Celeste

9.

This time I fought hard against the people who tried to tie me up, picking up a shard of glass, earning a thin red score on the cheek of the captain, who slapped me so hard I saw stars. The glass fell with a clink to the floor.

Hard, coarse rope burned as they tied me, wrists at my back, kicking legs stilled. Blue rushed forwards at first, drawing a thin blade, but it looked like a toothpick compared to everyone else's. He was overwhelmed. His sword clattered alongside my glass shard, and meaty fists rained down on him.

I yelled, screamed, and shouted until they put a rag in my mouth, leaving me muffled, hoping for a miracle as they led to the main deck. The captain came close when they pulled me sitting onto the ledge. I didn't hear his words at first.

I was too busy staring at the sea, only seeing white crests in the pitch black, collapsing into each other, lapping at the ship like a hungry hounds tongue.
I tuned in as he wrenched the gag from my mouth.

"What's yer name, pretty?" He leered, gesturing to blue jay, who,was still struggling in the arms of the crew. I said nothing.

He scowled, stepping back. "What's yer name? Amy? Lady this and that? Sam?"
I just glared at him, struggling in my bonds.

Then, in the warm circle of lanterns, he pulled a flashing pistol, and aimed it at blue. "Last chance." He spat.

My eyes flickered to the gun, the captain and blue. Then, I looked at the captains shoes. Hard, heavy boots. Stained and deadly. Especially with the silver sharp points at the front and back. Somehow I knew he wasn't kidding.

I wet my lips. "Celeste." I said, as strongly as I could.

The captain grinned, cocking his head like a hawk would a bunny.
"No doubt tah be goin' with tha pretty thing, eh?"
With horror, I watched as he wrenched the necklace from where it had untucked in the scuffle. His grin deepened.

"Maybe a momento, ay boys?" He addressed the crew. They cheered.

Blue, who had been watching with anger, lurched forwards, and punched the captain right on the nose with a crunch. I couldn't help but smile. I was going to get out of this! But then the smile dropped.

In the scuffle, I was knocked. Off the ship. Into the sea. My dress tried to hold on, at least, but with a great tearing sound, I was gone.

The world turned upside down. I heard a sharp bang. A loud scream, and then nothing at all.

I took my last breath, and it tasted of salt.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I carefully peeled off my sandals before toddling to the glittering sea. I was only small, mother promised that on my 8th birthday, she would take me here for a paddle.

I picked up a small white shell, giggling as I heard the sea inside it.
"Ready, darling? Only a paddle, remember?" Her voice, sweet as honey whispered into my ear. I put the shell down again, looking at her toned heart shaped face and blue eyes. "Yes mama." I said, taking her slender fingers, feeling the cool ring on her left hand.

Wet sand squished and tickled my feet, and I giggled, wriggling my toes. It was clear today, sun glinting and glimmering the sea, lightening the sand and darkening the boats on the horizon.
It warmed our backs too, warmer than any cloak.

The sea was clear as we got close, smoothing the sand with every calm swish, lapping ever closer to our toes. I gasped as an icy cold splash met my feet. Mother did too, before sending a sparkling laugh my way as I stood, transfixed.

Another hit my feet, sending a delicious shiver up my spine. I stepped closer, so that it hit my ankles, laughing at the pull of the water. Mother let go of my hand, arranging her skirts as she waded in, up to her calf. I followed.

My dress was getting wet as it met my knees, but i didn't care, carefully dragging my short fingernails through the wet in fascination. Licking my lips, I tasted salt, and laughed at the sensation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I sniffled in my room, scuffed elbows and a torn ribbon the only sign something had happened. I threw the ribbon across the room.

"Celeste? Are you alright? Your father said-"

"Go away, mother!" I shouted.

She didn't. The door opened wide, and there she stood. "Your father said that you and Anna-lee had a fight. What happened."

I sniffled. "She said that Edmund didn't like me, and pushed me. I tore off her new ribbons." I said the last part with a smile.

I watched as she sat beside me. Pulling a stray lock of hair behind her ear. It curled lazily. "I never liked Anna-lee. Much too full of herself. Good job!" She chuckled.

I gave a half grin. "Father didn't think so." I said.

She put two fingers under my chin. "Want to go for ice-creams on the beach?"
I shook my head. "But father-"
My mother grinned wide. " won't know, will he? I'm taking you to Anna-lee's house to apologise." She gave a mischievous grin, winking.
I winked back.
"Yes, mother." I said, smiling wide.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Clouds hung heavy in the sky, grey and depressed. The whole town was there, in mourning black, veils heavy and netted. My father still wore his wedding band, but his suit was changed for black. He didn't cry, only stood rock still, fists clenched.

The vicar continued to speak as the coffin lowered into the ground. I held the rose in my hand until the thorns pricked at my fingers. The coffin held nothing but the tattered remains of the dress they found, laid out tenderly, stuffed with neatly folded letters the community wrote.

Eli stood next to me. I had only just met him a while ago. But still, my hand crossed the distance, and brushed against his. He held on gingerly, curling fingers around my own. Our eyes met shyly, before looking away.

I lifted the rose to my lips, closed my eyes, and whispered to it. Then, I looked at the coils of red, the dark green leaves, imprinting the words onto the petals.

Then I let go.