We got on the boat and the crew stopped their work to come and see me and the one I found out was their captain. Well, it must have been, since he was the only survivor from the previous pirate ship, he got another crew.

- I feel sorry for you Miss- said one of them-. Being betrayed like that.

- And I feel sorry for you, there will be no survivors once my captain finds out. Maybe I can persuade him to let you go.

Everyone laughed. They were confident one man would not be strong enough.

- You may laugh, but how do you know he's coming alone?- I asked.

- Well, Missie, he knows very well that as soon as we see anyone else beside him, you'll be walking the plank- said the captain-. It's nothing personal.

- Then don't get me involved in this. I did nothing wrong to any of you- I pleaded.

- Rest assured your captain won't be foolish enough to put you at risk. He will come alone. And he will pay.

- Will you kill him?

- I will have fun.

He went to his cabin and closed the door. I was left there among the crew, not knowing exactly what I should do. Then, I had an idea.

- You know what would be even more fun? If I could row away and Edward would be surprised he came here for nothing.

- Nice try, but we are keeping an eye on you- said a pirate with an eye patch.

- How boring. Let's play, anyone has some cards?- I asked, hoping I could get along with them and prevent them from starting to think of other ways of entertainment with me and kill time.

And eventually they agreed that the one who lost had to do something the winner said. I did my best in order to win or at least not to lose. I challenged the loser to a duel and they gave me a sword. It was fun. The look on their faces was priceless when their comrade was defeated. Everyone wanted to try too and I agreed to do it if they won against me at cards. And so I got their respect and admiration.

- Where did you learn to move like that?- asked the captain, leaving the helm to the quartermaster.

- I was taught by a pirate.

- Oh, really? Let me see what you know.

It was short and intense. I barely dodged the sword a few times, but I also got some scratches and a cut on the arm. After a few minutes, I stepped on the back of my dress and fell. And that was the end of it.

- If I had pants and boots I could have won- I said proudly while getting up.

- You are pretty good at this, Missie. I can tell you haven't practiced for a long time, but it's not bad. Not bad at all.

- Well it's been a year.

I heard some applause from the crew and smiled. I was starting to wonder if that man was really so evil as to just kill a girl with no reason. The answer came the next day, when Edward came to my rescue. He was alone in a rowing boat. The ship didn't sail much further from the coast so he could find us easily. They threw him a rope ladder and he climbed up. The captain and Edward met in the middle of a circle formed by the crew. The circle got bigger as they moved around fighting, and finally everyone stayed as far from them as possible. It was an epic fight. Their moves were fast and strong, different from what I was used to. I was probably never in a serious fight, for it would have been over for me in five seconds. I felt useless. I knew nothing. They, on the other hand, were really skilled.

- So, you want to kill me because I killed your crew- Edward said.

- And because if I don't kill you, you will kill me.

- I just wanted to settle the score, payback for what you did to my fioncé two years ago. And for Derek.

- Who's Derek?- the pirate captain seemed confused.

- Didn't you kill his fioncé? He disappeard after that and the house was burnt.

- I have no idea what you are talking about.

Edward started to have a bad feeling about that. It couldn't have been him... The captain took advantage of his confusion and made a move, but instinctively, Edward replied, hitting him.

- You know, I'm not your enemy here- said the captain as he fell-. I was following orders.

- What do you mean? Who paid you?

But the captain was dead. The sword had gone through his chest and the bleeding made him die fast. Edward looked around. The pirates were getting ready to attack him.

- Was it one of you?- he asked, but they just kept moving forward.

I didn't hope for him to survive. And even if he did, I did't wish to go back and marry him. I climbed down the rope ladder and jumped in the rowing boat. I had never rowed before, but there is a first time for everything. It was hard, but I managed to do it. I rowed as fast as I could until the ship was out of sight. I got some help from the currents and the waves. The wind was rising. I was in the middle of the ocean, and I felt free. After two hours I wished I had brought food and water. I spent the day under the heat of the sun. I wet myself from time to time with the ocean water, but it dried very fast. At night, I got scared. It was frightening to see the dark sea and the dark sky, as if they merged together in a whole. I tried rowing some more, but I didn't even know which direction to take. I was completely lost. Maybe it was a mistake to leave just like that. Another day passed. I rowed and rowed, but there was no ship anywhere and no land. I followed the sun as it went to the west, but all I saw was a vast wavy blue ocean. I was desperate for water. I was surrounded by water but I couldn't drink any of it. Ironic, I know. I ended up fainting from dehydration. I thought I would die. It seemed like the end. But right then, I heard something before I lost consciousness.

- Castaway!

Next thing I knew, I was lying on a confortable surface which I thought must have been a bed. I felt a glass on my lips and I drank without stopping. I didn't even open my eyes. A hand was holding my head up so I could drink. There was a familiar smell in the air. I knew where I was.

- What am I going to do with you?

The voice was familiar too. After the glass of water, I felt his lips on mine. I didn't think they could taste better than the water I needed so much in that moment. But they did.

- Derek... - I whispered.