Chapter 3

It's been three months since I escaped and it still seems to be a dream. "Ay lass, come enjoy a drink with an old man," Jack said, sitting down on the floor of the ship with two glasses and a bottle of whiskey. I laughed. "Don't you drink enough as it is?'' I asked amused. Jack shrugged. "No such thing lass," he replied pouring himself a glass. I smiled as I sat down next to him. "How much longer until we reach the Homeland?" I asked, pulling down my hood. Just as the woman Annette from the docking village, Jack knew exactly what I was. There was no point to hide it anymore. Jack thought for a moment. "No more than a few more days," he said handing me my own glass. I held it still as he poured a bit of the dark amber liquid into my cup. I smiled in appreciation before taking a sip. It burned on the way down, just as it always had. Jack and I shared drinks so often that I eventually grew fond of the feeling.

Jack sighed after taking a drink of his own. "Well lass, we'll soon be parting ways. You're almost home," he said, almost sounding sad. I looked up at the sky, feeling my own sadness seeping in. In an attempt to ignore it, I took another drink of the whiskey. The stars became my favorite part of being at sea. They were so much clearer than on land. I pointed to a group of stars. "Which one is that again?" I asked. Jack took a moment to see which one I was pointing to. "Ah that one." He said, as if trying to summon the right words to explain. "That constellation is called the diving swan." Jack replied before finishing the whiskey in his glass. "The story goes that the swan wanted to fly up and dance with the stars, but became too weak to get there all the way. So she fell back down, and the god of the sky felt pity for the poor thing, and placed her upon the stars himself."

"What a strange story," I said, setting down my cup. Jack nods. "Stories don't have to make sense to be entertaining." He shrugged. With a satisfied sigh he stood and stretched. "Well lass, I'm turning in for the night. I'll see you in the morn." I nodded in acknowledgment. As he walked away, I noticed his limp. I asked him about it once, but he quickly changed the subject. That poor man must have been through a lot. I'll have to find a way to repay him. I looked back up towards the sky as a small breeze blew through. I'm so close. So close to being free. I smiled and let out a relieved breath. My eyes began to flutter with fatigue. Time for sleep. I laid down on the boat ground and studied the stars until I fell fast asleep.

"Yuna, come here," a fearfully familiar voice commanded. I looked over to see the prince as he sat on the sofa in his study. No. No. No! It can't be! I got away. I escaped. Even though all I wanted to do was run away, my body didn't listen to me. Instead it obeyed his command and I found myself walking towards the prince. No. Stop it! Run away. Get away from me. No matter how loudly I screamed at myself my body refused to listen. I stopped in front of the prince. Who brushed his hand along my cheek. I felt sick. My stomach threatening to hurl up everything in my stomach. He leaned in close. Get away from me! Don't touch me! With his lips close to mine, he victoriously looked into my eyes, and smirked. "You belong to me. No matter where you go, I'll find you." He whispered, before gripping me by my throat and began squeezing. I could feel my throat being crushed. Panic set in as breathing became harder and harder. No! Please let me be. I cried out.

I sat up frantically clawing at my throat, trying so desperately to get the Prince's hands off me. As my hands touched my neck I realized that he wasn't here. I wasn't in the palace. I was on a boat, headed for the Homeland. My breathing was heavy and my heart was pounding inside my chest. I sigh. Calm down. Breathe. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5... I'm okay. It was just a nightmare. I brought my hand up to my face to wipe my eyes, only to realize they were wet with tears. I stared at my hands for a moment, in the dim lighting of the stars, even though for me it was as clear to see as day. Then without further hesitation, I quickly wiped away the tears. I laid back down and focused on my breathing. The rise and fall of my chest. I'm okay. Just stay calm.