章 46: THE 11TH ACCOUNT: ROMANCE AMIDST THE SEA? 5

Midnight. The ship was dead silent. I could only hear the creaking sounds of the ship's movement as it was being gently tossed by the waves. Because of what happened at the tavern, Jacob was in a sour mood and decided to just go adrift. He shut himself in his room and no one dared to disturb him.

I stared at the ceiling. There was not one of the crew that seemed to be awake. No one except me. I could not sleep. The weight on my chest was becoming heavier and heavier the more hours Jacob and I disregard each other. I sat up because I felt like it was difficult to breathe. I took a loud deep breath but that did not work either. Then, I remembered Paco and the rum.

I quickly got up and opened the door to my room. I peeked outside. There was no one there. Everyone was in their quarters. This was the most vulnerable Labyrinth had ever been. If a navy ship happens to attack, we're doomed! There was no one assigned to do the night shift. Everyone seemed to have neglected their duties.

I sighed. I was partly to blame. Jacob and I need to end our war sooner than later or else we will all be in danger. The crew might have been fed up with our fights as well. I mean, I would be if I was a mere spectator. I went straight to the kitchen to find a bottle of rum. I remembered how it soothed the tightening of my chest and after that I felt warm and felt better. Maybe it will work again this time. But, I was out of luck because I did not find any in the cupboards.

I headed to the storage room at the lowest deck. I saw two bottles right away. I smiled. I quickly took them and a glass from the kitchen. I decided to hide them in my room since Jacob disapproved of me drinking. What he doesn't know won't hurt him, right? Besides, I do not want to add fuel to the fire. I quickly tiptoed back to my room after looking left and right making sure that there was no one there.

I placed the bottles on my desk and stared at them for a long time. The heavy weight on my chest and its tightening was still there so I sat down and poured myself a glass full. I closed my eyes as I gulped it down anticipating the bitter taste. It made me cough for a bit. But after feeling the warm sensation, I giggled. It was working! It was working! I am feeling a bit better.

I poured me another glass full and gulped it. I giggled again after feeling my chest get lighter and lighter. I poured my third then my fourth and then I lost count. I looked at the bottle and chuckled.

"What happened to all your contents?" I asked the bottle as if it would respond.

When it didn't, I laughed, "How silly of me, I drank it all!"

I opened the other bottle and poured another glass. I was not really feeling anything except that I was giddy and happy and pleased. Maybe I was building tolerance already. My mood was getting better and better, too. When the bottle was already half empty, I stood up.

"Hmmm… I do not feel dizzy at all."

I tried walking to my door and I made it. I was feeling excited so I opened it and went next door. I knocked. No one answered. I felt my forehead wrinkle but I knocked again. I was in a very good mood. I was not angry anymore. If I talk to Jacob right now, I know we could work things out and our fight will end. And everything will return to normal… and my heart will not hurt anymore. I chuckled. I knocked again, this time a little bit louder.

"Not too loud, you don't want to wake everyone up," I pointed at myself.

Seeing my own finger pointing at me made me giggle. Still, the door remained closed.

"Jacob," I whispered. "Open up, I want to talk… let's talk."

I knocked again and then I pressed my ears on the door to listen if there were any movements. It was still silent. I frowned. I explored the door with my hands until I found the knob. I turned it. It was unlocked. I grinned. I opened it and let myself in. After that, I closed the door with my back as quietly as I could.

Jacob's room was dim with the oil lamp on his desk as the only source of light. My eyes wandered around as I examined his room. He has plenty of books and rolled parchments which I think are maps on the shelf to the right. I walked to the shelf because I got curious but I tripped on something and it clattered. Not too loud that would wake the entire crew but was enough to rouse the sleeping Jacob.

He quickly got up and pointed his pistol at me. I rolled my eyes, "You're not really going to shoot me, are you?"

Jacob was stunned when he realized it was me. He was speechless and I saw confusion in his eyes as he watched me try to regain my balance. My arms were extended to stop myself from falling and when I was steady I stood up straight. Then, I smiled at him.

"Lovely night, isn't it?" I said. I could hear the cheeriness in my voice.

Jacob blinked thrice. I giggled. It looked to me like he was trying to determine if everything was a dream. When he heard me giggle, he got off his bed and crossed the distance between us.

"What are you doing here?" he asked and held my elbow.

I giggled again and pointed at the door, "Your door was unlocked. Did you know that?"

"I am aware of that," he responded.

I clapped my hand once, "Oh! Is that so?"

"Are you drunk?" he asked me with a studying gaze.

I shrugged my shoulders and studied his face as well, "Do you know that you are very handsome in dim lighting?" I told him as I held his face with my palms. Then, I giggled again. I was just so happy I got to see his face!