The cold bit into her skin as she made her way through the school court. It was winter and boy was it a cold one. Michelle was on her way to boating class. She went to a seaside school. Her brown, wavy hair was tied back in a pony-tail. Along with it she wore a black wool long-sleeved shirt and had on some of her thick dark blue jeans that really did show her figure. Her black boots were water proof and really came in handy during fieldtrips on the sea. But it was always average. 'I hope that changes today.'

Down at the docks her class mates were crowded around the message board. Michelle realized that today the school was posting the list of students that were going on the big sea quest or whatever. "Michelle! Michelle!" One of her friends Becky was running toward her with her black hair flailing out behind her. "You're in! You get to go on the trip! Of course I got in too." She welcomed Michelle with a big hug and congratulatory smile.

"I can't believe it!" Michelle was shocked beyond her own mind. She had wanted to go on this thing and really studied hard and now she got her wish and she was going!

"I know I can't believe we're both going together!" Becky was jumping for joy.

"No. I can't believe you made it with your grades and 'expertise' with handling a ship." Michelle gave her a sarcastic smile.

"Not funny. Do you already have your stuff?"

"I knew I would need it so yeah!" Michelle showed her the black suitcase she was carrying behind her. "You should not question my common sense mortal!" They both laughed and headed toward the ship.

They had rooms right next to each other. But because they were the first ones on the boat, they got the best rooms in there. In their rooms there was a big fluffy bed enough for three people to fit on it. There was also a couch for lounging next to the window so one could look out over the sea. Michelle just jumped on the bed and decided to take a nap.

"It's good to be on time." She drifted off to sleep.

Dream

"You promised you'd never leave me."

"But I'm back now aren't I?" Michelle was swept into strong arms protectively.

A tear rolled down her face. "Then why didn't you come back when I needed you most?" All of a sudden a fire broke out around them. The great shock scared Michelle and caused her to wrap her arms around the man.

"I promise I won't let you leave my sight ever again."

End Dream

She woke to a loud bell ringing out. In all of her years of life she hadn't had that dream since she was 13 and that was 6 years ago! 'I wonder why now.'

When she came up on deck she saw something she had always wanted to see. The wide, open sea dared her to jump in and escape life. It was just so beautiful.

"Hello there! You must be Michelle. I'm the captain of this fine ship. I've been told you are the top sailor in your school."

The man loomed over her greatly. He, of course, had on a blue jacket to symbolize his rank as captain. He was elderly but strong. His muscles were about as noticeable as his white beard. He was probably 6 foot or something higher.

"Yes, I am. It's very good to meet you captain." She saluted him and smiled. He smiled back and then pointed to the wheel.

"Well then let's see just how good your navigational skills are. There should be a map up there already. Follow the course I've drawn up and if you're lucky I'll let you be our navigator for the journey." A big smile formed on his face and Michelle smiled back.

'Guess I'll be doing that for the next week or so. That was what I was best at!' She nodded and walked up to the wheel and only looked at the map once before she began to steer. Of course she didn't have to look at it because she had a photographic memory and could memorize anything with one glance if she had her mind in the right place at the time.

But even though she was right about the being the navigator thing for the next week and all, she never could have guessed what destiny had in store for her at the end of that week.