Treasure Planet II: Cursed Man's Riches

Codes, Ruins and a Sponge

Firstly,  apologies. 

I haven't had a good end to 2017 and a very busy start to 2018 which has stopped me from writing in general and also uploading. 

2017 saw me hit a very low point, one where I didn't want to continue writing but the idea of letting you and so many other readers down made me even more downhearted and anxious that I wouldn't produce the quality of storytelling that you deserve. I hate disappointing people, often finding it difficult to say no and not giving myself time to take a step back for myself. For this,  I am so sorry. Words aren't enough to heal disappointment and I don't expect forgiveness, just understanding.

2018 saw me thrown into training hard for two competitions that saw my team and I becoming British and Scottish champions. My resolution this year was to help this wonderful team of beautiful people achieve what they deserved - being very successful and bringing home three medals. Thankfully, my teammates and those around me have helped me drag myself out of the very deep hole that I was in. They won't see this but, thank you. 

I promise to be better. Better at writing and updating, a better person. I hope you will join me in this journey and if you want to speak to me about anything then my inbox and heart are always open. 

Thank you.

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Sophie loitered as much as she could whilst wandering the area with her notes, pretending to be interested in a certain piece of ancient writing and comparing her notes before moving on she knew it was frustrating the pirates, but Long Ben was protecting her until they came across treasure – if there was any at all in the first place. "Sssshe'ss wasssting time!" Scroop snarled, enraged that Long Ben no longer trusted his word – he knew this brat better than anyone else and she was with that James Hawkins who cruelly sent him spinning into the abyss and so close to Treasure Planet! How dare this brat make a fool of him yet again! "Enough, Scroop. She'll be lookin' out for traps and that." Long Ben ordered, nodding his head at Sophie who quickly darted out of the way of a sudden falling stone from above. Some of the pirates laughed at her terrified expression but they remained silent, so Long Ben wouldn't bark at them next.

Jim turned quickly at Silver's voice, in between fearing the very worst and best news but he visibly relaxed, dropping his shoulders, with the small smile on the cyborg's face. "Relax lad, your friend with the long braids spotted a ship matchin' Long Ben's." Silver spoke calmly, he watched Jim carefully – he would either act irrationally or he'd freeze on the spot, hopefully the latter because he was getting too old for running around. "Where?" Jim blurted, he did run which made Silver tense and begin to stumble after him but breathed a sigh of relief when Jim had only moved to look over the side of the ship, "Ask the wannabe lass, I'm just passing on the message." Silver chuckled as he held his hands up in defence. Jim gave Silver a bewildered look, wondering who in the Ethereum he was referring to. When he heard the unmistakeable voice of Jack, he nodded in understanding – poor Silver was having trouble with the strange student of Interstellar.

Sophie was trying Scroop's patience but her ploy of "disarming" traps was working, whenever the pirates relaxed and got distracted amongst themselves, she discarded a piece of jewellery or wrote a word or two into the dirt, hoping it wouldn't get lost or ruined. She was positive that she was on Gita, but she was beginning to think that she was near the palace ruins, the very heart of this lost civilisation which meant... "We're very close." She whispered, her fingers gently tracing her and Jim's initials into the ashy dirt, she had to give every subtle hint that she could so if someone was looking for her – then they'd find her clues. "Move yoursssself, along. You're wassssting time." Scroop spoke as he slithered up behind her, Sophie closed her eyes as she took a deep breath, she had done all that she could to help herself, now she had to lead Long Ben and Scroop towards long lost treasure. With grace, Sophie rose to her feet and looked at Long Ben in the eye, "Let's go." Despite her heart racing a mile a minute, she was inwardly pleased that she ignored Scroop and walked away from him, effectively telling him and Long Ben what to do.