As we walked deeper into the cave tunnels, we were surprised to find a clear path, an unlikely good luck. But it was not meant to last for long. We reached an opening filled with water. No one dared to get in, so we waited until the tide was lower. As the water went back, it revealed some traps that could not have been seen otherwise. We crossed, avoiding them safely, although it was not to end so soon. Actually, that was only the begining of a series of traps along the way. From creeping creatures to big rolling rocks and moving walls, it wasn't easy, we lost three members of the crew, but we finally arrived at the gates of the temple. We looked for a way to open them, but instead, the captain found a hidden mechanism that opened a secret passageway in the wall, next to the gates.

The inside of the temple was as I had expected: columns, statues, altars... But what I had not expected was to see that we were not the only ones there. They did not come in peace, and neither did we. We took out the swords and fought them, but the battle lasted a long time. The people from the lost civilization, which called themselves "the hiders", came up with a truce proposition.

- Give woman, you take booty and go. Never come back.

The captain gave it some thought. They were after the booty after all and losing me was part of the journey's risk, it could have happened anytime.

- I'm sorry, we'll have to give Derek some bad news- he told me as he shook the tribe chief's hand-. Agreed.

I could not believe it. Actually, I wasn't expecting anything from a pirate, but still... He and Derek had an agreement to help each other. That was treason.

- You are breaking the deal- I said as the hiders came to take me.

- The deal was for Derek to show up, not you. I owe you nothing.

I tried to resist, but I felt so betrayed I had no energy left. Also, I realised Derek was right not to let me go. He knew I wasn't safe and I might not come back. Our fears came true. But my worst nightmare was about to begin. At first it was uncertain what they were going to do to me, but I found out when I met another girl like me in the room they took me to.

I heard they gave the pirates one of the ships they had hidden. Apparently, there was a short tunnel that lead to the opening of a cave where they stored the ships of all the people who never got out, and it was connected to the sea. I found out I was actually under the treasure island, but the entrance was in the island next to that one, where we ended up after the shipwreck. The whirlpool also took some ships to the storage cave when the currents moved in that direction. In the end, it would have been useless to look for the underground temple on the treasure island. But if we had, we would have found nothing and maybe I would have returned home safely.

They took everything away from me, even my clothes, and gave me new ones, the traditional clothes they wore, which showed too much skin for my comfort. I felt embarrassed, but it was apparently something usual for them. They did give me some looks though. I didn't understand why some men were analysing me as if I was a merchandise until the girl I shared the room with explained everything. I was horrified when I knew what was going to happen to me.

- I was brought by pirates too- she told me-. But they knew I was going to be sold to them, in exchange for the booty and also, being able to go back. Every year they bring women here, but you won't see many. They are brought to bear children and when they are old enough, the mothers are offered as sacrifice to their gods. There can be only so many of them, so if more boys are born, some must die, if more girls are born, the same happens. I have survived because I kept giving birth to boys and they need more girls. Some women killed their children so that they could survive and make more.

- Can a mother actually do such a thing?- I asked in horror.

- I don't really think letting them live this life until they are sacrificed is a better option- she said-. You will remain here for a couple weeks, until they have decided who will have you.

- Have me...? Oh...- I realised, horrified-. How do they decide?

- Duels.

- I see... You have been here for a long time, don't you know a way to escape?

- The exits are guarded at all time, unfortunately.

- Is there anything else I should know?

- Yes... You will have to attend the battles. And the winner of each round has the right to kiss you.

- Are you kidding me?- I gasped.

- It could have been worse, right?

- Isn't there any other way for them to leave me alone?

- There is one... But it doesn't depend on you. The winner can set you free. That is impossible. They can't wait to get you.

- Won't they come to you...?- I asked, worrying.

- I am currently pregnant, my man can only do so much. You'll see.

That night I realised they didn't care about privacy or intimacy, he just went to her and kissed her and touched her as he wanted. I tried not to look, but it was still very uncomfortable. The moans were hard not to hear. I didn't understand how she could enjoy being touched by someone she was forced to be with, but as she told me later, it was all about the mindset. She got used to it and accepted it. Instead of feeling miserable, she decided to enjoy it and the man went more gentle on her and even got fond of her. He even tried not to get her pregnant in order to keep her for longer. He killed her baby girls and hid them from the others. He could keep doing it until he didn't want her anymore. No matter how not so bad she could try to make it sound, I would still never want that for myself. I would never enjoy being part of their dark secret.

The next day I had to go and watch the duel. In all honesty, I wished for a tie, so I wouldn't kiss any of them, or at least both dead. However, I wasn't lucky. My only comfort was that the winner was a good kisser. But it just reminded me of Derek and all I could do was think of him and wish I hadn't left. I didn't really wish for him to come for me, I had better chances of suviving with the hiders than face his wrath after leaving him. Even so, I kept imagining his lips every time I was the prize for the winner and started to kiss back. At some point, I even started to believe he was the one kissing me. I even thought I saw him among the hooded duelers waiting for their turn to fight. The paranoia was starting to get me. Little did I know reality surpassed fiction, until the final day.