Becoming Peter

Chapter 10

I munched on coconuts and bananas mindlessly. Climbing the tall palm trees resulted in many cuts and bruises. While rubbing a sore shoulder, I stumbled upon a large dead-looking tree. Despite its appearance, it stood steadily. The tree was covered with large knotholes. One was open so I climbed inside. The bark was dark grey and surprisingly, it didn't feel dead. It wasn't falling apart and dried out. Inside was light brown from the sunlight piercing through the hole in the very top. I had enough room to lay down with a foot to spare. Nodding to myself, I tossed the book inside and crawled back out.

Shelter. Check.

I collected all the edible fruit I could and stored it inside the hollow tree.

Food. Check.

I was thankful that I washed up on an island with plenty of food. It seemed too easy.

Mentally, I added another item to my to do list. Find the mermaids.

Days went by as I walked around the whole island. I followed the waterline. It went from sandy beach, to rocky cliffs, and back to sandy beach. I discovered another lagoon. It was absolutely clear except for some smooth rocks jutting out of the water. I could see the bottom. Once the lagoon ended, I was met with an underwater cliff. The water grew dark and boundless. It was beautiful in the lagoon. Peaceful. For the first time in a while, I took a deep clean breath that filled my lungs entirely.

Then I kept walking. I reached the waterfall and decided to go back to the tree. The mermaids wouldn't come back to help me. It seemed more like a fun game to her than a rescue. And they failed anyway. They didn't save Sully.

***

Still keeping track in the cave under the waterfall, three weeks had passed. I sat, bored, against the cave wall. Darkness was creeping in through the corners. Staring at the small mound hiding my best friend, I said, "This isn't anything like your books, Sully. You said there should be adventure. Excitement. But I'm bored out of my mind."

I sighed. If he was here, he would force me to read his book. I glanced at it across the room. Groaning, I walked and sat back down next to it.

Reading out loud, I muttered, "Ah Mmm... id... Ah Midsss..." I trailed off. "Ugh!"

Tears dripped from my eyes without a thought. "You were supposed to be here, Sully! You were supposed to tell me what to do!" My voice dropped to a whisper as I put my head down on my knees. "I don't know what to do."

Sleep took over. I hoped to wake refreshed but it was the opposite. It's been that way for the last two months. My body felt heavy as I sat up from the glowing grains of sand. The sun was still in hiding, ready to reveal itself soon. Swallowing dryly, my mouth tasted like blood.

"Morning, sleepyhead." I remarked, sourly. Then a pang hit my stomach as the face of Sam Tilby popped in my head. That puny boy made up for his height with wordplay and jokes to get attention. To stop myself from imagining what was happening to him on Tortuga, I started burying my feet in the sand. After a while, I jammed my feet inside, hoping to stop the shaking with some sand covering them. A sharp pain erupted from my left foot and I yelped. I pulled them out and brought up my foot closer my face. A thin gash oozed red on the side of my foot. Curious, I glanced in the hole. Something dull silver poked through the packed sand. I was careful not to cut myself again as I pulled it out. An old knife revealed itself. To get a better look with some light, I stepped outside and made my way towards the beach.

I sat down and rested my arms on my knees. The sand dug into my worn feet but I barely noticed. Sunshine hit my back and right shoulder as the water lapped down the beach.

I swirled the knife over and over in my hands. It was rusted where the blade met the handle and it was a simple a design. It couldn't have been longer than a foot. Bored, I lazily glanced at my shadow in front of me.

Almost instantly, a memory surfaced of a game I played with the boys on the pirate ship. On good sunny days, we would try to step on each other's shadows as a game of tag.

Anger swept through my entire being before I could think and loud tears streamed down my face. It was all unfair. All the evil. All the pain. I exploded and screamed and I sawed off my shadow connected to my feet. It wouldn't work, but I was too frustrated to care.

Once I finished with my fit of rage, I threw the knife down the beach and tried to breathe again. I put my head down and shut my eyes tight, trying to drown out any and all thoughts.

Then, there was a small thud in front of me. Hesitantly, I lifted my head to see the knife in front of me again. I scrunched up my face in confusion. Higher up was a black figure, floating a few inches above the sand.

My mouth was in the shape of an O, awaiting a scream that never came. It looked my size and shape, but completely black with no details.

My mind took longer than it should have, but I realized my shadow was no longer at my feet.

It was flying in front of me.

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So this is two chapters combined because they were so short. I write in my google docs first then transfer over here to wattpad. I do the chapters differently. This is the last half of one and another one added on. I hope you like it! Sorry this is a really emotional part in the story... (at least in my opinion. I hope you agree) Vote and comment your favorite author. I really like Marissa Meyer, John Flanagan and of course who doesn't love J. K. Rowling?
ALSO so I know Sam Tilby is mentioned here, but there is barely any mention of him beforehand. Sorry about that. When I go back for revisions, I plan on developing the characters who were on the pirate ship more. But Sam is going to be a fun comedy relief so bare with me :)