Taken by Pirates

Through my terrified, dizzy fog, I thought I heard something in the forest just behind us. Perhaps a thump. Perhaps steps.

“Since I know now that you’re not to be trusted, I’ll be keeping a tight leash on you, little girl,” Mr. Helsby grunted. “I’ll have to lock you in the cellar when I go out to the pub every night. I’m sure you’re accustomed to it by now.”

The sound of the waves was getting louder, but so were the boot steps. The ground beneath us changed, and was now pebbles and the sand of the tiny beach.

No matter what, I could not let him put me on any sort of boat.

“Captain!” I sc

reamed at the top of my lungs. “I’m here!”

I was dumped roughly in a heap onto the rocks as Mr. Helsby raced to pull in a small skiff that was tied to a tree.

My wrists were chafed, my limbs heavy and weak from panic. As he came toward me with a sinister sneer warping his face, I tried to kick his shins, with little effect.

It was almost impossible to concentrate, yet I began to holler and kick harder. That boat would allow this monster to take me away forever.

As his hands roughly gripped my shoulders, my vision began to blur and swim as if I were underwater. It was hard to breathe, just knowing what was coming.

Then colors began to fade as everything turned gray.

~ Chapter 24 ~ The Captain ~

* Blood in the Waves *

Bursting from the dim filtered light of the forest into the bright sunshine of the beach, my boots crunched on the rocks as I raced toward the horrible sight before me.

My sweet Maggie. Helpless. In another man’s arms.

Her tiny gasp of terror was a dagger through my guts.

Tearing Maggie from his arms as gently as I could, as soon as I held her safely, I kicked the stranger in the stomach, sending him tumbling backward.

Laying her down gently, she was too pale. Too still.

Yet she was breathing, and didn’t seem to be badly hurt.

“Dryer, Dobbs, here!” I bellowed at the top of my voice.

Jumping to my feet, I watched as if in a dream as my fists pummeled the kidnapper’s face. The meaty, thudding sound was unbelievably satisfying. His nose was gushing blood, his jaw becoming deformed. His eyes were puffy and couldn’t open fully.

“Stop, Captain.”

Slowly turning, Dobbs laid a hand on my shoulder. “Let us take care of this scoundrel. You tend to Maggie.”

Quickly rinsing the blood off my hands in the water, I tried to compose myself as the chilly waves turned red for a moment. Then I turned to my sweet girl. Cookie had an arm around her, helping her to slowly sit up.

He had already cut the ropes bindings, the red streaks across her wrists making my rage surge again.

“Look at me carefully, lass. Are things clear?” Cookie asked her.

She nodded slowly as I knelt beside her, taking her hand.

“Almost.” She blinked, staring into the water as if drunk. Then she took a deep breath, seeming to come to her senses.

“My darling girl,” I said gently, “are you hurt?”

She began to shake her head, then thought better of it and put one hand to her temple. “I’m all right.”