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CHAPTER 3: Crossing the Water
Charlie stared up at the sky. The clouds seemed so free. Free to go wherever they wanted, free to
be whatever shape they chose. Now she was one of them. She closed her eyes, satisfied with the
sun warming her skin.
“Uh, Charlie?” Riley’s shaky voice broke her bubble of serenity.
She sat up. “Yeah?”
Riley’s face was frozen in an expression of worry, as he pointed across the side of the boat.
Charlie followed his gaze to the horizon. Advancing at an alarming rate, there was a fleet of
ships bearing none other than the feared flag. The skull and crossbones waved in the wind at the
top of every boat in the fleet. Behind the boats, a darkened horizon with rumbling storm clouds
approached menacingly.
“Here comes trouble, sailors.” Kami mumbled from behind them.
Riley turned to Kami, stressed. “What do we do?”
Charlie stepped forward, eyes narrowing in determination. “There’s only one thing we can do.
We have to fight. This is our ship, and there’s no way we’re going to let them take it from us.”
“You’re right,” Kami agreed, pride shining on his face, joining her at the front of the boat.
“We’ve beat them before, and we can do it again,” Riley said, now standing alongside his crew.
The sound of the bell rung loud and clear, its four clear counts signaling danger.
“Battle stations everyone!” yelled Charlie.
They leapt into action. Securing the sail, Charlie fastened the ropes, and swung the boat around
to face the pirates.
“Riley, get the swords!” She shouted.
Riley appeared beside her, two silver swords in his hands. The sharp edges glinted in the
sunlight. They exchanged a knowing glance as Charlie grasped her sword, and stood at the point
of the ship - ready for anything.
The pirate ships were close enough to touch. Foul-breathed men, with jagged beards leered at
them from across the water. Charlie took a deep breath, put her hand on her sword, and leaped
onto the foreign boat. Confidently, she sprinted into the path of the first pirate. He had orange