Pirate Story- Chapter Nine: Red Morning- Kaylan T.

Chapter 9: Red Morning

By: Kaylan

As Esmeralda stood there trembling, there was an ominous boom of thunder in the distance. All of a sudden the old saying came back to her mind: Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky in morning, sailor's warning.

Was it a bad omen? Esmeralda shivered some more, and not just from the cold. Asher stood solidly beside her, stone-faced, but as thunder rumbled again, this time followed by a crackle of lightning, his hand drifted from his side to clasp hers. Standing there, she was filled with calm. No matter what happened, she would face it with a friend by her side.

            The entire boat was lit up by a flash of lightning. Esmeralda was terrified. The sky looked like it was bleeding. Gathering her senses, she remembered what Caspian had taught her about figuring out how close a storm was. She counted ten seconds before thunder crashed. 2 miles. But would it come on time?

The clouds opened up and let loose a deluge.

            “Get on with it,” Captain Straton growled at his men.

            Esmeralda and Asher were shoved forward. Esmeralda couldn’t help but let out a cry as she tripped on a wedge of sodden planking. A sailor prodded her forward, and as she looked up she saw Asher already on a stool, his head in the noose. His eyes were wide and his fists were clenched, but he said nothing.

            She was shoved up on the stool next to his. The captain’s eyes glinted with bloodlust and some of the sailors were grinning, relishing the moment.

            “Now, who first?” Straton said, rubbing his hands together. He strode forward, boots making a clop sound against the wet boards.

            “Sir!” Eli came rushing up on deck. “Sir, we have a problem.”

            Straton ignored him. “Alright, the boy first. I want to see this one suffer.” And he jabbed Esmeralda in the side with a long finger. She stifled her cry. The rope rubbed against her neck, and she was dreading the moment her feet would swing and all her weight would be on her neck.

            “Sir!” Eli said again, and this time the captain backhanded him across the cheek. The cook reeled back, but didn’t leave. “The galley is flooded! I think one of the boards in the hull came loose. We must patch the hole while we still have time!”

            One of the sailors had been peering out into the distance. “Cap’n, the storm is less than two miles away now.” Esmeralda couldn’t help but smile. Caspian knew his stuff. Well, had known his stuff.

            Don’t think like that, she scolded herself fiercely.

            A wave crashed up against the side of the boat. Water came pouring over the side and one of the sailors was swept over the side.

            “Man overboard!” someone shrieked.

            The captain swore. Then he kicked out the stool from beneath Asher’s feet. The boy’s eyes bulged and his hands came up to his throat as he swung there, helpless.

            Esmeralda gasped and ran towards him. “Asher!” she screamed. He was still breathing. He was still alive. She must save him.

            Then a huge wave came over the side of the boat. Esmeralda was knocked over by the stream of seaweed and salt water, and everything went black.

***

She was drowning. She couldn’t seem to move her limbs. Esmeralda watched, almost mesmerized, as a flurry of bubbles escaped her lips and disappeared into the gloom. She felt enveloped by a strange sort of peace.

            Then the water was disturbed by a thrashing nearby. She drifted around and saw something float towards her. Its arms were waving and its legs were kicking fiercely. It was shooting up towards the surface. That’s not fair, she thought. What about me?

            As it passed her, she caught a glimpse of its face. The boy looked strangely like Asher.

            I must be dreaming.

           Esmeralda closed her eyes and waited for herself to wake up.

Chapter Eight- Keona: Caught

Eli grabbed her hair with one hand and Asher’s ear with the other and dragged them down to the galley.

“I knew there must be a good reason why you two volunteered and it wasn’t just to get away from an orphanage- that would’ve been easy enough on any old ship,” the cook said, sitting them down on a couple of rough barrels. He pointed at Esmerelda, “I recognized you right away. I was keeping you down here for your protection, not to be mean. I still didn’t understand why on earth you would get on a military vessel, but I decided to let your story play out a bit. I must admit, it was pretty entertaining. Now tell me exactly what is going on, and I might consider not handing you over.”

“I’ll take my chances with the soldiers,” Asher said confidently.

“There will be no chances,” Eli said, “You are her friend and she has been charged with about ten different crimes. It’ll be the noose for you in an instant.”

Asher gulped audibly.

“So, like I asked already, what’s your story?”

So Esmerelda told him everything. How she and Caspian had been best friends and maybe more. How he had gone on his first voyage and caught and possibly killed by pirates. How she had acted as cabin boy on Asher’s ship and they had become friends. How they had finally made their way onto the Providence. When she was done, Eli sat back and sighed.

“That is quite the story, but how can I trust you?”

Esmerelda looked at Asher- this didn’t look good.

“Really, I don’t even find this believable, but I will get quite the reward for catching Esmerelda Valazquez and her accomplice. I might finally get off this ship!” Eli said with a cruel laugh. Esmerelda’s heart filled with horror. One of her biggest fears had come true. She would never find Caspian. She had been caught. She would spend the rest of her short life in the brig with her only friend left- Asher.

Guilt overwhelmed her. She had dragged him into this! It was her fault that he was in this situation!

Eli stood and went to the doorway, calling for guards.

“This girl has just confessed to being the wanted Esmerelda Valazquez and the boy has been helping her out. I caught them and tricked them into turning themselves in. Tie them up and put them in the brig and then alert the captain.

Esmerelda and Asher’s hands were tied with rough ropes so tight they bit into their wrists. They were harshly forced up the steps to the brig and locked in a tiny, damp, dark cell. The door slammed shut and locked with a loud click, but that didn’t discourage Asher from trying to force his way out by ramming into the door until he was dizzy.

“Asher, stop!” Esmerelda cried, “It’s pointless.”

Asher knew she was right and sat down on the cold floor beside her.

“I’m so sorry,” she said, tears streaming down her cheeks, “This is my fault.”

“Don’t tell yourself that!” he scolded, “I volunteered. I couldn’t let you go without me because… you’re the only real friend I ever had, even when you were a ‘cabin boy’. There was no way I was going to let you run off like that.”

Esmerelda knew he was right, but she still felt guilty.

“I’m just really sorry we never found Caspian,” Asher told her, “I know how much you love him.”

Esmerelda shook her head, “It was probably just a wild-goose chase anyways. He’s dead, Asher. The Maelstrom never takes prisoners.”

“Don’t talk like that. You know he’s not dead.”

“How do you know?”

“Because if you love someone, he must be a really great guy; and if he loved you back, he wouldn’t just die on you, fierce pirates or none.”

Esmerelda sighed, “If only it were like that. It’s not up to anyone when they die. We’re living proof.”

“We aren’t dead yet, Esmerelda. Don’t talk like we are.”

Ten minutes of silence passed before the door swung open.

“My name is Captain Straton of the Providence. I know who you are,” he said, pointing to Esmerelda, “What is your name, boy?”

“Asher.”

Straton obviously was waiting for a surname.

“I never knew my parents,” Asher told him.

Straton nodded, “Perhaps if you had, you would not be in the trouble you are in now. Nevertheless, I’m sure the two of you know the seriousness of your charges. You will-“

“Sir, we don’t even know what our charges are.”

“Well, stowing away on a ship was one. Burglary, uninvited passage on board a military vessel, evading capture by officers of the law. I honestly don’t know them all, but there are lots and isn’t that enough?”

“Captain, I’ve never stolen a thing in my life and we were accepted onto this ship by your cook-“

“Our cook has no right to accept anyone; that is the captain’s responsibility, and how do I know you aren’t lying?”

“You can’t possibly hang us for any of that, and certainly not without a fair trial!” Esmerelda cried.

“Girl, I am the captain of this ship. If I say you are stowaways, you’re stowaways. Every man on this ship would back me up and you know exactly what is done to stowaways on military vessels.”

Esmerelda knew and so did Asher.

“I will see you both at dawn. If you aren’t guilty, you’d better start praying for a way to prove it or it’s the rope for the both of you.”

***

The door opened the next morning, filling the cell with the reddish light of an early sunrise. Esmerelda and Asher hadn’t slept at all that night and they were both filled with hopelessness. This was it for both of them.

They were roughly pulled to their feet and dragged down the hall. Nobody spoke to them but many sailors and soldiers watched with pity, carelessness, or disgust. What had either of them done to deserve this?

“This is a mistake! We’re innocent!” Esmerelda wanted to cry out, but she knew it was useless. Why waste her breath when it was one of her last?

Silence came over the ship as they were brought onto the main deck. Two nooses hung from the main mast. The knot in Esmerelda’s stomach tightened with dread. She saw Asher’s face pale with utter hopelessness. She didn’t want to die. She hadn’t found Caspian. She felt like a failure. She had failed him, she had failed Asher, she had failed herself; and there was no going back.

  

Chapter Seven- Chloe: Providence

“Any ideas?”  Esmeralda asked with a weak grin.
“Well, not exactly….” Asher returned the smile.
Suddenly a plan formed in Esmeralda’s mind.
“Asher, you saw how heartless those men were on the way here. Don’t you think they would enjoy having people serve them for free?” Esmeralda asked, hoping Asher wasn’t as greedy as some other sailors.
“I guess, I mean…they’re British soldiers. You can probably expect to be treated like dirt.” Asher seemed a bit hesitant at the idea.
“Well, that’s where you would come in to help me. There probably will be no other women on the ship but I can cook and they may let me help in the kitchen. They would probably take you on as a cabin boy. How do feel about gaining a sister?”
Asher chuckled, “I always wanted one.”
                                                                           ~*********~
Esmeralda and Asher formed a plan, being very careful to cover all the details. They decided Asher would keep his name, and Esmeralda would take the name Mailee because who knows what the soldiers had heard of the search for Esmeralda. They boarded the ship, the Providence, and after a bit of hassle and getting pushed around they were given the positions Esmeralda had planned to be given.

Esmeralda was placed under the order of the cook, Eli. He was a cranky old man who always had a reason to get on to her. She did not enjoy it, but she knew it was worth the whole world to find Caspian. Who cared about the pointless scoldings of an old man? She still did not know why Asher had decided to join her and why she found it so easy to trust him. She hardly saw him as he was usually running errands all around the massive ship, but whenever he could he would come talk to her. From these talks, she learned Asher was an orphan who took care of himself, abandoned when he was younger and kept himself out of the orphanages by being a cabin boy his whole life.

The days passed slowly and Esmeralda often got tired of the same old thing every day. Asher told her that was what it was like on a ship especially when you are just searching the ocean. But after a week at sea a cry was heard from the crow’s nest. A small life boat had been spotted!

The news was passed throughout the ship quickly since there had been really no excitement at all on the ship yet. Esmeralda’s heart swelled with happiness when she heard it was indeed a life boat from the Cleopatra. Asher and Esmeralda had told no one of their search, but Esmeralda could not contain her excitement. She hurried up the rope ladder that went down into the dark, hot kitchen from the upper decks.
“Girl! Where are you going?? We aren’t finished with this! Thinks she can just run off whenever something happens…” Eli angrily shouted behind her.
Esmeralda ignored him in her excitement and ran full fledged into Asher as she reached the deck.
“Es- er…Mailee! They only found dead men on the lifeboat, they had no provisions…but they found a map in one of the men’s pockets. Mailee, we are going to follow the path of the Cleopatra!” Asher said quietly.
Esmeralda clapped her hands in joy, “Finally, Asher! Now we have leads to Caspian!”
She looked up at Asher surprised to see his face had turned  to a shade of white. Esmeralda turned and looked into the angry, bloodshot eyes of Eli.
“Care to tell me who Caspian is, dearie?” he chuckled.

Chapter Six: Pirate Story- Aislinn B.

She waited for a moment then left her hiding spot. The men were still in view. She slipped behind a wagon full of hay and waited. Just when she was about to make her next move, a voice came from behind her.

“You know, all this time I should have known. I see now how it’s possible,” she froze: she knew that voice.

“Asher, there was nothing else I could have done!”

“Tell me why, Esmeralda. Tell me why.”

“My friend, Caspian, got attacked at sea by the Maelstrom. So I wanted to go to the ship to save him, because I know deep inside of me that he is still alive. And I just need to...I have to...”

She felt a hand on her shoulder.

“I understand.” he said.

“That's why I need to go. I overheard British soldiers talking about a mission they had to capture the Maelstrom and I'm going to get on that ship. Asher, don't stop me. I have to go.” “I'm not going to stop you...I'm going to go with you!”

                                                               ****************

She smiled at him and explained what she planned on doing.

“We'll go down to the ship and stowaway.”

“That's your' plan. Stowaway? Seems downright crazy to me.”

“What, too out there for you?” She smiled.

He smiled back, “Nope, just fine. But how do you know which ship to go on?”

“I was following the soldiers before you came,” she peered around, the corner and to her surprise the soldiers were still there, talking. That was a relief.

“They're still there.”

“Good, well let’s go,” he whispered.

As if the soldiers heard them, they started walking away. Esmeralda and Asher followed far behind, ducking behind plants and buildings staying out of sight. The British soldiers turned left and right going down deserted side streets with garbage, beggars, and thieves lurking around them. They walked straight down the middle one at a time not even glancing down to see the poor souls begging for just a crumb of bread or drop of water. They were hard heartless people with no mercy or compassion. They were strict with rules and regulations and orders. These soldiers were dangerous and daring; bold and bright; but still too worried about self to worry about others whose lives were hurt by grief or sorrow. Too worried about self to pay attention to the dying and widowed. Too worried about self to pay attention to the poor and needy. All because they hurt themselves and couldn't see any good in this world. All this worried Esmeralda for Asher and her would be living as stowaways on a ship ruled by strict soldiers and general. If caught, they could be hung or put in prison, even as the young people they were! Still, she followed, not telling Asher the horrible thoughts that flooded her mind.

Suddenly, the soldiers made a quick left. The pair of stowaways stopped and peeked around the corner. What they saw was magnificent, yet upsetting to their stomachs.

That was the ship they would stowaway on? Asher was right. I am crazy!

The ship was huge. Ginormous!  Hundreds of red-coated men were walking around the ship lifting anchors, raising sails, running errands. The two stared in awe. Asher spoke what Esmeralda was thinking.

“How are we going to get on that?”

Esmeralda didn't reply.

How are we? She asked herself.

                                                         

Chapter Five: Pirate Story Theme

Esmerelda, Jackson, and Asher navigated their way through the winding streets of the unfamiliar town. It was a busy place, and at times they had to fight there way through the crowd. Esmerelda had to practically tun to keep up with the men's long strides as they hurried to the inn. 

 An older, graying man in royal clothes pushed his way toward them. "Relda?" he called. "Relda?"

Esmerelda started. Relda had been her nickname back home. "I'm here" she answered before she knew what she was saying.

"What's that?" Asher asked, turning toward her.

  "Nothing" Esmerelda said. "Just...talking...to myself."

The older man must have been looking for someone else because he walked past them without a second glance. 

  Esmerelda wanted to kick herself.That's it. she thought. From now on I must even think of myself as Caspian before i wreck everything. One mistake is all it takes. 

She hurried after Jackson and Asher before she lost them. As the sun was going down, they reached the inn...which looked like it was in shambles. Asher pushed open the creaking door and they walked in.

Inside was badly lit, smelly, and noisy. It was easily the worst place Esmerelda had ever been in. Jackson and Asher didn't seem to mind it, and stepped up to a counter at the front of the room.

"Supper, and a room for three" Jackson said loudly, throwing several coins down.

 "There's one empty" said the man behind the counter, who looked like a cross between a weasel and a rat. He pocketed the coins saying. "I'll show you to it now."

   The three of them followed the small man down a dark hallway and into a small room with a bed and a chair.

 "Two of ye will have to sleep on the floor," the man said apologetically. "But I might be able to scrounge up some blankets...if the mice 'n' lice haven't gotten into 'em...

  Esmerelda tried to contain a shudder at the thought.

"Come on, lets go get some food" Jackson said.

"I think I'll stay here" Esmerelda suggested. "Its been a long day...get some sleep..." she trailed off as they stared at her. 

 "Whatever" Jackson said. "You starve, not my problem." The two of them left the room, leaving Esmerelda alone. 

Looking around Esmerelda spotted a balcony off their room.Its kind of warm here, she thought. Sleeping outside looks like my best option. 

It actually was freezing outside, but Esmerelda was asleep as soon as she lay down. Still, she spent the early hours of the morning shivering, and was happy when the town finally awoke. 

"Cap'n gave me some coins to buy supplies today" Jackson told them as they ate a breakfast of porridge in the inn's dining room. "The place is not too far from here."

  Half and hour later, the three of them hurried through the streets until they came to the specified shop. 

"Stay here" Jackson ordered her and Asher. "I'll get the supplies."

Esmerelda and Asher sat down on a wooden bench near the door, with nothing better to do than watch the town life. One man caught Esmerelda's eye...he looked very, very familiar. Its Bekker! she thought. Thomas Bekker was a close family friend back in Jamaica. He was across the street, nailing something to a post. Then he turned, and walked directly over to her and Asher. Coming up to the shop, he nailed a piece of parchment to the door. Squinting, she was just able to see what it said.

  There was a large portrait of her- done at her 16th birthday party. Underneath were the words:

MISSING FROM JAMAICA.

NAME: ESMERELDA.

AGE: 17 YEARS.

REWARD OF 5000 POUNDS TO WHOEVER FINDS HER.

 Bekker picked up his hammer, and walked over to them. His eyes settled on Esmerelda, and he studied her intently. 

"Esmerelda?" he said cautiously.

"What???" Asher said. 

Esmerelda froze. Time to get out of here- NOW! she thought. She jumped from the bench, pushed past Bekker, and sprinted down the street. panting for breath, and hearing foorsteps behind her, she ducked behind a pile of firewood and hoped desperately that they wouldn't find her. Trying to slow her heartbeat, she listened to two British soldiers talk a few paces away. 

"I can't believe we're doing this" the one said. "We must be crazy! We're going on a ship whose mission is to hunt down the Maelstrom and capture her?? We are crazy."

"Well its too late, we can't back out now" the other one said. "Come on lets go- ship leaves in 20 minutes. Listening to their footsteps fade away, one thought was going through Esmerelda's mind. I MUST GET ON THAT SHIP.

Thank you so much, Kay! This was an amazing chapter! Aislinn Brown, it's your turn! Can't wait to hear what you have next!

And the Winners Are.......

So...All of the stories of people who entered were amazing! It was hard to choose. In the end, we chose two.We have two winners for the contest!


And they are:
1. Karalynn
2. Chloe


We will tell you two when it is your turn to do a second chapter :)


We will post their stories below....
                                                            

                                                              THE TRUE MAGIC

                                                               By: Karalynn Shade

     Mr. Kolinky’s day started out being the kind of day that could be confused with any old day;
nothing was unique about it, no especially sick patients. There was no exciting news or new doctors.
It was just his patients, his coworkers, and him. He saw the little girl with the bad eyesight, the boy with
half a heart, Clara with the healing broken ankle, and many others.
His day was winding down with nothing new when the nurse walked in. Mr. Kolinky smiled and
said, “Who is next on the agenda, Laurrie?”
The man looked back at him solemnly, “Leah, the girl who was diagnosed with cancer, but then
it went away? Well, she’s back and is having such severe repercussions; we know she won’t live but for
another day.”
        Mr. Kolinky frowned the sad kind of frown and swiftly answered, “Well send her right in.”
The girl was sent in and was checked upon. Seeing the nurses were right, Mr. Kolinky felt
compelled to make the quiet, strong little girl happy. He asked them to wait for a moment as he left the
room. He went out to his car and took out his fairy costume. He walked back up to his examination room
as quickly as he could.
      Donning the fairy wings, flower garland, and holding out the newest flower bouquet, he entered
the room again. His countenance was completely changed from that of a grave look to a small smile.
He walked up to the little girl and held out the flower bouquet and said, “I have a secret job as a fairy and
all the fairies want to give this to you. You’re a beautiful and brave girl.” Leah took the flowers from
the man’s hands, “I heard you once beat cancer!”
The girl nodded and smiled, “Yes I did. Everyone said it was almost impossible.”
      The doctor nodded, “Impossible it is, but you did show that you could put up a fight. You like us
fairies don’t you?”
At this, the girl nodded, somewhat puzzled, “Yes I do. I love fairies!”
“Well,” the doctor decided to break the news. The mother could tell what was coming and
began to sob quietly. The doctor continued, “You’re going to become a fairy soon. You’ll get to join us all
in Fairyland.”
The girl’s eyes grew wide, “Really!? Will my friends get to too?”
The doctor chuckled, “No, but you’ll get to in just about a day.”
       When the doctor finally released the girl about her day and had talked to the mother about how
long the girl had and to just let the little girl enjoy her day, he began to leave for home. He walked
out into the hallway with his costume still on and he saw standing there his daughter with her babysitter.
The little girl asked, “Daddy? Why do you only cheer up patients with that costume and make
THEM laugh? Why don’t you ever make me laugh?”
     Mr. Kolinky stood speechless for a moment, just thinking about what the girl had just said. His
late wife had died and left her child with him, whom he was not even related to but through his wife,
and yet he did love the little girl, although sometimes it was tough. He contemplated why he had
never treated the small girl like any of his other patients.
He then realized the little girl saw him as her father and loved him dearly. His eyes felt a little
wet as he crouched down and looked into her eyes. He said to her with love, “You know, Alyssa, 
that's a very good question. What do you say we talk about what it is you want you and me to do over ice
cream?”
    Alyssa’s eyes widened, “REALLY!?” Mr. Kolinky nodded and when they began walking toward
the car, the little girl turned up to him, “I love you, Daddy.”
Mr. Kolinky smiled as he looked down at the little princess and replied quite truthfully, “I love
you too.”




THE DAILY ROUTINE





    Professor Muttenberg checked his watch and let out a high pitched cry. He was going to be late! He hastily stuffed his papers into his briefcase, flipped the light switch, and slammed the door to his classroom. He ran down the hallway and down the stairs yelling his goodbyes to his fellow teachers. Most shook their heads at his antics, some chuckled fondly.
    The professor straddled his bike and quite clumsily pedaled to his small, yet homey apartment. He greeted Mrs. Avery and her poodle, Samson, halfway up the stairs leaving for a walk and practically ran over Mr. Smithson. Reaching his apartment, he flung his briefcase onto the bed.
    “Oh me-oh my, let’s see what I have here.” he knelt at the chest which sat at the end of the bed and pulled out his flowery wand, butterfly wings, and flower headband.
    “This should do it-now back down the stairs!” he fled down stairs falling twice and slamming into Mrs. Avery at the bottom.
    “Why, Professor Muttenberg! Did I not just see going up the stairs just seconds ago?” she huffed for it took Mrs. Avery quite some time to get down the stairs.
    “I am afraid so, and I am very sorry to greet you again in such a way. However, I am late and shall have to chat later.” The professor patted Samson and ran to his bike.
    “Well, I’ll be Samson!” Mrs. Avery chuckled as she watched him slip on his butterfly wings before speeding off.
    A couple minutes later the professor arrived at his destination and opened the heavy wooden doors.
    “Lovely evening, Margaret!” he spouted off to the young lady at the desk.
    “And to you professor!” she smiled back.
    At the door to the large room in which the professor was supposed to be stood his wife, Lois.
    “Oh! Hello dear! They are all waiting for you inside!” she said greeting him with a kiss.
    “How do I look?” he spun around. He had added his flower headband and he held out his wand.
    “Wonderful!” she laughed as she opened the door.
    The chairs were all filled except for the big one empty one at the front of the room for the professor (though he hardly ever used it). The professor scanned the smiling faces and plastered a huge grin on his own.
    “The fairy!” one of his most outspoken small friends shouted.
    “Hello children!” the professor lovingly eyed the little faces. He hoped he brightened the orphans’ day as much as they brightened his. As he opened Peter Pan (in which they had all agreed he should act Tinkerbelle in) he sighed a sigh of happiness knowing his busy schedule of juggling teaching at the university and making the little ones laugh was well worth it. He considered them his own seeing as Lois and him had never had any of their own.
    “Chapter Two.” He began being very mindful of when to switch to his Tinkerbelle voice.

Chapter Four--Pirate Story Theme

                                             Suspicions

                                   By: Karalynn Shade

                When Esmeralda finally came to, someone was holding on to her as they bobbed up and down on the water. A sudden fear overtook her and stopped her heart! Who was this and why were they in the ocean!? When she suddenly realized it was just one of the crew and that being a cabin boy was part of her new life, her fear subsided.

                Everything came flooding back to her during the shipmate’s telling of what happened, “As soon as the shout went up, you fell like a sack of salted pork, on the spot! I had to get you onto the longboat before the ship started to sink. The sea king’s swordfish, you’re light, lad! Don’t know how you aimed to be of any help on our wretched ship!”

                Esmeralda’s face flushed with resentment at this comment, but she must keep her calm and more importantly, her job, to be able to find Caspian. She tried at a man’s voice once again, “What are we going to do now?” her voice cracked up pitifully at the end, earning her a small boy’s voice, at best.

                The sailor bellowed with laughter. Her face flushed awfully at this. He continued with a grin, “Well now I see why you’re so slight and weak; you’re changing! You’re in the stage between boyhood and manhood!” He clapped her on the back. It was soft for him, but it earned her a one-way ticket forward.

                She stopped herself with a yelp before she toppled over and onto the crew seated before her. They all laughed as they continued to row.

                “But fer an answer, we’re headed to a port nearby. The Cap’n has a mighty good sense of direction and we managed to salvage most of the maps. The cargo though, is a different story. That’s all long gone.”

                Esmeralda was glad they weren’t headed back, but worried that with the loss of all the cargo, they would all have to find jobs other places at the port at which they were headed. Mostly, she just feared she wouldn’t get a new job on a different ship, then she couldn’t find Caspian! What was happening with him right then, anyway?

                The crewman noticed her worried expression and put her at ease, “Don’t worry, we won’t have to be on different crews. The Cap’n has enough money to buy another ship and more than enough cargo and supplies.”

                This made her wonder. The drop-off they had planned out in the middle of the ocean was a little weird before, but now it was mysterious. With all the money they had, Esmeralda knew they could have bought a better ship before this incident. They looked like common traders and sellers, but then where would they get all that money? It just didn’t add up.

                She looked out to the sea and noticed that the land has snuck up on them while they were in conversation. This new interest put the mysteries of the ship all behind her. She wondered what it would be like at this new place. She had never been out of her home settlement before. She was definitely getting a lot of adventure, but of course, that came with her life as Caspian.

                                                                                ***

                “All off the longboats! Let’s go get supplies!” The captain barked the orders, “Caspian, you’re with Jackson and Asher.”

                Esmeralda’s stomach sank when she heard these orders; not Jackson! Of all people, she had to be stuck with Jackson. When everyone was off the longboats she met up with Asher, figuring that at least she had a friend with her, or at least, the closest to a friend that she had right then.

                Jackson finally joined them with a pointed glance in Caspian’s direction. The three of them walked inland a bit to an inn. Esmeralda glanced around trying to add it all up. What were they doing here? She decided to play it cool and figure it out.

                Jackson took the lead by going in first.  Asher and Esmeralda walked in behind. When Jackson went behind the counter and into the room beyond, Asher leaned against the wall near the door. Esmeralda did the same, but listened in to what was being said in the room beyond. A girl can’t lose all curiosity just because she’s acting a boy.

She couldn’t hear much, but she definitely heard a bit. She heard Jackson’s low rumbling tone, “We lost our ship and it’ll take us a few days to recover. Tell them we’ll be a few days late with some of the cargo gone.”

Another man’s words, “Alright, but they’ll be none too happy about it.”

She couldn’t hear the beginning of the conversation, but she tried to get the entire end when Asher turned to her and asked, “So, how come you’ve become our cabin boy all of a sudden? Did your ship go down or are you just poor?”

Esmeralda was startled someone would question, but she didn’t stay silent for long. Taking on her boy voice and trying not to crack it, she replied, “Uh, yeah. My old ship went down and I needed to find work again.”

Asher’s eyes sparkled with laughter, “But what did you do on the old ship if you can’t even lift cargo?”

Esmeralda’s face flushed and she scrutinized some very interesting cracks in the floorboards. She was going to get laughed at but, she had to save herself some way, “I did chores for the old captain, like take him his food and such. He was a lazy old bloke.”

Asher chuckled quietly and told her his story, “I was just poor. You wouldn’t believe some of the stories of these men!”

Just then, Jackson came back out and announced, “We’re done here, but since we don’t have a ship, we’re going to be staying in an inn tonight.”

The three of them headed toward the inn that the captain had specified to Jackson.

  (Kay: You may begin Chapter 5 when ready)

Chapter Three -- Pirate Story Theme

The Storm

By: Hope Covey

As dawn approached, Esmeralda made her way down to the docks where the Destiny was anchored. Rough-looking sailors moved about in the early morning, carrying heavy cargo onto the ship. Esmeralda crouched behind a large crate as she watched them.

 Suddenly, she felt a strong hand on her shoulder. Esmeralda spun around, finding herself face-to-face with the captain of the Destiny, who she had spoken to the previous night. 

“Caspian,” the captain said. 

A shiver ran down Esmeralda’s back. The captain looked much more fierce and tough than he had in the shadows last night. His black, greasy hair hung down to his shoulders; he had a scar running across his right cheek; bristly whiskers covered his face; and he smelled wretched, as if he hadn’t had a bath in years. Fastened to his thick belt was a glimmering cutlass.

“Come aboard the Destiny,” he said, motioning to the ship. “She will be your new home for the next few months…” he paused for a moment, “…Caspian.”

Esmeralda nodded, her head pounding. “Yes, Capt’n.”

The captain walked toward the ship with Esmeralda following behind. As the sailors glared at her, Esmeralda’s heart pounded wildly. She kept her hand on her right hip, where she had hidden a sharp dagger underneath her clothes.

“We’ll be sailing along the coast, stopping at ports to drop off most of the cargo. Then we’ll be heading out of this harbour to the high seas. We have some business to do out there.”

What business? Esmeralda wondered. What could they possibly be planning to do in the middle of the ocean?  

“Caspian.” The captain interrupted her thoughts as they boarded the ship. “Meet the Destiny.”

Esmeralda had to admit; it was an impressive boat with a polished wooden figurehead on the front of the ship and three large masts and huge sails.

 “Capt’n!” one of the sailors called. “The cargo is loaded; we’re ready to go.”

“Then pull in the anchor!” the captain roared.

“Aye, Capt’n.”

Six sailors reeled in the heavy iron anchor; the Destiny began to drift away from the dock. The sails were lowered, and they began to sail away. Esmeralda watched land get farther and farther away. Tears welled up in her eyes as she wondered if she would ever see her mother again.

Raucous laughter startled her back to the present. I must find Caspian, she thought determinedly.

“Caspian!” cried the captain.

“Yes, Capt’n?” Esmeralda answered quickly.

“I want you to swab the decks.”

“Yes, Capt’n.”

“You’ll find a mop and bucket down there, first door on the left.” He pointed to a door that lead down to the crew’s quarters, captain’s cabin, kitchen and lavatory. “And make it snappy!”

Esmeralda hurried below the deck, down the small stairwell. She opened the door of the little supply closet and retrieved the mop and bucket. As she shut the door, Esmeralda dashed up the steps to the main deck and began to mop the floors.

As afternoon approached, the Destiny sailed out of the harbour and into the ocean.

“Salted pork and biscuits!” one short, mean-looking sailor shouted at Esmeralda. “You want some?”

Esmeralda nodded.

“Here!” he tossed her a cloth napkin with her meal wrapped in it.

Esmeralda moved away from the crowd of sailors who were swarming around the man passing out food. She sat down in a small space between two barrels, away from all the noise, and began to eat her small meal. The food tasted plain and a bit stale, but Esmeralda was hungry and devoured it quickly.

Esmeralda sat in silence, staring at the dark thunderclouds forming west of the ship. A storm could mean they’d be delayed several hours, or days, if they were thrown off course. Lightening flashed in the distance; thunder boomed a moment later.

“Caspian!” the captain bellowed. “Caspian!”

Esmeralda quickly dashed to where the captain was standing at the bow of the ship.

“I want you to assist Jackson and Hank in getting the remaining crates and barrels into the cargo hole. Looks like we’ve got a storm heading this way.”

Esmeralda nodded. Jackson and Hank each picked up a barrel and carefully transported them to the cargo hole. Esmeralda tried to push a heavy wooden crate, but it wouldn’t budge. A very young sailor sauntered up to her. He had to be at least sixteen or seventeen, dark-haired, and brown-eyed. He was wearing a filthy shirt tucked into a pair of grimy pants. He stared down at Esmeralda, watching her struggle.

“Need help?”

“I- can- do it- myself,” she grunted. 

“You the new cabin boy?” he asked.

“Uh-huh.” Esmeralda gave up trying and stood up to her full height. She was slightly taller than the other boy.

“What’s your name?” he asked, stepping over the crate to help her.

“Caspian.”

“I’m Asher.”

Esmeralda was silent. She didn’t want to reveal anything else about herself, fearing that Asher would find out she wasn’t really who she said she was.

Asher pushed the crate to the edge of the cargo hole, and bent over and shouted down to Hank and Jackson,

“Another crate up here for you to take down.”

Esmeralda felt a raindrop splatter on her arm. Thunderclouds were covering the sky as far as she could see. Rain began to quickly fall from the sky, and the waves began to get violent and rough. The crew rushed about, tying up ropes and putting away the remaining cargo. The waves grew taller and beat against the side of the Destiny.             Esmeralda grabbed the rail and held onto it tightly, her face pale with fear. The ship rose and fell; the motion made Esmeralda feel nauseous. Her head began to spin, and the next few seconds were only a blur. She was fighting to stay conscious.

“The Destiny has sprung a leak!” somebody shouted. “Abandon ship!”

Then Esmeralda blacked out....

(Karalyn, you may start Chapter Four when ready)  



   

Chapter Two--Pirate Story Theme

                                                   Destiny

                                         By: Maddy L. Lien 

       Esmeralda took a step back as if she had been struck. Suddenly she felt dizzy and the floor seemed to rise to meet her. As she fainted, three words crossed her mind, Caspian is gone! 

When Esmeralda awoke, she realized she was in her bed. The sun was rising, a beautiful contrast to the blue sky. But Esmeralda could not enjoy the sunrise as she usually would. As everything flooded back to her, she began to weep. Deep sobs that came from the center of her being and spilled out, drenching the pillows in her grief. She sobbed until she could weep no more. And then she lay there. She felt no desire to rise. To face a world without her best friend. But deep inside Esmeralda knew he was more than that. But she would not admit it to even herself. For several hours she remained in that position. Esmeralda had just determined to get up when she heard a light knock on her door. She lifted her head as her mother walked in. 

"You're up!" she said, softly. "What happened? Some men brought you to the door last night. They said you fainted!" 

      Fresh grief washed over Esmeralda as she said, "Caspian's ship..." she paused as she tried to keep her composure. "Maelstrom..." Was all she could get out before she began crying again. Her mother wrapped her arms around Esmeralda and rocked back and forth on the bed as Esmeralda cried herself out again. When her weeping was reduced to soft sobs, her mother said, "I'm so sorry, dear." Inside Esmeralda something had disappeared when she found out Caspian was gone. It was the thing that kept her hoping he would visit. The thing that caused her to want to make him smile. It was replaced by anger. She was angry at him for leaving. She was angry with the captain for taking him away, though she knew it was silly. But most of all, she was angry at the pirates on the Maelstrom. 

For two weeks Esmeralda went about her normal life as if nothing had happened. Nobody but her mother could tell that anything was wrong. But her mother knew, as mother's are wont. She knew that her daughter had not healed from the hurt and that she probably never would. But Esmeralda would conceal it if it drove her mad!

 

      Three weeks after Caspian disappeared, the sun set red as blood. At midnight, a figure could be seen climbing down from the top floor of the inn. But no one noticed. As Esmeralda dropped from the last foothold, she slung her bag over her back. She was wearing baggy pants and a loose shirt. A boys outfit. Her long beautiful hair was cut short like a boy. She headed out to the road and began walking down it. Esmeralda was going to hunt down the Maelstrom and kill every pirate on it. Or so she hoped.

       She reached the docks and kept to the shadows. There were few people out at this hour and those who were were mostly drunken sailors. Esmeralda shuddered as she heard a sailor yell foul words at another. The two were soon on the ground rolling and landing clumsily and badly placed blows. For a moment they were right in front of her but they soon rolled out of view. She heard a sickening thud, then a crack and then she could hear no more of the fight. She watched as the first sailor emerged from the alley in which he had fought and crack his knuckles. He glanced around victoriously and their eyes met. He was heading for her. She realized her danger and began running down the street. The sailor began to chase her. She dodged past the few people who were on the streets until she ran smack into a tall man. He held her so she could not flee and said to the sailor who was only seconds behind her, "Jackson, what are you doing?"

        The sailor called Jackson shrugged. The man continued to hold her firmly as he asked gruffly, 

"And what is a young lad such as yourself doing at so late an hour on so dangerous a street?"

"I was looking for a ship to find work on," Esmeralda blurted out. 

"Is that so?" said the man, rubbing his chin. "I just happen to be the captain of a ship myself and we just lost our cabin boy. Would you care to join my crew? You don't look very sturdy but a couple weeks of hard work and sun and sea air should fatten you up, eh?" he chuckled slightly to himself. 

"If you'll have me, sir, I would love to sail with you." Esmeralda groaned silently. She sounded so foolish!

"What is your name, lad?" 

"Caspian." Esmeralda surprised herself, but as soon as she said the name a jab of pain coursed through her. It hurt so much she almost could have sworn someone stuck a knife through her ribs. But the pain was gone as suddenly as it had come. The anger had returned. 

The captain looked more closely at her. 

"Ok, then, Caspian. Be at my ship an hour before dawn to help load the cargo. We leave at dawn precisely." 

"Which ship is yours?"

"That beauty over there called the Destiny." The captain turned then and began walking away. Jackson glared at her and then followed. Esmeralda had found a ship to work on! Now she just had to make sure no one found her out...

     

  

(Hope, you may start Chapter Three when ready!)

Pirate Theme: List

Chapter 1: Somiya and Keona

Chapter 2: Maddy L.

Chapter 3: Hope Covey

Chapter 4: Karalyn

Chapter 5: Kay C.

Chapter 6: Aislinn

Chapter 7: Chloe

Chapter 8: Lydia S.

Chapter 9: Winter

Chapter 10: Keona

Chapter 11: Kaylan

Chapter 12: Jenny

Chapter 13: Katie

Chapter 14: Grace Sharpe

Chapter 15: Somiya

Chapter 16: Abbey Lewis

Chapter 17: Sarah C.

Pirate Theme: Chapter One

Maelstrom

By: Somiya Brown and Keona Polhamus

       

      Esmeralda Velazquez gazed out of the grime filled window, of the top floor of her parents’ inn. She looked out   expectantly, but all she could see were the shacks and shops of her dirty street. Since the inn was taller than the other homes, she was privileged with a better view than most of if not all of the people in her town. She turned her attention to the long dock of the ship port, which was quickly coming to life in the light of the rising sun. Most of the men in this small English settlement in Jamaica were fishermen or merchants or shopkeepers of some trade. And already, before the sun's light, they could be seen moving about the long docks. The pale calm sea was streaked with the pale pinks and oranges of the early morning sky, and a wispy mist was swirling from around the docks. Then, there it was. The sun, big and glowing and red. Like a magnificent fireball, it cast its red and orange light across the sky and sea, creating a fire-like effect. Yes, it was beautiful, but to the sailors it was a bad omen. There was an old saying among fishermen that went something like this," Red night, sailors delight; red morning, sailors warning." A red morning would be a major setback. It meant a storm was coming; and it was never wrong. She would have to warn him, but she doubted her would listen. Any foolish man, who would regard this as a superstition, would find himself at the bottom of the ocean.  Few if not any of the fishermen in their small sloops, would try to brave the upcoming storm; today would be a day for checking the nets, or buying new merchandise, or visiting one of the many inns in the town. Today would be a busy day for her parents.... Speaking of her parents, Esmeralda could already smell the fresh aroma of the breakfast her mother had started, her mother would probably be calling her down soon to help serve the boarders. He better arrive soon.

         She decided to look out the window just for a minute longer, and then she would help her mother. Much to her dismay, the street was still empty.... No! Wait! Yes, there he was just rounding the corner now. Caspian Smith. He had a weird name for a British subject, but it suited him. Long-ish dark brown hair, light caramel skin, and mysterious silvery blue eyes to match his quiet, mysterious demeanor. He is late again, she mused with a smile. She opened the window and waved, he gave her one of his rare small smiles and ducked his head inside the door of the inn. Before leaving, she quickly ran to her cracked looking glass. She ran her fingers quickly through her long mass of curly dark hair. She was pleased with her appearance. She inherited her dark hair and small figure from her mother's Spanish side. Her greenish-hazel eyes and light skin were from her father's British side. Some people looked down on "mixed" people, but she was proud of her family heritage. She gathered up the skirt of her brown dress, and flew down the stairs, wishing for the freedom of trousers. She peaked through the kitchen, and slowly tip-toed by in her bare feet, hoping her mother wouldn't notice. "Esmeralda?" she turned around," Ah, there you are, I need your help, the inn is full." Esmeralda tried to smile," Two minutes, please, ma’ma?" Her mother raised an eyebrow, then looked into the dining room, and saw Caspian casually leaning against the door frame. "Ah,' she said while smiling, then she walked over and handed Esmeralda a plate of hot cakes," Go see him."

       "Thank you!" she said while grabbing Caspian's hand and tugging him outside. Her mother shook her head and smiled, then went back to work. Caspian sat on the steps stuffing his face with the hot cakes, while Esmeralda tried to warn him of the upcoming storm. "You can't go out there today, see the sky!" she urged.

He shook his head and began to laugh softly," You can't stop me; it’s my first day on the job. Esmeralda, you know I need the money." She shook her head; Esmeralda knew this to be true, for Caspian's parents were merchants who had been killed by a pirate attack. Caspian didn't like to talk about, but the only thing he ever told her was," Esmeralda, if you ever see a ship called the Maelstrom, get out of here as fast as you can." The very name gave her shivers. "There is going to be a storm," she urged. He stood up and grabbed her shoulders lightly," I promise you, I will be fine, it is not like I don't know the sea." She had to agree with him on that one. "Fine,” she said while punching his shoulder," But you have to let me walk you down to the merchant docks."

      He agreed, and the two best friends made there way to the docks. By the time they arrived the sun was fully risen. They made their way to the large merchant ship Cleopatra docked there. "Um...Hello, sir," said Caspian," Are you Captain Nicholson?" "Yes, that would be me lad...Are you ready to set out, they say there is going to be a storm, but that won't stop me." "Yes, sir,” said Caspian," that won't stop me either."

"Good!” said the Captain with a smile," You can start by loading these crates into the ship."

     The Captain walked away, and Caspian walked back to Esmeralda. He gave her a quick hug.

"Bye," he said," Expect me back in a week!"

She knew she couldn't convince him not to leave so she went along with it," Ok." she said," Don't run into any pirates."

"I won't," he said. And with that he walked up the gangplank. Esmeralda quickly made her way back to their inn to help her mother. She slid into the kitchen just in time to do the dishes. "He's gone?" her mother asked.

"Yes, he'll be back in a week," she replied.

       Meanwhile, Caspian had been sailing on the Caribbean for three days. There had been the large storm, but they had braved it with ease. The merchant ship had already visited so many places, he had seen so much. He couldn't wait to go back and tell Esmeralda. He looked out gazing on the horizon, and saw a small speck in the distance.

"Captain!" he called," There is another merchant ship on the horizon!"

The captain came up beside him, his face grave," Aye, that is no merchant ship, lad."

Caspian looked at the captain," You mean...."

"Pirates!" said the Captain," Raise the sails, we have to get out of its canon range."

Caspian watched as the galleon got closer and closer, and then he recognized the man at the helm. Captain Malcolm Skulken.

This was not just any pirate ship. It was the Maelstrom.

     The week had passed so slowly for Esmeralda, and she ran to the merchant docks. She sat with her feet dangling in the water, waiting for the Cleopatra to arrive. She waited all afternoon, but it never came...

Finally, a merchant ship docked, a man came off pale and weak. Soon a crowd had gathered around him, the captain of that merchant ship had found him half drowned on a plank in the water. "He said that he came from the Cleopatra." Esmeralda went pale and ran up to the man. "What happened?" she pleaded. He looked up at her with his glassy eyes and uttered one word before he died. "Maelstrom."