Yes I have finally updated this story. I apologize for not updating regularly, as I get older I get more responsibilities such as college and having a fiancé. Hope this is a good one!

Chapter 5- Consequences

Two weeks had passed slowly, which felt like years to Christine. The same and boring routine everyday played out like a broken record repeating the same song. She felt she hit rock bottom in misery. The only positive thing was that Hadras brought her meals every day. As each day passed, he got braver and talked with her longer that he was supposed to. Christine enjoyed their conversations, even though she did most of the talking. He was her only friend here and was an excellent listener.

They lost track of time as they sat on her cot and talked. Suddenly, the door burst open. Maccus stormed in and glared at them.

"So, you've been disobeyin' orders," he growled at Hadras. "You know what that means." He suddenly grabbed Hadras and pulled him out the door and slammed the door shut behind them, leaving Christine standing there with her mouth wide open.

"No!" she yelled. She didn't hear the door lock click, so she got up and charged for the door. She turned the knob and it opened easily. She stepped outside for the first time since she was brought on board, but she didn't have time or the thought to savor it. She searched frantically for Hadras and Maccus. She soon found them on the quarterdeck.

"I found him talkin' to the girl, Captain," Maccus reported to Davy, who was in front of them.

"Is that so?" Davy's blue eyes flashed. "Disobeying my order means a whippin'-uh" he said. "Bo'sun!"

One of the men near the cannons walked over. He carried a cat 'o' nine whip in his right hand. "Yes, Captain?" He was grinning widely.

"Five lashes to this one," Davy ordered, pointing to Hadras.

"Aye sir," the Bo'sun said. "Maccus, tie his arms forward," Someone brought rope and Maccus tied Hadras to the mast, with his back to everyone.

By this time, most of the crew could see what was going on and they stood around to watch. Christine was about to run to her friend's aid, when a hand held her arm and stopped her. She turned to see that her restrainer was the man with the half-human face and golden earring on his left ear, the one she first made eye contact with on the day she was brought on board.

"No Miss, the Captain must not know you're out here," he whispered. "Hadras disobeyed orders by talking to ye, he must pay the price."

"But this is not his fault, it's mine, I was the one who started talking to him," Christine whispered back, while still looking at the scene a fair distance away from her.

"Doesn't matter, he should've flowed orders, regardless," he said. "Go back inside Miss, this is not something a girl should see." He started to gently pull her back towards the door.

"No," she gently tugged her arm away from him. "He is my friend, I caused this, I have to help him." She stood her ground.

Suddenly, they heard a loud crack. Christine turned to the noise and saw the Bo'sun snapping the cat 'o' nine on Hadras' back, while Maccus shook his head as he looked on, and everyone else was watching. She let out a gasp and turned away. The second snap came.

"Miss, please," her restrainer pleaded. You don't want to watch this. I'll take care of Hadras after the whippings are over."

She looked at him and could see the promise in his dark eyes. With his eyes, he was also begging her to listen. After a moment of thinking, she finally nodded and allowed him to escort her back inside. He quietly opened the door and led her in.

"Thank you,…" she said, waiting to hear him say his name.

"It's Niko, and stay here." He quickly closed the door. Christine heard the sound of his boots on the deck fade as he walked away. She pressed her ear to the door and heard the last three cracks of the whip. Tears sprang to her eyes as she heard a loud thump on the deck, and she figured that Hadras fell from the impact. She cried as she thought about how much pain he was in. She heard roars of laughter from some of the men outside and then heard more footsteps as the crowd dispersed. Suddenly, louder footsteps and a loud 'thunk' every other step came towards the door. She backed out of the way just in time for the door to burst open towards her. Davy suddenly came in and clasped his crab-clawed hand around her throat.

"So, I hear you've talked to Hadras-uh!" he snarled. "I know ya heard his punishment-uh, next time, I'll force ya to watch!" His eyes flashed with such intense anger that Christine was forced to look away. She struggled to breathe as his grip tightened. After a few breathless seconds that felt like minutes, he finally released her and thrusted her towards the cot. He turned around and left the cabin with an annoyed sigh.