Salty waves crashed into the side of the ship with great force. A tiny, fragile 5-year-old girl peered over the edge to the rushing waters below. She wore her awe openly. Her mouth left gapping and her blue eyes glittering with excitement.
The crisp morning air nipped at her tiny arms and pink nose. A chilly wind swept through the masts, thus reminding her how early it really was. The sun hadn’t yet risen, but and orange and pink color had began to mix with the dull gray off the horizon. The sight was completely breathtaking.
An object off in the distance caught her eye. A ship?
She turned to look. A sharp pain shot up to her shoulder. A man had grabbed her arm and gripped it tightly with his rough hands.
“Come with me child, it isn’t safe standing about this early in the day,” his voice was even rougher then his hands, his face was caked with dirt, and he needed to shave, badly. He was tall, maybe around 6 foot.
Sapphire pulled away from his grasp. Just as she opened her mouth to speak a loud crack echoed through the cool air. She instinctively turned toward the sound, at the other ship. Sure enough, light gray, almost white, smoke billowed from its cannons. The ship was maybe 50 yards away and the shadows of people ran upon the deck, yelling at one another.
The sound of snapping wood and ropes from behind caught her attention. She spun back around. The man’s face was wide with pure horror. The mast that stood right before them began crashing directly down to the two.
The next few moments flashed before the girl’s eyes like a slideshow. You are always uncertain about what shows next.
One second she saw people running about the deck completely frightened and concerned. The next minute the rough man shoved her from the falling mast’s way. At that moment it was seconds from hitting the edge of the ship and taking the whole thing with it into the freezing ocean waters. The man lost his footing and fell onto his stomach.
The mast hit. Wood snapped and tore the white sails into bits. Waves roared onto the deck and the whole ship tilted to its side from the impact. Barrels, tools, and crates of food rolled to the side of the ship that was now almost underwater.
The girl could feel her warm tears of fear as a wave splashed up onto her, soaking her new dress too. One minute the ocean was so beautiful and calm, and the next it was about to completely devoir her.
She was pulled farther into the water. Desperately, she reached for any wood or box that was within her reach, but she wasn’t strong enough to hold on.
She plummeted into the ocean. The freezing temperatures of the water instantly stole her breath. She panicked and flailed her arms every witch way, but the harder she tried to resurface, the farther down she sank. She was so scared that time stood on end and everything happened in slow motion. She seemed to be stuck underwater forever.
Sapphire’s eyes began to grow heavy and she was about to give up all hope on surviving, when suddenly a ray of hope shone through. A giant set of hands grabbed her shoulders and she felt herself being lifted from the water. Her dress seemed to weigh a ton and her curly blonde hair stuck to her face.
She couldn’t see a thing, but she felt herself being laid down onto a ship’s deck. She opened one tired eye. A kind man looked down at her. He flashed a warm smile and he moved the hair from her face.
“It’s ok now, you can rest,” his voice was smooth and caring.
She began to shake, she was able to feel her body again, but she was so cold.
“My name is John. Don’t worry child, you are completely safe.” She sighed and drifted into a much needed rest. John smiled and lifted the limp child. Her wrapped her in a warm towel, then in a cozy blanket. He took her into his loft and lay her on his bed. He pulled the covers up to her chin and turned to walk away. A silent sob escaped the girl’s throat. He glanced back at the traumatized child. A salty tear rolled down her cheek, but she remained asleep.
He grinned, then walked out to the deck of his giant ship.
John’s voice sliced through the air, it was no longer the kind, caring voice from before, but it was strong, brave, and fearful. “All right you maggots, keep the ship going and reload the cannons. Move on to the next ship, we got all we needed here!”
angelkisses_012 Community Member 
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