The Life Of Pirates

Chapter 6

Jasmine woke up slowly, rubbing her eyes and yawning. As her eyes started to adjust to the light she noticed that the kitten was no longer next to her and at this she began to panic. Sitting up, her eyes scanned the room for him but was even more startled to see a person sitting at the desk. She sighed and rolled out of bed, walking towards him.
"Don't suppose you've seen the cat?" She asked as leaned on his desk, eyes locking with Darren's. But she had her answer as she noticed the kitten curled up in the crook of his arm.
"Hm, no clue" he answered and pretended to look around, but a wide smile formed on his face.
"Oh haha" she gave him a sarcastic smile as she looked down at whatever he'd be working on, "what're you up to?" She asked, trying to understand the little points and minuscule writing.
"Just trying to figure out where's best to stop next" he looked interestedly at his own work, "I think we're pretty close to a small trading town but I'm not sure I really want to stop there" he stated, and slumped back in his chair.
"Well I'd imagine there is one" she studied it as well, "I mean, the kitten was still alive when we found him so he can't have been out there that long, so maybe were actually really close to land" she explained, trying to put the small pieces of information together.
"But that's not to say it was dropped from a ship" he pointed out, but jasmine pale as she had a flashback of her father. She shook her head, snapping out of it.
"We didn't see another ship though" she argued back, shrugging "but then again I hardly know anything about sailing" she added, disgruntled.
He smiled sadly at her before saying, "we're going to have to stop at some point and you can come with us, but you don't have to stay. If you choose to leave, I'll understand" he bowed his head, avoiding eye contact, "you could make a life of your own just the way you want it" he took a deep breath and looked up, finally giving her an apologetic smile.
Jasmine had gone blank. Her mind whirred with the idea that she could have the freedom to leave, to get off this blasted ship. But did she know where to start? She'd be even more alone in the world than she was now. Was she willing to take this chance? She was pulled out of her thoughts when the captain stood up, gently passing the kitten to her.
"I'll go give them the order to stop at the next port available" he nodded to her before leaving the room.

Jasmine was leaning against the edge of the boat, intently watching the glistening waves and looking out at the horizon. It was getting late, but she could still see the faintest outline of some small cliffs, the outline of land. She hadn't made up her mind about leaving. She wanted to explore the area but did she really want to be left? She didn't have any money but what if there was a family that could take her in.
But what if her family was right here?
She sighed and turned round, sliding down the side and closed her eyes. She had to make a choice, she could stay here and have the life just days ago she had completely hated and wished she was somewhere else. Or she could ditch this place, this ship and make her own life. But she had nowhere to start and no one to look after her, could she really survive on her own?
But what was worse was that she couldn't bring herself to leave Darren.
She opened her eyes again, stress settling in as she watched the crew light the oil lamps like usual. The soft lights almost calmed her, it really did make the ship look peaceful and oddly beautiful. She was getting used to it more, the crew were nowhere near as hostile anymore and she guessed it wasn't quite too bad a place to be.
Yet they were still the reason she was here.
She was at war with herself and she didn't know whether she was ever going to come to a conclusion, but the clock was ticking.

She got up and made her way to the cabin but as she reached to open the door, it was opened by someone else. She jumped but composed herself quickly.
"And might I ask why you're leaving so early?" She crossed her arms and looked up into the face of the captain, "the lamps have only just been lit, you usually leave quite a while later" she pointed out, curiosity filling her face as her eyes narrowed.
He smiled and handed her her pistol, "you said you wanted to learn right?" he told her as he dodged round her and moved into a wider space, "I've been trying to figure out how this is gonna work and I've got a plan"
"We're going to sacrifice the crew!" He explained cheerfully, as many of them turned around aghast, some looked round in shock. But Darren just began laughing, "just joking! I can't run this ship by myself" he added as the others seemed relieved and many sighed, shaking their heads.
"The real plan is a dummy, I went searching for a few materials below deck and I've actually created something fairly realistic" he explained, and then gave a loud whistle, two crew members came staggering out the cabin carrying what appeared to be a heavy stuffed scarecrow.
"And you managed to create that monstrosity?" She smirked, looking at it quizzically, "and what I'm just supposed to try and shoot it?" she asked.
"Yep!" He replied, trying to order the carriers to put it exactly where he wanted it, before he picked it up himself and put it in place, "right that'll do" he nodded and they scurried away whilst the others on deck watched interestedly.
"Just aim, and shoot" he told her before quickly running out of the way as well.
Jasmine raised the gun pointing it directly at the dummy, eyes narrowing in concentration, trying to keep her breathing steady. The crew held their breath as she pulled the trigger.