The next night turned out to be much better than the night before. I never thought it would. Of course Annie hadn't shown up in my cabin again so I told Jim, Ben and Liza to bring all the food and the wine back to the kitchen. We were all sitting on barrels, boxes or at the ground, eating, singing and the Rum was flowing like a river after a snowmelt. Annie sat with Liza and Nate, far away from me, but we were together somehow, that was all I wanted. She couldn't sing, by the way, started giggling when she missed a note from time to time. Sometimes our eyes met and I remembered how her skin tasted. And one time I winked at her, she smiled and hold me in her gaze for a while. When we were drunk enough Ugly Pete grabbed his guitar and some guys started to dance. So, Liza danced with Nate, Annie with Jim but he quit after a short time. She asked Ben. He protested that he wasn't a dancer, sweet Annie pouted. Dammit, this was cute! I shouted: „I'd dance with you but I am not allowed to touch you."

Her gaze was heaven, too. For a second. Then, coldness again. I understood. Ben was only a boy, he wouldn't be a danger for her and so would old men like Jim. I was danger. I wondered if she really had been in love with Drew or if he forced her to marry him, like her father forced her. I winced. Her father! I was pretty sure that in the kitchen she was about to tell me that he raped her, too. He liked young girls, when she came back from the convent she must 've been a beautiful teen, I imagined. I got sick and was deeply in thoughts that I didn't realize the girl I dreamed about was standing right in front of me. Annie hit me on my shoulder, hard. As if I was her big buddy!

„C'mon, Redby. I know a dance without touching!" she babbled and I could tell she was drunk as hell!

Not the best thing to do after a night like yesterday! She reached out her hand and I took it without hesitation. Let her drag me upright and stumbled after her to our improvised dancing area. The Rum! But Rum never kept me from dancing like a loon. And the best of it was Annie's happy face, she couldn't stop laughing at me. She tried to keep me steady couple of times till I fell on my behind.

„Oh Captain, my Captain!" Jim laughed. „You're drunk like a sailor."

„What's about it? He is a sailor?" a guy with big front teeth asked bewildered and now everybody laughed.

My Annie had tears in her eyes. She reached out her hand to me, but when I grabbed it, she faltered and fell on me which made the crew burst out in laughter again. Now I tried to help her up, but suddenly we were lying in a knot of arms and legs and fabric. Her skirt in my face, she tried to free herself from my belt which she got hooked on somehow. I heard a ripping sound and suddenly Annie turned into a beast. She gnarled like the lions did and pushed me hard, then she crawled away from me. I saw her stockings lying at my lap. Uh. Quickly I managed to put them into my pocket before anyone could see it. I looked out for Annie and saw her entering the closet I found the potions in. I got up, shoved the dancing guys who were jumping around like maniacs besides and followed her. The closet was so small you could hardly move. There was a bunk in it and a chest were Annie stuck her head in.

„Do...you live here?" I mumbled.

She turned around in shock. Then she realized the open door, that she wasn't alone with me and breathed out in relief. She replied: „I do. Now will you...I'm sick. Like, really...dammit..."

She threw up, directly into the chest. Which carried her clothes, I spied. Then good ol Annie passed out, again. I took her to the captain's cabin, put her to bed and left. The fresh air on deck was helpful, as always, I collected some water in a large tub and heated it. Then I put her clothes in it and washed them, hung them on deck and looked after Annie again. She slept, peacefully. I returned to the party but without her the fun was soon gone. So I checked the steersman and the course, told anyone to end the party in time for we would reach the Oranje Islands in the morning. I lied down in Annie's closet. Tomorrow I would tell her to change rooms. I'd rather be with her, but it was better to leave her the space she needed.

I dreamed of Annie. She saved me from drowning by giving me a long kiss of life. When I woke up from a loud noise I realized I was holding her blouse in my arms. I smiled and cuddled it. Then I scolded myself for behaving like a retarded ape! Got up and opened the door. Half of the crew were still on the ground. Nate tried to climb over them to fix porridge on the stove, while Liza was cleaning up. I helped her without talking, which was rare, and then I looked for Annie. She was still sleeping. So next on my list was feeding the lions which seemed to be calmed down since they eat regularly. I thought about climbing down, but Ben begged me to leave it.

„Morning!" I hear Annie behind me.

I turned around and smiled. She smiled back! And she said softly:

„Thank you for caring for me, again. Although it's a little awkward that everybody can see my underwear fluttering in the wind, but thanks for doin' my laundry, too."

„You're mostly welcome."

„Where did you sleep?"

„In the closet. Let's change our rooms, Annie. The captain's cabin is more suitable for you."

„Why?" she asked upset. „Because I am a woman and therefore too weak to sleep on a bunk?"

I sighed.

„No, because you are the boss, Mrs. van Noort."

„Don't call me that. I'd rather be called whore for a lifetime."

„So, what's your answer?"

She looked at Ben, who was still with us. I gestured him to go away and he did. After he was out of earshot, Annie started: „I will think about it and tell you later. But...can you...help me with...the ointment again? It hurts so bad..." she ended moaning.

„Are you sure?" I asked in a serious tone.

„I don't know. But Liza still refuses to do it, I don't want to ask..this boy over there, and neither Jim. You are used to my naked body already."

„That doesn't mean I can resist it." I breathed.

Now her eyes widened, again.

„I like you very much, Annie, more than I wanted to. But I swear to you that I will never do something against your will. If you don't want me, shall it be so." I sighed. „Then I'd stay your friend."

She blinked.

„And... if I wanted you too?" she whispered.

„Then you can have me. To be whatever you need. But...you don't have to decide now, just let us hunt your Ex down and let's see what happens."

„Maybe one of us won't...ah, look, there's Oranje Bay! Another half hour to go, and we're home," she sighed.

Then she laughed out cynically.

„Did I say home? This isn't my home anymore since I found Rhea slaughtered in our small hut. Do you have a home?" she asked.

I shook my head.

„Not really. The sea is my home." I smiled.

She nodded.

„There's so much I'd like to know about you. Will you come to your cabin with me and tell me? And put on the lotion? Is it...okay?" she asked, quite shyly.

„It is. But...I thought you didn't care?" I grinned and started walking.

„Clair didn't care. Annie does," she mumbled behind me.

„Redby does, too."

„By the way, is this your only name?"

„No. My parents called me Thomas. Thomas Redby."

„I like it."

Again I opened the door for her.

„So, you are a sailor, but you have freakin' good manners. How come?" she giggled.

„My sisters tought me. When I behaved badly, they beat me up," I blinked.

She hissed: „Violence has nothing to do with teaching. I...can tell."

„Annie...yesterday you wanted to say something in the kitchen when we have been interrupted. Was it that your father abused you as a child?"

„Sorry, but today we're talking about you!" she replied vigorously.

She started taking her clothes off, like yesterday. But she placed herself on her front on the bed. I crawled next to her and dipped my fingers in the lotion. Tenderly I let my fingertips run over the wounds and she sighed in contentment.

„Tell me, Thomas," she demanded.

„What?"

„Everything. How many people have you killed?"

„Didn't count them. But I should have killed more."

„Why? You can... go there, it's okay," she whispered.

Yesterday I spared out her behind, but this time she had pulled her skirt below it. I closed my eyes to protect me from the rush of feelings that came with her nice butt exposed to me like this.

„Because..." I breathed and opened my eyes again. „There has been many other man that deserved to die. One killed my baby sister. She was only thirteen. Another fucker killed my mother after I saved her from my producer."

And yes, just talking about it distracted me from getting aroused. I gave some ointment on her butt and shivered. This must hurt! She winced.

„I'm sorry..." I whisper. „I better stop."

„No...please don't. It was just the first touch, now it's better. Go on."

„With creaming?"

„No. You know what I want."

„Breakfast?"

„You're a funny kid, Thomas. Okay...why have you been in father's dungeon?"

I laughed.

„Oh, this. It was bad luck. You know, the trick always worked until I met your father. I used to hide on ships, when they detected me far out on the sea they would find out that I was a hard working guy and let me stay. On one ship I even made it to chief mate. Your father was the first who put me in jail without hearing me out."

„He trusted no one. I bet he thought you were my accomplice. Or a spy of Drew."

„Maybe. Or he wanted me to be lion's food."

„Hm. Have you been in love, Thomas?"

I knew this would come up. I sighed.

„C'mon, you know about my love life!" she giggled.

„I know that you're married, but not if you have been in love with him, or anyone else."

„I fancied...Drew a great deal. Just imagine, young, free minded Annie on a ship to England to marry an old General who's picture alone caused her nightmares after her father...took her virginity forcefully. But then HE appeared. Golden hair, a smile that brings dead people back to life. A smile like yours, by the way. Drew would treat me like a princess, even though I never looked like one with my grey hair, father said, he had to pay double because every man was afraid of me. Drew wasn't. But it was all calculation, he knew father would never conceded to his demand. After we married Drew would change, he said he would never touch me again because I was smutted by someone else and I disgusted him. He...had a mistress. Fortunately, father stayed away from me, too. But I cried a lot, I missed my husband who turned out to be so cold."

„But five years later you got pregnant?" I wondered, still caressing her softly.

„Yes, because...ah, can you scratch there, please? Hm. Thank you. Drew would be drunk many times and father scolded him. He threw Drew's hussy out and would tell him to be a better husband. So Drew tried. By taking me every night, mostly against my will."

„Have you ever had a guy who wasn't an asshole?"

„The only guy who tried to be on my side is Jim. I know him since forever. But...now it's your turn to tell."

„So you never loved?"

„A man. I love Clair and I loved my auntie. She was really weird...she said spirits of the sea would talk to her," she giggled. „But she loved me, too, and most of all she adored Clair. She always called her „Clair de lune" although I compared my daughter to the sun, she looked...looks...like her father."

I sighed.

„"Clair de lune..." oh, I love this poem! I don't understand it, but...there was this french whore who recited it for me every night, I could have listened to her for hours!" I swooned.

Annie giggled and began to recite:

Votre âme est un paysage choisi

Que vont charmant masques et bergamasques

Jouant du luth et dansant et quasi

Tristes sous leurs déguisements fantasques.

Tout en chantant sur le mode mineur

L'amour vainqueur et la vie opportune

Ils n'ont pas l'air de croire à leur bonheur

Et leur chanson se mêle au clair de lune,

Au calme clair de lune triste et beau,

Qui fait rêver les oiseaux dans les arbres

Et sangloter d'extase les jets d'eau,

Les grands jets d'eau sveltes parmi les marbres.*

My eyes were closed. Annie's voice was sweet and soft and if I hadn't already been in love, I would have fallen for her in this very moment. My hand was still on her back. We were quiet. Then, a knock at the door.

„Sir, we're landing in ten minutes," Jim yelled.

I wonder why he didn't come in like yesterday. Maybe he sensed that Annie and I shared an intimate moment. I answered: „I'll be right there."

Annie turned around and so my hand slipped on her breast without purpose. Quickly I withdrew. But her glance was so sweet I could not resist to nudge my nose on her's. She didn't move. I didn't move. But then she whispered: „Jim's waiting. And I am too, for the answer. You owe me one, Thomas."

„Count it number three. On our what- we- have- in- common list," I replied and kissed her nose.

She giggled.

„What are the other two?"

„Both of us lost our mothers early. Both of us killed our fathers. And we never loved, except each other."

She looked at me, shocked. Jim knocked again.

„Sir?"

„Yes, I'm coming, dammit!" I hissed and got up.

Annie too. She put on her clothes slowly, as if she was in a state of hypnosis. Before I opened the door she mumbled: „Clair will always be my number one."

I turned around and smiled.

„I know. It doesn't matter. As long as I can be number two. But not on your asshole- list, please."

„Oh, that's up to you!" she winked.

I heard Jim coughing and left. Annie followed me a few minutes later and we both tried to pretend nothing happened between us. She collected her laundry and took it to the closet, I told the boy to bring her stuff in the captain's cabin and he grinned.

„Because I'm going to sleep in your room to watch over you!" I laughed. „Roger, how is it goin', old boy?"

„What?"

„Nothing. Oh, is this the island where Annie lived?" I shouted out in excitement.

Heavens, my endorphins were throwing a party!

„It is, Captain." Annie, who got back quickly, answered. „Look at the colorful flora! At this time of the year the island blooms. It was..." she stopped and sighed.

We were looking at each other. Then the bells chimed loudly.

„Pirates! They were hiding behind that rock. Dammit!" the man in the crow's nest screamed.

Annie climbed on a yardarm and looked through her binoculars.

„This is not Drew's ship! It's a black galleon, looks...creepy." Annie told us.

I jumped next to her. Looked at the ship as well.

„What the fuck...she really exists!" I beamed.

„You know them?"

„I...I thought he was lying. I met a strange guy the other day in the whorehouse who told me there was a galleon called „The Black Pearl" which was all black and the captain named..."

„Jack Sparrow! I know, those are the stories mother's tell their kids when they want you to behave! „Jack's going to get you if you don't stop reading now!"" Annie giggled.

How could she? But the Black Pearl did nothing. She even seemed to have stopped. Left from us the jetty of the paradise island was waiting, on the right the ghost ship. I heard a lion whining and got goosebumps all over.

„What are we doing now, Captain?" Annie whispered.

„We're landing. And see what happens. Roger, set for the jetty."

„But, Sir..." Jim said worried. „Shouldn't we try to escape as long as we can?"

„You see it, we can't," I sighed.

„And I have to take a look if Drew left a note. Times running out!" Annie states and soon she jumped from the yard, headed towards the gangway.

„Wait! You can't go alone!" I yelled while helping with the sails.

„Of course I can! Keep an eye on the Countess, I will be back soon." she replied and ran down the gangway.

But I was worried. The Black Pearl didn't move, still.

„Can you see something?" I yelled at the second mate in the crow's nest.

„Nope. It seems as if the ship is unstaffed."

„It's not possible. There must be..."

„Captain! They're taking aim!"

„To the arms! Now!" I yell. 

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*Paul Verlaine : Clair de lune, 1869

Your soul is a delicate landscape

Where roam charming masks and bergamasques

Playing the lute and dancing and seeming almost

Sad under their whimsical disguises.

While singing in a minor key

Of victorious love and easy life

They don't seem to believe in their happiness

And their song mingles with the moonlight,

With the sad and beautiful moonlight,

Which makes the birds in the trees dream

And sob with ecstasy the water streams,

The great slim water streams among the marbles.