Dark eyes peered through the spyglass at the ship sailing towards them in the distance. With a curse, Cuthburt lowered it and faced the sailor to his side in anger.

"When did you notice that ship?"

He watched the scrawny man fumble and shift on his legs before answering.

"Not long ago Captain."

Cuthburt mumbled under his breath before lifting the spyglass again to stare at the ship sailing towards them at moderate speed.

The ships sails and flag alone set fear in those that happened upon it.

It was sailing fast in search of its Captain. O'Shae.

"Set the sails and change course quickly before they catch up. We can not let them get close." he studied the ominous ship as it sliced mercilessly through the dark water in their direction.

Frantically, the sailor turned and began yelling orders to drop the sails.

Cuthburt turned to look out at the ship in the far distance gauging more or less the time it would take for its quick approach and if he was lucky enough to escape them.

Holding onto the railing he tightened his grip in anger, berating himself for all his misfortune that led up to this moment. He could very well be in the company of a willing wench and enjoying himself at a brothel in port. But, he had the unfavorable luck of losing a valuable item. One that could not fall into his captive's hands.

With a deep breath, he shook his head not caring for the acrid memories that lead him in this awful predicament. He was supposed to watch the boy and turn him over to his uncle. It was an agreement made by his stepmother he swore he would do when Justin was only 8. But his uncle was in no position to take care of Justin. The poor bastard was closer to his grave than anything. Days away from death's door. So he took care of Justin and raised him as best he could.

With a scoff, he shook his head. As best he could...

At the tender age of 11, he was already part of his crew swabbing the decks and helping the men on this very ship.

Justin slowly mastered the ways of a pirate's life by 17. And by 19 he was commandeering his own ship. It wasn't until Justin's first raid he realized too late then, he had created a monster in Justin.

His gaze rested on the ship that seemed to be getting closer as the seconds passed.

He looked up to notice his sails had been dropped and his men still ran around working diligently to get the ship sailing in the opposite direction.

After some time one of his men appeared at his side once more.

"Captain the sails are dropped but there is barely enough wind to get it going fast...it is too calm out."

"How soon before it approaches?" he mumbled.

"Before dawn in as little as 2 to 3 hours or less....give or take Captain," he said turning to look at the ship in the distance.

An eeriness crept up the sailor's spine staring at it in the distance. He swallowed at the thought of it catching up to them. The weariness of what they did to the Black Scourge slowly made it hard to think of a way to escape.

Many of them heard the tales of the man they held captive below and how he had a mutinous black heart. Mercy was not part of his inclination. He was quick to walk his enemies off the plank or throw them overboard, even slice them down where they stand.

"Go get him and the girl in my cabin. Bring them up on deck. Ready the men for when that ship approaches. Take no prisoners. The first to step aboard this ship...dies." Cuthburt warned before walking off.

**********

The waiting was unbearable.

She stood behind the door alert for when he would return.

She had lost track of how long she stood there before the door finally swung open and she attacked blindly.

The loud thwack made her cry out as she heard the man curse in pain. Stumbling back she watched him drop to his knee holding his shoulder. Shocked she watched as he pulled his hand away and saw the dark reddish hue of blood on his trembling fingers.

"You witch, you cut me," he growled with rage struggling to stand.

She lifted the cutlass to swing at him again but by then he had stood straight and lunged for her. She backed away and ran quickly for the door.

The triumph of her escape was cut short as she made her way through the dark passage to the steps only to fly directly into Cuthbert's arms.

With a scream, she pulled away but wasn't fast enough. Soon the other sailor joined him and met his equal glare filled with anger.

"A simple girl...you cannot handle a simple girl?" he yelled holding Tempest in a tight grasp.

The sailor said nothing but turned away holding his arm.

Cuthbert then hauled Tempest above deck and shoved her to the ground beside another person. She looked up and let out a strangled sob noticing it was Josephine huddled in the corner.

She quickly crawled to her. Tears blinded her as she approached her nanny and gently touched her shoulder.

"Nana?" she whispered and jumped back as Josephine flinched and curled up further, turning away from her.

The poor governess could not bear to have Tempest look at her so. Much less touch her. Not after what they did to her. She tightly shut her eyes and buried her face into her knees and pressed them closer to her chest.

"Nana please talk to me...?" she whispered.

But Josephine said nothing.

Tempest sadly slumped next to a nearby crate and looked around. The low-lit, pre-dawn morning was just enough for her to see her surroundings. With it, she noticed the men frantically moving and following orders from their Captain.

The chaos was confusing.

What was happening?

Orders were given in angry shouts as ropes were pulled and barrels rolled across the deck.

The sudden jolt from the ship's movement frightened her as it made a low dip turning slightly. She panicked noticing they were now sailing in the opposite direction. Suddenly the crates she leaned against were moved as one sailor shifted it barely looking at her and began to push it away.

Heavy debris of wood and sand littered the deck as she scooted away towards the middle. Her eyes landed in the far distance on her nana that still sat huddled in a corner. Her heart ached to see her like that. The heavy footsteps of the men became frantic as another yelled that the ship is quickly approaching.

Ship?

Her chest tightened. Another ship was coming.

Hope welled in her chest as she slowly stood up and looked around noticing it in the distance slowly getting bigger as it approached.

Around her, the men worked diligently throwing crates overboard to alleviate the weight weighing down the ship.

Suddenly she was yanked back and twirled around to face the Captain as he angrily stared at her.

"Don't sing victory yet wench. They are not here to rescue you," he pulled her tight as she struggled.

If they weren't here to rescue her, then who. Why were they approaching? She thought.

"The likes of you won't last a day on that ship," he chuckled maliciously.

She fought his hold. "Anything would be better than to be here with you." she hissed boldly as he reached to grab her hair.

Angrily she fought and kicked him until he backhanded her to the wet floor. It was there she stayed thinking the worse would come. But it didn't she looked up and saw that he was walking away.

Trembling she scooted away looking for somewhere to hide. There she would await her fate and for the ship coming towards them.

In the distance, deep blue eyes watched the young girl scooting towards him. Unknowingly she got closer.

The slight jangling of his chains caught Tempest's attention and she slowly looked up in the search of the noise.

She turned fully and looked across the deck from where she sat and gasped.

Her eyes landed on a man chained to the ship's mast. Time stood still the moment her eyes landed on his.

For a brief moment, she could do nothing but stare at him. She took in the tall man that slightly struggled against the chains trying to get free.

Slowly she crawled to him and nervously knelt before him. Long dark hair partially hid his face. From the looks of him, he was no ordinary prisoner. He was muscular. Not underfed or feeble like a prisoner held captive for days.

He said nothing as she observed him. And ...he observed her.

Inquisitive as she was blamed to be by her mother many times, she slowly lifted her trembling fingers towards his face to brush away his hair.

It was at that moment her breath hitched. Deep blue eyes...the bluest she has ever seen, bore into hers. Nervously she pulled away from the dangerous light that flickered in his gaze as he looked at her.

Suddenly chaos erupted as a canon went off and flew across the deck ahead of them. With a scream, she covered her ears. He yanked furiously on his chains as the men ran all over the place looking for cover.

She frantically looked around. He watched her as she wept. Terrified. Looking for an escape. Then she looked up at him.

"Come here," he ordered gruffly.

She shook her head terribly frightened at his now ominous glare and flaring nostrils.

Irritated and impatient, he calmed his voice and called her once more to him. Relieved he watched her slowly crawl to him. His muscles in his shoulders flexed as he pulled on the chains.

His gaze never left hers as he spoke.

"Free me, and I will save you."

********

Hello my lovelies here you go I am so sorry I haven't been updating on time forgive me i have so much going on that is just too much to do in one day honestly wish the day had more hours to it so I can fully dedicate my time to writing and completing with my daily obligations, but here you have it I finally sat down to dedicate at least a few words for you, my readers. I hope you enjoy it, please leave a comment and like and I will be posting soon the next chapter.