The Execution of the Heart

"Read mine?" Opening my eyes I was surprised to find a large shadow in front of my eyes blocking most of the light. Focusing my eyes I could make the outline of a hand.

Grabbing the hand I moved it away, pulling my body up at the same time. "Yeah." Looking at the hand's owner I was slightly surprised to see Alec. Raising my eyebrow I traced the lines of his hand. "I thought you hated me, so why are you talking to me?"

Grunting Alec ripped his hand away. Holding his hands behind his head he looked away from me and out at the open water. "I never said I hated you. Girl, you just need to learn that I don't get close to anyone."

"Well I consider us friends now," I mumbled curling up. Hugging my knees to my chest I sat there staring at the sun's reflection dancing on the crystal waves. Smiling I tried to hide my other feelings bubbling in my stomach, "I was hoping you would feel the same way."

Sitting down beside me Alec held his hand before my face. Staring at it I couldn't help but notice how ruff his skin was. Grabbing the index finger I pulled the hand close to my face. Tracing the lines I took my time.

"Are you even any good at this?" he asked. The suspicion in his voice was evident, silently judging me. "In my opinion it's just a bunch of crap."

Smiling I looked up to see his cold glare. "I've never had anyone close to me die, so I've no idea if that part works. And love has had no luck around my neighborhood. My friend Cillia fell in love though, with a friend of ours. His name's Jin. She's never admitted that she actually likes him, and I don't think she will on her own. Just a little push is all she needs."

"I still think it's a bunch of crap," Alec groaned throwing his head back. Tracing the lines with my finger still I looked down to examine the lines with far more care. The wind was picking up, but I didn't mind. It was a nice break from the scorching sun. However the dark clouds looming in the horizon had grown darker and bigger as the day passed.

"When I was about six, my father took me into the city." Playing with his fingers I remembered the day clearly in my mind. It was perfectly sunny as today. "There was a festival celebrating the Prince's birth. Everyone was out in the streets. As a child everything seemed so much grander than it truly was. All the balloons and streamers made the street come to life. I thought I was in a fairy tale.

"One of the things from that day that clearly stood out in my mind was the parade. Standing there at the curb of the dusty road I watched as the soldiers marched past in their glorious uniforms. They were followed by horse drawn carriages, nobility waving at the masses. Watching them I noticed their jewels, they glistened in the sun." Shaking my head I tried to think of what I was getting at. How I had dreamed of such fantasies of become nobility as a child. Even now I did dream of such impossible things. Looking at his hand I noticed a spec of dirt, and carefully I brushed it off.

"After the parade my father let me walk around and explore the tents several shop keeps had set up. Even though my father didn't have much money, he had gotten me several sweet treats. A lollipop was one," with a smile I envisioned a lovely scene of colorful tents scattered around me. My young father held my hand as I ate the candy. Looking around I had spotted a black tent. Curious as to why this plain black tent sat in a field of color, I wandered in. "Seeing a fortune teller's tent, I became curious. My father took me in and spent the last of his money on one reading. I took every word out of the old lady's mouth as if it were gold, holding onto the magic. It was only some petty lines of me growing up to become a beautiful lady. I'd marry a handsome husband and live in a large summer home. And afterwards, the kind woman showed me how to read my palm.

"You must think me a silly little girl to hold onto these memories. But they bring me a bit of happiness I can't exactly explain. So," smiling I looked to meet his curious expression, "Your fortune."

"It's okay. Living in the past sometimes is less painful than facing the troubles of the present," Alec commented.

Tapping his hand with my fingers I thought of his strange comment. In a way I guess he was right, I didn't want to grow up and give up my dreams. "It looks like you're going to have a long life. And I know you're not the most loving person, but your love line is strong. And fate, that's not strong at all! So I guess you control your own life, and you have union lines."

"What's a union line?" Alec asked taking his hand back finally. Without the light weight of his hand in mine I felt weird, part of me wanted to keep holding it.

"A union line," I said with a giggle, "Means you have close relationships. Sometimes their romantic, not always."

Looking over to Alec I saw him now tracing the lines of his own hand. "I think its a bunch of crap."

Standing up I held out my hand to help him up. Alec pondered at the thought of grabbing my hand for a moment before actually doing so. "Can you make the Captain give up his post at the wheel so that I may have a go at it?"

Standing up fully Alec towered over me. Smirking he turned to walk away. I watched him walk away. As he stopped I was surprised by his words, "Come on girl. I don't do favors often, so you'd better hurry."

Stumbling forward I was shocked at what just happened. I had no idea he would actually do it, I thought he would just tell me to shut up and walk away. "Yeah, okay," I stuttered. Running after him we moved to the upper deck. All the sailors still watched us with a wary eye.

Captain Jerk was standing behind the wooden wheel. His glare matched Alec's as we approached. "Can I help you?" the captain growled at Alec.

Alec only smiled as he gave a shove. Stumbling backwards the Captain crouched down to the ground. Leaping forward he tackled Alec, only Alec had been on the offense already. One solid punch in the face sent the Captain flying backwards hitting another sailor. "What do you think you're doing?" I heard the captain roar. Stepping behind Alec I hid, peeking my head out to see the Captain's face.

Instead of beating the Captain up, Alec gently grabbed my arms, dragging me to the wooden wheel. Taking my hands in his he placed them on the wheel. Him standing behind me was comforting. I wanted to just lean back and rest against his chest, but I knew he would back away if I did that.

Hearing the stomping of feet I looked over to see the Captain walking back up to us. "Well I asked you a question boy!" he sneered at Alec.

"She wanted to try and steer the boat, so why don't you go do something useful for awhile," Alec sneered right back. Not reacting one bit to the Captain's words he just went on as we were, as if the Captain wasn't really there at all.

Looking over my shoulder I saw the Captain just standing there watching us in fear. Alec, noticing my wandering attention followed my gaze to see the Captain still standing there. "I know who you are," the Captain said with half a smile, one side of his lip curling upward, "You're the Executioner. The sword was what got me thinking at first, but those markings on your arm prove my theory. How you would like
to join the crew?"

Alec stiffened behind me, his hands clenched over mine. Staring forward I couldn't help but notice the clouds growing a dangerous black. The storm was coming in quickly now. "I'm sorry you figured that out," Alec murmured. I myself felt frightened at the dark words of Alec now, his voice filled with malice. "Now I can't let you live."

Before I could grab his arm Alec had already grasped the handle of his sword, swinging it forward. Looking away I heard the body crumble to the deck. Tears built up so quickly I couldn't control it. The other sailors around us stood silently as the watched the scene unfold before them. Looking up I saw Alec staring at him, what made me any different from that man lying dead on the ground now. I too knew who Alec really was, a mass murderer whose soul purpose was to kill. Trembling I slowly moved backwards, my back eventually colliding with the wood of the wheel.

Breaking eye contact Alec turned to the closest sailor. "Clean this mess up," he ordered. Turning he faced the rest of the men, all watching him with fear. They all may have been pirates, but they weren't stupid. Taking on Alec would end their lives and they knew that. "For the rest of you, this storm will be far more brutal that the Captain had guessed. We need to find land quickly and make port!" The rain began to fall, my bright sun disappearing behind a small cloud. Salty tears and fresh drops of rain mixed as they ran down my cheeks. "Go below deck girl. Get some rest," Alec said quietly. He still stood in the same spot, his eyes avoiding mine. Looking down I saw the body gone, but traces of blood everywhere. The rain falling created large pools of red that ran every which way.

Slowly I made my way below, gripping the railing as I went. The men were running about. Holding onto the rail tightly I managed to not slip as the wind picked up. The wet wood was unbelievably slippery. Reaching the door to the cabins I looked up to see Alec watching me. Dodging his gaze I entered the dry cabins below.

Making my way down the dark hall I held the wall with my hand, the ship tossing around too much now. Opening the first door I came to I found three empty cots. Sitting down on a bed I laid down. It was impossible to sleep with all the movement, but I liked lying there more than trying to stand with the dizzy feeling I was submerged in currently.

Looking up I took one quick glance out the window to see the waves starting to pick up. Everything had come in so quickly. We were no where near land, of that I was sure. The Captain was foolish bringing us out here in open water. I suppose he did it because along the coast he was more likely to run into some kind of official or guard.

Curling up into a ball I began to sob into the pillow. Digging my nails into the soft material I tried to get a grip, losing myself now would be a mistake. Waves of water crashed against the tiny ship creating claps of thunder.

Taking a thin blanket I wrapped it around my body. Lying there I tried to keep my find from focusing on the danger at hand, so I tried to think of all my friends and family. What they would be up to at this moment. I'm sure that mother would be cooking while father was out in the fields. Both my sisters were probably out running errands. Cillia probably was sitting with Jin on their way to town.

An hour had to have passed. The storm was growing fiercer by the minute. Lightning danced across the sky hopping from cloud to cloud. Standing up I stood closer to the window, still clutching the blanket close to my body.

Hearing the door open I turned. Barney stood in the door drenched from head to toe. Coming forward he sat down on one of the unoccupied cots. "Its pretty bad up there. Doesn't look like its going to get better."

"Is everything okay?" I asked with concern. Taking the thin blanket I draped it around his shoulders. Smiling Barney took it, adjusting it around his body himself.

Looking to the window Barney gave out a weak smile. "Honestly I don't think the ship's going to hold through. We've already lost one mast and the waves are over powering the ship. It would be a miracle if we survived."

Watching Barney I noticed his hands were wore and bloodied. Rope burns. "Arent we close to any land?"

Shaking his head he sighed, throwing it in his hands, "It's no use. If we could make it to the coast we would, but the waves would push us into the rocks."

"How's Alec doing?" I asked biting my lip.

Laughing Barney looked at my nervous face. "Nothing could break him. He's as strong as stone. I think he's the reason this ship as stayed in one piece for this long even. It was he who saw the rocks along the coast."

"Oh," I mumbled. Rubbing my arm I walked towards the window peeking out. Only the cold black water filled my view.

Standing up Barney stretched out his arms high above his head. "Well come on. Alec sent me here to bring you up on deck. Says it's too dangerous to be down here now. We're taking on a lot of water, so I hope you can swim."

"That's not funny Barney," I said. Standing in the same spot I watched Barney go to the door, his hand resting on the handle. "Swimming to the coast would be suicide. I'd never make it."

Smirking Barney threw the door open. "All you have to worry about is making sure you never let go of Alec. I don't think he'd go through all the trouble of saving you just to let you drowned." Walking out of the room he began to whistle. Running I followed close behind. The hall flooded with water, it ran past my ankles as it flowed to the back of the ship. It felt like ice against my skin.

The wind roared brushing past my ears. The screaming of the wicked could be heard, probably their cries for help as the sea swallowed them whole. "Are you ready?" Barney yelled above the screams. His hand rested on the door leading to the deck.

Faintly I nodded, signaling that I was ready even though I had doubts myself. Pushing open the door Barney shrugged as the wind blew back the opposite way. The water rushed against the door pouring in. Standing closely behind Barney, I waited for it to leave enough room for me to pass. The wind whipped in through the crack Barney had created hitting my face harshly. Salt flew into my eyes causing a burning sensation.

Trying to open my eyes I backed into the wall. Opening my left eye I watched Barney. Looking up I saw him gone, the door swung fully open. Wiping the salt away I stumbled forward. Staggering up the stairs to the door I was pushed down, falling on my knees. Crying out in pain I felt the skin rip, the salt stinging as it clung to the exposed flesh.

A pair of hands wrapped around my shoulders pulling me up. Through my tears I saw Alec before me. The lightning filled the sky behind him as he stared down at me with his cold eyes. "Are you such a weakling that you can't even make it up a flight of stairs?" he mocked with smirk. Nodding managed to get a face full of salty wind. "Well then, come on."

Up on my feet I staggered forward. Moving against the wind Alec pulled me around the corner of the door, slamming it was we were out. Taking my first chance to view the deck I noticed that everything was in frenzy. As the waves toppled over the edge of the boat sailors scattered about. As Barney had told, one mast had fallen. The sails were down and the tiny ship was tossed back and forth between the waves. Scanning the area I managed to locate Barney. Towards the front of the ship he stood with rope in hand, he was tying together part of the rail that had apparently broken. Tugging me away Alec pulled me to the upper deck.

Walking up the wet slippery stairs Alec showed no sign of weakness. Watching him I noticed something different. Studding his features I found what was off, he seem excited. A large wave came crashing down sending me flying forward, Alec catching me against his chest. Flashing a wicked smile he held me there for a moment. "What's up with you?" I screamed over the howling wind.

Pulling me up the rest of the stairs Alec took me back to the wheel. Carefully grabbing the wheel he tried to keep the boat steady. Standing in front of him I watched as the coast was growing closer. "What happens if we get to close to the rocks?" I hollered at Alec. Looking up at him my face became drenched with the rain.

Leaning down Alec smirked, his eyes danced with excitement. Feeling his hot breath on my ear I held my breath. "We crash," he murmured. Feeling his hand on my stomach I looked over my shoulder to come face to face with him. "Doesn't the danger excite you? The adrenalin like an unexplainable high."

"Not really," I replied back with wide eyes, "I'm scared." Laughing Alec stood to his full height again, his hand still holding me to his soaked body.

Seeing a sailor running towards up I tugged on Alec's arm. Catching his attention I pointed towards the man who just knocked down by the wind. After several attempts of getting up the man made it. Slowly he staggered before us, grabbing the wheel as he approached. "Sir," he yelled as the wind gusted past more fiercely than before, "There's no more use, we're going to crash into those rocks. The winds just too strong, we can't go against it. Hopefully we're able to keep the ship from turning, that's all we can hope for."

"That's fine," Alec barked, "Just remember, I'm not helping any of you scoundrels if the ship goes down."

"Wouldn't expect it," the sailor replied dipping his hat, "Don't forget we are pirates. Gotta look after one's own self first." And with those last words the man turned back, fighting against the wind, and made his way to the lower deck.

Glancing back up I saw Alec staring down at me. "You're not going to leave me are you?" I asked quietly. The wind carried my voice away and I was unaware if he had herd me.

Alec whipped the wheel around changing the direction of the ship. Directing it towards the shore the waves began to push us as the ship picked up speed. "When the ship crashes into the rocks we'll jump into whatever clear water we can find. All you need to do is stay calm, I'll do the rest." Nodding I rested back against his chest as I watched the gray pointy rocks grow in size.

"Sir!" a scrawny boy screamed over the howling winds as he ran up to us. Sliding on the wet wood he slid right into Alec's side. Grabbing the boy's collar Alec held him. "What do you think you're doing? This is suicide!"

Shaking his head Alec dropped the boy, "Would you rather I throw you overboard now. At least this way we'll have a chance to actually make it to shore. At the rate the ship's falling apart we wouldn't last another hour here."

"But the others say that we'll hold through," stumbled the boy. I felt bad for him, he looked so frightened. Dropping the boy to the ground Alec turned away ignoring him. "Sir. Please don't do this! You'll kill us all!"

Hearing the screams of many man we turned to see them all pointing behind us in horror. Alec held me in place making it impossible to look back. The boy who was arguing with Alec had turned to see what had made such a commotion, his eyes widening with fear. Scrambling away I watched as he ran to the lower deck. Muttering profanity Alec pressed me tightly against the wheel.

"Alec?" Squirming to the side I tried to look back. As soon as he noticed me moving he pushed me back, holding me tightly. "What in the world is going on?" I demanded.

The ship jerked forward and I grabbed his arms quickly for more support. "Tidal wave," Alec said calmly into my ear. Closing my eyes I felt myself being thrown forward quickly. "And they thought we'd be fine. At least the boat's pointed in the right direction."

"Alec!" I screamed. Opening my eyes again I looked to see a serious face. His hands were wrapped protectively around my waist as we crouched down. Seeing the water I noticed it getting dangerously high behind us. "Alec," I cried reaching around his neck.

In a matter of seconds the wave was crashing down on us. Our bodies slammed against the wheel. My head snapped back taking a large hit, the pain was enormous. Holding onto him tighter than before the water submerged us. Under the water I found it impossible to breathe. Somehow we had been washed away from the ship, and each other.

Looking in every direction I panicked. There was debris everywhere. The burning desire for air struck me hard, and I kicked for the surface. Thrashing about I couldn't make out where exactly the surface was. How deep was I? My vision was darkening quickly.

Breaking through the surface I gasped for air as another wave came crashing down on me. Plummeting to the oceans bottom I stared up. Clearly now I could make out several sailors floating on the top of the water. Looking for Alec again I found him nowhere. My heart was racing as I began to kick back towards the surface. He was going to help me.

Seeing the darkness move below me I paused treading the water. Watching the darkness I was surprised how it really was moving, and quickly. Needing air I began to kick back up. Reaching the surface once again I gasped for air.

Searching the area I found no sign of Alec. Swimming over to debris I pulled myself up onto part of the once been deck. Coughing I spat out water swallowed from the tidal wave. "Alec," I coughed out. The words came out scratching for my throat burned. Laying down I slipped my hand into the icy water.

The waves were carrying me somewhere. Closing my eyes I just let nature takes its path. "Julia!" Hearing my name I opened my eyes. It wasn't Alec, I knew that for certain. He would have never called me by my name; instead he would have called out girl. Looking around I noticed Barney floating in the water, barely managing to stay afloat on a barrel. Getting up he waved me away and jumped into the water himself. "Just wait!"

Watching him I saw his head bob up and down as he swam towards me. The wind was starting to die down yet the rain had picked up severely. "We're closer to shore now! I'll push you," Barney directed. Looking around I saw several large rocks blocking the coast line. The boat would have never been able to make it through. "Where's the killer?? Thought he'd be saving you 'bout now."

Closing my eyes I rested my head against the soggy wood. "I don't know. We got separated."

"Ah, we all did. Not that it could be helped. The wave was huge. When I saw it coming I had no idea of what to do. Lately I've noticed the weather in these parts has been growing worse as days pass. Maybe now it will all just calm down. At least I hope..." My eyes fluttered closed as I listed to his voice yammering on about nonsense. It was nonsense that I was in here in the first place. Any moment now I expect myself to wake up in my own bed.

The waves crashing down weren't what awoke me; it was the sound of gulls. Blinded by the sun at first I squinted to see the birds flying high above me. Sitting up I pressed my hands down in sand.

"What happened?" Groggily I looked about. Seeing the forest behind me and the water in front of me I knew what must have happened, Barney made it to the coast. But where was Barney? To my side there were only footprints leading down the coast, no sign of man in sight.

Getting up I brushed the dry sand of my clothing. Running a hand through my hair my fingers became stuck. Examining my hair I found it tangled in a mess. Seeing the footprints I really gave myself no choice. I was not staying alone in the middle of nowhere where the monster would come out to eat me.

Stepping in the larger footprints I walked down the beach. The day was growing warm quickly, and the sun only showed that it was morning. Janus would have loved this, she always wanted to come see the ocean.

Bending over I found a sea shell buried half way in the sand. "Beautiful," I muttered to myself. Walking to the water's edge I moved in to my ankles. Scanning the sand below the clear water's edge I began to search for more of the sea's beauties. My fingers snatched a lovely pink one.

My skin seemed to sparkle in the water as the sun hit it at an angle. Thoughts flooded my brain as I looked out in the water. What had happened to all the other men? My fear was that they didn't make it.

Standing up I stretched out my back. The sun glistened down on my fair skin. Wiping away the sweat from my brow I went to look for more shells, it was only then did I notice him floating unconscious in the water.

My heart dropped. Releasing the bundle of shells they landed in the water with a soft splash. Running I hurried to where he laid floating in the water. Dropping to my knees I grabbed his head. Holding his head up above the water I tried to find he was still alive. "Come on Alec," I whispered, "Please don't be dead. Please don't be dead. If you're dead then I won't know what to do!" Tears fell. Looking at his face I saw them landing on his cheeks. "It's not fair. It's not fair because before I met you I was perfectly capable of making my own decisions, doing things on my own. I had managed to stay alive perfectly well. If you'd just open your eyes you'd see that I'm here now. So please just wake up."

Shaking his shoulders I tried to wake him up. My heavy heart was breaking quickly. Pulling Alec to the sandy shore I laid him down carefully. Lying next to him I stared at his face. "Do you want to know a secret?" I asked his unmoving body.

Giving me no reaction I continued. "Even though I'm trying to get back home, I don't really want to go back. This is more than any adventure I could ever imagine. And at first I was afraid when I learned you were a cold blooded assassin, but now- Now I like you even more. You are right, the danger does excite me. The adrenalin pushes me so high up it's like I'm dancing on the clouds. And do you know who I'm dancing with?" I peered down at his face. With my finger I brushed the hair out of his face. Stroking his face I let out a broken smile. "You. So just wake up."

Collapsing I began to sob into his chest. His arms had made their way around my waist, rubbing my back. Gasping in a fresh breath of air I lifted my head quickly. Alec was smiling, his eyes barely moving.

"Sorry," Alec murmured. His hands pushed my head back down so that it was resting on his chest once again. "I lost you."

"I thought I lost you for a minute too," I said smiling.

Alec sat up and I landed in his lap. Looking up I saw Alec letting out a strong yawn. His eyes darted around the area. Quickly I began to notice Alec coming to his senses, his paranoia creeping over. "Where's my sword?"

Looking around I didn't see the metal object anywhere near us. "I don't know. Didn't you have it in the water?"

Shaking his head he looked me in the eye. "Slowly it's coming back to me, I remember a squid. Yes, a giant squid." His eyes widened as he threw me off him rushing into the water. He went out to his knees before he stopped. Splashing up the water he began to yell out profanity.

Standing up I brushed the sand off me. "Alec, what's wrong?" I asked softly.

Turning he glanced at me before turning back to the sea. Rubbing the back of his head he sighed in defeat. Walking back towards me he had a scowl on his face. "My sword got stuck in the squid. It's probably at the bottom of the ocean now. It will be a tougher journey now, walking through the forest with no weapon is dangerous."

"So lets just stick to the coast," I suggested. Bending over I picked up another shell. Holding it up I examined it in the sunlight.

"No, we'll be fine. But I don't even know where we are," Alec admitted sheepishly.

Scanning the sandy shores I began to search for more shells. "The captain doesn't know where we are!" I didn't bother to hide the shocked surprise in my voice.

"Well we are on the coast, by the ocean," Alec said with a side smirk, "So I do know where we are in a way. Don't act like you're so surprised. It's not that surprising."

Shaking my head I moved into the shallow water. Examining the sparkling water I glanced back at Alec seeing him studying the forest. Gathering water into my hands I threw it at him. The look on his face was priceless. When the cold water hit him he turned to see me smiling. Alec's eyes sparkled; I could see something else there instead of his usual cold wall. Splashing him again I began to laugh.

Alec ran for me, his eyes still dancing with excitement. With a squeak I ran down the shore. Behind me I could hear the splash of Alec sloshing through the shallow water. Looking back I saw him bending down and he brought water up splashing me in the face.

Smiling I stopped and threw water back. It was moments like these I loved. Everything was broken down, no walls separated us. I could see Alec as he stood in the water trying to soak me with the salty sea, his face excited, I knew he was enjoying the moment as much as me.