Chapter 7
He saw her from a distance, her sweet voice calling him. He reached for her, but she seemed farther away. He tried to run be she kept getting farther and farther away. He struggled to keep going, he had to reach her, and he had to save her. When he tried again she turned to him and fell to the floor he took her in his arms. He held on to her and shook her softly ‘amor no Te vallas’ (love don’t go) he whispered softly as her caressed her face. The blood was now staining his hands as he cried for her. ‘No yores cariño’ (don’t cry sweet) she said in a soft whisper as she reached to touch his face. Kissing her hand softly he could see her eyes begin to close and he called out. "ESMERALDA" He yelled as he shot up from his slumber. Taking deep breaths he wiped the sweat from his brow and took deep breaths. He ran his fingers through his hair though steady they were not. He was shaking down to the bone, his regret and anger filling him. Punching the pillow before laying back down trying to fall back to sleep. He only found himself staring up and the ceiling of the room the wood creaking in the silence. Giving a groan he got out of the bed and headed to his cabin where he found Nicholas trying to stay awake. "Go sleep Lad I’ll be in there" He said and patted Nicholas's shoulder. "Aye Capin" he said in a yawn. Howard opened the door softly and cringed when the door made a slight squeak, making sure to get someone to fix it in the morning, and walked in. He was grateful that it had not woken Diana, He sighed as he saw Diana sleeping on his bed, her breath steady and slow. He walked to the bed by the guide of a slowly dying out candle and stood over her. Her long brown hair gently falling over her face as she slept, gently he placed his hand on her face and brushed away her hair. He could have sworn she sighed from his touch. Shaking his head he walked towards the small window and gazed out into the night sky. Looking back to Diana he could feel himself being pulled in two. On one hand he could force her to love him, and on the other he could show her the side of him only Esmeralda had seen. Running his fingers through his hair in frustration he sighed and walked towards the bed, slowly slipping in as to not disturb Diana he fell right to sleep. Diana awoke slowly when she felt someone climb into the bed. From the feel of his touch she knew it was Howard. She gently turned towards her side so that her back was to him. She could feel her heart racing again yet she felt so dirty so vile. She did not feel like a gypsy any longer she felt like a toy. Only to be used for his needs. Sighing softly she closed her eyes and thought about her home, with her Kumpaña. She could see it now, swimming in the lake with her brother and best friend, dancing to the rhythm of her uncle’s guitar, and….kissing Howard? She opened her eyes quickly and shook her head. That was not what she wanted yet it was there in her mind. She wanted to feel his kisses again to feel his touch. Closing her eyes she decided to go back to sleep trying to get the handsome pirate captain out of her mind. Out on the deck Kevin had sighed as he watched the captain return to his cabin. He had heard him call Esmeraldas name and became worried for him. Seeing him safe he walked around the deck and stood on the bow (front) of the ship Starboard (right) side. He leaned against the railing and watched as the waves hit the boat the wind moving them towards their destination. Nothing excited him more then returning to Tortuga where he knew he had many women waiting for him. Gazing up to the watch nest where Brian was he sighed and began to climb up. As he reached the top he smiled seeing Brian waiting for him with a bottle of rum and a smile. “I was wondering when you were going to show up for your midnight drink” He said and gave the bottle to Kevin. “I had to see if everything would be alright with the Capin” He said simply and took a big chug. “The Capin is going to be fine, he just has to tame the lass, is all” Brian said as he took the bottle and chugged as well. “I guess we will have to leave it to the stars” Kevin said as he began to sing quietly. Fifteen men on a dead man's chestYo ho ho and a bottle of rum
Drink and the devil had done for the rest
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.
The mate was fixed by the bosun's pike
the bosun brained with a marlinspike
and cookey's throat was marked be like
It had been gripped by fingers ten;
And there they lay, all good dead men
Like break o'day in a boozing ken
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum……………………… The next morning, Howard and Diana Awoke in each other’s arms; they both awoke with smiles only to be startled as they both pushed off of each other and fell on the floor. Diana Crawled to the bed and propped herself up on her knees as she glared at Howard. They stayed on the edges of the bed glaring at each other their breaths long and rough in anger. Diana racked her fingers through her hair getting what few had fallen to her face and pushed them back. Howard groaned as he got up slowly. Diana pushed herself up and brushed herself off. “How dare you” She said and stood as she turned her back on him. “How dare I what? Sleep in MY own bed! Listen you wench I could just let you lie cold on the floor if that’s what you wanted” he said angrily as he walked to her. “Then why didn’t you” She said in a half soft half angry voice. “Because I wanted you to stay warm, I didn’t want you to get sick on this voyage” He said as the tone of his voice changed. “Oh” Diana said softly and slowly looked to him. “Thank you captain” she said simply and walked to the small window in the room. “You’re welcome” he replied as he cleared his throat and began to change his clothes. He made sure he changed quickly as to not make her feel uncomfortable. The tension in the room was so thick it could have been sliced with a very sharp sword. He couldn’t help but think back to his dream before coming back to reality as the ships bell was rung to signal the day’s work to begin. Without a word Howard took on last look at her and walked out into the sun light, where his crew was awaiting for orders. Diana watched as he left and felt tears form in her eyes. She closed her eyes and thought of the dream she had that night. She was with him walking down a beautiful sandy beach holding hands. A flower was placed in her hair as she turned to see Howard smiling down on her as he leaned in to kiss her with the passion she so longed for. Opening her eyes she shook the thought once again out of her head and changed clothes for the day.
