Port Royal, Jamaica

The day she was ready to leave, came sooner than she wanted. Saddened by her nearing departure, she stood beside Millicent and Josephine on the docks as their belongings were loaded onto the ship.

Ever so often she would glance sadly at the poor men that struggled with their chests across the plank toward the ship as Josephine clucked and warned them to be careful with their luggage.

A while had passed before they were joined by the Captain that greeted them with a beaming smile. She silently listened as he spoke to Josephine and mentioned they will be ready to pull away from the port and set sail as soon as all of the cargo was loaded.

Her stomach sank as he continued to answer Josephine's questions on the length of the voyage. His reply uneased her a bit. It all depended on the winds which is what propelled them through the waters.

When that time came and all were ready to leave, she turned to Millicent and hugged her.

"I will miss you," she whispered.

Millicent hugged her tightly in return and whispered the same.

At arm's length, they stood and wiped away each other's tears.

Josephine stepped forward as well and said her goodbyes.

Reluctantly, Tempest turned away and took small steps up the plank and onto the ship and stood by the railing. She waved once more to her friend that watched from the dock as the men began to follow orders from the first mate to lift the anchor.

Tear-filled eyes watched as the ship slowly drifted away from the docks and further away through the waterways. She continued looking at the port as it grew smaller and smaller as the ship finally left the harbor and drifted above the rough tides of the sea.

With a heavy heart and now the never-ending tears that wet her cheek, she turned away from the guardrail and walked off towards her quarters dodging the crewmen that walked about doing their chores.

Below in the cabin, she would share with Josephine for the next couple of weeks, she wept. She wept for her grandfather and friends she would miss and the land she may never, ever see again.

********

Little by little as the days continued on, Tempest adapted to the ambiance that surrounded her. During the day she would stand at the guardrail to stare out at sea and enjoy the slight sway of the ship as it waded through the rough surf.

By midday along with Josephine, she would join Captain Monroe for a brief lunch where they would talk of the latest happenings in London and what to expect when they returned. She was informed of the nippy winter weather slowly approaching and how 'a new wardrobe would be needed', he chuckled.

"It can not be that bad Captain Monroe," Tempest smiled at his teasing demeanor.

"It is the truth, it gets very cold, you must stay indoors as to not freeze your toes off," he chuckled.

"Indeed, it does dear. The Captain is not exaggerating," Josephine gave an airy laugh as she took a sip of her tea.

Before she could ask of the London season, a swift knock at the door stopped her.

"Enter," the Captain ordered looking up as the door slowly opened.

A crewman stepped through brandishing a proper salute before stepping forward in haste to whisper something in the Captain's ears.

Alarmed, Tempest watched as the Captain's color paled before slowly nodding and abruptly standing to follow him out.

"Captain is something amiss?" Josephine asked.

He turned slowly after watching the sailor exit before facing her with a not-so-convincing smile.

"Nothing to worry about. Please do continue with your meal I will return in a few," he urged.

Exchanging a worried glance with Josephine, Tempest caught on and leaned forward to grip her hand.

"What is it, Nana Josephine?" Tempest asked with concern growing in her gaze.

Stammering and brushing off Tempest's question, she smiled.

"Nothing to worry about love I am sure it is some frivolous issue with the ship. The captain will handle it."

With a skeptical glance, Tempest looked at Josephine for a while before lowering her eyes to reach for her cup of tea.

It wasn't until the day had passed into night and they settled in for the evening, the thought slipped her mind and the eerie feeling in the air as the men above barely made an appearance. She watched as Josephine walked about the moderate-sized cabin, tucking her long blonde tresses beneath her nightcap.

"I grow weary of being on the water, Nana," she finally broke the silence with her words. The edge of despair in her tone stopped the woman from what she was doing then she faced her.

"I know dear, but in no time we will reach London," She sat at Tempest's side.

Before Tempest could protest and complain more, Josephine hushed her; crooning and repeating her words urging Tempest to get beneath the sheets.

"T'is late. Off to bed with you," She tucked her in as if she were a child. With a huff and sigh, Tempest did as she was told holding off the urge to argue more. In truth, she was sleepy. Reluctantly, she turned over and plopped her head on the pillow slowly giving up the fight to sleep as Josephine snuffed out the candles at the side of the bed and joined her.

*******

The wee hours of the morning and rough sway of the ship stirred Josephine out of her sleep.

She sat up slowly holding her sheets to her chin as the slight dip of the ship in the waves made her heart skip a beat. Peering in the dark and listening intently, she noticed there was no storm.

Suddenly, a large crack and boom came out of nowhere tossing the ship. Josephine screamed tilting off the bunk. Tempest sat up rubbing her eyes heavy with sleep.

Again, the ship rocked violently sending them sideways in the cabin.

"Josephine, what is happening?" Tempest cried out.

Immediately, Josephine stood grabbing onto the wooden frame of the bunk and climbed in at her side pulling her into her arms.

"I will go up above and see, wait here," she grabbed her wrap and carefully bounded off the bed towards the door.

With care, she climbed the steps to the deck into the throng of men and chaos; running and shouting orders. The rough sway and dip came again as she slipped only to crawl to the railing and held it tight. A cannonball cracked across the deck taking out two men.

"Dear heavens! " She cried out looking around until she found the Captain running along with the men shouting more orders.

She walked quickly until she was before him, gripping his lapels and holding onto him to steady herself.

"Captain, what is happening?" She shouted out over the noise.

Before he could speak she heard Tempest calling for her.

"Nana Josephine!"

The Captain quickly grabbed her to him and pulled them out of sight as another cannon was shot shaking the ship again.

"Get you below m'lady we are under attack," he gently pulled Tempest towards the stairs urging Josephine to follow her.

Tempest panicked refusing to budge.

"Under attack! But by who?"

He impatiently sighed and nervously shoved them down the steps.

"Pirates! We are being attacked by pirates."

They gasped as they were led back to their quarters.

In the room, they frantically asked questions in fear watching him quickly walkabout rummaging through the large trunk in the corner.

Tempest swallowed nervously as he pulled out three muskets and prepped them before turning to face them.

"Do you know how to use these?" He approached Josephine with fear and panic in his eyes. A sliver of hope in his gaze dwindled as she backed away shaking her head. She did not.

"I do," Tempest whispered stepping around Josephine.

Josephine gasped and looked at her. Another explosion from above had her explaining quickly.

"Grandfather taught me. I KNOW HOW TO USE IT!" she trembled nervously.

He hesitated, but the moment the men began to shout louder, he handed over the musket.

"Listen carefully, barricade the door. Unless t'is my voice you hear beyond it, shoot! whoever comes through it. Am I clear?" Gripping the musket tight she nodded.

Tears fell down her cheeks as she trembled in fright. They ran to the trunk and together they hauled it towards the door as he left.

Josephine pulled her towards the corner where they huddled and waited for this nightmare to be over.

Above they could hear the men screaming and shouting.

Soon another blast was heard followed by another shout the main mast is gone!

She curled further into Josephine's embrace shivering and praying.

The footsteps above grew heavier and more frantic. To their side, they could hear the men cry out as they were thrown overboard into the water. Then more footsteps could be heard as they descended the steps below towards the cabin.

A thump was heard at the door. Then another roughly followed by pounding as they tried to get through.

Breathing heavily and bracing herself, Tempest pointed the tip of the musket at the door.

The wood of the frame creaked and groaned as it was forced open along with the trunk before it.

Josephine screamed and Tempest closed her eyes tight and fired a blind shot; knocking her back on her rump. A howl and curse could be heard as one of them fell to the floor.

Panicking she reached for the other musket but it was too late. A hand reached forward and yanked her up to her feet. She screamed as Josephine cried out and pulled her back.

The cabin soon filled with more men. One more vile looking than the next. She struggled against hands that dug into her scalp pulling her hair tight to subdue her.

"Make way!" A deep voice ordered from behind.

She struggled more, trying to get free but the pain in her scalp as the man yanked it harder broke a sob out of her as she watched the men step aside.

Fear gripped her soul-deep as a tall man stepped forward and stood before her. He belted out orders to return to the ship but leave no man above deck alive. She sobbed remembering Captain Monroe and his men. Beady black eyes grazed over her then over to Josephine still on the floor trembling. He stepped forward observing her. Then reached for her as she tried to pull away. He chuckled as his rough large hands twirled around a strand of her hair at her shoulder before gruffly squeezing her chin to make her face him.

He leaned closer and nuzzled his nose near her ears and inhaled deeply with a groan. Bile rose and settled in her throat as his rancid breath brushed across her face.

"T'is been months since I've had a sweet-smelling lass in my bed," he grumbled.

She trembled and fought against the tight arm around her waist. The man before her stood back and shouted out his next order that had her frantically fighting to be free.

"Take them!"

Then he turned to face her with a gleam in his eyes. "But.. this one."

"Put her in my quarters."

******

There you go!!!

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