30. A Pirate's Secret

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"No."

"Yes."

"No"

"Yes."

"No, and no again."

"Why not?"

I stayed silent for a moment and just stared at him expressionlessly. This man must have been out of his mind.

I blinked once. I blicked twice, and still, Christopher seemed not to be getting the hint.

"Christopher," I said steadily. Easy does it, Anne.

"Yes?"

I took a deep breath. "We are scaling a wall."

He tilted his head, making a few strands of hair fall on his forehead. "So?"

I lost it. "So? What do you mean so! We are scaling a bloody wall for Christ's sake! I exclaimed.

"I still don't see the problem. I made it very clear - we are scaling this wall. That is what one does to get on the other side."

I half laughed. "Not me. I don't climb. You climb, but I don't."

"Well, you wanted to-"

I threw my arms up in the air. "Fine!" I shouted in a voice a little louder than a whisper. "You win. Fine, I'll climb the bloody wall." I stormed past him to the nearest garden wall, mumbling a stream of curses with the feeling that a smiling somebody was following me.

I stopped at the wall, and I stood and looked up at the challenge that laid ahead - literally.

"So, how are we going to do this?" I asked, still staring at the tall structure.

"Simple. Two hands and two feet on the wall. It's an easy concept," Christopher said smartly.

I scoffed at him, and before he could do anything about it, I tried to do what he told me to do - for once.

Just one hand here and a foot there and- oh, damn it! Why did it hurt so much? But I was doing good (surprisingly). That was until I slipped. Suddenly, I wasn't on the wall anymore.

"I got ye." And like in a scary dream, I ended up in Christopher's arms, cradled into his muscular chest.

I panted, trying to catch my breath while squeezing in a 'thank you,' and 'please don't let me do it again.'

The pirate just laughed. He laughed. "I was only playing with you, darling. I didn't think you would go through with it, though. Luckily, I was here to catch you. How fortunate."

Still, in Christopher's arms, I shot him a scornful look. "Yes. Lucky me. Lucky me to almost die-"

"And be caught by me."

"Sure. Whatever you want to call it."

"Am I wrong?"

I was silent for a moment. "Just... just put me down." He put me back on my feet. "Alright, now." I turned to face him. "How are we supposed to get out of this place?"

He pointed behind me. I turned around and found a gate right behind me. How could I be so blind and mostly, so stupid?

"Oh."

"Yup. Let's go." He grabbed my arm and pulled me along, right to the gate where he unlocked it and continued to drag me. I followed him willingly, excited for the wonders about to be revealed.

"So, where are we going? What are we going to do? Who are we going to meet?" I said, a bit too excited than I intended to be. We stopped in front of the street. He pulled out a pocket watch from his pocket.

"Wait and find out. Now, if only- ahh, there it is."

The sound of hoofbeats filled the empty nightly streets, and when I looked up, I spotted a coach coming down the road - and Fish was the driver. Fish stopped in front of us, and Christopher opened up the door.

"Milady," he said bowing.

I smiled and stomped on his foot, getting in the carriage. "Why, thank you, dear husband," I said and moved to the window.

After wincing in pain, Christopher slid in, shutting the door. He shot me a look before hitting the carriage to start moving.

I gazed out the window at the streets. It was dark now, and everyone was safe in their beds, well, except us - everyone but us.

But I was relieved I was out. Now, I got to see what Christopher was hiding. It would tell me more about him and whether I would survive to escape from his clutches.

I just needed to find out who he was hiding.

We stayed silent in the coach, and I watched the passing scenery go by, noticing that the view became different as we got further. After about a quarter of an hour, I almost wanted to cry.

Outside, people were sleeping on the streets, and very few houses were up. And the ones that were up looked like they were going to fall at any moment.

It was a depressing sight to see, and I wanted to ask if we could turn around when the carriage came to a sudden stop, and the door opened. I turned my head, fiding Christopher getting out.

"Stay here. Understand? Stay; I mean it," he said, turning serious. I began to grow scared. I was scared for my safety along with Christopher's. I didn't want to be here. What would happen to him?

Without thinking, I lunged forward, gripping his arm. "Please, don't go! Please! I don't even know if you'll come back!"

He sighed. "Anne. I'll be right back. Just stay in the carriage." I didn't know that when he said 'coming along,' he meant staying in the carriage!

"But-"

"Fish," Christopher suddenly called out. He turned his head to look at his first mate. I couldn't see Fish, but I heard his voice.

"Cap'n?"

"Watch her. And by no means, let her out here. Understand?"

"Aye, aye."

He turned back to me. "I should be back in a minute." And he shut the door. Instantly, I moved over to look out the window, watching him.

He didn't go very far, just to a little house across the road, but even that was too much. I observed with a sharp eye as he knocked on the door. I couldn't breathe. Please don't answer, please don't.

The door opened, revealing a tiny woman in her early thirties. She was practically skin and bones. And her clothes, well, they looked like they've seen better days.

She greeted Christopher with a kind, mournful smile and invited him inside her shabby little place. Christopher nodded and went inside, closing the door behind him.

I bit the inside of my cheek, my mind blazing with questions. Who was this? Why were we here? The longer I say, the more questions came around, and the more curious and scared I got.

Was he going to come back?

I should've known he would come back; I really should have, but I wasn't thinking straight. I was all over the place. I wanted to go after him. I had to find out what was happening. I didn't care if he said to stay in the carriage. I never listened to him, and wouldn't now. Certainly not.

I'd made up my mind. I swung the door open and jumped out, but Fish's voice stopped me. "Lass," he said. "Don't."

I ignored him and raced across the street toward the door, all while hearing thundering footsteps behind me catching up fast. I pushed myself to run harder, and soon, I was at the small door, knocking it down and searching for Christopher.

I spotted him and the woman in two armchairs that were barely holding up. Christopher acted immediately, standing up. He didn't say anything and just stared at me in bewilderment.

Then, at last, he spoke. "Anne." It was one word. It was my name. It was my name, he said.

I wanted to cry, but I didn't. I wanted to scream, but I didn't. I wanted to something, anything at all, but I remained silent. Christopher remained silent.

But then, Fish came into the doorway. He was panting. "Cap'n. Lass. I's-"

"Thank you, Fish," Christopher said, calmly, still looking at me. "You may wait outside."

I felt Fish's eyes on me, guilting me before leaving, but I stayed. And because of this, Christopher spoke. "Anne," he said. "Go. Now."

I tried to protest, but he repeated himself. "Anne, go." A shiver ran down my back. What have I done?

I felt close to crying, but I did as he said and went out the door, shutting it silent;y behind me. I didn't want to wait inside the carriage anymore, so I stayed next to the door.

I didn't move. I didn't even peek inside the window with fear of Christopher seeing me. I stayed where I was, wrapping my arms around myself to protect me from the howling wind.

It was true what they said. Curiosity killed the cat, and now, Christopher was going to kill me.

It seemed like time flown by fast because the next thing I knew, the door opened.

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