BOOM! Kiley Sparrow started awake. The ship's gentle rocking that had put her to sleep in her not-so-luxurious bed had evolved into a violent tossing. A sudden shudder shook the ship as if something had hit it with great force. Cautiously, she slid out from under the itchy sheets and put on her robe. She made her treacherous way across the cramped quarters that she had been living in for the past three days and emerged out into a narrow passageway. A few steps to the right led her to her father's plain, small chambers, and when she knocked, her hands shook along with the deck of the Phoenix.

"Kiley! You get in here this instant!" Her father pulled her into the tiny room just as another shudder made her knees collapse.

"Father, what's happening?" Kiley couldn't control the quaver in her voice as she inquired of her father. She set the candle she had carried on a small table beside the bed.

"I only know that we're being fired upon, dearest, and that we must stay out of the crewmen's way," he replied, gently pulling his daughter down to sit on the bed beside him. The girl and her father sat in silent fear.

Suddenly, the door flew open, and an old crewman called in, "Everyone out of bed and up on deck so's ye kin git on a boat!" And then he was gone, hollering into the next room.

Kiley was instantly on her unsteady feet and grabbing a candle.When she glanced over at the bed, her father was still sitting there, staring at his bare feet and not making a sound.

"Come along, Father! We must go up on deck!" she said, tugging on his arm.

"We're going to die," he said, still staring blankly at the ground.

"Not if you come on!" Kiley said desperately, searching his frighteningly blank face.

Her father finally looked up. "Pirates," he said simply.