Chapter 23: The Adventures of the Brave Heart





Being embraced by the sea was bittersweet. It hugged me in the most violent way possible – even crashing and whipping me around. I knew I had an immense chaos in my mind but at that moment, I was able to forget everything. I was able to set my pain and confusion aside and the only thing that was filling up my mind was the monster that suffocated me. At that moment, I was free – drowning but free. And dying.



Every second seemed to last forever as the coldness of the water started to creep through my body and freeze my bones. I was almost feeling numb as the strong current pulled me deeper and deeper until my arms and legs gave up – not that they were helping me for I didn't know how to swim at all. I was getting weaker and weaker, and my chest was going to explode – I was losing air. I was dying.



And then suddenly, something broke at the rough surface of the sea from above me. I watched it as the dark figure started to swim deeper to my direction. He was like a dark angel that came down from the sky and brought hope to my dying soul. He was like a glimpse of the sun in a cloudy sky. He grabbed my waist when he finally reached me and when I looked at his face; I knew that it was the man that brought chaos to my heart and confusion in my head. Seeing the Skull was like welcoming the reality I chose to leave the ship – it was such a painful hope and it was the only thing I had. I could just shove him away and stay deeper and deeper into the heart of the sea where nothing would exist for me – but his face was a bitter invitation to go back to the dark world I was hoping to forget – I couldn't resist it.



And just like an invitation card to a royal event, he sealed it through putting his lips against mine; it was a taste of sugar in a pile of rock salt – it was addictive. But air started to fill my lungs and I knew he was just doing it to keep me alive – so I drank him like he was the cure for my suffering. I could feel that we were swimming up as he supplied me with the air I needed. He left my lips and he swam us up faster that time. And even though I was getting more tired, I knew that I was already safe in the Skull's arms.



When we finally broke out to the surface, we were hit again by a huge wave. But the Skull swam us back up again and didn't let go of me. I looked up at the gigantic Obsidian and saw Owain and the other pirates; he was holding on to the railing with a thick rope in his hand. He threw the rope to us and the Skull swam towards it. He grabbed it firmly and tied it around my waist.



"Hold on! We'll pull you up!" Owain shouted from above us. The other pirates with him started pulling up and I could feel the rope tightened around my waist as it lifted me from the water.



"What about you?" I asked the Skull.



He looked at me intensely and grabbed the rope above my head. He circled his other arm around my waist and signaled the pirates to continue pulling us up.



"The only thing you should worry about is yourself. I am one with the sea," he said.



By the rhythm of the counts Owain was giving to the pirates, they began to pull us up. They were shouting and hauling until finally, the waves were below our feet. It was terribly cold amidst the strong wind but the warmth of the Skull's body was enough to keep me from freezing. The Skull grabbed on the railing as Owain yanked me to the deck. He settled me down while Erasmus immediately rushed to us and covered me with a thick blanket. He untied the rope around my waist as I watched the Skull hauled himself to the deck. Water was dripping from his wet hair and even though he wasn't showing it, I knew that this storm was getting into him. I was about to offer him my blanket when he turned to my direction and grabbed my shoulders angrily.



"What are you thinking throwing yourself into the sea like that? Do you want to kill yourself? Do you want to die?"



He was almost screaming and the fire in his eyes was even more violent than the waves that almost crushed me to pieces. He was more dangerous than the storm and even colder than the wind. He was the world I wanted to escape but I chose to stay in because that was where I could be with him. And at that moment, I realized that I couldn't just leave him. If it was only pain he would bring then I'd be willing to feel it again and again. That was why I stayed – even though it was hurting me too much, I was willing to stay.



"She saved Roger!" Erasmus defended but the Skull glared at him like a destructive tornado that would ruin anything that's on his way.



"And where's the logic in sacrificing her life for a filthy cat? She should have let it fall and drown and keep herself dry!" He clutched my shoulders tighter this time.



But I didn't feel the pain at the moment. The only thing that came to me was anger – anger towards what he said. I looked at him in disbelief and said, "Since when did you start devaluing life?"



He seemed to be caught off-guard with my question for he wasn't able to answer right away. He returned my stare with the same intensity as mine. My question probably triggered something inside him for, after a few seconds of silently staring at each other, he silently let go of my shoulders and walked away. I was left trembling uncontrollably because of the extreme coldness and confrontation. I saw my wounds started to bleed again and everything that happened began to take a toll on me. I felt dizzy and weak, and before I knew it, I was already falling towards the floor. However, I didn't feel myself hitting the cold, wet floor and instead, I saw Owain caught me in his arms as I finally closed my eyes.



It felt like a deep and long sleep and I woke up still feeling dizzy but the smell of the hot cocoa urged me to open my eyes and rise on my bed. It all felt familiar – it was just that this time, there was no humming of an engine – only the laughter and cheers of the pirates that danced through the steady waves. I saw Erasmus sitting on my chair and the pot of hot cocoa and a new cup on my table. There was also a plate full of food and an apple on it. He seemed to already fix my room because the last time I remembered, it was ruined by Roger.



"Roger," I murmured when I remembered the poor cat. I wasn't able to know what happened to him.



"He's safe. He's with Alon. Roger was an old and a very sensitive pirate; he's usually stressed whenever there's a typhoon. He probably panicked because he felt caged inside your cabin and there was no way out for him to save himself," Erasmus said.



Somehow, I felt sad for Roger. We probably shared the same feeling at that time and I wasn't able to help him. I knew how it feels like to be alone and helpless so I told myself that if I would see Roger; I would give him a hug – even though he would bite or scratch me again. The only thing I could do for him was to understand him.



"You should eat. It was already late in the afternoon and you haven't eaten any food yet since last night. We've already passed the storm; we're going to another direction. You don't have to worry about it, Primrose."



Erasmus handed me the plate and I could almost feel my stomach growling at the sight of grilled meat and fish. They seemed to be generous this time for instead of bread, they put rice on my plate. I hungrily put it on my lap and started eating. There would be no such thing as table manners for a starving lady.



"I'm sure Roger would be grateful enough to see you. You've probably won his heart."



I didn't answer. I just continued eating my food because I felt drained and weak.



"The Skull is extremely worried about you. He ordered me to stay here and provide everything you need until you're already feeling better – not that I wouldn't want to do it because I'd gladly volunteer to help you."



The food stuck in my throat the moment I heard Threy's alias. It was like a lump that made it hard for me to swallow the meat I took. I carefully put the spoon and fork back on the plate and grabbed the glass of water resting at the corner of my table. I drank it like I had been deprived of water for few days.



"I don't believe it. It's hard to believe it now," I said in a serious tone. The food suddenly became lame and tasteless for me.



"He left the helm and jumped to the water the moment he saw you fell. He risked the Obsidian just to save you. I'm sure he's having a serious talk with the Captain right now."



I remembered seeing him behind the helm. The look of dislike was evident in his eyes when he saw me out in the rain. I thought he was completely annoyed at me. As a matter of fact, I wasn't even expecting that he would save me from the deadly sea – but he did.



"Do you think so?" I asked sheepishly.



"Yes," he immediately answered.



"But I didn't like the way he treated Roger like was just a non-important thing he could dispose of whenever he likes. I don't like him looking at life like that. I don't like him that way." I remembered the lifeless body we left at the lake. I imagined Roger being dead.



"He's the Skull, Primrose. I don't know who the Skull was before he became the Skull but the way you believe in him makes me want to believe, too. Maybe it wasn't the Skull who saved you. Maybe it was the person you met years ago."



I stared at him and saw the sincerity in his eyes. It was like darkness all over my heart and then suddenly, a single candle lit up and the light flooded around the place. I felt hope in what I believe. Maybe the person I longed to be with was caged inside the Skull and all I had to do was to try and free him. Maybe, I shouldn't give up on him.



And with that, I suddenly grabbed Erasmus and hugged him tightly. I could feel him stiffen in my arms. I laughed a little at his reaction and let him go. He pouted his lips when I ruffled his already messy hair as if it could still get any messier.



"Ugh. Why do you have to do that?" But even though he seemed to be a little bit annoyed, he still managed to look adorable.



"Because you're a handsome, little boy, and I'm afraid when you grow older and find your girl, you won't let me do that anymore," I answered.



He smiled shyly and I was amused as I watched his cheeks burned into pink blushes. He scratched his head making his hair even messier. "I really don't like it when you do that but if it's you who's going to do it then I guess it will just be fine by me," he said.



I returned his smile and pinched his freckled cheek. "Is there a celebration outside? I could hear the pirates laughing," I said.



"Oh! The storm was gone and the ship stopped to fix anything that was broken. They anchored the Obsidian near a remote and abandoned islet. Some of the pirates decided to take a swim." The thought of swimming immediately made me shiver. But then, I knew it would take days before I could see an island again so I wanted to go outside and take in the view of the land. I dropped my legs on the floor and realized that my wounds had a new bandage. I looked apologetically at Erasmus and tried to stand.



"I don't want to keep you here inside my cabin. Because last time I let someone stay, he became violent," I bantered.



He studied me for a moment before finally agreeing. "Alright! But no drowning yourself this time," he said.



He helped me walked out of my room and to the hallway. I could almost see half-naked pirates who were laughing and throwing themselves into the water. I hesitated for a second but then, I realized that I had been with them for a long time already and it was about time to get used to it.



The warm light of the late afternoon sun welcomed me and it immediately eased up all the knots that formed in my muscles. I actually felt a little bit better – the sun had its ways of giving its strength. Apparently, the pirates were the ones who seemed to be surprised at my presence. Their laughter and cheers faltered as they silently watched me walked to the deck and leaned on the railings. They got back to their affair after few seconds and continued on throwing each other into the water. I couldn't help but smile as I watched them play around like silly little children who had swam to the sea for the first time. The islet from the distance had white sandbars and blue beach encouraging every pirate to take a dip.



"Are you still mad at me?" A familiar voice suddenly said from behind me.



Erasmus and I turned around to see the Skull standing few meters from us – he was careful with his distance. Erasmus seemed to understand and excused himself to join the pirates in their swimming. I could hear his loud laughter as I stared at the face of the Skull.



Am I still mad at him? I was. But my affection towards him was greater than my anger. So without a word, I turned my back to him and continued watching the pirates at the sea. I heard footsteps coming to my direction and rested few inches on my side. I saw him lean on the railing at the corner of my eyes.



"Thank you for s-saving me," I tried to keep my voice flat and serious but failed when I stuttered in my words.



"I want to apologize for being rude. I should have been careful with my words because you're not a pirate. I should have been careful with you."



I glanced at him and said, "I don't want you to be careful around me. I want you to be real. I want Threy Weston back." He as the Skull already brought confusion in me and I didn't want to strengthen this uncertainty.



He was thoughtful for a moment. I silently hoped that I reminded him of the life he threw away when he was Threy Weston. And I wished he was somehow yearning for it.



"Years had passed, Prim. I couldn't live in the past. I couldn't change the things that already happened. I couldn't unlearn the things I learned. I couldn't bring back what's already lost. All I have is now. All I have are the choices I'm going to make. And this is the world I chose, Prim. This is where I want to be."



My chest tightened as he once again crushed my hope. He was so determined to stay in the pirate world – and even though I knew that this world might kill me, I was still willing to stay as long as he's here.



"There's one thing I want to ask of you," I started.



He looked at me questioningly and nodded, "What is it?"



I breathed deeply and looked at him straight in his eyes. "Let me stay with you. If I couldn't stay forever then let me stay a little bit longer. I just want to be with you," I said.



He didn't answer right away. Instead, he continued staring into my eyes and when he found determination and honesty, he let out a loud sigh. "It's a dangerous world, Prim. You could get hurt. I'm afraid that it will change you, too. I'm afraid to lose you."



My heart stopped beating for few seconds. If I could only ask him to say it again - but my heart started hammering loudly against my chest and if it wasn't for the bones that were caging it, it probably flew already to the hands of the Skull.



"I am not afraid," I said. "I will never change and you'll never lose me."



I spoke those words as if there were permanent things in this world. I had no idea what would be my next coming days like and all I had was bravery and strength to face everything as long as I was by Threy's side. He seemed to be content with what he's heard for he turned his eyes to the pirates swimming at the sea.



"If you want to stay longer, you'll have to face the sea with a brave heart," he said.



"Not today," I answered. "Let my wounds heal and I'll show the sea who I am."



"You'll do that? You don't even know how to swim. The sea is the most dangerous thing in the pirate world." It sounded more like a challenge.



I nodded as I looked at the vastness of the sea around me. You are worth the pain. You are worth the suffering. You are worth dying. But I didn't say those words because it might discourage him and instead I said, "You'll see. You'll all see."