Capítulo Tres

                           “Que no es el destino tanto como el viaje.”

                     -It is not the destination so much is the journey.-

                                                           - Captain Jack Sparrow

            I wrapped my blanket, tightly around my little chest. Each breath I took came out uneasy as I silently tiptoed to my father’s quarters. The hallway was dark, adding more to the intimidation. I would stop every now and then, cautious about the creaks my tiny footsteps made, glimpsing for any shadows in the night. He warned me about El Cucuy.

            “El Cucuy is a bad monster and it comes only at night to take away bad little girls”, he would tell me and I believed him. I would press myself deeper into my bed, scared for my life.

            I loved it when he told scary stories instead of fairy tales, although I spent many nights crying with fright. "Melda," was what my father called me. The way he uttered my name warmed the edges of my heart, eventually igniting a calming fire within me and the fear would dissipate. He would tell me I wasn’t bad, but an angel.

            His angel.

             I continued to walk to his room and could see the outline of his door, beguiling me to come forth. I was afraid. I was afraid what my eyes would see if I opened that door. No good came out of my adventures. I should just turn back, I thought. I should stay in my bed like a good girl. But, my curiosity always got the better of me.

            Without another thought, I grabbed the door knob and turned…

          Mist covered most of the Caribbean Sea, and left the ship ghastly serene. It felt like the souls of the fallen were watching my every move. It hid us from intruders and unwanted visitors. I shivered with delight at the prospect of others among us. The foreboding atmosphere was perfect for tonight’s occasion. I could sense my crew awaiting my arrival – tense and ready for my evaluation.

          I kept walking towards the docks and could see dark figures looking down at me.

          I raised one arm, and the deck ladder came down. It landed with a bang; without a flinch, I began ascending the stairs onto La Marcelina de la Luz. My crew cleared a path for me as I stepped onto my ship.

          I walked passed frigid bodies and made my way to the poop deck – the highest landing upon my ship – so I could see everyone’s faces.

          I stared down each individual crew member; I turned away from the stern and stood with my arms propped; numerous pairs of eyes were looking up at me – each one of them with their own variation of uncertainty – dreading what I was going to say.

          I smiled. This never gets old. I was thriving inside; all this power was mine – to do with as I saw fit. Power is granted to those who knew how to control it, I thought.

            Fe lingered to the right of me, as still as the tree she was hanging upside down of moments ago. Fe was my first mate; my trust in her was unwavering. She stood with her arms crossed over her chest and mouth set in a grim line; her presence was useful to get the attention of the scallywags that made up my rowdy crew.

            “I have a few things to say.”  I clenched my fists and grit my teeth to add to their distress. The crazed look in my eyes said it all. “Because of the variety of goods you managed to raid, I am … pleased. We have enough to eat for about a week. You’ve surpassed my expectations and now it’s time for your reward.” I cracked a smirk.

            Everyone stayed quiet, not sure how to react to my words. I heard a mix of murmurs and grumbles. They were confused, a few of them gaping.

          I smirked. How cute; the women and men abroad this ship were speechless.

            I chuckled, raising my hand to silence them all. “Take it as you will, but my crew knows how to get things done.” I stated with pride.

            One of my crew, feebly, raised their hand, “Does that mean we get to…?” His voice trembled and his legs shook as he spoke. I glared at the frightened little man. Where did he even come from? How’d he get on my ship?

            I didn’t like that, not one bit. Pansies were my biggest pet peeve. I hated them with every fiber of my being and that’s just what this cabrón was doing.

            I slammed on the wood that was separating me and the stern castle deck. The force of outrage almost shook the ship. I took a breath and kept my balance; years at sea made you a pro at defying gravity. The ship may have landed, but it doesn’t stop sudden movements.

          “Belay with that talk! And, speak up when you’re talking to me! That’s exactly what it means. I gave you my word and you know I don’t take it back.” My eyes hardened. “I honor the code. Honra el código de los piratas. It’s the way of our kind.”

        That shut him up quick. His hand slowly came down, cheeks red for displaying such weakness, even to me. One of my rules is to never show fear. I demanded respect, but not cowardice. That’s the last thing I would want from any of my crew.

            I’ll deal with him later, I thought.

            “Now, it’s been a long night for your captain. Those Navy cabrones had it coming and won’t start their search until they can wake up Slaymaker.” I looked to Fe, observing her reaction. She should have killed the bastard. Oh, well, more fun for me.

          I yawned, scratching the back of my head. “I’m heading to my quarters. You all know the rules.  I hope to find my ship in one piece and my crew ready to set sail en la manaña.” I descended the stairs attached to the side of the deck. I stopped midway.

          “Oh, and this may be a reward, but I will find out if anything – be it lamp posts or my stash of rum – is misplaced.” I smiled, sweetly. “Buenas noches.”

          “Buenas noches, Capitán Zea!” a chorus of soft and booming voices filled Marcelina. “Now that’s what I’m talking about,” I laughed.  “Show no fear and you’ll live longer.”

          I felt Fe following me as I climbed down the rest of the way, passing my doors and into my office.

          The sounds of cheering and assortments of instruments being played filled the other side of my door. My crew had a few musicians, but they were also excellent fighters. I don’t recruit the weak – no matter the position.

          I shook my head and sat on my chair and smiled. Pyrates. We were truly a lively bunch.

          A sigh escaped her lips. My attention turned to Fe. “Captain, I don’t think this is a good idea,” she said.

          I got out two bottles of rum and handed her one. She took it, gracefully. She walked towards my desk, sitting on an available chair, facing me.

          “What are you going on about?” I asked, and then took a swig.

          She was careful with her words. “About giving my mates a party, in this town; Cartagena is home to many of the Navy. We could get caught because of the ruckus.” She nodded toward the door, her hazel eyes clouding with worry. “We’re not sailing until the morrow…”  

          I listened to the loud music and loud grumbles of conversation being made just behind it. She took a sip of rum, without losing her composure.

          “Oh, don’t worry so much, Fe, cariño.” I kicked back, bringing my boots up to rest on my desk. “They’ve earned it. It’s been months since we’ve got to relax.” I chugged the rest of the contents in the bottle. “And, you, of all people, know we never get caught in the end.” I smiled.

          She opened her mouth like she was about to say something, but closed it, frowning.

          “Then, I understand.”

          She shut herself off at the conversation and stayed quiet, occasionally taking sips of her rum. She did that when she had something to say, but didn’t want to go against my orders.

          “¿Que? Do you have something you want to say to me?” I looked straight into her eyes.

          I heard a knock on my door. “¡Adelante!”

          A dark head came peeking on the side of the door, his little voice boomed, “Am I interrupting, Cap’n?” His blue eyes gleaming, meeting mine.

          I smiled at the him. “No, of course, not, Paolo!” I nodded toward the other available chair in front of me. “C’mere and sit.”

          His lanky form did as told, his long legs running towards the chair. He set his maps down on my large desk.

          “What have we found, my little sea artist?” I reached over and pinched his cheeks for good measure.

          He cringed, swatting away my hand and hating my affection. For a child growing up, he sure acted like a full-fledged adult.

          Paolo Villanueva was a smart lad, an old soul. When I recruited him on my ship he was filled with sorrow to the point it overflowed into his eyes. I smiled. Ah, the youth - jovenes, thinking they’re in charge. I appointed him as the ship’s navigation officer a few years back – I did not discriminate by age, only by skill. My ship, I do what I want. 

          He grabbed the map he was looking for and smoothed it out in front of me. He pointed to the location we had been slaving away a few days ago to find.

          His toothy grin bright. “We’ve gained progress,” his eyes twinkling with mischief.