A/N: I’m not one to put these up, but it’s necessary. :P A while ago, I edited Capítulo Tres and changed a few things, mainly Paolo’s age. He was a child in the last chapter, but I changed his age to be about 13-15. If you’d like, reread the last chapter and it’ll make more sense. Well, that’s all, sorry for the mix up! 

                                                     Capítulo Cuatro

                                   “Es mejor morir de pie que vivir de rodillas.”

                           -It’s better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.-

                                                                                     — Emiliano Zapata

            I felt my hand twisting on its own, my grip tightening around the door knob. I pushed a little. The door creaked open and I found myself still. The odd sound kept me glued to my spot in front of the door. I couldn’t – wouldn’t – move until I heard something. An eerie growl emitted from his room.

            “P-papa?” I called out to him. No answer. The light may have been bright on the other side, but I felt the chill permeating the room. The fear was primal; I knew something was very out of place. My father was not in this room. The hairs on my nape stood from my terrified form. I trembled, not ready to face this, but face it, I must.  

            My breathing escaped in little pants, afraid what I’d find on the other side. It took everything I had not to go back and bury myself under the covers of my bed. All I needed to do was force my short little legs to stand in my father’s quarters and I’d be in his territory.

            The territory he warned me not to get close to.

            I pounced on him, squeezing the daylights out of him, giving him a bear hug. I enveloped his lanky build into my lean one; bringing him in as a fly falling prey into a Venus flytrap.  Por Dios! He may be getting taller, but this boy needed more meat on his bones. What was Cook feeding this lad? I made a note to increase our food earnings when we were out raiding.

            “Um. Cap’n? Could you let me go? It’s kinda getting harder to breathe.” Paolo choked out his words, his face turning bluer than his eyes.

            “Ay, perdon, lad. I couldn’t help myself.” He squirmed under my hold. I set him down back in his seat, brushing his clothes off as if there were dirt on it. My face lit up with excitement. We finally have a lead to where the blasted thing could be and it’s all thanks to this smart little man here. People thought I was crazy, giving him the role of navigator, but my instincts were never wrong. I reminded myself to give him a reward later. Accessibility to my secret stash of rum it is!

            “Gracias.” He massaged his throat, composing himself before continuing. “Now, as I was saying. Slaymaker has been sabotaging our raids for one reason and one reason only.” His eyes narrowed into slits, his tone darkening. “He wants to build up his little pathetic army of Navy men and overthrow the current Captain of the Navy, like that will do him any good.” He rolled his eyes.

            I nodded, sitting back down on my chair, my mouth turning into a grim line. In our last little encounter, he stated who exactly he wanted to betray.

            "No, you’re coming with me, once and for all. Then, I’ll be promoted to Captain instead of him." 

            Slaymaker finally snapped and was going after the higher ups. I commended him for his bravery, but there was no crossing them.  It took skill to fool these bastards, I gave them that much. They’d tear the poor man to pieces without as much as another thought. What comradery the Navy displayed.

            My eyes flashed, jaw tensing. Cobardes. My hands twitched for my sword. In due time, Imelda, I thought to myself.

            “Captain,” Fe said, slowly, bringing me out of those memories. “We need to sail, now.” She glanced towards Paolo’s direction, then back at me. “Paolo is very keen on these things. Slaymaker won’t hesitate the next time he gets his hands on you and you know that. Who knows when he’ll strike again?” Her eyes narrowed.

            I ignored her little input. Of course, I knew my head was in high demand by the Navy. Countless years of battling with them, the Pyrate race versus the blasted Navy, made a girl crazy for blood.

            Navy blood, preferably.

            “But, there’s just something that doesn’t sit well with me.” I ran my hand through my long dark hair, occasionally combing it with my fingers. It eased my tension. “How did Slaymaker know our whereabouts? How did he happen to be there at every single raid?” The thought hit me. The bastard was up to no good or he was doing anything and everything in his power to make sure I was having a hard time.

            My jaw ticked, and I slammed my fists on my desk. He destroyed La Cuerva, my outlet and sanctuary to vent, by interrupting it with his act he thought to be justice. I would kill him any chance I got.

            “¿Sabes que? Let him come onto my ship. I’ll be waiting with my sword here, ready to pierce him right here.” I brought my finger up to my chest, next to where my heart was, crossing it like an x. After all, x marked the spot.

            Paolo glanced at the map, his eyes focusing on that one location we needed to be, right now. “Ay, Cap’n, Fe is right, the longer we wait, the more danger we’ll have to face on the ‘morrow.”

            I smirked. “Danger. Peligro. We need more of that. I stand by what I said, we won’t sail until dawn. Besides, I owe this to my crew.” I looked towards the door, hearing the motion of glasses clinking and music drowning out endless chatter.

            “Paolo,” I tapped on the map. “If we did sail tonight, how long would it take us to get there?” It didn’t take long until another plan of action had my gears grinding for the next big move.

            Paolo took a moment before answering me. “That’s the problem Cap’n. I don’t have the right estimate. It may take days, years, even decades until we get to our destination. One can only hope the map is right, you know how…complex it is when it comes to myths and legends. We only have those to base off of.”

            I waved my hand. “Si, si. I know, but not many people believe in the supernatural. They’d think we’re crazy and finally gone loco. But, not me,” I smiled. “I’ll believe it once I see it. I have my ways after all.”

            Fe walked up to me, ready to convince me further, but a knock stopped her on her tracks.

            “¡Adelante!” I yelled. Fe stayed at her spot, glaring at the door. I smirked. I wouldn’t want to be that door at that moment. If looks could kill, they’d be dead by her death glare.

            A crew member came staggering in and he came bearing gifts. “Cap’n Zea! Come out and join us in the fun! It’s not fair that your crew gets to relax and wind down.” He hiccupped, handing me the empty bottle of rum. “We want you to sing for us! ¡Cantar! ¡Cantar!” he cheered.

            I chuckled, accepting the bottle and his attempt to kiss my ass. I looked to Fe and Paolo. “Well, crew, let’s go out there and join this party. Vamonos!” I wagged my eyebrows, particularly at the scowling Fe.

            She was the first one out the door. Oh, boy, was she angry.

            I shrugged her off and walked out onto La Marcelina de la Luz, with Paolo at my side, his stride matching mine. The mist gave my ship a ghostly like feel to it. I observed the waters around the vessel; the waves running chills through my body elevated my mood.

            I passed by the hundreds that resided on my ship, occasionally acknowledging them with a nod or smirk. They never failed to entertain me with their reactions. Some went about their business and most ogled, watching my next move. The veterans acted like old friends, the newbies weren’t at that level yet. But, they’ll learn the hard way. That is how everyone on La Marcelina grew into a full-fledged scallywag.  

            I made my way onto the stern castle deck – only moments ago I stood there teaching my crew who was the Leader of the Zea. The musicians of my ship had a habit of gathering there and using it as their stage. They performed there whenever they had the opportunity.

            I could hear the band play and harmonize to a melancholy tune. I closed my eyes and basked in the way their voices caressed my ears. Each thrum their fingers made on their guitar strings had me trembling in delight.

            As I got near, I cleared my throat, preparing myself. They looked at me, excitement in their eyes, the notes transitioning into our song, our way of life. I smirked before performing. This was always my favorite part of the night.

            Hoy es el momento de actuar.

            -Today is the time to act.-

            Hoy es el momento de atacar.

            -Today is the time to attack.-

            Y, atacarnos, Pyrates, maldito error tonto.

            -And, attack us, Pyrates, foolish mistake.-

            Hoy es el momento de la venganza.

            -Today is the time for vengeance.-

            Para todos aquellos que nos hacen daños.

            -For all those, who done us wrong.-

            Pero aquí estoy, con la espada en la mano.

            -But, here I am, with a sword in hand.-

            Tú cabeza en el suelo rodó.

            -Your head on the ground, it rolled.-

            I ended it with an everlasting smile on my face, nodding in approval to no one, but myself. That’s how it’s done, I thought. Soon, this song would become a reality. And, I was one excited Pyrate.

            “Captain!” a voice spoke up from the silence, I realized had been there for a while.

            Fe. 

            I turned towards her, opening my mouth for an explanation, but the expression on her face silenced me.

            She was running full force towards me, looking like she was ready for a brawl. I didn’t know what to do at that exact moment. I stood there, shocked and frozen – betrayal etching itself on my features.

            Eventually, I changed my stance into one ready to strike. The song was fulfilling itself sooner than I thought. This wasn’t supposed to happen between comrades.

            “Fe!” I scowled, readying myself for her blow. “¿Que te pasa, muchacha?” I screamed, trying to knock some sense into her.

            But, it never came.

            For the second time tonight, I was on my knees and Fe laid there next me in her own blood, her shoulder exposing a bullet wound. She was hissing in pain, moaning as the redness spread through her clothes and the floor.

            I looked up to the person responsible, but I was too late. The perpetrator regained their composure and made a run for it.  

            Foolish mistake.