I sit in the room for what seems like hours, listening to the clinks of the medicine as the ship moves over the waves. I hear footsteps walking above me, and voices— so many voices.

I've been eyeing those medicines I've been left alone with for a while. Biting my lip, I debate whether I want to go through with this reckless plan or not; one wrong move and I'm dead.

It's not a good one, but it's the only one I've got.

I quietly move the sheets over and place my feet on the floor, pausing to make sure no one was listening in on me. As soon as I feel like I'm safe, I walk over to the jars and bottles and begin reading the hand-written labels.

Kirkland poisoned me with White Baneberry.

I search through the glass containers, careful to not make too much noise, until I come across one labeled W. Baneberry, in scratchy handwriting. The red stem adorned multiple white berries, all with a black spot at the end. I open the jar and take a few, stuffing them gently in my pocket before making my way back to the bed. As soon as I sit down, a quiet knock sounds from the door. "Ma'am? Are you decent?" I hesitant voice calls through the wood.

I clear my throat, "C-Come in."

The door slowly opens, and a man with long blonde hair and soft purple eyes smiles at me, one hand holding a tray of food out to me. "Toby told me you haven't eaten a proper meal since you've been here, so I cooked something up for you."

As I take in the smell of the food wafting through the doorway, my stomach growls; I hadn't realized I was hungry until now. I take the tray and begin eating without resistance. After a few bites, I notice he still hasn't left the room. He seems to notice my gaze and he runs a hand through his hair. "I-I'm sorry, I don't mean to intrude, but," he points at the back of his head, "Does it still hurt?" I cock my head as I look at him in confusion. He looks somewhat uncomfortable and disappointed in himself as he whispers, "I-I hit you in the back of the head..."

I furrow my brows as I remember that fight with the Quarter Master; I had almost completely forgotten about it. I slowly start to recall the conversations I overheard after I was struck, and the voice of the man who was originally carrying me back to the ship. "You're Matthew."

His eyes light up, "Yes! I wasn't sure if you'd know my name, you were, um, unconscious. I'm sorry about that. I wish we had met under better circumstances."

Though I don't trust him, I let me guard down, just slightly. I can tell by the way he talks alone that he isn't a true pirate; he's no killer.

We don't say anything for a while; he had taken out a notebook and started drawing in it— he seems to just be keeping me company. Just as I swallow the last bite, Matthew stands and bows his head to me slightly before turning to the door, "I'm sorry you've been in here so long. I'm sure Captain will have you moved shortly."

Just the mention of that man leaves a nasty taste in my mouth. I watch as Matthew closes the door softly behind him, and I open my pocket to make sure the berries were still intact. After confirming that were the case, I set the empty tray aside aside and start mentally preparing myself.

I'm not going to wait for Kirkland to do what he pleases with me. I need to find a way out of here.

I reach down into my boot and smirk; they hadn't found the dagger I placed there days before. I step over to the door and pull it open, peeking my head out, turning to look down each side of the hallway. I take a moment to ensure it's empty before stepping out. Taking in my surroundings, I notice all of the doors lining the hallway were closed; no telling what could be behind them. The one at the end of the hallway, however, wore the Captain's hat. I creep over to it, careful not to make a sound.

I hadn't made it too far before a voice stops me in my tracks. "What are you doing?" I jolt around to find Toby standing by the open door to the infirmary, a confused look on his face.

"I-I was searching for a way to the deck," I groan, clutching my stomach, "I'm starting to feel seasick again."

He walks into the infirmary, "I suppose that ginger root must've worn off by now." I hear him rummaging through the medicine before running back out and over to me, another disc of the yellow ginger root in his hand. "Here you are." I scarf it down, half to keep my lie going, half to just get it over with. He rubs my back, leaning over slightly to look at me. "I'll show you to the deck." He wraps his arm around my shoulder, and starts leading me in the other direction. Discreetly peeking over my shoulder, I stare daggers into the hat hanging on the door at the end of the hallway.

As Toby gently leads me up the stairs, two men just a few stairs above us hold their hands up, stopping us. "Hand over the girl," one demands, pointing at me.

I feel the Doctor tighten his grip on my shoulder, "She is feeling unwell. I'm bringing her to the deck to get some fresh air."

"Captain's orders," the other smirks down at us.

"As the doctor of the Siren, I am going to have to refuse."

"You're the First Mate before you're the doctor, Toby. Your loyalty to the Captain comes first." I hear a familiar voice call from behind them. I look past the men and see a set of blue eyes.

Those god-awful blue eyes.

Without thinking, I break from Toby's grip and lunge at the Quarter Master, pushing my way past the two men on the stairs. His crazed eyes reflect the low light of the setting sun as he taunts me, and I take the dagger from my boot, cutting at him. He avoids my attack, awkwardly pulling out the sword from its resting place on his hip.

His movements are slower and less precise than I remember.

As he swipes at me in response, I notice the loose end of a cloth bandage peeking out from under the right side of his shirt.

I wounded him during our fight in the shop!!

He has the upper hand as his weapon provides more reach, but knowing he's fighting with his non-dominant hand gives me a chance. I use this to my advantage and focus my attacks at his right side. As I mercilessly strike at him, his sloppy blocks and counters slow, and I see his confidence begin to fade. "H-Hey!"

My eyes lower from his to stare at his shoulder, and just as I swing my knife down to reopen the wound, a large hand cuts in and grabs my wrist, squeezing so hard I feel my bones separating, and I drop the dagger. Before I even have a chance to face the person defending the Quarter Master, I'm on the ground, the man holding both my arms behind my back with one hand, the other pushing my face into the floorboards. "This beaut causin' ya trouble, Alfred?" A voice teases casually, unbefitting of the situation.

"Nah, I'm just wounded from the last raid," Alfred shoots back defensively.

"Hey," A short man with long brown hair peers down at me and smirks at him, "Isn't this the girl who wounded you?"

As they bicker amongst themselves, I manage to bite the thumb of the man holding me down. "Oi, you little shit!" He rips his thumb from my mouth, the metallic taste of blood lingering where it once was.

"What the hell are you lot doing?" The snarl comes from across the ship, and I see Kirkland walking towards me, annoyed.

"Kirkland," I growl under my breath.

His men pull me to my feet and tie my hands behind my back. I watch as he marches right up to Alfred, grabbing him by the collar and lifting him off the ground. "You seem to have a difficult time following simple bloody orders, boy."

"S-Sorry, Captain! She came at me!" The Quarter Master squeezes his eyes shut in fear.

Kirkland holds the trembling man there for a second before setting him back down and staring him dead in the eye, "I expect nothing less than your best behavior for the rest of this journey. Do you understand me?"

"Aye, Captain!" With his hand to his brow, Alfred smiles brightly at his Captain; the fear seemingly melting away the second his boots hit the floorboards.

"And you," Kirkland turns his attention and threatening growl to Toby, "Why is she out of the infirmary?"

"She wasn't feeling well," he responds, unfazed by the Captain's sudden aggression. "She needed some fresh air."

My heart pounds as I watch the two of them stare at each other, a look of rage on Kirkland's face, a blank stare on Toby's. Just as I think the blonde is going to attack Doctor, I watch as the furrow in his thick brows soften, and he sighs, "Very well." Toby nods in respect, and Kirkland turns to me, reaching around and grabbing the rope tying my hands. I jerk away, "Don't touch me."

"Feisty little bugger." The men snicker amongst themselves as the Captain holds his arms out, gesturing to me like I'm nothing but a joke.

I huff in annoyance; nobody here takes me seriously. "How about a duel?"

Kirkland stops his laughing and raises an eyebrow, "Confident now, are we?"

"I've got nothing else to lose." Out of my peripheral, I spot a dinghy hanging over the side of the boat, and motion towards it with a nod. "If I win, you give me that boat and let me go."

He taps his chin for a moment, and responds with a cocky tone, "Deal."

I turn so my back is to him, and I open and close my hands, "Now cut the ropes."

He rolls his eyes and wags his finger to the tall man from before, "Jack, cut her restraints. You shall also act as Master of Arms."

"Aye, Cap'n," The man nods and uses my dagger to cut the ropes. I rub my wrists which were now sore and raw from the rubbing friction of the ties.

"What's your weapon of choice?" Kirkland asks, and all of his men hold out their strange array of weapons ranging from a pistol to a kusarigama.

"I will allow the Challenged to choose."

"A sword it is then," he snaps his fingers and the man holding the sword places the hilt in my hand. It's the most basic weapon on board, but I know he chose it on purpose.

Alfred's twisted grin says it all.

In an attempt to intimidate and feign confidence, I place my free hand on my hip, and rest the sword on my shoulder, just like Mo did when I first met her. The Pirate King raises an eyebrow at me, seemingly recognizing the stance, and unsheathes his own sword. He walks the few steps to meet me, closing the distance, nothing but the acting Master of Arms between us. He takes a breath and begins to explain the protocol. "You'll begin the duel back to back, and on my count, you will each take ten paces forward. "Makin' sense so far?" We both nod in response. "Perfect," he gives me a thumbs up, "To continue the rules, there will be no slashing, kicking, punching, thwacking-"

"Just get on with it already, Jack!" The man with the long dark hair yells at him impatiently, arms crossed across his chest.

"Shut up, Leon!" He barks back at him. He shakes his head and looks to Toby, "Doctor ready, on stand by?" The dirty blonde nods curtly. "Good. Begin your steps! One, two, three..."

A bead of sweat rolls down my forehead.

Kirkland was able to beat Mo with ease without breaking a sweat. He is a brutal warrior.

"...Eight, nine, ten!"

Fight or die, (Name).

I turn and run towards the Captain. He stands in place, jumping out of the way as my blade just about pierces his stomach. He retreats slightly, using an empty fade to counter with a downward swing of his sword. I advance and deflect it to my right side, bringing my weapon back up on the left, ready to swing at him again. He pivots, narrowly avoiding the edge of my blade. "You're on the defensive," I sneer at him.

"And you haven't landed a single hit on me," he smiles back.

I grit my teeth and tighten my grip on the hilt, and I stand front guard, holding my blade in the middle of my view, splitting my image of Kirkland in half. He finally takes initiative and lunges at me, the point of his sword barreling towards my thigh. I pass back, moving my front foot behind me just in time, and as Kirkland moves past me, I take the pommel of my weapon and jab it into his back as hard as I can. He drops to one knee, and I feel that same large hand from before grab my wrist and wrestle the sword out of my grasp. Two more men rush up and hold my arms behind my back. "Unhand me, now!"

"I do believe that hit counts as a thwack," Jack shakes his head at me, obviously disappointed in my performance. "You get a ten second stand-still penalty." My heart sinks into my stomach as I watch a devious smile spread across the Captain's face. "Alright, Captain!" Jack says, "Your time starts..."

H-He's going to kill me!

"NOW!"