Abby

Her breathing comes in short, rapid pants as she races down the cobblestone street, in the direction of the billowing black smoke. She heard the explosion from where she was playing in the yard, and knew something terrible had happened. Her short legs aching as she rounds the corner just as glass explodes and rains down on the firemen, who is fighting the raging flames. The street is in utter chaos as people run for water and others tend to the injured. Screams for help fill the air as the choking smoke makes it hard to breath and stings her eyes as she searches.

“Mama! Mama! Where are you?” She calls, her lungs burning from the smoke, desperately searching the crowd. Scanning every face, looking for the familiar face and golden hair of her mother. Listening for her voice. Her small stature making it difficult to move through the people, milling like a flock of sheep in curiosity. She stumbles and lands on her knees and hands, scraping them raw on the rough stones.

Worried murmurs and hushed whispers echoes in her ears. Voices filled with sadness and eyes looking sympathetic in her direction, has her on edge. A restlessness stirs in her heart as she draws closer to the chaos.

Getting up to continue, she is caught by her arm and a pitched shriek escapes as she's lifted into the air before being trampled. Her eyes wide as she fights to escape from the firm grip. Turning around, she focuses on the face.

Hoping to see her mother...

Patrick “Patches” Hudson pulls the small six-year-old girl into a tight embrace, away from the broken glass. His hazel eyes filled with sorrow as he holds the confused looking child.

“Abby, your mama’s gone, Love. She’s not coming back.” He says as his voice turns into a low whisper, meant for her ears only. While looking in the direction of the burning building, he desperately prays for some miracle.

Any kind of miracle will do.

But the sinking feeling in his gut tells a different story. She's long gone. The fire took her.

No miracle this time...

“No, Patches! Where is she? ”

The small child cries, no screams, her cheeks stained with tears and black soot as she rubs her eyes. Her dress is smeared and torn. Her tiny feet bare. The large man enfolds her small body with his arms, holding her closer and trying to comfort her as she wriggles to free herself. Her distress evident as she struggles in his grip. She scans the crowd again as her bright blue eyes searches for her mother. Desperation is clear on her face as she scans each passerby.

Abby’s cries gets engulfed by the raging fire as it crackles and hisses in a burning fury, eating away at the once prominent gathering spot for seamen, The Pirate’s Oasis. One explosion after the other follows as the barrels of rum gets heated by the flames. Aggravating the rage of the fire as it chews through timbers.

Patrick Hudson is...no, was, the right-hand man of Mrs. Samantha Davidson, who was the owner of the Pirate's Oasis Pub. He was also the self-proclaimed Site Manager of The Pirate's Oasis. The same pub that is a burning inferno in front of them now. Patrick watches hopelessly as the flames engulf the building, black smoke rising in billowing columns from the shattered windows as the firemen tries helplessly to get it under control. While screams and commands are shouted, men run in a frenzy to save what or who they can from the burning inferno and the buildings close by.

It happened so fast?

They were serving customers, and all hell broke loose. Cloaked men stormed the pub and opened fire. Cutting down anyone who tries to defend or stand up to them with razor sharp Cutlasses and swords.

Luckily, the child was not there to witness the horror. Or worse, get caught in the crossfire. Sam Davidson fought bravely against the thugs, but they were overwhelmed, and the dogs set the place on fire. Patrick was not able to get her out. The flames engulfed the building before he could. He knew that this was an organized assassination and they succeeded.

All precautions were taken, but they still found her.

Abby’s tiny arms are now tight around his neck, almost choking him. Her face buried in the crook of his neck, painful sobs ripping through her small body.

He needs to inform Abby's father of what happened. He is dreading that part, though. Captain Davidson is sailing the High Seas on a very important mission for Lord Bolton. A king in his own right, Sean Davidson is feared by all but respected as far as he goes. He is an honorable and noble man. He stands equal to kings like Davy Jones and Black Beard. A gentleman, but he can turn fierce and savage in the blink of an eye, especially when it comes to his family.

Glancing back for the last time at the now gutted building, Patrick turns and walks in the direction of his cottage. Leaving the raging fury and chaos behind. Abby’s grip is loosening around his neck, indicating she’s fallen asleep. Tomorrow will be a dreadful day. She doesn't understand what is happening. Or does she...?

Not only must he send news to Captain Davidson, but he also has to search the rubble for the remains of Lady Davidson. An honorable funeral will be held for her and all must be in place when the Captain sets foot in the harbor. One thing is certain. Whoever is responsible, will be hunted down. The Captain will go to the ends of the world to get his revenge.

Standing in front of the door of his cottage, Patrick takes a deep breath. Entering, he is greeted by his wife with concern written on her face as she looks at the small body he’s cradling.

“Something happened at work.” He grumbles in a gruff voice, holding Abby tighter against him as her small body stirs sleepily. It hurts...His heart aches for her as he looks at her sleeping face. Her world is thrown into chaos in the blink of an eye.

“I know. I’m just glad you are unharmed and that she is safe.” Glenda states as she reaches to take the small child from him. Patrick is almost reluctant to give her up. Abby is as much a part of their household as she is in her own. Almost as if she is his own daughter. They don’t have children of their own and Abby fills the gap of longing. They’ve known her since the day she was born.

“Get yourself cleaned up. I’ll take care of the little one. Dinner is ready if you're hungry.” Glenda says as she turns with the sleeping child in her arms and head in the direction of the guestroom. Hearing his footfalls fade towards the bathroom, Glenda Hudson sighs. Laying Abby down on the bed, she looks at the small face. Tear stains covering her cheeks. Her frilly pink dress soot-stained and her hands and knees, scraped raw. Her feet bare and dirty, her hair a jumbled mess.

How will she be able to cope? Will she understand what happened here tonight? How will Captain Davidson handle this situation?

Sean Davidson loved Sam with his whole being. Abby is such a happy and sweet child. Glenda’s heart breaks. What will happen to her? The Captain is a man of the sea and has a huge responsibility on his shoulders. He can’t look after her. They will have figure something out in the morning. Patrick is exhausted, his broad shoulders are tense and his face strained. A good sleep will help them to think clear in the morning. Then they can weigh their options and get a clear view on how to take this on.

Meanwhile, down at the harbor, a huge black Barque silently makes its way to the dockside. The Black Swallow has returned and her captain stands tall on the stern deck, casting a watchful eye over the activities on the lower deck. Black smoke in the distance catches his eye. Though it’s almost dark, the column stains the clear night sky and a frown forms on his forehead as his eyes darken. That is in the direction of the Pirate’s Oasis. Did something happen? Concern tightens his chest.

Captain Davidson scans the dock for any signs of a familiar face. But a tall figure catches his attention. Standing in the light of a streetlamp is Lord Lance Bolton. The Vampire King has a deep frown and concern is written on his face. What is he doing out at this time of night? Something serious must’ve happened. The ship is tied down and the Captain makes his way over the bridge towards the Vampire King.

“What brings you to a place like this, Lance? A filthy harbor is no place for a nobleman such as yourself.” Captain Davidson says with a smile as he extends a hand to Lord Bolton. “Says the man who basically scrubs his ship with a toothbrush.” Lord Bolton answers with a strained smile as he shakes the extended hand with a firm grip.

His face turns serious once more as he looks the Captain in the eye. “Sean, jokes aside. It’s good to have you back, but I am the bearer of bad news, I'm afraid.” The Captain’s face falls as he waits for Lord Bolton to continue. The smoke was indeed not good news....

“It’s Sam, Sean. There was an attack at the pub, and they were outnumbered. Patrick got out, but Sam…Sean, I am so sorry. She’s…Sam didn't make it out. They found her. They found Samantha. It's evident it was an assassination.”

The Captain’s face is somber, his jaw clenched tight as he struggles to keep control of his emotions as he stares into the darkness of the night.

“How…?” Captain Davidson asks in a ragged, shaking voice. His face turning dark and menacing. A single tear escapes guided by the almost perfect contours of his handsome face. His shoulders is tense as he fights to control his emotions.

“We’re still searching, but the culprits vanished into thin air it seems.” The Vampire King says as his eyes scan the dockside. Aware of the silence surrounding them and the fog slowly creeping in. Enveloping the harbor like a blanket of darkness.

“Where is Abby? Is she safe? Did she see anything?” The Captain asks. His voice a low growl, his dark blue eyes flashing with anger. “She’s with Patrick and Glenda. She wasn’t there when it happened. She only arrived afterwards.” Lord Bolton says and Captain Davidson simply nods. The muscles in his jaw rippling.

“I’ll go over to Pat’s house in the morning to get her. I need some time to think and gather myself.” Captain Davidson says, gripping the railing with white knuckles. Lord Bolton places a firm hand on his shoulder. “If there is anything, please don’t hesitate. I’ll take my leave for now. We’ll talk in the morning. But know that the Lycan Guards are scanning the area as we speak. Leaving no stone unturned” With that the vampire king silently slips into the darkness, leaving Captain Davidson brooding in his thoughts and rising anger.

He will hunt these bastards down for the scum they are. They will pay with their lives. Wherever they are.

The following morning at the Hudson house, a knock at the door breaks the silence and Glenda opens the door only come face to face with the captain himself. Her face drains as she opens the door and is met by the tall, broad chested figure standing in the door.

They were not expecting him back this early.