123 / 195
6
“Alright Captain, no time for resting!” Riley called from the top of the sail. He had always been
the best at shimmying up the sail pole, and securing the buckles.
Charlie jumped across the boat, and gazed over the water.
“All okay on the port side!” she yelled back to Riley.
Adjusting her Captain’s hat, she stood tall behind the wheel.
“Alright First Mate, let’s set sail!”
Riley smiled at her. It was good to finally have his best friend back. It was just them and the
ship, like it used to be years ago.
Charlie had no conscious thought of where they were headed, but she wasn’t scared. Her arms
spun the wheel and steered the boat, sailing further into the vast ocean of water.
As they sailed, the ship rose and fell with the tide, creaking and groaning after years of salt water
abusing the hull and sides. Riley and Charlie adored the ancient ship. It was beautiful, with huge
white sales, a rich brown wooden hull and a tall, strong mast. They had no crew, but it didn’t
matter. They had always been enough for each other.
“So, where to?” Riley asked.
“To a land where we can fulfill our aspirations! The place where we can be who we want to be!”
Charlie cried with joy.
“Took you long enough!” Their heads snapped towards the gruff
voice.
“Kami!” They cried, joy filling their features as they bounded
over to the koala.
Stretching his limbs and yawning, he grinned as the two engulfed
him in a hug.
“It’s been years, you two! I’ve been so bored! How can I be a
sailor without my captains?”
Charlie and Riley laughed, noticing how much smaller he seemed
in their arms. He used to feel so big when they were little kids.
Charlie hugged Kami even harder. His soft chest felt like a
pillow
against her head. She’d missed this.