"Hey!!! Fingers!!!" Jacob cried, searching the room. He knew that he could turn invisible, but did that mean he could walk through walls too?

"Fingers! If you're here I've changed my mind! Damn it Fingers, answer me!!!"

"Captain?"

Jacob's eyes snapped to the boy on the floor, wrapped in his shirt.

"Gabriel, are you ok?"

"Yes, who are you talking to?"

Jacob watched as Gabriel scanned the room, looking for who he had been screaming at, and when his eyes returned to Jacob's he could see the look of concern. It was the kind of concerned look you gave someone when you thought they were losing their mind.

Jacob gave him his best 'don't worry about me, I'm fine' smile, before he knocked on the door instead.

"Pete!! I need you to let me out!!! Pete!! James!! Anyone!!!!"

No one answered although it had gone suspiciously quiet out there. It felt like hours but was only around 10 minutes before Jacob heard boots approaching and the door was flung open.

Jacob shot over and barged past Pete and out of the cabin before he knew what was happening. Jacob ran along the deck, scanning the faces, looking for Raephier. The deck of the ship was like a disaster zone. There were holes in the deck, one of the masts had broken, crashing down on top of the navigation room, and the rail was totally missing on the starboard side.

Jacob felt every emotion boiling inside of him. He was devastated to see the state of his ship, concerned for the crew, many who he had not accounted for yet, angry that they were in this situation, although at the moment he didn't know who to direct his anger at. But most of all he was worried sick for Raephier. He felt responsible for him. His crew knew the risks when they went to sea. Raephier didn't choose this. He didn't choose any of it. Jacob should have protected him. It was his job to keep him safe and he'd failed.

"What the hell happened?" Jacob barked at anyone who was close enough to hear him.

"It all happened so fast," Pete said, coming to stand next to Jacob. "One minute Jinx was taking Gabriel, then Raephier shouted something and the next thing I knew everyone was fighting. I'm not even sure who started it."

"I did," came another voice, and James stepped forward.

"Why?" Pete asked, looking exasperated.

"I wasn't going to let him take Gabriel," he said firmly.

"Where's Raephier?" Jacob asked.

"Jinx took him," Lyle said, coming forward.

Lyle was the last person Jacob wanted to see at that moment. Because he knew what would happen next.

In the blink of an eye Jacob had Lyle pinned up against the wall with his cutlass held to his throat.

"And did you have a hand in that?" Jacob growled, leaning his whole body into Lyle's to keep him pinned.

Lyle kept his face stern, not showing a flicker of fear. But Jacob could feel his heart trying to beat out of his chest.

"No, I did not," he said through gritted teeth. "But look at what he's done to you!"

"HE'S DONE NOTHING!!" Jacob screamed in Lyle's face.

He pulled Lyle back from the wall and shoved him hard enough that he fell over onto the deck.

"When is everyone going to get it through their thick skulls that Raephier has done nothing to me!"

By this time everyone was staring as Jacob spun round addressing all his crew.

"James started a war with the pirates because he didn't want them to take Gabriel, but I don't see any of you locking him up!"

"But Gabriel's one of us," Lyle said, getting up off the floor.

"As is anyone who is a guest on MY ship!" Jacob spat back at Lyle. "I've had it with your shit. I'm sorry for whatever happened to you when you were a child, but you can't let that dictate the rest of your life. Raephier is a good person! He's brave and kind and would do anything for anyone on this ship. Why couldn't you all show him the same kindness back!"

"If he would do anything for us, then why wouldn't he use his powers and sing?" Lyle asked.

"He told me he wanted to!" Jacob said. "He said he wanted to help, but you wouldn't listen. What was he trying to tell you?"

There was silence for a few seconds before Pete spoke.

"He said that the muntle seaweed didn't work. That it was a con."

"Yes, he was just making up excuses not to sing," Lyle added.

Jacob felt his temper start to spike again.

"And what did you do when he told you that?" he asked, his voice like the rumble of thunder warning of the oncoming storm.

"I wasn't going to beg him if that's what you think!" Lyle said.

"I did," Pete said quietly.

"What?" Jacob asked, swinging round to look at Pete, who at least had the grace to look guilty.

"I begged him to help us, but he said that he couldn't because we'd get hurt."

"And did you believe him?"

Pete shrugged. "I knew there was a risk but we were getting hurt anyway."

"Jeez," Jacob said, gripping his hair. "Do you even know what happens when he sings?"

Pete shook his head.

"When he sings he targets one person, and that person falls into a sort of transe where all they will see is him. The song will continue until that person kisses him and then their soul gets pulled into Raephier and their body dies. But what you may not know is that there is something else that happens too. Everyone who can hear the song, even though it is not targeted at them, gets affected too. But for them it's different. They get filled with jealousy and rage and they will fight to the death for the love of the Siren. Nothing can stop them. Not even the Siren. That is why his power is feared. Because he is capable of taking down a whole army by actually only taking the life of one soul. If he had sung as you asked him too, you would all be dead. He saved your fucking lives and how did you repay him? Handing him over to that bastard Jinx. I'm so fucking mad at all of you right now."

Jacob looked round at his crew and saw nothing but wide eyed shock.

"And another thing!" he shouted. "I'm taking back Captaincy of my ship. If anyone has any problems with this, I'll happily fight you for it. But I'll warn you now, with the way I'm feeling, it'll be a fight to the death."

Jacob scanned his crew looking to see if anyone would challenge him. When nothing was said he turned to James.

"James, take Gabriel down to his bed. Pete, my cabin, now. The rest of you, get to work sorting this mess out!"

"Aye aye Captain," came the chorus of voices, as Jacob strode off back to his quarters.

Jacob really didn't want to be back in his cabin after being trapped in there for several days, but he didn't want to have to look at the damage to his ship any longer. He flopped onto the chair by his desk and put his head into his hands. Everything was such a mess and he had no idea how to fix it.

Pete gave an awkward cough announcing his presence. Jacob looked up and glared at him.

"Hey," Pete said, holding both hands up in surrender, "I'm sorry ok?"

Jacob sighed and looked away. It was pointless being mad at Pete. There were a lot of people he could blame right now, himself included, but he'd learnt a long time ago that life was too short to hold grudges.

"What are our losses?" he asked instead.

"Everything we bought apart from the slate, all our food supplies, so we only have what was in the galley left, they found our coins, but thankfully they didn't find the hidden compartment so our gems are safe. I know that we don't have many, but it'll be a start to help us get back on our feet."

The idea of starting again made Jacob want to curl up into a ball and go into hibernation.

"What about our other losses," Jacob said, dreading the answer.

"Five men injured. Two serious."

"No deaths?" Jacob said, perking up at the first bit of good news he'd had in a while.

"Not yet," Pete said.

Jacob nodded, solemnly. A ship was not the best place to be if you had any kind of injury or illness. Infection was what usually killed them. He knew he'd have to get to land pretty soon and to a proper doctor if they were to stand any chance of surviving.

"And Raephier?" Jacob asked

Pete frowned. "I'm not sure. One minute everyone was fighting, the next the pirates retreating back to their ship. It was only as they were pulling away that I saw Jinx standing on the deck of his ship with Raephier, and a very smug look on his face."

Jacob put his head back in his hands. It was as he feared. It was his fault.

"I'm really sorry," Pete said, "I tried to protect him, I really did."

Pete's pleading just made Jacob feel worse.

"It's not your fault," he mumbled, "there's something I need to tell you."

"What?" Pete asked, looking confused.

"Fingers was here."

"Who?" Pete asked.

"Fingers. You know, the one who I bought Raephier off, the one who seemed to be trailing us everywhere we went?"

"Oh, him! You mean he was on our ship?"

"Yes."

"He must have come on with the pirates then," Pete said.

"Maybe," Jacob replied. He really didn't want to get into the whole 'invisible' thing right now as it would just act as a distraction to what he was trying to tell him.

"He offered me a deal," Jacob said, hating the words that were coming out of his mouth.

"What was the deal?" Pete asked.

"Raephier, in exchange for getting the Pirates to leave."

Pete had the decency to look shocked.

"And you agreed?!!"

Jacob jumped up and started pacing in frustration.

"I didn't want to! And I didn't at first, but then Gabriel was crying and saying he wanted to go home, and.....well I guess I felt like I had no other option."

"Well, fuck!" Pete said, still looking shocked.

"I regretted it the moment I agreed, but it was too late. Shit Pete! What kind of a bastard sells one of his men to save the others!!"

"A true leader, that's the kind of man," Pete said, coming over and placing a hand on Jacob's shoulder. "And that is exactly why I never wanted to be Captain. It sucks to be the one in charge."

"So you think I did the right thing?" Jacob asked. He desperately needed to hear Pete say he did, but yet he knew even that wouldn't make him feel any better.

Pete shrugged. "I don't think anyone can answer that. But your decision was made with the best intentions, and that's what's important."

That was why Jacob always valued Pete's opinion, because he never just said what he knew Jacob wanted to hear. He always gave an honest answer.

It took them two days to reach land. It was risky to dock here because the Tredda were well known for utilising this port for supplies. It wasn't a trading point, but there was a large market where you could stock up on food and drink. There was also a doctor in the town.

Jacob planned on staying there for about a week, giving his men a chance to rest, but it was only on their second day when a familiar face walked into the tavern where Jacob, Pete and James were having a drink.

Jacob froze as his eyes locked onto Fingers. It didn't take Fingers long to spot Jacob either. Fingers nodded his head to the side, inviting Jacob to join him.

"Just excuse me for a second," Jacob said before getting up and following the retreating form of Fingers to a secluded corner of the tavern.

"I was kind of hoping not to see you again," Jacob growled.

"Ah, so ya don't want this then?" Finger said, pulling out a bag of coins and placing it on the table in front of them.

Jacob just stared at the bag. He really didn't want to take it. He didn't feel like he deserved it. Somehow he felt better about trading Raephier for the lives of his crew than the thought of trading Raephier in for money.

"Is that it now?" Jacob asked. "Are we done?"

Fingers raised an eyebrow.

"Well now, I'd never thought you'd be one to quit?" Fingers said.

"Quit? Who said anything about quitting? I've got to start again, but I'll never quit."

Finger shook his head.

"Nah, I meant quitting on the Siren. 'E'll be disappointed to 'ear that."

"What do you mean?" Jacob said, feeling himself get agitated.

"I just thought 'e meant more to ya, that's all."

"What are you saying?" Jacob said, narrowing his eyes at the filthy man.

"I'm saying that someone needs to fight for the pathetic creature, cuz he sure won't do it for 'imself."

"Are you suggesting I go and try to get him back?" Jacob said, shaking his head in disbelief. "Unless you've forgotten, we're a trading ship, not a battle ship. We wouldn't stand a chance."

"Now, now, what kind of an attitude is that to 'ave?" Fingers said, and Jacob was just about ready to punch that stupid grin off his face.

Jacob was about to walk away before he did something he would regret, but Fingers quickly spoke up.

"'E may not be on your ship, but 'e's still your weapon. Did ya ever think of that?"

Jacob froze and turned to look at Fingers.

His mind started working at a mile a minute thinking of what Fingers could possibly mean by that.

"You mean he's going to use his powers on Jinx?"

For the first time, Fingers' grin fell for a moment.

"I thought 'e would, but it turns out 'e needs a little push."

"A push?"

"Aye, a push. You see, I've known that Siren for a good few years now, and not once as 'e ever got close to using 'is powers. Not until 'e met you. 'E did want to 'elp ya know, but ya men wouldn't listen. I guess it's my fault a bit cuz of the seaweed thing, but ya can't blame a man for trying to make a bit of money, can ya?"

Jacob just glared.

Fingers chuckled nervously.

"Anyway, I was 'oping 'e'd 'ave done it by now, but turns out 'e's not so keen on using 'is powers now 'e thinks 'e's lost you."

Jacob swore he felt his heart shrink a little on hearing those words.

"Then what do you want me to do?" Jacob asked.

"Finally! I thought you'd never ask! You need to go to 'im, and remind 'im what 'e's fighting for!"

"But if we go, it'll be just the same as before. He won't use his powers for fear of hurting everyone else."

"Aye, but there's one difference this time," Fingers said. "They may not 'ave believed Raephier about the seaweed, but they'll believe you. Just make sure ya men plug their ears well and it'll work, you'll see."

Jacob thought about it for a minute. He knew he needed more time, and he needed to discuss it with Pete and the crew, but he also knew that there was a good chance it would work. There was just one thing that was bothering him.

"What's in it for you?"

Fingers' grin grew even wider.

"That stinkin' Pirate 'as stole more than just your Siren. Let's just say I need to get back summat that's rightfully mine."

"Ok, let me think about it." Jacob said.

"Aye, but don't think too long. I can tell ya where to find 'im now, but 'e may be gone in a day or two."

"Ok, I'll meet you back here, same time tomorrow with an answer," Jacob said.

Fingers nodded with a gleeful chuckle before walking out of the tavern.

Jacob took a few moments before heading back to Pete and James. It was going to be a long night ahead of them. There was a lot to discuss.