It was eerily quiet in the night; I waited for Merlin to enter the pleasure room. A few minutes passed by and I calmly entered the room with the small knife in my hand which I took earlier from the cooking place. I moved forward without making any sound what greeted my nose is the awful stench which made me want to puke whatever little was left in my stomach. Merlin was occupied with the women on the left, all three women were nude and bound to the chains. They lay motion less. I though they are dead but quickly dismissed the thought as their flesh were not rotten. I quietly made my way behind Merlin. The women Merlin was using looked at me but didn't voice anything, I took the knife to Merlin’s throat as fast and possible and with a shriek it was over.

     Wait, something’s not right, Merlin’s dead alright but a black smoke like substance started gathering over the now dead Merlin. Suddenly it shot towards me, I jumped in order to avoid it, but alas It closed on me and I saw it enter in my chest. I felt a sharp pain for a moment and then everything was quite again. I stood there shocked and dumbfounded; trying to understand what happed just now. I look all over the room to find some clue as to what happened but there was nothing unusual. I collected myself and started searching Merlin’s cloths for the matchsticks. I pocketed them and looked towards the three women. I doubt they will tell others that I killed Merlin but I didn't want to risk it.

     I stepped forward with the knife in my hand. I looked at the woman who was just being violated by Merlin. She looked me right in the eye; strangely she was not afraid even after seeing me kill Merlin. She didn’t even flinch, it’s like she welcomed death. I felt really bad for these women, I can’t stand the sight of these men and these women have to endure being violated by them each and every day.

“I am sorry but I have to kill you” I said to the women in front of me.

     I didn't expect any reply from her, maybe a scream or a little protest but all she said was “Thank you” and she slowly started crying.

     I was surprised first and then felt my heart wrench after she started crying. I knew that I cannot save these women; at least I can put them out of their misery.

    I took my knife to her throat and with a gasp she stooped breathing. Again the black globe started forming in front of me. This time I prepared myself for I knew that there was no escaping from the black globe.  It entered me again and a sharp pain ensured. I don’t know what it was but I can tell It was not anything dangerous as I am still alive after the first one entered me. I noticed the other two women staring at me; I did not know that they were watching me the entire time. They didn't resist either and yet again I had to endure two black globes.

    I pondered whether to leave the corpse here and feign ignorance but decided to dispose them off as to completely avoid any suspicion. I raised the corpse of the women first and to my surprise it was very light, heck how much malnourished she has to be to feel this weightless. I pushed the thought aside and started walking out of the room. Thankfully no one was outside. I carefully avoided Ray who was on the lookout outside and placed the corpse at the corner outside his view and quietly slipped to gather other corpses. Strangely enough all of them felt very light, including the corpse of Merlin. I lined up the corpses one after another and quickly pushing them into the ocean. Ray noticed the sound when the corpse hit the water and scooted over to where I was standing.

“What..Who is there? What are you doing outside at this hour?” Ray asked me alarmed.

“Ray it’s me, you don’t have to be so afraid. Frank threw up after drinking lot of alcohol and I disposed off the cloth I used to wash it.” I said in a calm tone.

     Ray relaxed a bit after hearing me; his expression changed and he asked me agitatedly “why is there blood on your cloths”

     I looked down at my cloths and surely there were lot of blood stains. I immediately pounced at Ray; although he was muscular I overpowered him easily and finished him off with my knife. I stood there surprised that I was strong enough to take him out that easily. Again the black globe showed up and this time I was accustomed to it, like I knew it was going to happen and was normal. I dumped his corpse and walked away to find the bucket and washcloth to clean the traces of blood.

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     The next morning everyone was on the edge as five people were missing and there was stench of blood.

---Captain’s POV---

     I woke up abruptly from my slumber by a loud voice outside my room. I cursed out and stood up to find the owner of the voice. I decided to give a trash him and make an example out of him. These pricks are getting more and more rowdy, once in a while you have to show them their place or there would be no end to the trouble they would bring.

It was quite a commotion outside my room. As soon as I stepped out, frank came running towards me, He face was distorted in anguish and he spoke while out of breath.

“Captain Merlin, Ray and girls are nowhere to be found. We searched the entire Radius but it’s like they have vanished without a trace and moreover there is a lingering stench of blood all over the place”

“What, What about the treasure room and provisions room, is anything gone from there?”I asked him in a hurried tone.

I risked my life to plunder those things; it’s more valuable then the lives of my crew.

“No captain, everything else is as usual, nothing is out of place” frank said.

     Right now my whole crew is standing before me and what I hear is that everybody was asleep and no one knew what happened. I am sure they were all killed by something or someone as there is still the smell of blood lingering in the air. After having killed so many, I can recognise it even from miles away. Philip was the last one to go to sleep and when he went to sleep everybody other than Merlin, Ray and the slave boy were there fast asleep.

     I am a little bit suspicious about the slave boy since he was awake along with Merlin and Ray, I asked him what he was doing and when did he went to sleep. He said he was cleaning the dishes and he went to sleep soon after Philip. I had one of my men check his pockets and there was nothing in it. He wouldn’t be able to overpower both of my men; surprise attack wouldn’t work against Ray as he has keen sense. I shift my gaze towards my other crew.

     Who is it?, has one of them became greedy and is killing others so as to get their hands on the loot. If so then why kill the girls. From what I know all my crew enjoys their company. It doesn’t make sense, who is it and what is their motive. I have to be cautious, everybody looks suspicious. Right now the only thing I can do is to keep an eye on everyone.

“We should never have crossed the guandaur, I told frank to take another route. It’s the Mermen I tell you, they crave blood and come in the silence of the night to prey upon unsuspecting humans.” One of my men said agitatedly.

     I glared at him angrily and yelled “Fool, it was no Mermen, I will find out the culprit soon enough. For now you all are going to keep a look out in the night taking turns in a group of three, If you sense anything unusual alarm everyone in a loud voice”

     I still can’t shake off the dreadful feeling, I feel like I am in some kind of trap with no escape. I have to get to the bottom of this and settle this as soon as possible. 

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     I though I would not be able to post anything today, since I like to spend my Sunday leisurely and go out to eat with my family, yet here I am with another chapter and a longer one at that. I don't know if my story is liked by someone but I'll write till I am able to even if no one reads I will read it in future and have a laugh at my immaturity. The art for the cover is also done, it took longer than I expected but I am pleased with it. Will post it tomorrow if possible. Once again let me know if there are any mistakes and suggestions are always welcomed.