I am a man of fortune, and I must seek my fortune

-Captain Henry Avery, 1694

Chapter 1

The Lure of Adventure

"Nathan," said the voice.

Nathan couldn't look at her. The relentless ticking of the clock resonated in his ears.

"Nathan?" asked the voice again. She reached her hand down to Nathan's chin to make him look into her eyes. Nathan stubbornly refused.

"What are we going to do with you?" she said with a sigh.

Nathan still didn't look.

"You must be tired of these lectures, I know I'm tired of giving them."

Nathan was pretty sure that she really did enjoy lecturing him, as if he was specially selected to sit through them all alone. He was sick of this place. The peeling paint, the lack of light. Everything about it was stifling.

"Now you have to stay here with me all weekend instead of going on the retreat with everyone else."

Nathan saw that one coming, but he voiced his opinion. "I don't care." He said defiantly, now looking his lecturer right in the face.

A few seconds passed.

Tick.

Tick.

Tick.

He hated that clock. It almost screamed, 'All of your time is spent here. You will never leave this place.'

"Yes," said the woman, "that is the crux of the problem. We've sheltered and fed you for all of your thirteen years, and all you can say is, I don't care."

The orphanage was dark, and the only light to be found was leaking from the candle. Not that it made a difference. The people here at the orphanage were too cheap to waste precious income on frivolities like light. Nathan stared into the wall, his bed feeling hard and cold. He was so frustrated with everything.

"I don't see why I'm the only one being punished," Nathan said.

The woman looked at him, her arms crossed, "Because you started the fight!"

Nathan gazed at the floor, "He wouldn't give me back my book."

"I told you to leave those books in your room," said the woman, "You only have yourself to blame."

Nathan was tired of these pacifists. He was tired of having to turn the other cheek every time somebody tried to push him around. Tired of being everybody's doormat or punching bag or errand boy.

"Doesn't give him the right to just snatch it from me," said Nathan.

"Does that give you the right to just start throwing punches?!" demanded the woman with anger in her voice.

In Nathan's mind, when somebody steals from you, it does give you the right. He didn't say it aloud though. Nathan's brown hair flickered in the light of the candle, his chestnut colored eyes looking down at the floor.

A few silent seconds passed, "It wasn't just about the book."

Nathan's face crumpled. He could cry, but he wouldn't do it. Not with her in the room. She would never get to see him cry.

The woman walked over, "What was it then?" she asked with her hands on her hips.

Nathan sat there, but after a few seconds he replied, "Nothing. It was nothing."

Nathan looked into the woman's eyes now. She began walking towards the door, but before leaving she said, "No matter what I try, you seem insistent on going down the same, sad road as your brother."

Nathan looked at her, she was just staring back, with closed lips. As she turned to leave, Nathan heard her say, "What a waste," before she opened the door and closed it with a bang.

She was gone.

Nathan didn't move, he just sat there. He shed a tear. Now that he was left in peace, he could cry all night. With a quivering lip, he stared at the window, the bruise under his eye marked with a single tear track. A few minutes, and he stopped. If she came back in, Nathan couldn't let her see he had been crying. He stood up and walked to the window. He saw a small, glinting light flashing across the rooftops. He was on the third level of the building, but his window was on level with the rooftops. He knew what the glint meant.

"Sam!" he said, suddenly feeling happier.

Sam had signaled from on top of the school building, which was right next to, and owned by, the orphanage. He opened the window wide enough for him to jump through. He looked one last time at the door, but he didn't see the lamp of the woman, and he didn't hear her footsteps. As long as he could slip away without her knowing, he didn't care whether she knew he left or not.

He vaulted out the window, and landed right on the metal rooftop. The rustling of the leaves in the faint wind was all he could hear. He couldn't quite get to Sam from where he was at. He would have to navigate the rooftops to find him. Nathan eventually got to the tall, sloped part of the roof. He tried climbing it, but it was too slippery. Undeterred, he looked for another solution. The roof of the orphanage was convoluted; it wasn't a single rooftop, but different levels and walls. Not being afraid of heights, he looked to see the flowerbeds hanging from the windows. The ledges were stone, and he jumped up and grabbed one, before swinging up and over to the other end of the sloped roof. The roof leveled off and he walked for a bit before he reached the end of the level. There was an open window. The window was the only way for him to get down.

He was on the lower level, since the building was on a hillside. The lower level of the building was also where the woman was. He cautiously entered the room, which was the medical area. He remembered being dragged in here for checkups every month.

The door was cracked open, and carefully, he opened it a bit more. It creaked ever so slightly, but to Nathan it sounded like a blasting trumpet. He was now in the main hallway of the orphanage. The hallway was dim, though more well-lit than any of the dorms. It had old black and white pictures of previous owners or outstanding staff that had worked in the place, some dating back to the 1850's. Old furniture lined the halls. Nathan crept silently, before hearing footsteps.

"Uh-oh," he said under his breath.

It was the owner of the orphanage talking to the woman. Nathan dove for cover behind the door.

He listened to the two talking back and forth, "Isn't it our job to help boys like him?" asked the owner.

"In the meantime, I'm neglecting the other dozen boys in my care."

The owner sighed, "What do you want me to do?"

"You know my opinion," the woman said coldly.

"Well I'm not ready to give up on him yet." The owner stopped at the doors leading outside the orphanage.

"You can't keep avoiding it!" the woman said.

The owner sighed again, "Look, I'll talk to him in the morning."

Nathan quickly rolled from the back of the door to behind a desk.

The woman stood there, "Goodnight Pastor."

"Goodnight Catherine."

Catherine moved a bit closer and Nathan crunched against the desk. She then entered her office next to the door and Nathan moved into the room adjacent to the entrance on the other side. He would have to wait until the woman left the office before he could risk leaving. Sam would just have to wait a bit longer.

The room he was inside was where all the orphanages files were kept. He saw a file on a desk with his picture on it. It was a behavioral report form. Nathan looked at it. It recounted the detail of Nathan's fight, making Nathan's blood boil. Nowhere mentioned was Edward, the boy that had stolen Nathan's books. The form set down Nathan's punishments: loss of privilege, and a four day suspension from school.

He put the form down, and peeped carefully into Catherine's window. She wasn't looking. He bolted for the front door, but when he turned the handle, he realized with horror that it was locked. Nathan was deflated. The only way to get out now was if he went through the open window in Catherine's office.

He crept into the office as gingerly as he could. If he was caught, he'd be in far more trouble than he cared to think about. Not being able to go on the retreat would be the last of his worries. He carefully crept behind the furniture in the room, always staying out of Catherine's view. She stepped over to the window Nathan was trying to get out of. He frowned.

Catherine lit a cigarette and began smoking on the edge of the window. Nathan was shocked. Smoking was forbidden in the school! Maybe he should get her into trouble sometime later. He grinned. How satisfying it would be to see her get fired! But how exactly he could prove it was something else entirely.

Suddenly he heard the muffled voice of the pastor, "Catherine!"

The woman nearly jumped out of her skin, dropping the cigarette. "Darn!" she said, before throwing it out the window, "Uh, yes Pastor?!"

He heard the pastor's voice through the walls, "Catherine, I'm sorry but I've forgotten my keys again, can you please open the gate for me?"

Catherine left, and Nathan ran for the window. Clambering out onto the windowsill, he saw Sam on the roof next to the building.

"Come on Nathan!" said Sam.

Nathan followed, and climbed up the gutter onto the roof of the building. He was on the tall, flat level, and air conditioning pipes poked out in several different places. As he looked for Sam, he saw a flashlight and backpack sitting there without an owner. The flashlight was still on. Confused, Nathan picked up the flashlight and switched it off.

Suddenly he felt himself getting grabbed and flung onto his back, before being set down on the ground. It was Sam, laughing.

"You better learn to watch your back Nate!"

Nathan chuckled, "Alright." He said, wondering why he didn't suspect Sam in the first place.

"Hey it's good to see you little brother," Sam said.

Sam was taller than Nathan, about six years older, and he had a carefree personality. His slicked back hair fit his overall appearance well. He was wearing a jean jacket with a maroon t-shirt underneath.

His smile soon disappeared when he saw Nathan's face, "What?" he said pointing to the bruise under Nathan's eye, "Really, again?"

"It's nothing." Nathan said pushing Sam's' hand back.

"I told you to stay out of trouble," Sam said.

"But he was talking trash about us!" Nathan protested.

"So?" asked Sam.

Nathan let out what he so badly wanted to say, "He said that…Dad dumped us here because we're worthless and Mom is dead because-"

"Nathan! Nathan," Sam said, "Look, they're just talking that way because it gets to you. OK? You just have to learn to shake it off."

"You wouldn't," Nathan said.

Sam chuckled, "Well do as I say not as I do."

Nathan looked at his brother. He shook his head, "So, what are you doing here like this anyway? If the people here catch you they're going to call the cops."

Sam smiled, "Well I got something for you, and it couldn't wait till Christmas."

"What?" Nathan asked with excitement.

"It's outside," said Sam with a grin.

Nathan frowned, "What happened to staying out of trouble?"

"Well this is an exception…" replied Sam.

Sam took off running, and he jumped onto another level of the roof.

"Nice jump," said Nathan.

Sam knew Nathan was too short to make it, so he held out his hand.

Nathan took it, and Sam chuckled as he hoisted Nathan up, "Sheesh you're light. Are the people here feeding you enough?"

Nathan didn't answer.

Walking across the roof Sam struck up some conversation, "Pretty quiet here. Where is everyone?"

"Some retreat." Nathan replied.

Sam huffed, "I remember those…hey, how's Pastor Duffy doing?"

"He's the one decent guy in there," Nathan replied, "You should come and say hi."

"Nah…" Sam said, "I don't need the guilt."

Nathan shook his head. They came to a door and Sam looked at it. It was the door that led to the staircase off the roof. Unfortunately, it was locked, and there was no way to open it. Sam usually carried a few lock picking tools for just such an occasion, but he didn't have any on hand this time.

"You forgot to prop it." Nathan said.

Sam rubbed his chin, "Hey I don't need stairs…Look."

Sam pointed over to a ladder that led down to the street. He walked over and slid down the ladder, before hitting the ground. The ladder was a good seven feet off the ground to protect against people from the street climbing onto the building. Nathan followed his brother, and when they both hit the street, Sam's "surprise" was waiting right next to the ladder, as if he had known they'd use the ladder the whole time.

It was a beautiful red motorcycle. Old school, but definitely not a lightweight looking one at all.

"Whoa!" said Nathan impressed, "You got the 250!"

Sam looked at Nathan with a raised eyebrow, "The 250? What are you talking about? This is the 500cc twin!"

"No way!" Nathan said with awe.

"Yeah…" said Sam relishing the attention the bike was getting.

"Where'd you lift it from?" Nathan asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Whoa!" Sam said, "That's a low blow. I'll have you know I'm a changed man. Bought this puppy with my hard-earned cash."

He patted the bike's seat like it was a prized dog.

"C'mon," said Sam, "Take a seat."

Nathan stood there, not moving. A frown on his face.

Sam raised an eyebrow, "What?"

Nathan shook his head, "The only time you pull off a stunt like this is when you're trying to make up for something."

Sam looked at the ground, and then pointed a finger at Nathan, "You are too smart for your own good you know that?"

Nathan looked still harder into his brother's eyes.

"Alright." Sam said, "I got this job. Pays well. Really well, but…uh…I'm going to have to leave town for a little bit."

Nathan felt a knot in his stomach. Sam was his best friend, and the only person who brought him true happiness here.

"How long is a little bit?" Nathan asked not sure he wanted to know.

His heart sunk as his brother let out a deep sigh, "Like a…a year."

Nathan's eyes widened, his heart wrenching.

"At the most!" said Sam trying to help, "And then I'll be back before you even know it."

"You're bailing on me." Nathan said.

Sam shook his head, and stepped towards Nathan, "Ah come on don't be so dramatic."

Nathan pointed towards the orphanage and said, "What, so it wasn't enough to leave me in that pit?! How could you do this to me Sam?"

"Nate hold on, I'm doing this for you! The money I make is for the both of us. And in a couple of years when you're out of-"

"A couple of years!" Nathan said feeling as if a couple of years at the orphanage would only be slightly shorter than eternity. "Take me with you!" Nathan pleaded.

Sam shook his head, "Nate I can barely support myself"

"I'll pitch in!" said Nathan.

Sam sighed, "Look I know you think the orphanage sucks,"

"You have no idea," Nathan interrupted.

"Yeah but it's the best thing for you right now!" Sam said trying to make Nathan feel better, "Alright? You just have to trust me on that one."

"It's not fair," said Nathan looking at the ground.

"Hey," said Sam, "Nothing about our lives has been fair."

He looked at Nathan, who looked back, "But we've made it work." He finished, "Right?" he nudged Nathan.

"Sure." Nathan said simply.

Sam began walking to the other side of the bike, "Well, the bike wasn't the only surprise, and I guess I'm going to have to ruin the next one."

"What?" Nathan said.

Sam waited several suspense building seconds before raising his finger, and opening his mouth wide. "I found Mom's stuff. Everything that Dad sold. I tracked down the buyer."

Nathan's stomach did a flip-flop. He almost didn't believe it, "If you're saying this just to make me feel better…" said Nathan.

"No," Sam said, "I promise you."

"Where is it?" asked Nathan, a smile coming to his face.

"Eh…On the other side of town." Sam said, "What do you say we get it back?"

Nathan raised an eyebrow, "You mean steal it?"

At a pitiful justification attempt, Sam said, "Well…It's not stealing if it was ours to begin with."

Nathan shook his head, "Well I'm pretty sure the cops aren't going to see it that way."

"Well then let's not get caught," said Sam.

Sam hopped on the dirt bike and motioned for Nathan to hop on. Nathan didn't like the idea of stealing anything. He had just got in trouble for fighting a thief, he didn't want to become the thief himself. But he still didn't know how to say no to his brother. Against his better judgment, he hopped on the bike.

"You ready for this?" asked Sam.

Nathan smiled, "Let's go."

| Twelve Years Later |

The crowd of people shouted and taunted behind him. Nathan smiled a bit.

This bozo was about to get his just—Wham!

Without any warning the man had swung a rock-hard punch to his face. Nathan stepped back into a wooden worktable. The man raised his hand and starting jabbering in Spanish to the crowd, cheering for him.

The man, named Gustavo, laughed.

Nathan shook his head, and said under his breath, "You're going to have to do better than that pal."

Nathan got back up holding his fists up. Gustavo looked at him and threatened him in Spanish.

"Let's go." Nathan said gritting his teeth.

He swung and hit Gustavo in the face. Gustavo recovered, and slammed him in the face once, twice, right into the crowd. The crowd shoved Nathan back into the fray. Nathan held his fists, assessing. Waiting.

Gustavo swung, and Nathan dodged, before punching him twice. Gustavo fell into the crowd, who gently helped him back up. Gustavo once again threatened Nathan in Spanish before lunging and grabbing Nathan's arm, forcing him to bend over. Nathan used his free hand, and punched Gustavo right below the belt buckle. Shockingly, Gustavo took minimal recovery time, before making a vicious punch to Nathan's nose. Nathan yelled in pain, and Gustavo tried grabbing the back of his neck. Nathan pulled away, and elbowed Gustavo hard in the side of his head. Gustavo yelled, and pushed Nathan into the crowd. One of the people in the crowd began strangling him. Nathan tried to loosen the grip, but no give. He began elbowing the man in the ribs with all his might. The man let go, and Nathan was shoved back into Gustavo, who punched Nathan in the stomach. Doubled over, Nathan quickly recovered.

"Alright," said Nathan "You asked for it!"

He rushed Gustavo, yelling like a wild animal. He punched Gustavo square in the nose, and then elbowed him in the chin. He heard Gustavo's neck bones crack, before Gustavo got back up. Gustavo kicked Nathan in the chest, sending him to the ground. There was a tall post in the center of the fighting area. Gustavo shoved Nathan up to it, pushing his throat into it with his forearm. Nathan used his free arm and grabbing Gustavo's head, he smacked it against the post. Gustavo reeled back, blood on his forehead.

Gustavo, now thoroughly enraged, grabbed Nathan, and forced him to the ground. He then straddled Nathan and began punching him mercilessly. Nathan punched him back. Gustavo pinned Nathan's arms down with his one hand, and with the other, he covered Nathan's mouth, shoving it into the ground. Unable to breathe, Nathan tried desperately to free his other hand. He jerked it free, and punched Gustavo in the face. Gustavo reeled back, and Nathan got up.

"Alright, my turn!" Nathan shouted.

He straddled Gustavo and began hammering him in the face. He was about to strike his third blow when a man held his wrist back, and another man forced him to get up.

"What the…" Nathan said caught off guard.

Gustavo was being restrained by another two men.

Nathan huffed, "Hey, we weren't fighting, right little guy?" he said grinning at Gustavo.

Gustavo swore at him in Spanish.

"Hey Gustavo give me a call when you're tall enough to ride the rides!" The people told Nathan to shut up, before taking him away.

Nathan was led down into a dark prison.

"Oh come on!" Nathan said at the men shoved him into a cell, "How long am I supposed to be in here? Huh? Where's the toilet?"

The jail keeper, Vargas, replied "You're looking at it. Have fun." "I will! We both will…" Nathan said.

The cell door slammed shut with a clang, and Nathan was left in almost complete darkness. The only light to be found was leaking in from the small eye-slit in the cell door. Nathan then slumped down on the ground and sighed deeply. This certainly hadn't been the first time he had been in a jail cell. He let his arms droop.

He remembered the nights at the orphanage he had spent like this many years ago. How often he felt as if he was somewhere like this back then. The orphanage had always been his prison. After a bit, he laid down. As he drifted off to sleep, he could hear the soft drips of water down the walls. The next morning, the cell door opened. Straining to see in the sudden flood of light, Nathan shielded his eyes, and saw a figure walking towards him. It was Vargas.

"Get up," Vargas said with harshness.

Nathan sighed, "Oh man, I was having a great dream too…"

Vargas grabbed Nathan's arm and forced him up.

"Hey, hey!" Nathan said, "Alright! Easy…"

Vargas was handcuffing him from behind. After snapping the lock to the cuff shut, Vargas pushed him out of the cell.

"Alright!" Nathan said.

With that, Vargas led him away.