The Queen of the Pirates

Chapter One

The hold beneath the ship was a dark, damp prison. Here, young Sabrina, only fifteen years old, dirty and sick, found herself confined to a cage half-submerged in water. The dim light filtering through the cracks in the wooden planks above cast eerie shadows, but she paid them no mind. Her only solace was a small peephole where she could still see the sea. She whistled lowly and carelessly, her melody very beautiful in the gloomy atmosphere.

From the shadows, a boy approached her cage cautiously. He was about her age, with sun-bleached blonde hair that fell into his eyes, giving him a slightly wild look. His skin was tanned from long hours in the sun, and his blue eyes held a mix of curiosity and sadness. Sabrina's whistle faltered as she noticed him.

"What do you want?" she asked, her voice sharp and guarded.

"Please, I just want to help," the boy replied, thrusting a small bag of food through the bars of her cage.

Sabrina eyed the bag suspiciously. "I don't want your pity food."

"It's not pity food. Please just take it," he insisted, his voice sincere.

Sabrina hesitated, then grabbed the bag, her hunger winning over her pride. "What's your name?"

"Thomas..."

"Why are you being nice to me, Thomas?"

Thomas looked away, his expression troubled. "I have to go. I'll be back tomorrow. I promise." With that, he hurried away, leaving Sabrina alone with her thoughts and the small comfort of the food he had brought.

Dylan narrates, "And he did come back. Every day, the boy returned with food and kindness. It was a year and a half this continued."

Over the next few months, their brief interactions became the highlight of Sabrina's dark days. A bond began to form between them, growing stronger with each visit. Thomas would sneak down to the hold whenever he could, bringing food and bits of news from above deck. They shared stories, laughter, and dreams of what life could be outside the ship's confines.

One day, as Thomas handed her a piece of bread, he asked, "So, how'd you end up here?"

Sabrina's expression darkened. "Your crew raided my father's ship. We fought valiantly, but Silver John betrayed us. He killed my father, our captain, for treasure."

Thomas's face fell, guilt etching deep lines into his young features. "What about your mom?"

"She died after I was born... I never met her," Sabrina said softly, a hint of sadness in her voice.

"My mom died too. Just a couple months ago... It's just me, my dad, and my baby brother now," Thomas confessed, his voice barely a whisper.

"Is your dad here?" Sabrina asked, curious about the boy.

Thomas shook his head. "No... he's on the mainland."

Suddenly, a yell from above signaled his departure. "I'd better go. I'll see you again tomorrow," Thomas said, hurrying up the steps.

Dylan's narration, "As time passed, their friendship blossomed into something more. Sabrina found herself falling for Thomas. He brought laughter, companionship, and even helped her hone her swordsmanship."

One evening, after Thomas had brought her an extra blanket, Sabrina whispered, "I want to show you something."

Thomas raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

Sabrina smiled mischievously and began to whistle a sweet, melodic tune. Thomas watched in awe as, through a small peephole in the side of the ship, the sleek black and white shape of a baby orca appeared, responding to her call. The orca's eyes were bright and intelligent, and it nuzzled the side of the ship where Sabrina's hand reached through to pet it.

"This is one of the few tricks I've learned," Sabrina explained, her voice soft with affection for the creature. "Her name is Luna. She's been my friend for as long as I can remember."

Thomas stared, wide-eyed and amazed. "That's incredible, Sabrina. I've never seen anything like it."

Their moment was interrupted by a harsh shout from above. "Thomas! Get up here, now!" the captain bellowed.

"I have to go," Thomas said quickly, his voice filled with regret. "I'll be back tomorrow. I promise."

As he disappeared up the steps, Sabrina leaned back against the bars of her cage. She twiddled with the necklace around her neck as she often does. She thought of the boy, and dreamed about escaping with him, escaping to the mainland, and living an honest life.

Dylan narrates, "She had everything planned out, but fate had other plans for them."