Across the Sea Chapter 11

Ok, first of all, I'M SORRY I TOOK FOREVER WRITING THIS CHAPTER! I was just really struggling with it and working on a lot of things that I'm still working on. I'm mostly trying to perfect the pacing, so if any of you have any tips on that, it would really help. Anyways, I hope you like this chapter!

Warning: This one's kinda long. 😅

It was past midnight now, and the bright reflection of the full moon shone onto the clam water. Two silhouettes could be seen creeping across the deck. They came to the door to below deck and, as usual, two tough guards were stationed in front. They slipped out of view behind a cluster of large barrels.

“What do we do?” Asked Casimir

“When do they switch positions?” Hali asked.

Casimir looked to the sky and thought for a moment.

“In about two hours of so.” He said, looking to Hali again. She shook her head.

“That’s to long. Gimmie yer dagger.” She said holding out her hand.

“What?”

“I said gimmie yer dagger.”

“W… Why?” He said, looking at the dagger now in his hand.

Hali looked at him, annoyed, feeling it should be obvious why. Casimir’s eyes widened, as if realization had suddenly donned on him.

“No, there must be a different way!” He said.

“And what way do you suggest?” She replied.

He didn’t respond, instead, he just looked to the sky, as if deep in thought. Hali grunted.

“Enough.” She said, snatching the dagger from Casimir.

“Hali, wait!” He whispered.

Hali crouched and got ready to sprint, but just as she was about to, there was a loud *boom* sound. It was so loud, the waters splashed and the boat shook. A look of alarm sunk into each crew members face as they all rushed to the rail of the ship to look at what caused the sound, including the two that were standing guards. Hali and Casimir couldn’t see what had made the noise, but they took the opportunity to run to the door. Hali tried the to open it, but of coarse, it didn’t budge.

“Locked!” She said, kicking the door.

“Here, let me try.” Casimir said, taking out the same two nails he had use to pick the door earlier.

“Hurry!” Hali rushed. Then, with a click, the door was unlocked and the two ran down.

“When do you think Casimir will be back?” Asked Amara

“Could be days, week, months, who knows?” Said Kian, not taking his eyes of the sword he was mending.

“We can’t escape without him.” Said Avalee

“Look around, Hali never came. We’re not going anywhere.” Said Kian sadly.

Before Avalee could argue, there was a loud *boom* sound and the ship swayed. A few swords clattered to the floor. The three looked at each other in alarm.

“W-what was that?” Asked Amara, worried.

Just then, there was a clicking sound at the top of the stairs. They all froze. Then, Casimir and Hali were seen.

“Hali! Casimir! You came back! I knew it, I knew you would!” Said Avalee, sticking her tongue out at Kian.

“No time to talk, come on!” Said Hali, running back up the stairs.

After glancing at each other, a bit stunned, they all followed Hali out of the prison. Once back on the deck, Hali was shocked to see only a few crew mates left on board. She caught sight of something to her left and turned to see the enemy ship ablaze. It was right next to their ship now, so many had jumped on board to join the action. This, Hali had never seen before. But she didn’t wait to figure out what had happened.

“Hurry, now’s our chance! Stay close, ya hear?”

And with that, Hali sprinted into action. The others followed as fast as they could. Nobody seemed to notice them, and if they did, they made no effort to stop them. They were all focused on the fighting that occurred on the other ship. Hali peered over the rails and saw a boat attached to the other ship that would be quite easy to access. She jumped over the side, still holding the rail, and indicated for the rest to do the same. Then, in one swift movement, she jumped from the rail and into the boat easily. She quickly cut the ropes that bound the boat to the ship, and it fell to the water with a loud splash. She looked up and gestured for the others to jump as well. Carefully, and with less ease, the four others jumped into the boat. They each grabbed an oar and began to row as fast as possible. They were in between the two ships, and the gap between them was closing. Should they stay they any longer, they would be crushed between them.

“We’ll make it. Just don’t stop rowin.” Hali said calmly as they rowed.

They weren’t sure, but again, they had no other choice but to trust her. Sure enough, they made it out, barely, and were unharmed. But before they could say anything, a sharp voice cut through all the commotion above.

“HALI EVELYN!!!” Blagden roared from atop the ship, he stood gripping the rails, his face red as a totato.

Hali stood and walked to the end of the boat and shouted back,

“Oh, I forgot to tell ye goodbye, aye?” She said, cracking a smile.

“YA LEAVE THIS SHIP AND I SWEAR I’LL HUNT YE DOWN AND ALL YER COMRADS!!”

“Pff! Sure, good luck with that, old man!”

She smiled smugly before turning to walk back.

“REMEMBER WHAT YER FATHER DID!!” Was all Hali heard before Blagden was engaged in another fight. She sat down.

“Hurry! We ain’t safe yet!” She said as they began rowing faster.

They rowed until they were a safe distance away from the ships, then they all shouted with joy! Avalee threw her arms around Hali, which caught her off guard. She didn’t hug her back nor pull away. Amara cried joyful tears. Kian and Casimir laughed and cried too. Hali couldn’t help but smile and laugh too, for she herself had been trapped on that ship for the better part of a year. She couldn’t imagine how the others felt, being free after almost two years.

“Don’t wanna kill the mood, but we ain’t quite safe yet.” Said Hali, still smiling. “They could catch up easily, we outta find land.”

“Where are we anyways?” Asked Kian. Hali shrugged.

“No idea, best bet’s to get to shore and figure it out from there.”

“Lead the way, Hali.” Said Amara.

Hali looked at her with a mix of confusion and suspicion. She knew Amara didn’t trust her. But Amara only smiled and nodded, tears glistening in the corners of her eyes. There was gratitude written all over her face. Kian placed a hand on Amara’s shoulder.

“Lead the way.” He said to Hali with equal gratitude.

She looked at each of them, and something hit her. A pleasure she had never felt. It felt…. good, helping others. This, Hali had never felt, because she had never helped anyone but herself and her family, by order.

“Aye,” She said standing, “I will lead the way.”