Treasure of the sea |Lesbian story|

CHAPTER XIV

My breathing became shallow. I ran my gaze over Arenis' face, groggy. No...

"In fact, the Adler family has fallen into misery. They have no more money, no more land. One of Mr. Adler's merchant ships sank at sea a month ago following a serious accident. Since then they have been waiting impatiently for their eldest daughter to arrive from London with the rest of their possessions to repay their debts. But, as their money is now ours, they will end up on the breadline. They tried to pay the ransom with all they had left, which was nine and a half pounds. A ridiculous sum, I know. I'm sorry to inform you of this terrible news. I know you were already planning to line your pockets with the spoils."

The men muttered, deeply disappointed.

My palms were sweaty and my head was spinning. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. My family fallen into poverty, robbed of everything we had left. Robbed of a daughter...

I felt faint.

My family would live the rest of their lives begging on the streets and I could consider myself already dead. I could feel their eyes on me. I could feel their fury, their disappointment. I was no longer any use to them. Or maybe, they could still use me for one thing...

They wouldn't have killed the body, but the soul.

"Only one matter remains to be dealt with; Miss Eveline Adler. I have no intention of killing a woman just because her family has been struck by ill fortune. Whether you wish it or not, I have decided that Miss Adler will live."

"Why don't we sell her to some brothel in Nassau?" proposed a man, stepping forward. "They'd pay good money for her. She's young and rather good-looking."

A group of men cheered, finding themselves agreeing with him. "Yes!"

Then it was the turn of another sailor, who raised a hand to speak, and on his face a mischievous smirk had lit up. "Since she has left us empty-handed, then she may well repay us in some other way."

Arenis' expression suddenly hardened at those words and she stared at the man with rancour. "I will not accept rape or unwarranted cruelty. You are men, not beasts. Eveline Adler will not become your sex slave. Have I made myself clear?"

Snorts of irritation followed.

"Have. I. Made. Myself. Clear?!" sentenced Arenis, shouting.

"Yes, Captain!"

"I propose to have her work for us," continued the Captain. " She will work in the galley, she will clean, she will do whatever work you want her to do. We will teach her the trade, for we are short of seamen. If she refuses or isn't able, then, yes, we'll have no choice but to sell her to some brothel in Nassau. At least we'll get some money out of it."

The crew snickered, amused.

"Or," she continued, growing more serious. "There's always the option of just letting her go."

"I say we vote," Dinnington intervened. "Captain, let's give them a few minutes to think it over and then they'll vote on whether to welcome Miss Adler into our crew or let her go."

Arenis nodded. "You have five minutes. I will vote last so as not to bias your choice."

They all started talking to each other, happily, almost as if they were betting at a horse race... I noticed Arenis's gaze focused on me. She was standing on the side-lines, with that indecipherable expression on her face.

That woman was taking everything from me.

After five minutes, Arenis returned to the centre of the group. "Raise your hand if you'd like to set Miss Adler free."

Dinnington was the first, then others followed. Jackie Jay, Dilthey, Naade, even Cohen. They held up their hands with ten others. When it was the Captain's turn to vote; she raised her hand, but to no avail. The will of the crew was clear.

"No..." I whispered. I fell to my knees and for the first time in my life, I begged. "I beseech you... please! Let me go to my family! You have no reason to keep me here. I am useless. Please do not..."

I burst into tears.

"Captain..." I murmured between sobs. "Let me see them again, please... one last time! Just one last time!"

Arenis looked at me and in a tone that admitted no reply said, "No."

"I'll do anything you want..."

"I said no, Miss Adler."

And that's when I tried to escape, in desperation. I ran towards the balustrade, towards the sea. I could swim; I could dive into the water and swim to the quay.

"Stop her!" ordered the Captain's voice.

Arms lifted me off the ground, stopping my running. I screamed, I kicked, I yelled. I called for help and then a hand clamped over my mouth. I bit down. I felt my teeth sink into the sailor's flesh. He howled in pain and let me go. I started to run again. I put one leg through the balustrade and jumped.

The impact with the water was so violent it almost took my breath away. All around me, bubbles. Nothing but bubbles. When I recovered from the blow, I swam, trying to get to the surface. Something wasn't right, though. My clothes. They were too heavy. I sank, plunging into the darkness. I used all my strength, but I soon realized I was going to drown. My lungs were swollen, I felt they would burst at any moment. My unconscious was telling me to breathe. I was underwater too long. I had to breathe! I had to! My vision went blurry. Minutes, hours, days later, I didn't know, I felt the veil of water break over my face and air deliciously invade my lungs.

I woke up with a start, my lungs burning. I coughed several times and moaned in agony.

"Easy."

I was in the Captain's quarters, on her bed. I must have lost consciousness. With a sudden movement, I rose and crossed the room, my eyes terrified.

"I suggest you go back and lie down, Miss Adler."

I was completely soaked, and so was Arenis. Her hair was dripping. I understood that it was she who had pulled me out of the water.

"Let me go..."

"You aren't going anywhere."

"Help me, please. You... you voted for my freedom, so let me run away and tell your men that I was able to escape on my own!"

"I can't."

"Of course you can!"

"No," she answered, firmly. "Despair all you like, Miss Adler, but know that it won't do any good. You will stay here, on this ship."

My head was throbbing.

"You nearly killed yourself, jumping off the bridge," the Captain observed, but I ignored her.

"Free me, I beg you. Let me go back to them."

"No, Eveline," she replied. "You will now be part of this crew. You will submit to the rules of the crew, and if you break them, you will suffer the same punishments as anyone else on this ship."

"Please, please have mercy on me!"

"Stop doing that, because I will not pity you or help you."

"If you do not release me now, I swear to God that I will attempt escape whenever the opportunity presents itself! I will not give you peace. You can punish me all you want, you can beat me, you can flog me, you can torture me, but I will never give in. Never!"