The sea kissed the shore over and over, I watched with my knees pulled up close against my body, as I drifted in and out of the dark cosmos of my thoughts. I had always loved the sea, loved the way you could just glide across it, how it separates us from other distant islands. I smiled slightly to myself, enjoying the cool breeze of the late night air. I sneak out at night just to catch glimpses of the moons reflection bouncing off the water's waves.

I sighed lightly and forced myself up, I didn't want to leave really, thing seemed a lot more peaceful and serene here. I glanced once more to the sea as I turned my back, my hair cascading around with the breeze.

I walked slowly through the village enjoying my last moments of freedom, I so pleaded with my aunt to let me move out, but she wouldn't have it, she would ignore me and continue telling me what to do, and how to live my own life.

I grimaced as I reached the door, I turned the knob slowly, to try not to wake them, and stepped in, I was instantly alert of the warmth in here, I frowned, I hadn't left the fire on, I was sure I had turned it off.

With a thief like stance I crept up to the living room door, the thing was so battered it had holes all over and a very loud and eerie creak at the lightest touch. Pulling my hair back I leant closer, just hovering before the door, from inside I heard two voices:

'So we have an accord?' came the first voice, it was very dark and husky, I had never heard such a voice in my lifetime.

'Yes, the girl is to be yours, use her for what you will but I want no more than the original asking price, if you question that, I may have to heighten that' I heard a creak in the large leather chair as my uncle leant back, obviously folding his arms, as he does.

I was running before I knew it, my legs scooping distance underneath them, I halted by a tree to catch my breath. There was no way I was going back, they would have to drag me there themselves.

I ran to the harbour, my clothes getting ripped in the process as I went through the wilderness; rather then dare the village and its open pathways. There was a crowd at the harbour, at least I thought there was, lots of people were walking from a large magnificent ship, its sails huge, but not in the very least bit grotesque. I stopped on the pathway and looked at them as they all stepped one by one towards the village. I swung my head round only to see people coming in from the direction of the village, my instinct was screaming at me that there was danger nearby.

Total darkness. I had no idea about what happened after.

I flickered my eye lids several times before attempting to open them, I could vaguely hear the quiet murmurs of people around me, and the shuffles of their feet, one was quite close and I could hear what they were saying:

'Well, what do we do with her?, I mean for all we know she could be one of them'

'She may be, we'll consult about this with the captain'