Stuck in an Island with Twelve Beautiful Women
Chapter 613 - 615

As dawn broke over the horizon, Jude stirred from his slumber, the embers of last night's fire still glowing faintly. The events of the previous night had left him with a sense of clarity and resolve. Today, he intended to return to the routine that had grounded him on this island for so long. He decided to head to the shores to check the fish traps.

The air was crisp, and the scent of saltwater filled his nostrils as he made his way down the familiar path to the shore. The sea was calm, its gentle waves lapping at the beach with a rhythmic, soothing sound. Jude took a deep breath, letting the tranquility of the moment wash over him. For a brief instant, the troubles of the past few days seemed far away.

Reaching the traps, he noticed they were full, a bounty of fish wriggling and splashing in their confines. As he began to empty the traps into a basket, a movement out at sea caught his eye. He squinted against the morning light, trying to make out the dark shape on the horizon. At first, he thought it might be a trick of the light or perhaps a drifting piece of debris. But as it drew closer, he realized it was a ship.

A shiver ran down his spine. Ships had not approached the island in all the time they had been there. The vessel was unlike any he had ever seen. It was an old, decrepit galleon, its sails tattered and torn, moving eerily fast despite the lack of wind. The ship's timbers were blackened and cracked, and an ominous aura seemed to radiate from it.

Jude's heart began to race as the ship neared the shore. He could now make out figures on the deck. They were skeletal, their bones bleached white, some still clad in the remnants of tattered uniforms and pirate garb. The empty eye sockets of their skulls seemed to fix on him as they moved with a mechanical precision, preparing to lower a small boat.

Panic surged through him. He had to warn the others. Abandoning the fish traps, Jude turned and sprinted back towards the shelter, his feet pounding against the sand. His breath came in ragged gasps as he ran, fear lending wings to his feet. The path through the forest seemed longer than ever, each shadow and rustle of leaves amplifying his anxiety.

Bursting into the clearing where their shelter stood, Jude shouted for everyone to gather. The urgency in his voice brought his wives running from various corners of their small encampment. Sophie was the first to reach him, concern etched on her face.

"Jude, what's wrong?" she asked, grabbing his arm.

"We're under attack," he panted, trying to catch his breath. "A ship...a ghost ship...skeletons are coming ashore. We need to prepare, now!"

The gravity of his words took a moment to sink in, but soon the women were moving into action, gathering what weapons and tools they had. Jude could see the fear in their eyes, but also a steely determination. They had faced many challenges on this island, and they would face this one too.

As they hurriedly prepared, the eerie silence of the forest was broken by the distant sound of footsteps crunching through the underbrush. Jude's heart sank. The skeletal crew was closing in faster than he had anticipated. He directed his wives to hide in strategic positions around the shelter, hoping to ambush the intruders.

The first skeleton emerged from the treeline, its hollow eye sockets scanning the area. Jude and his wives held their breath, gripping their makeshift weapons tightly. More skeletons followed, their bony feet making an unsettling clatter against the forest floor. They moved with an unnerving synchronicity, as if guided by some unseen force.

Jude waited until the skeletons were close enough before giving the signal. With a battle cry, he and his wives sprang from their hiding places, attacking the skeletal invaders with everything they had. Spears, clubs, and even rocks were used to bash and break the bones of their enemies. Despite their fearsome appearance, the skeletons were fragile, shattering under the force of their blows.

The fight was chaotic and intense. Jude found himself face-to-face with a particularly large skeleton, its bony fingers reaching for him. He swung his club with all his might, smashing the creature's skull and sending it toppling to the ground. Around him, his wives fought bravely, their movements a blur of determination and desperation.

Despite their best efforts, the skeletons kept coming. For every one they destroyed, two more seemed to take its place. Jude's muscles burned with fatigue, but he knew they couldn't afford to give up. They had to protect their home, their family.

As the battle raged on, Jude noticed something strange. A faint, ghostly light was emanating from the skeletons' eye sockets. It pulsed rhythmically, almost like a heartbeat. He realized that this light was somehow animating them, keeping them moving despite the damage they took.

Desperate to end the fight, Jude shouted to his wives, "Aim for the eyes! Destroy the light!"

They responded quickly, focusing their attacks on the skeletons' heads. It was a difficult task, but slowly, they began to make progress. Each time they shattered the ghostly light, the skeleton collapsed into a pile of bones, lifeless once more.

The tide of the battle began to turn in their favor. With renewed vigor, Jude and his wives fought on, systematically dismantling the skeletal horde. It was a grueling process, but finally, after what felt like hours, the last skeleton fell.

Exhausted and covered in sweat, Jude and his wives surveyed the battlefield. The ground was littered with bones, but they had survived. The ghost ship still loomed ominously off the coast, but for now, the immediate threat had been dealt with.

As they gathered around the fire that night, tending to their wounds and reflecting on the day's events, Jude couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. The ghost ship and its skeletal crew were a harbinger of something far more sinister. They had to be prepared for whatever came next.