Vile pirates and a thief

While walking toward the port with her new crew, Maris is getting more and more concerned.
Only now she realizes, what it means to have a crew on her ship.
She doesn't like that thought.

Four new crew members, she just got to know with her alone is a huge risk.
She doesn't even know them properly. But they knew each other before.
If she's on the ocean with them, they could do whatever they want to her.
They could take over the ship, make her their slave, rape her or even kill her.

This can't be right. Why is everything going so well all of the sudden?
First she didn't find a single crew member and suddenly she has four of them. This seems too good to her.
Even if they are nice so far, she can't just trust them already.

Her mind is racing as her crew is already walking ahead, getting closer and closer to her ship.
She doesn't know what to do. She only knows she has to act fast.
But she can't just talk to them about their concerns. If they really want to betray her, they would just harm her.
In a place like this, such a betrayal shouldn't cause too much attention.

As she's walking, Maris tries to come up with a plan to outsmart her crew and protect herself.
She can't trust them, so she has to be cautious whatever she does.
But running away isn't an option. They would just wait for her at the port, right?
She already told them too much...

Oh, I remember the ship isn't ready yet.
It's currently being prepared.
It will at least take one night.

This won't fix her problem, but she can at least get to know them.
And if they turn out to be nice, everything should be fine.
Else...

Oh, really...
Is it really worth it then?
At least show us your ship.

I'm so sorry.
I'm new to this whole captain thing.
I didn't think about it in time...

Oh, I'm okay with that. I trust you.
That gives us time to get to know each other.
In that case you probably need a place to stay at night.
I know a nice place. I'll pay!

Anne really seems nice, so Maris agrees.
Robert seems a little suspicious, though.

Anne goes ahead and soon they enter some inn.
Anne talks to the man at the counter and soon all of them go through a hallway and enter some room together.

But something about this room is weird.
It doesn't look like they're in a typical inn.
There's no furniture in there.
Only a single mattress.

So what is this room?
Is this a room where you are supposed to relax and sleep?
Maris is really feeling uncomfortable.

Good job, Anne!

I don't know what we would have done if we didn't have you, Anne.
Your plans always work out so well.

What are they talking about?
Maris would really like to leave now.

Suddenly Maris is being grabbed from behind.
It's Jack.
Robert comes closer as she starts to struggle.
Edward is just lying down on the mattress, watching everything happen.

Let me just get your money and the key of your ship.
And when we're already at it, I might also want your clothes.
If you participate, we'll treat you nicely.

Jack is already trying to undress her.
Maris can't get free. But she had hidden a knife in her pocket for emergencies like this.
Despite her arm being difficult to move, she manages to put the knife out of her pocket and stab Jack into his right leg.

Jack inadvertently lets go of her, so Maris immediately runs away.
Robert, who is standing directly in front of her, tries to grab her, but Maris is able to dodge.

Edward is still lying on the mattress.
He isn't even able to get up in time.
Anne reacts quickly and blocks the door, but since she's just a woman like Maris, despite being older than her, Maris easily pushes her away.
Compared to average women, Maris isn't weak.

Now she just wants to leave this island before they come close to her again.
She doesn't care about a crew anymore. She just wants to be safe.

After quickly leaving the building, she runs back toward the coast as fast as she can.
She looks back and notices some pirates following her.
She never saw them before.

Suddenly she hears a voice next to her.

Hey, so what are you running away from?

As Maris looks toward the source of the voice, shre sees a young man running next to her.
He must be the one running away from these pirates now.

Who are you?

I'm Rafferty. And I just stole this!

He shows Maris some valuable looking ornament.

Just give it back to them, idiot!

I guess it's too late for that. They want their revenge, no matter what.
But if you help me out, you can have it. I don't really need it. I just took it because it looked nice.
But as you see, the stealing didn't work out that well though...

Maris is skeptical.
But as she looks at him a little more, she has to say, he looks handsome.
Unlike her crew, he might even be around her age.
He also looks a lot like the idiot he is, but that doesn't turn her off.

Don't worry, I'm not in a hurry.
I just have to get away from this place somehow.
I might be able to hide, but I can't keep running away all the time.

Okay, I'm going to help you.
But only if you help me to get back to my ship.

Sure, whatever you want!

But if we manage to get on my ship while they follow us, they'll probably damage it.
It takes a while to start.

Don't worry. I got a plan.

Soon Maris and Rafferty reach the ocean.
Rafferty grabs her arm and heads straight for the ocean.

Breath in! Trust me!

There's a cliff just in front of us.
It's only a few meters high, but how would it help if he's really going to do what she thinks?

Suddenly Rafferty just grabs her and jumps down the cliff with her.
Maris quickly breathes in deep and they dive into the water together.

Rafferty keeps holding her like this, preventing her from swimming up again.
Maris struggles, but Rafferty doesn't let go of her.
She's really mad at him. He doesn't know how long she can hold her breath. What if she already ran out of air?

After what feels like a minute, he finally lets go of her.
She immediately takes a deep breath.

The water around them is completely red.

Did it work?

Maris looks up the cliff, but the guys are still standing there.

They're still here!

But they aren't looking. Look closer!

Maris notices they actually aren't looking down anymore.
And most of them already turned around.

You're insane! It actually worked. You tricked them.

Told you I had a plan.

But I guess we really have to get away from here.
They might try to come down here somehow.
You still have their treasure after all.

Yeah, let's just get to the port.
It's not far from here.

As they swim along the cliff, Maris feels a spark of connection.

Well, maybe I could really need someone like you in my crew.

As long as you help me, why not?

Rafferty isn't just a handsome idiot.
An impulsive and reckless guy like him might suit her crew better than she expected.

You know, we might actually make a good team.

Of course we will!