By Seas End.

Chapter 1.

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His body was cold. Not dead, just very, very cold. It felt as if the sea had an icey claw around his heart. It was squeezing every so slowly. He could feel life slipping from him every minute that passed. Yet he did nothing but lay there on the warm sand, too cold to move. The sun shone down over his face making it feel like a god sent from the cold he was feeling. A girl with a picnic basket approached him slowly, not noticing him at first. “My goodness! Are you alright?” She spoke, her voice higher than normal due to the sudden situation. The boy said and did nothing in return. She kneeled next to his head, placing her basket near them both. “Let's get you warmed up shall we?” She said as she placed his head on her lap and covered him with a blanket from the basket. A little more than 30 minutes passed and she started feeding him some food, saving some for herself as well.
Not too long after the boy sat up slowly. He still was cold but he could move better now and that icy feeling in his chest was almost gone. “Shall we head to my house so you may warm up and change?” she asked. “Yes, please, ma’am.” He said his voice was shaky and horsey. As they walked up the beach the boy held the girl's hand. She stopped walking and turned to look at him. “How rude of me, my name is Abigail West. It is nice to meet you, though I do wish they were under better circumstances.” She said giggling once she had finished. “That makes two of us, ma’am.” he responded. “You needn't call me ma’am, my name can suffice.” She glanced up slightly due to the height difference. He stood about 4 '9, and her a shorter 4' 4. For ten year olds they were an average height. “My name is Joseph Cedar.” He said, looking at her softly. He didn't know why but something in him said to trust this girl, never mind the fact that she saved his life.
They soon made it to the orphanage, the place where Abigail lived. “The people here should be able to help you.” she said, leading him inside. The went up the spiral staircase to the head office. She knocked on the door. “Enter” a voice coming from inside said. “Miss, I found this boy on the beach. Do you think we can help him?” she asked. “Well, Abigail, we can definitely see if we have a room and some clothes for the poor boy.” Joseph was given a white shirt and a pair of checkered pants. After a few minutes of changing, he came out of the bathroom. “You clean up nice.” Abigail said. “Now, let's go get some food. Hm? I'm quite famished.”
After they ate it was late in the evening. Abigail showed Joseph to his room with the boys and went to hers. Before long she fell asleep. Restless trying to get comfortable, but for some reason he was up. He soon left his room to go and see Abigail. Once in her room he woke her up as quietly as possible. “Can I sleep here with you tonight?” he asked. “Only tonight, alright?” she said. “Yes Abigail.” He climbed into the bed with her and she pulled the blankets over him. “Good night, Joseph Cedar.” she said. “Good night, Miss Abigail West. May you have the best of dreams.”
~
The next few weeks followed with Joseph telling Abigail everything he could remember of who he was. All of this new information made Abigail's mind drift to that of her own. A little fantasy, to be able to sail the seas. She longed for the ocean, and she always said she would get there some day. In return for all of this glorious information of the deep blue seas, Abigail and Joseph did everything together. They were inseparable, it was always Joseph and Abigail, Abigail and Joseph. Abigail started to think of Joseph as her escape from everything. Joseph started to fall in love with Abigail.  He thought he finally found someone he could trust with everything. One night Joseph had a feeling something was going to happen. He went up to Abigail's room and knocked on the door. “Come in.” She said, “Can I sleep in here tonight?” he asked. She looked sad for some reason and said he could but only tonight.
In the morning, before the grass had dew, Abigail packed her trunk and put her satchel on. All the noise had woken Joseph. He didn't dare move a muscle, something in his gut told him not to. “Goodbye Joseph, May we meet again.” She whispered. He wanted to call out and ask her where she was going, but he didn't. Abigail picked up her trunk and brought it with her out the door, down the stairs, and to heaven knows where.
~
After Abigail left, Joseph was brought in by a blacksmith. He learned all about how to forge swords, chains, and other objects. He even taught himself fencing from a book in the town library. His thoughts went to his dear friend. He thought that if Abigail and he ever meets again, he ought to know a thing or two. In case she ever wanted to talk, he had something to tell her about. He hoped she was safe, wherever she was. She said she would be the captain of a ship some day. He hoped she was and he wished he could have gone with her. No matter what, he wanted to be with Abigail.