Children of the Sea

Chapter 1

Wails of despair and cries of distress rip through the misty air as we stood and watched a large casket being lowered down into a grave. My feet were pressed against one another and I had my hands together in front of myself, gently laying on my thick, black dress. I looked fairly similar to the others however I stayed silent, glancing at the sobbing people. There were not many in the large, open cemetery. I counted only five people besides the pastor and myself.

Five crying people who were somehow related to Theodore. He was the man who had raised me, but we were in no way related. However, we did love each other. He was always there for me whether I was hurt or sad.

The pastor gently pats the back of a tall woman. As I watched I couldn't help, but wonder why they cried in such an anguished way. They always said good people would go to a wonderful place up above and Theodore was indeed a good-hearted person. Why would they be sad he is going to a good place? I asked myself. It would be fairly selfish to not want him to go to a happy place so why do they cry? Maybe they feel pity for the pain he felt in death, but the doctors said he passed with no pain. I continued to think, making myself stumped even further.

A hand landed on my shoulder and it pulled me from my thoughts. I turned and met eyes with Willow Devin, the niece of Theodore. When our eyes met I saw that her eyes were not red and puffy like the others who were crying. Instead, her honey brown eyes looked clear and even a little bored. Unlike the others who wore black, she wore a pale yellow dress that hugged her body tight, showing off her curves.

"Elsie. We must get going now. I have things to do." She peered at the casket a few seconds before she turned and strutted off towards the parking lot.

After a few more moments I followed her. I didn't understand how I could be so misfortunate and end up with her as my new legal guardian. She never seemed to care about anyone, but herself. It seemed to be like a routine of being ignored or being bossed around with her. In fact, it was like I was only a burden for her. A bag of rocks she had to drag around. It was clear she didn't like me, but I didn't disrespect her. She was my only family then, even if I wasn't treated too well.

I almost jumped as I heard a loud honk from her car followed by a bit of cursing from her, causing me to hurry to her car. It made me think about how Theodore would never let me cuss. He always told me I was too sweet to use such terrible language. Despite his words of warning I was still curious and felt an urge to, but out of respect I never did. And I still won't. I do not want to disrespect him in such a way. He always tried hard to teach me wrong from right.

Before I could get buckled, Willow pulled out and sped off. I lurched back in my seat as she accelerated before I pulled the seatbelt over myself and secured it in place. Anxiously, I gripped the leather seat as she went faster and faster and faster down the road. It wasn't the speed that scared me though. It actually happened to be the fact that we were driving along a cliff. I started out the window and at the deep blue sea at the bottom of the steep drop. The white peaks of the waves crashed into the rocky cliff and large stones that jutted out of the water like deadly spikes. The violent waves of the water seemed to be pulling on me. I felt the need to touch the cold water and let it engulf my body.

I looked away and back at Willow who focused intensely on the road. I studied her features. Sharp jaw, button nose, almond eyes, eyelashes, and plump lips. It all seemed almost unnatural if you looked at her a while. I was a bit shocked, scared even when she turned her head to look at me a moment before looking back at the road again.

"I enrolled you in school. Boarding school. You'll be going next Friday. I have a few errands that day so Jeremy will have to drive you. You remember Jeremy? My fiance?" She asked me calmly, but I, on the other hand, was too shocked to answer.

I never actually went to a real school, let alone a boarding school. Almost instantly I realized it was her way to get rid of me. I was a bit surprised she was so quick to get me out of her house. It even hurt a bit, but I pushed the feeling way because she wasn't worth being upset over.

"Elsie?!" She hissed as she looked at me.

"Oh. Uh. Right... Yeah. I remember." I replied quickly, trying to get her off my back.

She let out a sigh and shook her head in irritation. I just looked back out at the expansive water, feeling that I'd rather looking at it than her.