With Beauty and Strength

Blue

I stood on the bow of the enormous ship, enjoying the thrill of the waves rolling across the open sea. I was traveling across the Atlantic, to return home. I had been visiting family overseas, and boat was the cheapest way for me to return. I can't say I was unhappy either. I had always been fascinated by the sheer power of the ocean. Even so, I looked forward to being reunited with my family.

I stood there, feeling proud and free, my long red hair curling in the wind. The salty smell of the ocean filled my nose. I spread my arms wide, feeling absolutely wonderful. My moment of freedom was interrupted by the captain's voice.

"Calder!" he shouted as he cupped his hands around his bearded face "food is ready!"

"Alright" I called back, as I trotted down towards him "and just call me Cal"

I hated my name. To me it sounded like a guy's name, and I didn't think it was pretty at all. But I suppose I didn't really have a choice for now.

I walked into the room with the capital where everyone was eating. Food on the ship was surprisingly tasteful. They mostly served Asian food, probably because most of the sailors there were Asian, besides Captain Hayes and a few others. I got my favorite sesame chicken and sat by the Captain. I had become close to him. He was a kind old man with a salt and pepper beard and eyes that were as deep blue as the sea itself. He treated me like a daughter for the week long trip.

"I hope you are comfortable on my ship Calder" he said warmly

"Oh yes" I replied, food in my mouth "the sea out here is beautiful."

"Ah, I live out here all the time but I never get tired of the way it is. so powerful yet so magical"

We continued idle chitchat for a while, and then a boy surely not much older than myself sat next to me. He had light blue eyes, and sandy blonde hair. He was one of the non-Asian sailors.

He turned to me and grinned, showing off a mouthful of pearly white teeth.

"So, you must be that Calder gal?" He said

"Um, yeah. I am. But most people just call me Cal"

I couldn't help but notice his strong arms, surely from doing work on the ship.

"Well Cal" he said as he looked into my green eyes "I'm Carter. I work here, on this ship."

He was pretty cute, I thought. I hadn't ever really had a boyfriend or anything like that, mostly because I was kind of antisocial. But I have to admit, those pale blue eyes gave me a few butterflies in my stomach.

"You sure don't talk much" he laughed

I realized with a start that I had been staring at him.

"Oh" I said as, blushing, I turned away.

"How old are you?" he asked

"I'm fifteen" I replied as I was recovering from the blush attack "what about you?"

"Ah, I guessed right! And I'm fifteen too! I am the youngest sailor on this boat." he said

I wondered why he was working at such a young age but decided not to ask. I was about to tell Carter about why I was on the cargo ship but we were interrupted by a terrifying boom, accompanied with violent shaking. A young Asian man, who I recognized as one of the sailors, ran barging into the dining hall.

"Captain!" He yelled, out of breath, "the engine just blew out! Several sailors were killed instantly in the blast!"

Captain Hayes stood up abruptly and yelled to everyone "Quickly! Look for survivors! And fix the Engine!"

"I'm afraid that is futile, Captain. We have a breach in the hull. Everyone must get out! We are going down!"

We are going down...