, pulling me in close. “Daddy is going to use Opal... as lead.” she whispers and without another word my mother dashes away as fast as she could swim.

I look at my sister and we both follow her out. We chase her down the castle hallways and we all arrive at the throne room where mother has already started to yell at my father. Opal looks terrified and cowers behind my father who has his head raised high.

“... and you don’t even have your crown on? What is wrong with you?” My mother shrieks at my father. She breaths and collects herself, trying to stay calm. “I have not seen much of you these past few days, my love. I now know why.” she whispers, her voice heavy with pain.

My father’s eyes are filled with no emotion, no regret for what he kept from his mate. “Darling, we are growing weak. It is time we begin again, we have not sung for fifty-five years!”

My mother scowls. “Have you forgotten why we stopped? Look at your tail and perhaps you will remember and at Opal’s tail! Her tail is stained with the mark of losing her mate.” Opal moves her tail out of our view, to hide it. Her white tail has the blue markings of her mate’s but at the base of her tail are three black stripes, a signal her mate died.

“It will be controlled.” my father responds harshly. “I apologize for not informing you however, my reasons were to keep this quiet.”

“It will not be so quiet anymore when you return with bodies!” She snarls back. Pain is written all over my mother’s face and it squeezes at my heart to see her in pain.

“Daddy? Please, we can- we can be stronger in other ways.” Aurora pipes, biting her lip.

Finally, my father’s face softens at her voice. “Dear Aurora...” He pauses before yelling, “I am the King! What I say is law!” Aurora flinches violently and her eyes are wide with shock and betrayal. “I am finished.” My father turns away with Opal, leaving the three of us alone with the uttermost betrayal.

*Charlie*

Johnny extends his hand to help me off his tall horse. My legs scream out in protest by the movement and when my feet hit the ground I almost fall to my knees, he laughs gently and holds me steady. Once he was sure I could stand he handed his horses to a stableboy. I watch as the stableboy dutifully leads the two horses back to the stalls to start untacking them. Johnny’s stables looked like a second home, designed to be a miniature replica of his own mansion. Except the only difference was the stables were painted with red trimmings, not blue.

The horse I rode was a mare, a female horse, and was brown with white spots all over her body, her name was Pingere which is Latin for paint. Her tail was pure white while her mane was brown. She had all white feet, called socks Johnny explained, and a white mark on the center of her forehead. Johnny rode a black Thoroughbred horse which was named Notte Oscura, Italian for black night. The horse was extremely tall with powerful legs.

Johnny had bragged constantly about Notte Oscura and how much money he paid for him. The horse came from Southern Italy and was a popular Thoroughbred race horse. Johnny claims that hundreds of people come to him to have Notte Oscura impregnate their own mares. While Pingere was an offspring of Notte Oscura, Johnny only uses her for guests to ride. He has about twenty-three horses in total that he uses to breed, ride, race, and sell. Only Pingere and Notte Oscura are his personal horses.

I fell in love with Pingere when I had first met her. She had soft blue eyes and stood quietly while I struggled to climb up on her back. Johnny and I rode for hours around his property, showing me everything. Johnny acted almost like how he was last night but not quite. I enjoyed my time with Pingere more rather than Johnny himself.

Johnny and I talked but it was mostly him. He showed me a view off of a cliff you can only reach if you’re on horseback that took my breath away. He offered so many things for me that I would live comfortably for the rest of my life, even my grandchildren’s lives! Although, I didn’t want children yet nor did I want to marry. Most girls marry before they’re twenty-three, in fear of growing old and that no man would ever want them.

Johnny had talked about wanting three children, all boys of course. His first would be given the honor to be named after himself, and the second after his father and his third after his wife’s father. He even knew what each child will become! It was appalling to hear him talk about his non-existent children like their his little minions. It disgusted me.

After three hours of riding we, rather he, finally decided to start to head back. I easily made small talk but the last hour I had grown quiet, just listening to Johnny babble on. Some of his topics interested me but most made me want to just jump off of that cliff! I once asked about that mermaid painting and he angrily told me to never ask of it again.

Evening has fallen when we had arrived and the cool air breeze gives me some comfort from the stifling clothes. I awkwardly walk back to the back entrance of his home and Johnny follows behind. He still is talking about some social event he has to go to and hints he doesn’t have anyone to accompany him. I politely decline, stating firmly that is not something I will ever go to.

“It’s time for me to go now.” I quietly murmur.

“What? No, no my dear. It’s not time yet.. I mean it’s still early!” He stammers.

“Not time for what?” I ask doubtful he actually wants me to stay.

“Dinner?” he whispers out a lame excuse.

I raise my eyebrows and stare at him. “We had lunch then dessert. I think I’m okay. Thank you for the lovely time on the horses. I will return these clothes to you soon.”

I try not to laugh at his bewildered expression. As if he had no idea why I wanted to leave. The poor sap, he’s just not for me. It’s interesting, however, how he can be so caught up in his little rich bubble and believe I will go along with it. As if! Perhaps any other girl would die to be where I’m at right now but they aren’t pirate girls.

“Charlie wait! You- you can’t leave right now though!” he almost trips trying to catch up to me. I bark out a laugh and Johnny’s face reddens. His blonde hair clings to his forehead with sweat and drips down his face.

“Honestly Johnny, enough already.” I sigh.

“Fine!” he spits. “Go back to your ship!” He breathes.

“Thank you!” I say smugly crossing my arms.

“May I ask why?” He asks, straightening himself. I almost feel sorry for him, but in the end I don’t.

I let out another sigh. Turning to face him I begin, “We live in two different worlds Johnny. You want me to be a woman of society and I’m... not! I’m a pirate Johnny, I have the tattoo to prove it.”

He scoffs and rolls his eyes. “That’s easy to get rid of Charlie.” Anger bubbles inside of me and I resist the urge to slap him.

“I don’t want to get rid of it! Pay attention you pig!” I snarl.

“Pig? Oh I beg to differ, ask Julia yourself.” he mocks. Julia? Seriously?

“Wow,” I muse, “Julia? The spoiled brat I stole from?” I laugh.

Johnny gives me an amused look. “Oh, I have a feeling she will receive the necklace back soon.”

“What?” I stop in my tracks but Johnny keeps walking. My head reels from his words and I try to make sense of it. Oh no...

“Perhaps she already got it back tonight...” he laughs over his shoulder. No... I make a terrifying connection. Last night’s dinner, today the Thief Brothers were on our ship, tonight... Oh god. “Maybe you should leave you ungrateful bitch! See what’s left of your ship!”

I take off running across Johnny’s huge green pastures and leap over his fence with great ease. I hear Johnny yell out something but I don’t hear him. My leather boots rub my feet raw and I feel them start to blister. I ignore the biting hot pain and force myself to run faster. The streets are quiet and only a few people are still out, but they are rushing to get inside. A faint smell of smoke fills my nose and panic sets in. I round a corner and slam into a wild old man.

“Run!RUN!” The old man shouts, he’s covered in soot and is visibly shaking. His white hair looks burned and he is bleeding from his ear.

“Oh my god. Sir, are you alright?” I grab his shoulders, but he breaks free of my grasp and continues to run away from something.

I get up from the ground and start to run again, faster. Our ship! Oh god, please be okay. Nate will take care of it. I know he will! Fear sends chills down my spine as the smell of burning wood is stronger now. An eerily orange glow is visible over the dock master’s quarters as I finally reach the piers. Five ships are on fire and people are screaming everywhere. Cannon fire blasts through the air and an alarm bell shrills into the air.

Thankfully our ship isn’t on fire but it looks like it has been damaged severely. Our sails are in smoldering remains and the hull of the ship has three holes from cannon fire. Tears spring to my eyes as I push past the terrified public and climb over the broken docks. I splash into the water, frantically trying to get to the ship. I hear no voices, no commands on our ship. I shove the haunting thought that they all might be dead out of my mind and replace them with questions.

How could two men stealing a necklace cause all this mayhem? I tread through the water and climb back onto the remaining section of the docks where our ship is stationed. More cannon blasts fire and flies past me, slamming into the ocean water. I whip around and see guards shouting orders to fire into the water with everything they got. Into the water? What the hell is going on?

I finally reach the beaten remains of our ship and I am slightly relieved to see we have taken in no water, our ship can be repaired. Our latter is nowhere to be seen and I yell out for someone to help me on board. No one answers and there’s no movement anywhere. I call out again but in the corner of my eye I see a man in the water with his eyes almost bulging out of his head. He slowly walks into the deep water staring straight down. His mouth is slack and he slowly starts to remove his tan shirt and his badly worn boots.

“Hey! What are you doing! Stop!” I call out to him but the man does not hear me and dives into the water.

I scream when a cannon blast flies and hits exactly where the man was in the water. Then another cannon shoots past me and hits the dock where I’m standing on. It starts to crumble and I leap off and luckily grab ahold of a board that split off our ship. I hoist myself through the hole of the hull and tumble in the crew’s sleeping cots.

The room is empty as I search for anyone on board. I climb up the latter to where my room and Nate’s room is and burst into his room. I discover my pack is open and empty, the thieves had stolen from me! Annoyance stirs through me as I leave the room. My heart is thudding against my chest as I make my way through the smashed ship to get on top.

I blindly run up steps and trip over something big. My face smashes against the wooden floor, surely to leave a bruise the next morning. Groaning I rub my cheek, then looking up I meet the eyes of Vex, one of the brothers. I jump back with a startled yell and kick him in his face. I feel my boot crush his nose but I do not hear a response from him and leap up onto my feet.

I cover my mouth with both of my hands in shock and to stop myself from vomiting. Vex is dead with a long spear embedded into the side of his neck which blood flows freely down. The metallic smell of blood fills my nose and my stomach turns into a knot. What happened here?

“Nate!” I shriek. “Nate where are- oh my god!” I let out a terrified wail when I see so many bodies of my crew on deck. I fall to my knees when I see Gin lying on his back with his eyes turned grey, lying in his own pool of blood. His stomach is sliced open from a cut and he must of died painfully. “Nate, please!” I sob out.

“Charlie!” A loud voice bellows. “I’m over here! Charlie!”

I stumble back onto my feet looking for who called me. “Nate!”

“Charlie! Get down!!” Finally, I see Nate emerge from the remains of the bow of the ship. My heart leaps in joy when I see him but he says something I cannot hear, more cannon fire blasts into the air.

“What?” I yell out but then I see Nate let out a horrible scream.

“CHARLIE! NO!” He starts to run towards me but I feel something sharp stab into my side. I fall down back onto my knees and look over to my side.

Oh my god... there is a spear into my side. I look back up at Nate who is franticly screaming at me. I feel the pull of darkness wrapping over me when I see a cannon slam into the deck in front of Nate. Nate is thrown back onto his back violently and groans, fighting to stand again. Then I feel the spear pull on my side and drags me across the deck, over to the edge of the ship. The spear is connected to a long line that disappears into the water which pulls me again and I plunge into the blackness of the water and let myself submit to death’s grasp.

OMG SO WHATS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT?!