Don't shuffle, don't make a noise, don't trip, don't cough, don't make a sound, when you're picking up or dropping of the supply. Those were the rules of my job. They were good rules for the type of job that I have, which is smuggling people and drugs. They were good rules, because if my crew and I followed them we wouldn't get caught. They were good rules, because if you get caught you blow the mission. You blow the mission, then you get yourself thrown in prison, you get the crew thrown in prison, and most importantly, you don't get paid. Money is the most important thing to me—actually no. My brother Will is the most important thing to me. My buddy Sam is a close second. Anyway, back to the job. I was repeating the rules in my head.
Don't shuffle, don't make a noise, don't trip, don't cough, don't make a sound when you're picking up or dropping of the supply. Don't shuffle, don't make a noise, don't trip, don't cough, don't make a sound when you're picking up or dropping off the supply.
I've done this kind of job about a thousand times, but my nerves get the best of me.
"Hey Jack?" Sam whispered. I could barely see him since the ship was so dark. There was only a single lantern lighting the mast of the ship.
"Yeah Sam?" I said.
"Did you remember your flintlock?"
"You know me, Sam. I never forget anything." I pulled the wheel of the ship, and tapped my foot in a code through the ship to signal everyone we were close to the supply, and that everyone should hoist the sails and dim the lantern. This supply drop off was one of few that I have never visited. This job was to smuggle opium out of this Georgian port, and to deliver it to one of Massachusetts's ports, where I get paid. Sounds easy? Well, it's not.
The ship pulled into the dock, very, very slowly. The air was warm, for night time. I took only my most trusted crew members, Sam and Will. We stepped on the dock, as quietly as mice. An eerie glow of a lantern pulled me toward a small shack. I broke one of the rules by shooting a low whistle, the international signal to say that the smugglers were here and we were ready for pickup. All was silent and still for a few moments, until a small, ragged man crept out of the shack, like a rat. I motioned the man to be silent. He stepped back in the shack and motioned for someone to come out. Two men stepped out carrying two huge crates full of opium, and a strange letter. I put the letter in my coat pocket, and I gave him a tip, and then I motioned for Will and Sam to join me back in the ship.
Before I turned around, the ragged man nodded and gave me a look that said Nice doing business with you. I climbed back in the ship and tapped my foot in code to tell the crew to hoist the sails and prepare to set sail.
"Well, that went smoothly," Will said.
"Yes, almost too smoothly. We usually have a run in with a couple of British patrols, don't we?"
"Very true," he replied.
I took the wheel and turned it hard to starboard. I made sure to set out to open sea quickly. The small sound of crickets kept me relaxed until the open sea. I didn't say another word until I couldn't hear them anymore, and by then it was midnight.
"Nice job, crew!" Sam said, grinning. "Another job done!"
It's not done yet, I thought, but I just nodded and smiled.
"I'm going to take a rest in my quarters. If anyone needs me, just wake me," I said with exhaustion. I opened the door to the cabin and stepped in my quarters. I was so tired I didn't bother undressing. I just flopped down on the bed and let the gentle waves rock me to sleep.
I woke to the smell of salt water and the sound of some commotion outside. I jumped out of my bed and rushed out of the cabin door.
"What's going on?!" I yelled.
