The Pirate Queen

Chapter One

"Athena, you have to talk to us, you can't ignore our questions. You do know that we are just concerned about your future right?"

"I know, mom, but I have to get to work. We can discuss this later tonight okay?"

"Fine, as long as we talk about this and figure things out."

I say nothing more as I close the door behind me. I begin my walk to work like I do every day trying to put my parent's questions out of my mind. Their questions are legitimate. I'm just not ready to think about that yet, I still have a few months before the decision needs to be made.

#

6 months ago

I braided my long sandy blonde hair, put on the slightest bit of makeup before grabbing my dress from my closet. It was graduation day the day I had been waiting for since the first day of freshman year. I grabbed my car keys and drove to the auditorium that graduation was to be held at and all too soon the ceremony was underway.

"Our Salutatorian Athena May Montgomery, who will be taking a gap year in preparation for her next steps." The principal's booming voice came over the speakers of the auditorium. I walk up to the stage and accept my diploma shaking hands with the president of the school board. I join my classmates who were announced before me while we wait for the rest of the students in my class to finish being announced. Soon the ceremony was over and we tossed our caps in the air marking the end of a four-year chapter in our lives and the start of a new one. That night I celebrated with my former classmates and for the first time in a while, I didn't think about tomorrow.

After a few weeks of relaxing, I started working at a local family-owned business, where I quickly made friends with the boss and my coworkers. I loved working because not only was I getting money but I was able to avoid my parent's questions about what I would do after my gap year. I had talked about going to college for criminal justice or joining a branch of the military but I was never sure. Everyone at school said either would suit me well. I was known as the badass, and as flattering as that was that wasn't all I was. Days grew into weeks and weeks into months and I was no closer to making a choice and if I wanted to apply to colleges I would have to do that soon.

#Present

"Don't forget Thea, you are coming into work tomorrow to cover Christy's shift." My boss reminds me as I go to clock out for the day though I rarely need reminding.

"I remember, Mr. Montoya. You know me, when have I ever forgotten to come in for work even when I cover for someone?"

"Never." He smiles as I walk past him making my way to the door.

"I'll be here right on time like always," I say opening the door and leaving. It was a nice day out despite the night falling, and since I was in no rush to get back to my parents' questions I took the long way home. Because I live only a few blocks from work I usually walk especially when driving is not something I've never been good at. The long way home brings me through a park that is always dark. The wind blows slightly causing the old rusting chains of the unused swings to screech sending shivers down my spine. Since there is no light in the park, I decided to take my phone out and get ready to use it as a flashlight, so I don't trip over any fallen branches from the dying trees. But as I got closer to the park I could see that there was a light on for a change and a fairly bright one for that matter.

I walk closer to it wondering who would be out in the park with this extremely bright light. When I was around 10 feet away, I looked around to see if I could see anyone but no one appeared to be there. A gust of wind blew and I drew my leather jacket closer to me. Something didn't feel right so I pulled out my pocket knife and slid the blade out from its home inside the knife's handle. I held it tight ready to use it if necessary. After a minute or so I noticed that no one was around and the light seemed to be floating. The light wasn't only floating but it seemed to be changing its shape, size, and brightness.