TheOcean-MaebhG

Senseless, we scurried back across the higher deck back into the bridge where all navigation and communications were conducted but in place of the stand-in mariner were three formidable Somalian pirates disguised in scarves masking their identities and draped in belt straps laced with roughly 100 bullets – two per person secured like cross-body bags over each shoulder Each had one large gun in hand alongside other weaponry strapped to their trousers and shirts The largest of the three was leaning against the dashboard fiddling with a knife No-one uttered a word Not even the ocean ’ s waves bubbled or fizzled; not even the windhummedorswished

An hour passed, the one with the knife had briefed us on their intentions and how we would assist in achieving them They tied me down with guns at the ready, coarseropefastenedacrossmymouthandhandsgrazingmyskin’ssurface.Atfirst ourcrew ’sMasterandtheBosunabidedbytheirinstructionsbutwhentimepassed and the three thieves had become more relaxed and less observant of the navigation,Inoticedthewheelmoveafewmoreanglestotherightthanexpected. It was extremely subtle – something only a top navigator would notice and expect toalteronaroute–butallthoseyearsofhaving2minutesatthewheelI’dlearnta few things. The bosun and I made eye contact. He'd caught on. No one uttered a word “Hold on a second,” the one with the knife barked, “what are you up to?” he asked, having seen us exchange glances Within 2 minutes I was leaning over the edge of the deck glaring at the muddy waters below. “Boat master, we ’ ve hijacked enough of these ships to know when people are attempting to outsmart us and trust me it becomes less and less entertaining – you have ten seconds to stop this insubordinationandcarryonwiththecoursebeforeIlosemytemper,10.....4..3..2..1...”

“Do it” my master said heedlessly 10 years I'd worked on this same boat with the same people 10 years under his wing I'd been climbing the ladder aspiring to be in his position and he would so casually toss my body like the other two. “Chuck him” the pirate laughed Static and breathless, I stared into the basin of blue that would soon be the source of my demise but no one stirred Instead, the other two men, removed me from the deck’s edge and then their scarves. The identities beneath the layers of material were Jono and Ronny, our ship’s guards The two then neutralizedthepirateandplannedtostickhimintheemptymetalcargoboxwhere the two others they’d captured and stolen clothes from and the rest of the party were While being untied the master approached the humiliated buccaneer, “We’ve been out on this ship across these shores enough times to know your methods of robbery,afterall,thisshipandtheoceanisourhome”.