Freedom

Chapter one: Get Away

"I'm sorry, but you are not what we are looking for, the exit is behind you,"  the captain sneered passive-aggressively, his temper becoming shorter every moment passing. 

"Please! I need this-"

"NO, GET OUT NOW!"

I haphazardly jumped up, scrambling to get out of my chair. Lifting up my dress, I run out and off the boat. Sighing, I shuffled past people, hoping to look for yet another ship. After being rejected over five times in one day, I can't help but start giving up hope. There wasn't time for this. I need to leave now before they realize I'm gone. 

Before I could think anymore someone shoved into me. Tripping, I grab onto a wet wooden pole sticking out of the dock. I straighten myself, only to see a disheveled, large guy walk right past me. But not before saying, "Out of the way girly, might get yourself in trouble if you don't mind where you goin."

Huh

As he walked away I could hear him muttering about my appearance, and what a stupid idea it was for some like me to be here. Those comments connected something in my mind.

What if it is the way I look?  Glancing at my more than proper dress, small pumps, and manicured hands, I knew that probably had something to do with it.  But there isn't much I can do though. Where am I going to get any clothes here?  The pirates had clothes somewhere... if I could get my hands on some...

No, that's wrong. 

But if they stole it in the first place... is it really stealing?

Maybe.

But if I'm going to get away I don't have much of a choice. It doesn't look like anyone is watching...  I looked for a ship that seems empty and snuck aboard. Glancing nervously around the ship I walk over to where I think the rooms would be. Descending the stairs, I arrive in a hallway, with doors lining both walls. 

I walk into the first door on the left. It creaks open, revealing a room with a few beds, chests, chairs, and one window. Tip-toeing over to a chest, I open it, revealing exactly what I was hoping for. Clothes. But not just any clothes, sailing clothes, ones that have been worn. After making sure I'm alone, I quickly change into the clothes.

 In the end, I'm wearing a loose, cream button-up blouse, mid-length brown trousers, and a pair of dirty sea boots.  

At the last minute, I decided to pull my light brown into a loose bun. Then I realized something. What do I do with the dress? I look for somewhere to stick it, where it will go unnoticed until I leave, but no such place existed. Until I spot the window. Hastily, I grab all my garments in my hands and toss them out the window. Just after hearing a splash, I also hear footsteps coming from the deck. It's time for me to go. 

I creep through the room, before peeking through the door. After looking both ways, I quietly sneak down the hall and up the stairs. Examining the deck, I don't see anyone. 

I make a break for it. Darting across the deck toward the dock, I hear someone shout at me. 

Without stopping, I try to jump off the boat onto the port, only to be stopped by arms wrapping around me. They pull me back before we fall to the ground with a slam. Looking up I see a boy, probably around fifteen. He is breathing heavily, his brown hair mangled. You would think he just ran a marathon.

"You can't leave! Zach will be so mad if he knows I let a thief getaway," the boy squeals out before muttering, "I'm already going to be in hot water for not catching you sneak on the ship."

"I'm sorry, but I am not just to sit here and wait for him to get back, just so he can kill me, or throw me overboard." I climb back onto my feet, brushing off my knees. If I came down to it, I think I could take him. He looked skinny as bones, and his baggy clothing didn't help.

"It is too late now," the boy says as I hear people's footsteps climbing aboard.

Quickly, I glance over my shoulder to see a tall man with hazel eyes, a tanned complexion, and wavy dull blond hair pinned neatly back coming towards me. A large group of pirates came on after him carrying multiple boxes filled with who knows what.  I assume the guy coming toward us is the captain if his presence says anything. 

The man walked over to us, his face one of curiosity. 

"Who is this?" He asked.

"Well a little while after you guys left, I heard a loud splash come from close to the ship. So I decided to look around and make sure no one was up to anything. I almost missed her trying to run off the ship."

The captain smirked light-heartedly, "And how did you manage to keep her on the ship?"

"I tackled her. But she was about to run again when you guys showed up." The captain gazed over at me, looking me up and down. My back straightened farther than it already was, and looked him in the eye.

"Did you tell her which ship this is?" he asked, still holding my gaze.

"Ummm... not really," he said nervously.

"Well then, let me introduce you to The Crimson Rose, you may have heard of it," he said with a raised eyebrow. I gasped at the realization, this is the Crimson Rose! I have read stories of their cutthroat crew, and how much power they hold within the pirating community. "I'm Captain Zacharius Lockridge, this ship belongs to me."