Stormy Seas Read Free

father.” Kira gave May a tight
squeeze, getting water from the basin splattered lightly on the
front of her dress. As Kira headed back down the street, she heard
Miss May's sing-song voice cry out, “You tell your father not to
work himself too hard, now.”
~~~~~~~~~~~
    “ A flower, lass?” A sad-looking
little man sat in a doorway, trying to peddle a few wilted flowers.
Or were they weeds? “No, thank you,” Kira said good-naturedly,
while picking up her gait. She could see the sails of the many
ships rising up on the horizon.
She passed many little homes, similar to hers,
weathered and seemingly defeated. A few tired shops stood open for
customers, promising shoes, food and other goods. It seemed to Kira
that everything near this part of town was dying, except for the
beautiful, timeless ships that floated gently in the water. She
envied those elegant vessels, free to move about, explore the
world.
As Kira moved closer to the docks, she could hear a
bustle of shouts and movement. A group of men seemed to be fighting
over something near the end of the dock. Suddenly the huddle opened
and a petite blonde girl scrambled away.
Kira thought she couldn't be much younger than her.
The girl ran panicked down the dock, wiping tears from her eyes and
smudging dirt all over her face. Kira felt her heart jump, as she
nervously tried to make out what was unfolding before her.
    “ Are you alright?” Kira started to
say, but the girl glanced anxiously back and then disappeared down
a side street. The faint echo of a sob reached Kira and then died
down. Kira suddenly felt fear grip her as some of the men looked
her way. Several beady eyes looked her up and down. She could see
that the fighting had eased and only one man seemed to be
delivering blows to another.
Kira felt a wave of shock wash over her as the
unruly pack opened. She could see a limp, weathered figure
receiving a powerful beating from a dark-haired sailor. A choking
feeling caused Kira to grasp at her throat as she tried to
rationalize the brutality that she saw.
    “ Papa...!” she screamed, shocked
to see her father's face dripping in blood as the men held him up
by his arms. Kira raced down the docks, trembling with anger and
fear. “Let him go!” She could see their faces clearly now, each
heavily bearded and dressed in unusual clothing.
Their leader smiled mockingly at her, his dark hair
and eyes seeming to reveal his character. “Sorry, darling. But your
lovely friend here has interfered where he's not welcome.” He ran a
rough hand down the front of his black vest, casting a few devilish
glances her way. His voice was deep and threatening, his eyes too
dark to read. Kira wrapped her arms around herself tightly, but
didn't move.
    “ Let him go...” It took everything
in her not to shake as she breathed those words out slowly. The
dark-haired man seemed slightly amused, as if her panic was giving
him a moment of pleasure. The rogue looked at Kira for a moment,
then delivered another blow to her father's abdomen.
“ Nooo !” Kira
choked on the word as her eyes started to tear. Her father's head
dropped limply forward, his entire body weak. Kira could feel
herself shaking all over, but could hardly move. The men turned
away from her, dragging her father along behind them.
Kira felt the panic eat at her, climbing her throat
like it was a tower and wrapping her up tightly. “No, no, no...”
She murmured to herself as her vision blurred. There was nothing
she could do.
Kira had never felt more powerless in her life.
Grasping, her mind searched for anything she might bargain with.
Suddenly, she saw the men pause and their leader walked through the
pack towards her. Kira felt her body tighten as his threatening
gaze leveled on her.
    “ I've changed my mind,” he
whispered lowly. Kira felt the air leave her body in a violent
sigh. Could this be real? “Oh God.” Relief collapsed her shoulders
and she felt her trembling ease a little. “Thank you. Thank