The Adventures of the HMS Harlot

Part 1: Odessa Ashmore, First Mate

I have never been so drenched in my life.

The rain was pouring down like bullets and it was freezing. I was chilled to the bone as my soaked clothes clung to my body. My hair, which was usually pulled back and out of my face, had fallen down, completely plastered to my skin. The only reason I could see was because I had my grandfather's goggles, usually on my forehead or around my neck, covering my eyes. We were flying through the storm clouds, weighed down by the fast wind; it was carrying us completely off course with the crew barely containing their panic. All around me was chaotic movement as I shouted command after command to anyone passing me. There was a huge crack of light and the sound of thunder. I jumped, grabbing a nearby barrel, breathing hard as I tried to compose myself. Fear in a fight was one instance but the terror when nature attacks our ship was seeping into my very being. I was still shouting orders at crew members, focusing all my energy on a plan. Unfortunately, nothing came to mind except to wait out this storm.

Suddenly, a huge jerk of the ship almost threw me to the floor. I glared at the helm where Roy was gritting his teeth in a fierce grin, his eyes wild with excitement.

"HEY ROY!" I yelled but the thunder was too loud drowning out my voice. I forced my way toward where Roy was steering, but our vessel lurched again and I lost my footing. I stumbled right into our cabin boy, Eldon, who let go of the rope he was holding onto and managed to catch me. It is a good thing Eldon is about 5 inches taller than my 5 foot build. Otherwise we would have toppled over the side.

I pulled out of his arms roughly, "Eldon! You just let go of a protective sail! We have to keep this boat afloat. ARE YOU TRYING TO GET US ALL KILLED?"

"No ma'am! I'm sorry...I." He stuttered. He looked like he had plunged into a water barrel and I could only assume I looked just as awful.

"Never apologize," I seethed. "That's for the rich who have all the time in the world...JUST FIX IT!"

The wind was ringing in my ears as I stomped my way down the main deck. I wiped my drenched, blonde hair from my goggles trying to see but it felt like the water was coming in icy buckets now. I climbed the stairs that led to the upper deck. The ship suddenly tilted sharply and I grabbed onto the rail.

The ship righted itself and I continued toward the helm. I stood by the wheel, right in front of our Pilot.

"Roy!" I screeched. I could barely breathe through the forceful water raining down on my face.

"Hello little 'Dessa!" He said practically cheerful. That wild gleam in his eyes even more fired up than usual. "Enjoying the weather?"

I could feel my face flare with rage. Roy knows I hate being called little, but there is no time to start a fight.

"Enjoying the weather?!" I shrieked confounded. "Roy, my hope is to keep everyone alive. You seem to have a death wish." His expression went cold and I realized I may have hit to close to the mark. There was, yet another, huge lurch. I hugged the pole that holds the wheel intact, and yelled in fright. My whole body crumpled into itself as the ship creaked menacingly.

"I have done this before, remember." He said, his tone now with more severity in it.

I raised my head up toward him determinedly, "We are flying through a hurricane! We need to get out of the clouds!"

He shook his head, "Ethel is figuring it out. Don't worry your pretty little head." He said with a smile and a wink.

I glared at him for the second 'little' remark and opened my mouth to retaliate this time. Suddenly, the wind seemed to circle around ferociously and ominously.

I heard "Oh, no" and Roy violently curse. He began spinning the wheel sharply but it stopped abruptly. "Upon further consideration, we may have an issue, First Mate."

I looked into his eyes that were now teetering on frustration and outright fear. "What's wrong?" I asked, terrified of the answer.

His eyes met mine, "The wind is getting stronger. She won't let me steer." We stayed silent for a couple moments. I could sense us both trying to come up with a plan, an escape.

I gritted my teeth, "If we survive this, I'm throwing you over the side of the ship."