Child of a Pirate, Raised at Sea

Chapter 5

Hesiod found me, I don’t know how much later, back in my father’s room. I was staring out the port hole. We had anchored off the shore of an island that had a single peak growing towards the sky and soon disappeared into the clouds above. After my father told me that Poseidon, god of the sea, had taken my mother nearly a year and a half ago, I told him I needed to be by myself for a while. I was happy to see Hesiod since I immediately felt lonely after telling my father I needed to be by myself for a while. When I heard the knock I immediately opened it, knowing who would be on the other side. Hesiod seemed unsure once again, balancing a plate and cup of water while shifting his weight to close the door. Not all the way, I noticed. He kept the door slightly ajar. He set my food down in front of me at the table and quickly pulled the chair up to sit next to the bed. I was relieved he had stayed without me having to ask. I dug in, barely tasting the food. We sat in silence while I ate and he seemed to start to say something several times but then stopped himself and we set in silence some more. “Good?” He finally asked me. “Yes, thank you,” I was slightly embarrassed that I hadn’t thanked him before hand,” What about you?” I questioned. He told me he had eaten earlier and we fell into silence again. Both of us so familiar with one another but yet too hesitant. I tried to put him at ease, “My father told me. So, you don’t have to be so cautious around me anymore. I know what’s happening.” He took a deep breath and glanced out the window. “We travelled far while you slept. We reached Greece this morning.” I felt curiosity more than surprise. “Are we going to get my mom back?” My question didn’t seem to surprise him. He gave me one short curd nod. I half stood, scanning the crescent of beach visible from my window. “Is she here?” Hesiod wrapped a hand around my wrist to tug me back to my seat. “No, but there is someone here who can help us.” If it meant saving my mom, I didn’t care what I had to do. I would get her back.