The knife pressed against my neck, fearing to breathe. The man's grip was tight as he backed down the street. Other civilians stopped and stared, many holding their own breath. I guess Teresa won't be getting her cloths any time soon.
"Sir, please hand over the girl and we will let you go, no harm has to be done." an officer announced as he took a few steps.
"Yea 'n ye think I would believe that? 'n did I not shout don't take another step!" His knife dug deeper into my skin as I felt a warm drop fall down my neck. Blood. The officer continued on as the rest of his guards followed. I expected to feel the pirate's heart to beat faster but it did not. In fact it didn't even seem to be a heart beat but a tock instead. I could tell he was searching for an escape, he just needed an opening.
"Oh, no! Don't let him kill me! My cat is sick and needs me. I have clothes for her, she's pregnant. I might miss it! " I faked a cry but the man continued forward. It wasn't big enough, I just needed him to loosen his grip just a bit. I grasped my basket and was ready to swing but them I got an idea. A stupid idea. I grab the cloths out of my basket discretely as I could. Ok Roze on three. One. Two. Three! I threw the fabrics onto the officer and guards. I quickly stomp onto the man's toe while elbowing him at his side. At the same time, the knife cut my neck a bit deeper but I freed myself from his grasp. I turn to see the pirate. The man locked his brown eyes with mine. His clothes were covered with gears and machines and a toothpick poke out from his frown . He shook his head along with a troubled face and darted up the nearest building. Without any trouble the agile man hopped from building to building until he faded out of sight.
I looked back to see the guards still getting out of the large amount of cloths I had just thrown. The officer stomped towards me, boiling with anger. He grabbed my arm and demanded where I lived. I said the first place to come to mind. Teresa Goldheart's house.
Teresa open the door. "Oh my. Roze!"
"Madam, is this trouble-maker yours?" The officer sharply rose my arm.
Teresa hesitated for a second. "Yes, and what did she do now?" She grabbed my shoulder as they explained that assisted a pirate in his escape.
"I did not! He was going to kill-" Teresa slapped me right across the face.
"You never talk back to the authorities! Ever since your father left, you are nothing but trouble. I apologize on her behalf. I won't happen again." She turned towards me with a stern glare. The door closed and Teresa gave me a hug instantaneously.
"Roze! Deary. What actually happened?" She caught me of guard. Teresa is the best actress I have ever met. She lead me upstairs to her house and into the kitchen. I began to explain as he dabbed water onto the cut. Once I got to the part of losing the fabrics, her face lowered. I lost her fabrics and ruined her blouse she gave me a few moments ago.
"Why did you say I was your responsibility? I've only made it harder on you." I flinched as she dried the water on my neck.
"Truthfully Roze." She paused. "You reminded me of my son, before he became ill. Oh, and I didn't mean to slap you that hard. I got a little ahead of myself." Teresa giggled to herself and I just couldn't understand how someone could be so... kind. We left the kitchen and headed downstairs to see a customer in the shop.
"Hello. Welcome to Teresa's Thread." Teresa smiled politely and whispered for me to stay upstairs. I looked down at my outfit and understood why. My blouse was still soaked in blood. As I climbed back upstairs I heard the customer complain that she doesn't think her husband loves her shoes.
I returned to Teresa's living quarters and began to look around. A kitchen, a bedroom, bathroom, and living room. Everything had a classical feel to it. Everything also was made out of metal and leather. I crossed the living room and searched the bookcase. How to Sew Gears Onto Fabric; Make Oil From Scratch!; The History of Chronoven. I grabbed the history book and brought it to the leather couch. I might as well learn where I am, I thought as I opened the book.
The History of Chronoven: Table of Contents
The Settlement
Clock Tower
Gears Saves Lives
Piracy Treaty
Building Today
Leaders of Chronoven
I turn to Piracy Treaty as I settled into the seat. I skim through the chapter, Pirates attacking cities, killing innocents, searching for money, power, and fame. A treaty was made with the majority of pirates that Chronoven will supply them with a hundred golden gears each year. If a pirate were to enter the city they were to be prostituted. So then why would pirates even enter the city? The clock donged seven times as the moon appeared above the clock tower. The bits of sunlight faded as my eyes began to droop. Why would that pirate enter the city? I heard Teresa climb up the metal stairs and covered me with a thick blanket. "Sweet dreams, Rozalynn."
Why would the pirate enter the city? To take something. Something he has been searching for a long time. The map.
YOU ARE READING
Dead Men
Aventura"They laugh as they push me into the blue waters. I'm sure they think they're funny, as they leave. I'm also sure they know that I can't swim. I struggle, reaching for the surface but I sink deeper and deeper. The water turns from blue to black as I...
