Teen Ink

Another Persons Shoulder

Chapter Three
I don’t know how long I sat there, crying into Nathaniel’s shoulder. I daren’t tell father or my stepmother. It would cause far too much commotion and unwanted attention. I felt Nathaniel’s hand floating across my hair.
“He kissed me,” I sniffled, stuttering the words out. “W-w-why did he do that?”
Nathaniel stopped and tensed.
“Naddy,” I said teasingly, prodding him in the side.
“It’s just sealing the deal, something pirates do.” He muttered into my ear.
As soon as his voice reached my mind. I shuddered and jerked upwards. “There are pirates here?” My voice was croaky and my eyes blotchy from crying. “That’s what he is?”
“Yes,”
Pirates. I just made a deal with a pirate. To allow him to take me on my twenty first birthday. Wow.
“They won’t come after you, you know.” He assured me.
I stayed silent.
“And if they do? I’m coming with you.”
I uttered a small thank you. I didn’t hear it and I don’t think he did.
“I should report to your father.” He made a move to stand up.
“NO!” I screamed, clinging on to his shirt, the disparity ringing out in my voice.
He sighed and sat down beside me. “Of course, I should stay here with you. I doubt your father knowing will be much use to us at all.” He took my hand in his. “Does he know who you are?”
“I don’t know. He didn’t call me by my name. But why else would he come after me. It has to be a power play with my father.” My voice was still shaky.
“Then why wait four years?”
“I don’t know.” I broke down in tears again, just when I was starting to feel better. I should not cry. But I did.