Prologue

I sipped from my goblet and let the alcohol do its thing. I heaved after the alcohol hit the sweet spot. My hair's being swayed by the gust of wind. It's afternoon but I can't feel the heat because of the wind.

I stared at the vast body of water in front of me. The sound of the wave's mixing with the subtle sound of the cruise ship's machine. I can feel the humidity of the air.

The peaceful sound of the waves are soothing my ears. I closed my eyes and breathe deeply. I can feel all my body's muscle relaxed because of this ambiance.

As I opened my eyes, tears started forming and blurring my vision. I hastily drank all the alcohol remaining on my goblet. I wiped off the drips of alcohol on my lips and sighed. I just let my tears have its way down my cheeks.

I can clearly remember why, and how did I end up traveling in this grand cruise ship. A ship full of nobility.

I sneered. I can't even handle thinking about the reason why I was sent here. It makes me wanna puke.

Oh, right. I wasn't sent here. I put myself on where I am right now. This is want I want. I want to escape my shameful reality.

They say wedding day is one of the most happy and significant memory for ladies. It's supposed to be unforgettable.

Well, it is indeed unforgettable in my case. But it was not a happy and significant memory for me. I was supposed to get married. But my pussy groom messed up everything.

Imagine seeing your guy in an empty and dark hallway kissing another girl on the day of your own wedding? It's far more worst than I thought.

After I saw that scandalous scenario, I left the wedding venue. Medias are all over the place that time. They expected our wedding to be the most majestic wedding of the year, but it turns out to be the worst. They saw me escaping from my wedding day. Of course, after seeing enough of that bullshit, any bride would do so. I mean, who wouldn't? But I know, media's gossiping about it and making bullshit theories.

Only my beloved parents knew what happened that day after I explained everything to them. I told them not to spread any informations about my wedding controversy. It might not only damage my image as a person but also my father's for he is an influential man in our society, but I know that this is the right thing to do so for now.

Days after my scandalous wedding day, I told my father about my planned retreat and he gladly gave me permission to leave. As he was also protecting his image from the public, it's also an advantage for him that I'm far away from the public for now. He'll try to clear my name in a subtle way as possible.

By this time, I already know that my name's leading the newspaper's headlines.

'Tatiana Tatum stood up her groom, Marc Pilaez on their wedding day.'

'Tatiana Tatum, Governor Tatum's daughter escaped on her wedding day?'

'Controversial Wedding of the Year; Tatiana Tatum cheated on her soon to be husband Marc Pilaez.'

I just shook my head in dismay. Life's so fucked up. The supposedly victims are being targeted. Life's unfair but that makes it fair.

I was supposed to pour another cupful of alcohol unto my goblet until I realized that I just finished another bottle of alcohol. The table in front of me contains 6 empty large alcohol bottles. My vision's blurry not just because of the tears, but also because of dizziness.

"More..." I mumbled as I rested my head on the table.

I remained like that for about a minute until I decided to go and rest on my cabin. I struggled on my way back to my cabin because of the alcohol. Luckily no one is around the cruise's lounge by this time so I can screw around as much as I want. I almost gag on the cruise's carpet after a big wave approached us.

After reaching my cabin, I hurriedly jumped on my bed. There's nothing heavenly good than going to bed after a drink.

I want to sleep as early as possible to avoid overthinking but my eyes says no. I tried to keep my mind blank and think of nothing but failed. Seconds later, I just found myself crying silently.

When will this exhausting feelings go? When will I be able to move on?

I felt devastated thinking of ways to stop my emotional breakdown. I slept with tears covering my whole face.

———

I woke up feeling an extreme headache. This must be a hangover.

I stood up and went to my cabin's bathroom. I saw my face bloated because of crying. My eyes, swollen from my unstoppable crying.

I washed up my face and brushed my teeth afterwards. I also used mouthwash to eliminate the smell of alcohol from my mouth.

I felt hungry, maybe because I haven't eaten anything before I filled up my stomach with alcoholic drinks. After all, it's already eleven o'clock in the evening.

I decided to go on the cruise's dining room to eat. I haven't seen the cruise's surroundings yet because I was so preoccupied by my thoughts since I was aboard. I can just tell the service crew to bring me a meal but I think I should see some other people too instead of just being by myself always. It might help me get over my thoughts.

While walking my way towards the dining room. I noticed that it's too quiet here. It felt strange having the whole cruise silent.

I just disregarded that thought and made my way towards the dining area.

As I get closer to the room. I can hear some voices.

"Capatain Sebastian, we have gathered all the weapons." I froze. What? I think I'm hearing things.

"Put the weapons on the dock. Make it quick, the sleeping gas might wear off after a few minutes." Says by a guy with a very deep voice.

My eyes widened. Weapons?! So, I am not hearing things?!

I silently walked near the dining room's door and peered. I saw a bunch of guys wearing a very strange type of clothes. There's also a guy in front of them who looks like leading the pack.

"What about their riches, Captain Sebastian?" Someone asked holding a bunch of wealthy stuffs.

"Go fucking swallow it if you can." The guy in front which they called Sebastian answered.

I nearly let out a chuckle but I instantly hold it off.

I've got a glimpse of the guy's face called 'Sebastian'.

'Dude! He's a goddamn hottie!'

"Pirates don't ask stupid stuffs, Bob." Someone from the crowd patted the guy called 'Bob' on his back.

Pirates? Pft. I got scared for nothing. No one told me that this cruise ship had cosplay events.

I entered the room and now, I've got all their attention.

"Hi! Can I take a picture with you guys?" I touched my pocket and I realized that I left my phone on my cabin.

"Oh, wait. I forgot my phone in my room. Lemme just get it, okay?" I turned my back at them and walked towards the door.

When I'm almost at the door, two guys blocked my way. "Who says you're going away?"

I raised my eyebrows, "Uh, obviously me? Who else?" I tried passing through them but the kept their strong grip on the door.

"What the fuck?" I can't help but say.

"Mark." I heard Sebastian called.

I looked at my back and saw a guy bowing his head in front of Sebastian.

"I thought you've put a sleeping gas on each and every room on this cruise ship. Even the corners."

"I did, Captain."

"Then, what's this?" He pointed his finger at me.

I faced them. "Hey! It's rude to just point your finger at some stranger you've just met, you know?" I was raised and taught with proper manners so it felt really disturbing having someone I've just met point their fingers at me.

I know that they're just doing their job as a cosplayers but that ain't enough to be rude.

"Hey! How dare you interfere with the Captain's talk?!" Someone suddenly grabbed my shoulder so I instinctively threw my hands in the air and lock his arm on his back.

He shriek in pain. That's when I realized what I was doing to him. "Oh my glob. I'm so sorry, Sir."

He glared at me and massaged his shoulder. "How dare you do that to a pirate..."He mumbled as he silently walked away from me.

"Captain, what will we do with this young lady? She saw your face..."

"We should eliminate her."

"Yeah, that's right. We don't have enough time. Let's just throw her corpse in the water."

My eyes widened at their topic. "Woah, you guys are really on character! Magnificent!" I slightly laughed. "Lemme just get my phone and I will share this with my friends! I'm sure they will put you guys on their blogs. That would be a big help for you guys, I assure you. The whole world might know you." I clapped.

"Shackle her up." I heard Sebastian ordered.

Two guys restraint me from moving. They're holding both my shoulders and hands to my back. "Hey! You guys! What are you doing?!" I tried to shake them off but they're too strong. "Is this part of your cosplaying?!"

I felt a cold metal on my left wrist and I know what that is. But before they could even put the other shackle on my right wrist, I already kicked their balls and freed myself.

"You guys are nuts! Hey--" Another set of guys held me from my place and they've successfully captured my hands and put it behind my back.

Shit! Are they being serious?!

"Are we going to kill her?" Mark asked.

"No, we don't kill innocent people, right? I have better plans for her."

They made me kneel down after restraining me. "Hey you fuckers! Don't you know who I am?! I am so gonna report you to your boss!"

"I am the boss. Now, shut your lil pie hole, Kitten." Sebastian seriously respond.

"Kitten?!" I can't believe what he just called me. The audacity of this fucking pirate cosplayer!

"Bring the things into our ship. Move your asses now." He ordered as he just ignored my poor ass. His guys started moving and left the room leaving the two of us on this single space.

I faked a cough. "This cosplaying thing is getting intense. As much as I want to play along with you, I am too hungry to do so. Now, if you may Mister, uncuff me and I might consider not telling this to your boss." From my kneeling position, I changed it into an indian sit. I don't kneel to anyone.

"I told you, Kitty Cat. I am the boss." He looked me in the eyes. "And this isn't some kind of coshitting whatever  you say. Now be a good kitty and I might consider not throwing you off this ship."

I sniggered. "Yeah, very scary. I'm scared." I rolled my eyes.

"Look, Mr. Sebastian. This cosplaying thing is getting into my nerves already. Kindly take this fucking shackles off of me while I still have the patience." I smiled.

He also smiled. "No." And he left me there dumfounded.

What the?

I stood up from my seat and kicked a chair towards him. "I told you to take this off!"

He stopped from his track and faced me. "And I said, no."

"Why you—"

"Boss, we finished exporting things into our ship. We need to wrap this place up. The sleeping gas might wear off in 30 minutes." A guy appeared from the door. This guy isn't here awhile ago.

"Good. Now, bring her to the front deck of this vessel." He left the room after giving orders.

The guy simply nodded and waited for him to leave the room before dragging me.

"Hey, stop dragging!" I shake his hands off me and walked by myself.

The more we walk towards the front deck, the more gloomy it becomes.

What's with this cruise ship?! Is this what they are doing to their cruisers who booked room reservations on the 13th deck?! And why aren't even a single person here?!

Oh my goodness. Please don't tell me this is a ghost ship.

"Hey." The guy dragging me sought my attention.

"What?!"

"How can you remain calm knowing you're being held as captive?"

"How is this being calm?!" I'm starting to panic. "This isn't a fucking ghost ship, is it?!" I asked while being wary of my surroundings.

The guy let out a soft chuckle. "That's what you're thinking right now? Seriously?"

"This isn't a laughing matter you foe." I gritted my teeth.

"Sorry. I just can't believe that's what you're thinking while you're here, handicapped."

I didn't respond. I am not scared about being shackled at all. This can't be called as handicap for me also. I am well trained for this stuffs. What I am scared the most to happen is having a fucking ghost jump right in front of my face right now.

I am calling all the gods and goddesses of the universe. Please, slap all those stubborn ghost bitches who's trying to attempt to scare the fuck out of me.

I almost screamed after a loud thud resonated the whole hallway.

"Fuck!"

"Sorry. I accidentally kicked the trash bin." The guy apologized.

I glared at him. Does he think I'm stupid? I can see that subtle goofy smile on his lips. I know he did that on purpose.

"Stop screwing around you fucking asshole." I know I'm being rude and I don't like it either. But I almost lost my soul awhile ago!

We continued walking. Why does this hallway seem so long?! And why is it so dark?! Don't they have enough budget to buy a proper lightings?!

Fortunately for me, seconds later, I saw the end of this eerie hallway. There's a subtle chattering at the end of this passage.

"Are we all here?" Sebastian is standing on the edge of this ship's bow. Some men are in the main deck and forecastle deck.

"Aye!" The guys answered in unison.

Sebastian's eyes hovered around and stopped on my place. "Earl, get the lady here."

The men's eyes are glued to me. Why do he need to make a scene?! He can just do some gestures!

This Earl guy supported me on climbing in the forecastle deck and put me besides Sebastian on the edge of the ship's bow.

"Hey, this is dangerous!" Everytime I look below us, the height and the water is causing me a vertigo.

I howled after I almost stumble when a big wave approached our cruise ship. "This cosplaying is going way to far!" I squeal.

The front and the rear part of a ship, including the highest floor is considered as the most prone part when it comes to water disturbance. And right now, we are currently in one of those spots!

"Are you still thinking that this is some kind of a joke?" Sebastian asked me nonchalantly.

"Of course! There's no way you guys are real pirates." I rolled my eyes. "So, if I were you, I'll stop this bullshit immediately before I get my life wasted on some stupid role-playing!"

"I told you, Kitty Cat. This isn't some kind of roleshitting. We are pirates here and we are the real thing." His eyes are fierce like it's saying to believe every words he spits.

I gulped. Is this really happening?

I heard a silent laugh. I looked beside me and saw Earl covering his lips with his hand.

"I can't believe your way of thinking, Miss." He paused to breathe. "Imagine, experiencing all this stuffs but still thinks of it as part of role-playing and cosplaying." His laugh covered the whole place.

"How can you laugh in this situation, huh?" This isn't a laughing situation you fucker!

I roamed my eyes all over the place, seeking for an escape. I need an escape plan.

"No matter how much you try, you can't escape us young lady." Sebastian looked at me as if I'm the most readable person he have ever met.

I glared at him. "Then what are you going to do with me?!" I shouted.

He was supposed to answer me but Mark appeared out of nowhere and whispered on Sebastian's ear.

Sebastian faced the whole crowd in front of us. "Pangea's! Prepare for withdrawal!"

"Aye!" The crowd once again answered in unison.

Someone blew a horn in the middle of the night. I don't know why I liked the sound it makes. The sound of it complements the starry night sky.

I was left in shock when they started throwing ropes everywhere including in the water. But what left me in awe is the three ships going towards our way from the back.

"Pangea's! Prepare to leave!" Sebastian once again shouts his order.

The three ships stopped near our position. Two from our both sides and one still going in front.

The one ship in front of us is thinner than an average ship and it's indubitably fast. On my right, a ship with an elegant design and materials silently made it's way to position itself on our right, the sound it makes while it crosses with the water is alluring. On my left, a ship with a very pointed bow made it's way to position itself on a very good spot on my left to fetch the pirates throwing ropes on it.

The guys are hastily migrating themselves on the three ships. Some are throwing themselves on the water, there are mini boats waiting for them below.

As I watch them fade from my sight, I silently tried to take off the handcuffs on my hands. I'm quite petite but it's still not enough to take this handcuffs off.

"I told you. You can't escape us." I heard a voice from my side.

Shit. I forgot this bastard is still here.

"You haven't answered my question yet, Sebastian." I looked at him directly on his eyes.

He seems surprised that I know his name but he just shrugged it off. "Hm? On what will we do to you?" He asked, trying to mock me.

I didn't respond and waited for him to answer.

"Well..." He paused. "It doesn't seems to me that you're scared about your current situation right now, Kitten. I bet you'll just laugh it off if I say I'll make you decide for a life and death situation."

I remained silent. It's true that I am not scared right now. I mean, what's there to be scared of? Right now, no one is as capable as me in this ship. Unless he's near as strong as me, I might consider thinking twice before fighting him.

"Listen here, Kitty Cat." I returned my attention to him.

"No one aside from my men is supposed to see my face. Now that you have seen my face and we don't kill innocent people, a life and death decision must be made." He neared his face to mine.

"Now answer me, little kitten... Join us or die?" A cold metal suddenly touched my bare neck.

My eyes squinted. "I thought you don't kill innocent people?"

"Well... On the second thought, after seeing my face and experiencing all of this. You think you're still innocent?" He smirked. "And if you chose death over joining us, then it's my pleasure."

He lowered his gaze to my neck. "I have enough reasons to kill you."

I scoffed. "Wow, that's a nice card you have on your sleeves. I can't believe you."

"I know... Isn't amazing? Now, tell me your decision, little kitten." The knife pressed against my skin harder. I felt a tiny drip of liquid on my skin.

"Why do you want me to join?" I remained my steel like poise and stared directly on his eyes.

"Seeing your moves a while ago... I just thought you're fit to be in my crew."

I laughed. "That's it?"

"Yeah."

"What a jester." I snickered. "Then put down your goddamn knife and uncuff me dummy. I'm in."

He was taken aback by my words. Duh. What was he thinking? That I'd choose death over saving my life?

"T-that's it?"

I held back my laugh. Lame ass, stuttering over petty matters. "Yeah."

He slowly lowered his knife down. "Uhh... Then, welcome to the crew...?" He drawled.

This time, I wasn't able to hold back my laugh anymore. "You pirates are lame! Stuttering and drawling?!" I laughed my ass out until I heard a click on my back.

The handcuffs are off of my hands already. I looked up to Sebastian, "Thanks."

I massaged my wrist after seeing red marks on it.

"My apologies." He said, looking at my sore wrists.

"It's okay." I smiled.

"Ehem." We faced our backs after hearing a faked cough.

We saw Earl motioning his hands towards the three ships.

"The sleeping gas will wear off after 5 minutes, we need to hurry Captain." He informed.

"Coming."

Earl left us two alone and used a rope to transport himself in the ship on our right.

"Shall we?" I asked.

He nodded. "But I forgot to tell you one thing."

"What is it?"

"To officially join our crew, you must cross the Plank of Death."

I was silent for a moment. I think I misheard something.

"Pardon? I think I misheard a word." I smiled.

"I said, to officially join our crew, you must cross the Plank of Death." He repeated.

I scratched the insides of my ears using my pinky finger and blew air on it. "There. Kindly repeat. I think my ears are broken." I forced a smile.

"You heard me."

"What the---! You made me choose between joining and death! I die when I choose death, then I'll die too the moment I choose joining?!"

The guys on the right ship suddenly pulled a plank and connected it to our cruise ship.

The plank is obviously deadly. It's unstable because of the waves shaking both the interconnected ships. Once you cross using it, any small mistake could create a fatal consequences.

What's with this total misfortune on my life?!

Seconds ago, I'm still here being cynical if these people really are pirates then seconds later, I might bid my last farewell to the world.

I was being pessimistic when an idea popped out my head.

"You." I glared at the guy who messed up my whole night and could also mess up my remaining nights.

"I challenge you to a duel."

He was once again taken aback. "What?"

"You heard me." I gritted my teeth. I just realized, how dare these guys mess up my already messed up life?!

"Just you and me?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Yeah. Just you and me." I repeated.

He laughed. "You sure?" His laugh loudens.

"What are laughing about?" My brows furrowed. "You can bring some men with you, I don't mind." I shrugged my shoulders.

He shook his head. "You think you can beat me when you can't even cross a plank?"

I remained silent. I'm confident about my skills.

"Well then, let's see what you've got, Kitty Cat."

"If I win, you'll let me go. If I lose, I'll cross the plank."

Sebastian raised his eyebrows. "I'm not so sure about letting you go, Kitten. But sure. That is, if you can win."

I just smirked and engaged towards him. I threw a punch on his chest but his hands are fast enough to slap it away. I was awed by how fast his reactions are. He's fast, but not as fast as me.

In just a second, I was able to go on his back. I tried targeting his nape but I was surprised that he was already dodging my attacks while he's on his back.

I distanced myself from him. "You're pretty good." I praised him.

"Yeah. And you're pretty bad."

This time, I was the one taken aback by his reply. What?!

He attacked me first this time. He threw punches with unbelievable speed. I can hear his fist slashing through the air. I got scared for a moment thinking what might happen to me after receiving even a single blow of his punches.

I tried to counterattack with a single jab but he caught my wrist.

"Fuck—" he pulled me towards him and locked my arms behind my back.

"You lose." He whispered on my ear while he's still on my back. His warm breath is sending chills to my spine. The coldness of the night seems to fade away after his breath touched my skin.

What the hell?

He let go of my arms. I faced him and saw a smirk on his face.

I glared at him. Fucker. He did me dirty.

Verbal attacks could really be a big deal if you aren't mentally prepared.

"Since I won..."

"Yeah, yeah. I have to cross that goddamn plank." I gulped.

"Since I won. There's a tiny change of plans."

"Goodness. I don't care anymore. Just say it." I think I just lost all my hopes.

What have I done in my past life to deserve this? This isn't supposed to be the outcome of my healing retreat!

He smiled. "You can join us now, Kitten. Without crossing that plank."

—