One admired her mother.
In more ways than one.
Everyday of her life she always watched her go out to sea and fish, so she could sell them at the market for money.
That's about all she understood about it, but the best part was when she'd take her along.
She'll walk her across the beaches and laugh as she brought her seashells that she could dig out of the sand with her tiny hands.
She called it 'Her Treasure' as she held each and every one of them.
Eventually she took her on the boat, she got seasick the first hour, but she grew to love the waves and the gentle rock of the ocean.
It was such a pity when they had to go home.
One would tell her father all about the day in the end.
She couldn't tell her friends, because she didn't have any. All the other girls were into other things, and they didn't take much of a likening to her eyepatch.
It wasn't her fault she was born with a sensitive eye.
Mother called her Little One because of it, so it never made her sad.
She couldn't even remember her real name for the life of her.
Even then, she called herself One all the time. Who cares if it was a number? Mother didn't care, and Father didn't care. That was good enough for her.
So she resorted to telling her father the stories instead.
Until he went to sleep forever.
That's what her mother said.
She wasn't one to question why his bed was dirt, or why they tucked him in for so long, not until she got older she understood what it meant.
It didn't hurt any less.
Mother still took her out to fish, and it happened more often since then. Everyday was a day of fishing and laughter, she loved the other crewmembers, and they laughed together all the day.
She taught her little Sea Shanties to sing when they were out exceptionally late, and how to navigate with the stars.
Needless to say, One knew quite a lot for a 10 year old.
Dad would be proud.
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"Mother! Mommy! Look!" One pointed downwards into the murky depths of the water, "There's a whole school on this end!"
"Oh? Right you are! That's great Little One!"
She smiled up at her, giggling when she brought her up to sit on her shoulders, "So, are we going to catch them?"
"Actually, you and your sharp eye kept us ahead of the game by so much, we've got the whole day to just sail."
One gasped, "We're going further!?"
"Well, me and the others started thinking about what to do for our day off. And you always wanted to see beyond the shoreline so.. Yes! We're going further."
Further?
They were going further!
She was going to see beyond the seafoam-colored waters and into the deep blue.
She's always wanted this!
"Mommy?" One ran back down the deck to her.
She peered down at her, smiling, "Yes One?"
YOU ARE READING
The Value Of Treasure
AdventureOne lost everything to the sea, but she's determined to keep sailing it. Two isn't normal, but he tries his best anyways. Three hates her way of life, and seeks to change the world. Four is the only one that doesn't need therapy. That's it. Five...i...
