The Empress of the Seas

Emma’s P.O.V.

I woke the next day with a light pain in my head. Sitting up slowly, last nights events flooded into my mind. I remember seeing Jack but after that everything was blank. Looking around, I saw I was in the familiar house on Chestnut Road. Across the room, the little boy was sitting on the floor playing tug of war with Princess. He turned when he heard me stir and ran to me, the puppy right behind him.

“Mommy!” he yelled and I pulled him close into a hug.

“How are ye doing? I want to know everything, oh god I missed you.” I told him and he wanted to know if he could come with me this time. “Now ye know what I always say…”

“That it’s too dangerous and that ye would never let me get hurt…” he said like he heard it so many times before.

I looked up when I saw Jack walk into the room before turning back to my son. “I’ll think about it, now go play with Princess outside. She needs exercise.” He smiled brightly and picked up the puppy, running out the door.

After watching him leave I looked back to Jack, not sure of what to expect. He looked as if he didn’t know what to say. Almost reluctantly he pulled a chair up to the bed and sat down.

“His name’s Kyle.” I said quietly after a minute of silence.

“After your dad…?”

“Yeah…” he looked puzzled. “What is it?”

“I just can’t believe you didn’t teach him anything.”

I was almost offended. “What?”

“I mean I understand wanting to see his mom but even after he calmed down he didn’t even question who I was. The most he did was glance at me… and smile. He smiled like he knew something I didn’t.” he kind of seemed paranoid and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“That’s because he does.” He starred at me waiting to explain. “Don’t blame me or anybody else, ok? We didn’t tell him anything. He likes to solve puzzles and trust me, he knows more about you then you do.” I smirked but he was still confused.

We were silent for a few more minutes before he just couldn’t help but ask: “Who’s the dad?”

I looked at him blankly. It’s not that I wasn’t expecting him not ask, because I was, I just still wasn’t sure what to tell him. “I… have an idea, but nothing certain.” I looked towards the foot of my bed. I didn’t lie to him, I wasn’t certain who the dad was, and yet it felt as though I’ve known forever.

“Does he know?” My eyes shot back up to him.

“Yeah… yeah, he knows.”

Just then there was pounding on the door. The person was cursing slightly under their breath and tried to force the door open. Jack got up and opened the door only slightly to see who it was.

The girl who seemed the same age and height as me. She dark brown, curly hair was very messy and her dark green dress would have looked beautiful if it wasn’t wrinkled and falling off her shoulder. Her dark make up was smudged all over her face.

“Who the hell are you?!” She yelled sounding very pissed off. “Let me in my fucking house! Then you can explain why you’re here in the first place and I might consider not kicking your ass!” I laughed when I heard he voice.

“Jack, let the whore in.” he was confused but reluctantly opened the door the rest of the way. She stormed past him and threw a small bag on the table before turning to me.

“That’s not funny,” she glared at me before she realized who she was talking to. “Emma! What are you doing here?!” she ran over to me, jumping on the bed and giving me such a tight hug I could barely breathe.

I couldn’t help but smile at my friends embrace but made her let go before I spoke. “Come on Crystal, can’t I come and visit a friend?” I asked sheepishly. But she glared at me.

“Yes but you usually don’t have some guy-” she stopped and looked over to Jack, immediately recognizing him. “Why is he here? More importantly guarding you- No! Emma I told you about getting drunk when you were alone! What, did you tell him you could come here then pass out?” her arms were crossed.

“No…” I spoke quietly.

“Then what are ye gonna tell me? Ye got drunk, some guy tried to rape you, and he came to your rescue?!” I simply looked into her eyes, slightly scared on remembering what happened the night before and her face fell. “Oh my god…”

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Jack reaching for the pouch on the table. “Jack!” I yelled and he grabbed his hand back.

“I just wanted to know what was in it!” he defended himself and Crystal jumped up and snatched the bag, stuffing it down her dress. “That’s not a very safe place to keep things,” Jack said, eyeing her eagerly.

“Jack, I said no whores!”

“But she already knows I’m here!” he said taking a step towards her.

“True but she won’t give ye any service once she knows ye are broke!”

Crystal, who had her arms around his neck, stopped at those words. “See ya,” she said and walked back over to me.

“That was not very nice,” Jack glared at me. I smiled.

“Serves ye right.”

After a while, Crystal started to make us some kind of meal with the food she had and Kyle came back inside with Princess who quickly jumped on my lap. When night fell, Crystal went into the back room to sleep while Kyle, Princess, and me curled up on the bed in the main room. I felt bad for Jack though, who had to sleep in a chair at the table.

Morning came quickly and Jack went out to find the crew. Kyle sat on the floor, feeding Princess some scraps of food.

“Where do ye think ye are going?” I asked Crystal when I caught her running to the door.

“Where do ye think I’m going?”

“Oh no, ye are not going to that filthy place ever again!” I commanded.

“What are you talking about? You know I have to go, I need the money and-”

“Ye won’t be needing any money where ye are going.” I smiled and Kyle lifted his head.

“We’re coming with ye?!” he shouted happily running over to me.

“That’s right,” I ruffled his long, dark brown hair. “So go get your things, we’ll be leaving soon.” He was so excited he sprinted to the back room and I turned to Crystal.

“Emma…” she could barely speak; it was as if someone had just lifted an enormous weight from her shoulders.

I smiled at my close friend. “I told ye I would get ye out of this.”

Tears forming in her eyes, she ran over to me and hugged me. Never again would she have to listen to her alcoholic boss. Never again would she have to listen to drunken bustards. Never again would she have to do her disgusting job in order to put food on the table.

“But… but what about Kyle. Ye can’t bring him on a pirate ship, he’s still too young.” she pulled away, wiping her eyes.

“Do ye think I would ever take ye guys if I couldn’t protect ye?! Besides, I may not know exactly, but Kyle does. He knows it’s safe otherwise I don’t think he’d want to go.” She laughed slightly, still wiping her eyes.

“And Jack?”

“Have ye ever known me to not get what I want?”