by Leah Woods

Created on: May 29, 2008

Stormy Waters

He swung his lantern three times, the hazy glow around it rocking lazily as the flame within guttered. Out in the harbour the mists seemed to disintegrate as the dark form of a schooner slowly appeared. Transparent tendrils of fog curled back, like many fingers opening to reveal what was hidden inside. The cool bite of the midnight air emphasized the eerie scene. I blinked against the cold air that was drying out my eyes, shivering half in anticipation and half from cold.

I looked up at my uncle, Captain Tory. His gaze was directed out over the dimly lit harbour. His deep-set eyes were in shadow, the whiskers on his hard, square jaw seeming to shadow the rest of his face. The mist that veiled him gave him a hazy appearance, as though he were not completely there. His dark eyes turned to look down at me and he winked, a smile curling his lips but missing his eyes.
Taking my arm in a firm grip he guided me down to the harbour-side. Lifting me with burly arms, he set me in a small rowboat and climbed in to face me. Taking up the oars, he propelled us swiftly through the dark waters towards the schooner. I shivered as we passed through the mists; a gauzy, silver veil that parted reluctantly. The Schooner grew closer, its dark sides looming from the fog, tall and sinister.
Captain Tory shouted up at the ship, and a dark figure appeared to throw down ropes. Captain Tory caught the lines and tied them firmly to either end of the dingy. More figures appeared to hoist the boat up. It rocked precariously as it rode upwards and I clutched the sides with frozen fingers.
The scents of the ocean surrounded me, seaweed and dead fish. Smells of salt water and soggy wood assaulted me as I took a deep breath and frigid air filled my lungs.
Captain Tory assisted me in clambering over the side of the dingy as the crews willing hands lowered me to the slick deck. I rubbed my childish limbs in vain against the chill bite of the air, as Captain Tory appeared by my side. He took my arm again and directed me silently towards the cabins of the schooner. I looked back at the hazy shadows swimming through the fog as they went about their duties, then followed Captain Tory into the schooner's cabin.
I don't remember leaving the harbour, but we were on the open seas. I was staring out through one of the upper port holes. Storm swept waters crashed around the schooner as it danced upon the angry waves. Wind howled ceaseless threats as it thread guiltless fingers into the staggering

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