My Lost Treasure

Mystery Among the Waves

WC: 1,714

~💚🌱💙~

Growing up sailing the seven seas was one thing.

Growing up sailing the seven seas with a cruel father was another.

Growing up sailing the seven seas with a cruel father in danger-infested waters was something entirely separate.

So different, in fact, that life for Katie, daughter of the ruthless Captain Samuel Holt, was anything but pleasant.

Ever since she was little, Katie had lived on the seas. Her father was a well-known captain, voyager, explorer, and inventor. He built ships and had a large heart for people in need.

When Katie was eight years old, however, her brother disappeared while on a journey through the treacherous Galra territory. As a result, her mother died of grief, sending her once-kind father into a state of savagery and ruthlessness.

His old motto was, "Search and sail, but always beware." Now, a new motto was proudly carved into the side of his ship and depicted on the sails in the form of a skull wrapped in chains: "Take no prisoners."

Katie had become used to her father by now, but it didn't mean she treated him the way she used to. He was cruel and selfish, and she was forced to come along for the ride. Sure, she knew how to get what she wanted and wasn't afraid to speak her mind, but it wasn't her. It wasn't who she was supposed to be.

As Katie stared out at the sea thinking, she heard boots clomp on the deck behind her. She turned to see her father dressed in his traveling coat and a decorative hat.

"Going somewhere?" She asked, eyebrow raised.

Sam scowled and glared at the water as if it had just offended him. "We're heading up the coast to a small trading town. Heard there was a hidden treasure west of the mountains that needed stealin'."

"Ah. How long will you be gone?" She asked casually, turning back around to look at the gleaming water.

Sam grunted. "A week, maybe. Depends on how well it goes."

An idea flickered into Katie's mind. "What will the crew be doing while you're out?"

"I've given half of them orders to come with me to look for the treasure as soon as we hit land; the rest of them will be cleaning." He whipped around to glare at some of the crew, "And I'd better not see one speck of dust on this ship when I get back!"

Katie snorted as the crew shriveled up under her father's gaze, then continued to prod. "What about me?"

The crew yelled, "Land ho!" as Sam turned to face her.

"You'll be continuing your studies on marine life. I expect you to be able to identify anything we come across by the time my feet touch this ship's boards."

Pidge sighed. "Yes, Father."

"Good. Now, stay out of trouble, don't throw anyone overboard, please stay away from the gunpowder, and remember: don't talk to anyone you don't know. Got it?" Sam huffed, giving her a piercing stare.

"Of course."

As he walked down the deck of the ship to prepare, Pidge glanced around at the surrounding area.

It was a beautiful island, with clear, turquoise water and blue sky. The clouds were a pearly white and the emerald green grass was speckled with flowers and plants of different colors. But this was an old sight for Katie. Sure, it was beautiful, but no different from the islands she had visited a month ago with the exact same characteristics.