Rough Waters || Billy Bones || On Hold

Prologue

Amanda Westbury loved adventure since she could remember. Growing up in Plymouth, in a wealthy family, she didn't take part in a lot of adventure. Her father owned a shipping company, but since her mother died when Amanda was just a baby, she spent most of her time with the maids and servants. Her father always see his wife in her, that is why he was so distant, often going for long travels, managing the company, only taking his son with him, Amanda's older brother, Kelvin. He was meant to take over the company when the time has come.

Amanda never found her place in her family, she never liked the dress-ups and fancy parties she was forced to go. She enjoyed to put on comfortable clothes and wander around Plymouth after the dark. Her way often leaded to the harbour, the sea was in her blood and she urged herself to go on her great adventure across the ocean.

She had a plan, but she was waiting for the right time to bring it to life. She had to wait for her father to leave Plymouth, and find one of his ships in the harbour. Since Amanda was known among her father's captain, she could easily get on one of them, to go wherever it is going.

One day her time came, her father went on a business trip with his son, leaving Amanda behind. As soon as they left, Amanda packed a few things and headed to the docks, looking for a ship she knows. She was lucky, she spotted his father's ship, the Whirlwind. The young woman quickly made her way towards the gangplank, boarding the ship. The whole crew was looking at her surprised, but without paying attention she went to the captain's quarter.

Amanda knocked on the door, almost right away she was invited in, so she entered. The captain, Gerard Milburn, was a short, cheerful man, with always red cheeks, he always liked the straightforward daughter of the company's owner.

"Ah, Amanda, how can I help you?" He asked with his usual, friendly smile.

"Captain Milburn, I am really happy I found the Whirlwind in the harbour, because I would like to ask a favour." She said as she sat across the captain, his desk between them, full of ship books and other writings.

"For you, my dear, anything." He grinned still happily to see her.

"I am glad you said that." She bent closer. "I need you to take me with you." Amanda stated with praying eyes. Milburn recoiled in his surprise, his eyes widened.

"Does your father know about it?" He asked as soon as he collected himself.

"No, but he doesn't have to. Please Mr. Milburn, I must get out of here." She begged, her voice laced with despair. "My father never have to find out." She almost whispered the end.

"Alright, Amanda, I will take you. You will get a quarter, but please, keep clear of the crew, they doesn't have to know anything about you." He gave in.

"Thank you, Mr. Milburn. I will be forever in your debt." She slowly stood up to leave, but the captain called after her.

"Oh and Amanda?"

"Yes?"

"We are heading to the West Indies, you need to be prepared, that place is dangerous." He stated with a serious tone in his voice. Amanda nodded.

"I am looking for adventure, danger is just a side effect, everything will be alright" She said with a reassuring smile. Deep inside her, she hoped she is right and everything will be okay, but of course sometimes things don't go as they planned.

***

a.n.: so here is the prologue, I am really excited about this story, I hope you will like it :)