On a dock near Port Coral, Captain Flipper studied his new crew; twenty penguins and ten pelicans. He wished he had found more penguins to maintain his pirate penguin theme, but it would take hours to find enough penguin crew to fill up his ship. At least penguins and pelicans could get along.

Flipper cleared his throat. “I’m not good with speeches, but I demand you all listen to me!” He paced left to right with his flippers behind his back. “We are sailing to a phantom island where we might face death itself. But if we survive, our reward will be worth it. First, we must hunt this dog wretch who stole the map to the island. She is the obstacle in our path to fame and fortune. I don’t know where she is, but she might be sailing closer to our destination.”

He stopped and turned toward his new crew. “When we find her ship, kill her crew, but leave her to me. I want to cut off her head and eat her eyeballs for dinner. Anyone who crosses me must learn a lesson. Together, we will become respected rich pirates; penguins, and pelicans. I don’t care what’s on Ghost Island, but our dreams are there! Obey me, and you will be rich. Understand?”

“Aye, captain!” His crew shouted together.

Captain Flipper grinned. Sounding edgy makes him sound fearless and strong. “Then let’s climb aboard and hunt the wretch now!”

The crew flipped their wings in their cheers and raced up the ramp to the Ruthless Peaker.

The excitement rattled through Flipper’s bones. Vengeance will give him the best gameplay ever!

*****

Under the dark sky, Lucy steered the Iron Maiden through a thick fog on the ocean surface. For some reason, she felt a feeling of Deja Vu.

The fog reminded her of the one she sailed through to find the Iron Maiden after Walton stole it. Then she rowed a boat to a cannibal island to rescue Charles. But most fogs looked the same.

Her vessel should be reaching Ghost Island by now. Hopefully, the fog will clear before her ship touches the island shore.

Something creaked behind her. She pulled out her cutlass and swung it.

Her blade touched Charles’s nose as he stopped.

"Whoa!" He gasped with his paws up.

Lucy dropped her mouth. "Oh! Sorry!" She lowered her sword. "Sneaking up on people is dangerous! You want to lose your head!?"

Charles smirked with a shrug. "People always try to take my head. How are you doing?"

Lucy sighed and holstered her blade into her sheath. "Restless… And cold." She faced the wheel and manned it. "We should be close to Ghost Island by now. I will not stop until we get there."

"Okay." Charles wrapped his arms around Lucy’s waist and he rested his head on her left shoulder.

Lucy’s entire body suddenly turned stiff. Her cheeks blushed as the wolf's warmness embraced her. She could smell his scent clouding her senses. "Wha….. What are you doing?"

Charles nuzzled her hair. "Keeping my captain warm."

Lucy glared her eyes into his. "I could punch you and toss you overboard."

Charles’s nose touched under her floppy ear. "I dare you…"

That sentence made her chuckle. "You always dare people?"

"I dare who I like?" Charles whispered.

Lucy’s skin shivered. It became hard for her to concentrate on sailing her ship. But she faced worse challenges before.

She released the wheel and faced Charles up close. His musky breath drew her closer to him like a hook reeling in a fish. Even her eyes locked on his gleaming eyes. She couldn’t help herself.

"Tell me this," she asked breathlessly. "Do you love me, or do you only wish to use me?”

Charles smirked and moved his lips toward hers. She closed her eyes, ready to receive the wolf’s answer.

Before their muzzles touched, the floor trembled as the ship rocked. Lucy fell back, but Charles caught her in his arms.

“What the bloody hell was that?” Lucy shouted.