The little girls were pushed and tossed behind a wagon obscured by bars amidst a horde of pirates. Mei felt a sense of relief as she was approached by one of them, only to be suddenly halted by a man known as Howardwing, who commanded respect from the rest.
"We are pirates, not savages like Redbeard," Howarding declared.
Seeing the young girl Mei crying, he draped his vest over her face in a protective gesture. June, who was watching, handed Mei the knife and instructed her to sit by the door and wait for her signal.
In a split second, June's demeanor shifted, showcasing her chameleon-like adaptability. "Oh sir, please have mercy. Keep me away from these terrifying pirates," pleaded Julie, tears streaming down her face, to one of the guards.
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The old pirate, Howarding watched with fascination as June's performance unfolded. He observed for a moment, patiently waiting for their plan to come to fruition. He had his plan in mind though.
Suddenly, the wagon crashed into a rock, causing Mei to drop the knife. A guard immediately noticed and grabbed her by the hair. In a flash, June transformed into an animal, snatching the man's belt and immobilizing him by tying him to the jail by the neck.
The commotion sparked excitement amongst the pirates, prompting Howarding to intervene and hold June against the opposite wall.
With a loud explosion, the wagon burst into pieces, enveloping the area in smoke and the stench of gunpowder. Julie spotted her sister Mei lying on the ground still moving but injured. She mustered all her strength to reach her, but her body wouldn't budge.
As the smoke began to clear, the sound of approaching guards grew louder. Howarding swiftly placed little Julie on his back and made a mad dash to escape, leaving the injured Mei behind in the midst of the chaos.
It wasn't that he didn't want to save her, but the guards would have captured Mei before he could reach her, and he couldn't risk it.