Chapter One:
Lucas's POV

Father paced the room so quickly that he seemed to be a mere blur. I wait for him to speak. I could feel the tenseness in the room, the unnatural strain in the air. Boney, who lay beside me, gave a low growl.

Finally, Father stopped his furious pacing and faced me. He slowly spoke, as though he had forgotten how to talk. "Lucas, I'll be sending you to Onett." His voice was flat, emotionless. It was the same voice he had used when Mother had died. For a moment, I thought the world had stopped.

I stared at him. I could not believe him. I did not want to believe him. And I didn't. "Why?" I half-heartedly asked. I knew the answer. I knew what he would say next. I overheard the conversations he held on the phone with those mysterious people, planning out my fate.

Father took a deep breath. "Lucas, it's been awfully busy around here, as you know. Everyone's rebuilding their lives and homes… and the mayor wanted me to help with the planning and everything,"

I look down at my feet. I didn't just know. I've felt the effects. Father was always away nowadays, and he barely shows up at home. When he does, it's very brief; usually, it's to comfort me and to tell me to take care of myself.

I bite my lip. I'm getting tired of being told the same things over and over again. Grow up, Lucas. Don't be such a crybaby, Lucas. Get over it, Lucas. Father doesn't say those things. He would never say things like that.

But I know the other villagers still think I'm a sad, little boy who doesn't know any better. Of course, they don't say it outright. But the way they talk sends the message straight and true to me. They would look at me sadly when they think I'm not looking and whisper rumors behind my back. Even though I had saved Nowhere Island, they treat me the way they always had.

Father continues, "I've been thinking of sending you to a school. After all, I want at least one of my kids to be well educated." Was that a joke? I'm his only kid left. "You have a friend in Onett, don't you? You'll be going to the same school he goes to. His parents even offered to let you live in their home. You won't be in Onett for long. You'll be back home before you know it."

Father waits for my answer, for my consent. He wouldn't dump me off in some random place without my agreement. So what if Ness was in Onett? It didn't make me feel any better.

Cheer up, Lucas. Boney barks. Flint is doing it for you.

I know Boney's trying to cheer me up. But it isn't working. I don't want to leave home anymore; I don't want to go to some faraway place, away from my family. I want to say no, but when I see the tired look in Father's eyes, I knew I couldn't refuse.

"Can Boney come?" I blurted out the question without meaning to. Father smiles. It's an empty smile, a hollow, broken smile. It tears at me and I feel like crying for some reason.

"I don't see why not,"

Father hugs me. The familiar smell of leather and sweat washes over me and I cling blindly to him. I don't want to leave home. I don't want to leave him. My grip tightens, and I bury my face in his jacket. He gently strokes my head. He understands. He knows that I don't want to go; he knows that he doesn't want me to go.

But I must.

"So you're going to Onett, Lucas?"

Duster leans back on the fence. I feel uncomfortable in the heavy jacket I'm wearing. It's too hot to wear it right now, but I didn't have any room left in the suitcases.

"Uh-huh," I nod.

The thief pats me on the back. I barely feel it through my thick coat. "Good luck, then. Oh, that reminds me…" He fishes something long and pink out of his pocket and hands it to me. Rope Snake twitches once, twice, before laying still.

"Rope Snake?" I blink in surprise. "But I thought he– "

"It's 'Snake Rope'," Rope Snake grumbles. "I have no clue who this noble, brave 'Rope Snake' is," I hold back a laugh.

"You might as well keep him. He's no use to me anymore," Duster grinned. "I found him hiding under my father's bed."

"Duster… thank you,"

"Don't mention it," Duster fondly said.

A peaceful silence enveloped us. I breathe in the tangy, salty sea air, trying to calm my mad, swirling thoughts. Rope Snake has curled up into a tight coil around my wrist, snoring away.

Are you ready, Lucas? Boney breaks the silence. He pads up to me and wags his tail, excited at the idea of traveling to a new land. I reluctantly nod.

Father was on the ship, discussing something with the captain. I looked at the vessel and wondered how it managed to stay afloat. It was a huge hunk of wood, peppered with countless gashes. The sails seemed incredibly feeble as they were blown here and there by the wind quite easily. Paint was peeling off the planks, curling into stiff confetti. You could barely see the words that were engraved on its side. The name must've been bold and flourishing at one point. If I remembered, Father told me the ship was called the Sea Serpent. It was amazing that the ship, if you could call it that, even got to port.

Father finally strides out of the ship, having finished talking to the captain. "Do you need help with the luggage?"

"I can handle it," I answered. "C'mon, Boney,"

Thankfully, the baggages were on wheels. I dragged the suitcases onto the deck with ease. The ship lets out a huge bellow, warning lagging passengers to hurry on. Father stands on the dock with Duster, and I have this impulse to drop everything and run back to him.

I force myself to smile and feebly waved good-bye. Father and Duster return the gesture, just as the ship lurches forward. The sails unfurled and stiffened against the wind, and the mighty Sea Serpent set sail, gathering surprising speed.

I felt a pit in my stomach as the dock vanished into the horizon. My hand drops limply to my side. Rope Snake gives a small hiss, but stays asleep.

The sun was beginning to rise above the misty clouds and sea spray. It cast a fiery tinge in the sky, and I could hear the seabirds singing as they skimmed above the sea. The trip had barely started and I already felt homesick.

Boney nuzzles me. You all right, Lucas?

"I'm fine," I lie. I stood there and did not go into my cabin, even as Boney padded off to explore, until Nowhere Island finally disappeared from sight.

Author's Note: Holy shiz I didn't update the other stuff lately DX Sorry, things were like...creeping slowly. This one's a short chapter too...curse my laziness. Anyway, feel free to rant, flame, whatever.