Chapter 22: Storm

Bayou

“Crystal is up.” Max said, as he came back from visiting Crystal and Belle. I placed my secret object back on my wrist and look at him.

“Thank God.” I breathed out, running my fingers through my hair. Max sat next to me and looked straight at my eyes.

“Oi, what’s wrong?” I asked, feeling weirded out.

“Two things Bayou. One, we have another storm coming, so we need to prepare...”

I turned to look outside of my window, it was pitch black, the sky and the waves already reaching my ship.

“Well, that explains why my ship is rocking hard.” I mumbled to myself, turning my sight back to Max.

“What’s the second?” I asked, standing up, stretching my back.

“Why the bloody hell do you keep sending others to do your job, if you like Crystal go and tell her and do things yourself. Tell her that you been watching her for this last week, tell her that you were the one that gave me the money to buy her shoes, tell her that you are the one that is looking out for her.” He grunted out in frustration. I gave him a long look.

“I don’t like her, what gave you that great idea? We just met two weeks ago, then what about Belle? She still waiting for you, it’s been years already, and I know you love her, I have seen the way you look at her.”

His body went rigid,

“Now you’re talking bull sh...” but I shook my head.

“You look like you are going to jump her any moment, Papa. You need to move on, is not easy, cause I know how much you love Mama, but Belle loves you. You can always treasure Mama. I think Mama will be happy to know you came to love another.” He stood up and gave me a hard look.

“Don’t talk like you know, you have never been in love, when you do boy, trust me, you won’t be telling me that. I will always love your mama, and no other woman in this world.”

With that, he ran out, slamming the door behind him.

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck.

“Sorry Max, then I can never know because I will never find that love I crave for.”

The ship swayed violently, the waters already pouring in. I’m drenched from head to toe. I watched Belle’s crewmates and Max try to steady the sails. I glanced down at the compass. It kept pointing South. I sighed, wiping my wet hair away from my eyes.

The waves kept getting stronger and violent, as thunder roar in the skies. I can see lightning shoot out from the sky itself. Not my first storm, but it does scare me a little, since there’s no shelter in a ship to hide and cover.

We need to find land soon. My ship won’t hold any more of these storms.

“Oi, pirate.” I heard a familiar voice. I turned to see Belle and Crystal coming up to me. My smile came to me automatically to see my witch up and running. She looked pale, still. I wished I could have moved away from my wheel and wrapped my arms around her.

“We need land now, this is ridiculous. This is the third storm in two days. What the hell is going on?” Belle barked out.

“It has the same atmosphere when we were on the island when we met with Captain Jones.”

I heard Crystal speak for the first time. I turned to stare at her. Her hair is flat instead of being wild and puffy. She looks alluring for some odd reason.

“I told you not all places are like that.” Belle told her, but Crystal shook her head. She came up to me looking straight into my eyes. Her cheeks were already red, and her skin became clammy from the rain. She looked like a wet doll up close.

“Aye love?” I asked her.

“I have been having this strange feeling. It’s not good. I don’t like it. Do you believe me?” she asked. I looked out and nodded.

“Whatever my witch says, I will believe,” I told her, Because I feel it as well. I moved my body, only to have a massive wave go inside my ship, pushing most of us to the side of the ship.

“Ugh,” I wiped my face, my clothes thoroughly drenched.

“Loves, are you two okay?” I asked, Belle coughed out, and nodded, Crystal did the same, only to have another wave come again. I clenched onto the ropes and turned to face Crystal.

“I think there’s an island close by, we can land there, my ship can’t handle it anymore,” I told them. Both girls nodded and stood up.

I reached my wheel and spun it once again.

“Land Ahoy! We are going to land! This is bloody ridiculous.” I screamed to everyone.

“Aye Captain!” I heard in response, while Crystal adjusts herself, and looks at me.

It seemed to take an eternity to find a safe harbor, but we finally did. Luckily we are used to storms to survive them at least most of the time. We saw a small island in comparison to the one from our last trip.

“Anchor down,” Max yelled, I moved rapidly, but Crystal captured my hand. I looked down.

“Yes?” I asked her. She took a step forward.

“I need to speak to you.” A sly smirk passed my lips.

“Alright, about an hour we can.” She nodded at me and let go of my hand.

Belle came up to me and cupped my cheeks. I blinked.

“Are you okay?” she asked with concern. I placed my hand on her shoulder, Crystal glanced at us, and then lowered her head rubbing her hands together.

“Fine love, go ask Max if he’s alright,” I told her. She blushed, turning around she went down the stairs. I moved rapidly to get everything intact.

Crystal

“Where are we?” I asked, looking around, we landed on the beach coast with barely anyone around. The rough winds and waters kept up, but not as strong as before. Belle and Max shrugged their shoulders at the same time.

“The map is in Captain Bayou cabin, so for now we have no idea,” Max told me. I frowned, rubbing my hands together.

“How are you feeling? This wasn’t the best way to wake up, after a week of sleeping.” Belle asked me, looking worried.

“I’m wide awake, I can tell you that, but I’m alright. While everyone made it alive, I’m happy.” I told them.

“Good, one thing is for sure, we are stuck on this island for a few days, damn it.” Belle cursed, taking off her hat and throwing it on the sandy floors in frustration.

“I’m sorry, but if you want, you can try to find another ship or something?” I suggested. Belle shook her head, sadness overcoming her.

“No, Captain Bayou is the only one that can help my sister, I can’t leave this ship.”

“Alright, we’ll find another way, don’t worry Belle.” I encourage, hoping that it will cheer her up.