Water in Waiting (pirate short story)

I.

Every night, Alice hears music coming from the picture hanging above the fireplace mantel. She examines the picture night after night but is unable to identify the source of the sound. Until tonight. As she climbs out of bed and looks at the picture she sees the wind moving the sails and the waves moving. Alice rubs her eyes in disbelief and carefully reaches out to touch the picture. Just then she felt a cold wet wave rush over her feet. She looked down. The entire floor was covered in water and more was pouring into the room gushing out in an endless cascade. Two hands shot out of the frame and took her by the arms.

"Let go!" Alice cried, yanking as hard as she could. Cold laughter rung out as the girl was yanked through the painting. Alice took in her surroundings. Other than being in the middle of a mysterious ocean she realized she was being chased. Aiming for land, Alice kicked as hard as she could. The icy water didn't phase her as much as the menacing laughter coming from her pursuers.

Pain radiated from her head and Alice couldn't stop her eyes from closing.

"That's some bump you have there."

Swaying. Someone was carrying her. Alice looked up at a boy,

"They hit you pretty hard over the head, sorry about that." The boy gently set her down.

"Who is 'they'?"

"Pirates."The boy didn't blink.

Just then, a figure appeared, cutting through the foliage with an impressive machete. The boy grabbed Alice's hand in a flash,

"I'm Puck by the way," A cannon rung out along with coarse laughter, "and that is Captain Gold Tooth. My father." They bounded through the forest and -with an encouraging look from Puck- were soon jumping over a waterfall. Puck's eyes crinkled as he laughed and free fell through the air. The two emerged far away in an underwater beach, swimming nose to nose, Puck reached up and softly touched her throbbing head,

"Do you think-?"

Puck steeled himself and led Alice to the sleeping chambers. They gazed around the room at his young charges.

"You take care of them." Alice whispered.

"I'm not the only pirate son who rejected the life and was kicked out." Puck grunted, "More like hunted. They all live here" Alice touched his arm.

"What were you going to say earlier?" She spoke softly, careful not to stir the children. Puck bowed on one knee, a knightly gesture, and looked into Alice's eyes,

"Do you think you could stay?"

"Abomination." That voice hit Alice like a brick wall, pressing against her chest, smothering her, Gold Tooth appeared at the entrance of the cave, tall and broad.

"He is your son." She defended, suddenly filled with anger.

"No me dear, not one drop of pirate blood in 'im." Gold Tooth spat.

Distracted by his father, Puck hadn't noticed the stray pirate that had snuck up behind him. Alice turned just in time to see the pirate run Puck through with his blade. Alice screamed and was at his side in an instant. She repeated assuring words and placed his head in her lap.

"How do I make this better?" Alice cried.

Puck knew his wound was too much and instead spoke from his heart. He tried his best to wipe Alice's tears, but he was quickly loosing feeling in his fingers. "I'm glad I finally got to meet you, Aliliah." Alice pressed her forehead against his and squeezed his hand, willing strength to return to his cold fingers.