ABBY

Chapter 14

They’ve been sailing for two days, when Samuel notices the dark clouds hanging in the distance. Making his way to the Captain’s Cabin, Abby meets him halfway. “We’ve got a big storm approaching, Capt’n.” He says, pointing in the direction of the fast approaching storm. “Tie down the sails, Samuel. We’re going to have to ride this one out. There is no turning back.” Abby says as she passes Samuel.

“Aye, Cap.” Samuel answers, turns around and hurries to the top deck to give the orders. The thunder clouds looming ever closer with each passing hour. The crew makes sure everything is tied down. From canons to crates to rum kegs. Nothing is missed.

The brewing storm hits them with full force. Though the Destiny’s Dragon is a huge ship, the massive waves is making navigating difficult. Rocking her from side to side, the helmsman is trying to ride the waves to avoid being hit on the side. That might proof fatal and capsize the ship.

Abby is edgy where she sits at her desk in the Captain’s Cabin. Getting up, she makes her way to the doorway at the end of the narrow passageway. Opening the heavy wooden door, she gets showered with icy spray and the wind whips her hair in a tangled frenzy. Drenched and cold to the bone, Abby struggles up the slippery steps leading towards the lower deck. She’s met with absolute chaos.

The strong winds and pounding waves and tearing though ropes, causing them to break like twine and the smaller masts are threatening to break. The crew is scrambling across the wet deck to safe anything worth the effort. But it seems lost as crates, barrels and nets gets washed overboard.

Samuel and Christopher are hard at work. One of the larger sail knots came undone and is threatening to tear loose. Abby stumbles in their direction as the rocking of the boat is becoming more violent. She watches in fascination at the rhythm of their hands as they tie the sail down with the ropes, but she notices a huge pulley being ripped loose by a strong gust of wind and it aims straight for the two working men.

With enough momentum and its weight, the pulley can kill a normal man instantly, but it can severely injure a huge lycan like Samuel. Following its path, Abby realises its going to hit Samuel head-on and it’s likely to be a fatal blow.

Abby starts to run at full speed towards the two men and Samuel notices her. Confused, he stops working and turns to face her. A low growl escapes from his chest as he’s about to scold her for being outside when she tackles him to the ground.

Abby slams into Samuel with full force just as the pulley swoops past them. She feels it brush against her shoulder before the rope snaps and the pulley is flung overboard. It disappears beneath the churning water in an instant. The storm has claimed its first victim.

Samuel lands flat on his back, with Abby’s smaller frame on top. He’s disorientated for a split second and it takes him a moment to process what just happened.  He heard a sickening c***k during the tackle and Abby is not moving. Considering he is three times her weight and twice her height, damage is bound to be a part of this little stunt she just pulled.

Looking over at Chris, he notices his ashen face. “Chris, what’s wrong?” he asks, more shouts over the noise of the sea and wind. Worry creeps into his chest as he tries to move Abby. “Capt’n!” He calls and to his relief she turns her head and looks at him.

The searing pain that runs up her arm subsides when Samuel calls her name. He’s safe and unharmed. The tackle will be talking in the form of a whole lot of aches and pains in the morning, but it was all worth it.

As she sits up, Chris breaths for the first time. The whole scene played in slow motion in front of his eyes. “Chis, stop zoning out and help me up.” Abby scolds and Chris is pulled back to reality. “Sorry, Cap.” He apologises and helps her to her feet and pulls Samuel on his feet too. “You okay, Capt’n? That was some sprinting and man that tackle. Samuel did know what hit him.” Chris starts to blabber. He’s however silence by the death stare Samuel throws him.

“Thank you, Christopher. But it was either me of that pulley. And I don’t think we wanted it to be the pulley.” Abby states as she straightens but struggles to stay standing on the slippery deck. “Thank you, Capt’n.” Samuel’s voice reaches her ears. Throwing him a smile and a nod, she turns and starts her sliding journey back to her cabin, but it proves more difficult now then before for some reason.

She’s soaked to the skin and her blond hair is hanging in long, sticky strands down her back and framing her face. Shivering, she struggles to find her footing of the wooden deck as the wind come in strong gusts and the sea spray rains down on them.

Slipping once again, Abby brace for impact, but instead, she’s lifted into the air by a pair of strong arms. Looking up at the face, it’s Joseph. The Warlock is also drenched, and his eyes are a darker blue hue. He’s upset. Shivering from the cold, Abby doesn’t protest but leans into his embrace to soak up some of his body heat. She knows he’ll give her an earful once they’re back at the cabin. He was probably looking for her.

They walk in silence as Joseph’s steps are firm and sure. It feels as if they’re gliding across the deck. They don’t stumble once. Abby is freezing cold when they reach the cabin. Putting her down, Joseph turns. “Please dress in dry cloths. I be right back with some tea to warm you up.” He states and is out the door. Abby knows not to say anything. Her safety is of high priority for Joseph, but for some reason, she always tests his patience by doing stuff that puts her in danger. Why that is, is beyond her.

Scrambling to get rid of the wet clothes, Abby finishes just in time when the door opens, and Joseph walks in with a tray of steaming tea and some cookies. Thankful for the hot tea, she takes the cup with both hands and saviours the warmth in her hands.

“I saw what happened.” Joseph starts to speak, his voice raspy. “It was a brave move, but a stupid one.” He scolds. Abby looks down at the cup in her hands. “I couldn’t let him get hurt, Jo.” She says, her voice soft. Sighing, Joseph looks at her, his face gentler. “I know. Just remember that he can heal after an injury. You can’t. If that pulley hit you, you’re as good as dead. I would never forgive myself if something happens to you, Abby.” He says, his voice breaking as he looks at her.

Abby doesn’t say anything. The weight of the situation comes crashing down on her. What if the pulley did hit her? Would she just be wounded, or would she be swimming with the ocean dwellers, alongside the pulley? She never even considered these options. The only thing the mattered to her, was the safety of her crew. She would lay down her life for her crew just as they would for her.

After Joseph leaves her cabin, Abby retreats to her bed. She’s still cold and shivers run down her spine as she gets under the covers. Her mind goes back the events that happened just moments ago. If she did die tonight, she will never see Lawrence Collard again. Her heart skips a beat as she thinks of him. Should she just leave everything and return to Windy Acres? Return to Lawrence?

The thought crossed her mind quite a few times. What will happen to her ship and crew if she does make this selfish move? She can’t just up and leave them now. They must finish what they started. Get rid of Captain Silver and his minions for peace of mind and getting rid of an old enemy. And find her father again for peace of heart.