A/N

Here's chapter two! Yay!

Just so you know, I originally made Andie 13, but I'm changing it to 14 so the story could make more sense since there's some things that would amke more sense for a 14 year old to do than a 13 year old (in my opinion).

This originally started with a homework assignment for English for school. We had to choose a theme/genre, and branch off from the sentennce provided for that genre/theme. I chose mystery, since that was the closest to what I wanted to get me started.

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot and anyone that you haven't heard of in the movies. That's all.

That said, I hope you enjoy the second chapter!

11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

I'm an inquisitive fourteen year old girl. I'm curious about my surroundings and people I know; their past, present-state, and perhaps what they had in mind for their future. I never want the specifics, though, just the basic idea since I know my boundaries and it wasn't much of my business about them anyway. As much as I hated it, it is just simply my nature.

However, when it comes to my family history, it was the complete opposite. If I want to know something about my ancestors, I'll ask. If I'm not provided an answer, I would do whatever it took to find out what I want to know.

Back to where we were, I walked through the alley and saw an old boarded-up building. With as much curiosity that I contain, I went ahead and tried to break in.

My first attempt to break the lock on the door failed. I thought some more on how I could open the door and get inside the building. After several minutes, I saw a bench off to the side. I had paid atention to what the man on the ship in my dreams had done. I never knew I needed to know that one day. I grabbed the bench, and with all of my strength, which people who know me say it's stronger than that of an average girl my age, I succeeded in breaking into the building.

As the door opened, I stood at the entrance, gazing in awe. Swords were everywhere. Big swords, elegant swords, unfinished swords, every type of sword imaginable were there, different types scattered around the place. I grabbed a sword with a gold and silver handle. I handled it gently and cautiously while staring at the magnificent sword my hands held. It was so beautiful, I knew I just had to have it.

Clink! Clank! Clink!

I noticed a door, a bigger door, perhaps the main entrance trying to open. Without a second thought, I ran into a nearby room. I observed two men and a woman walk into the room where I once was. One man was ginger-haired, vertically challenged (as how I like to say it), quite the plump one. To his left was another man, tall, black hair, and a moustache and a slight goatee. To his right is who I presume to be his wife since she was holding onto him with her life. What could cause her to be like that? I have no idea. The woman and tall, black-haired man seem to be a couple wanting to buy the place. I don't think they will, since the woman seemed to be absolutely terrifed of the place. I was backing up, aware of what was behind me. When I paid attention to the three strangers, I accidentally stepped on a bag that had something sharp inside.I felt the pointed edge scrape against my foot, but I was able to stifle my cry of pain. But that does not mean I didn't stop from letting silent tears from going down my cheeks. I peeked out to the main room where the swords were. Luckily, the couple and the other man had not noticed my accident, or at least paid no attention to it.

I slowly and carefully moved my right foot away from the bag. There was a small scratch on the bottom of her foot, but miraculously no bleeding considering the wound was a little on the deep side. I returned to exiting the blacksmith's shop even more cautiously and quietly than when I had attempted before. However, I know that my curiosity will eventually get the better of me and I would have to return sometime soon if I ever want that nagging feeling to ever leve me. Yes, you heard me alright. That building has something in it...calling my name (figuratively, of course). I don't know what it could be, but my heart is telling me to go back. My mind opposes the idea of returning to the building, telling me it would be too dangerous to go back.

"Andie?"

I let out a slight yell of surprise. I hadn't expected Cat to pop up all of a sudden behind my back while I was attempting to escape. "Good Lord, Cat! You scared me!"

"Sorry, Andie, but I didn't expect to find you here." She nodded to the smithy behind me.

I could feel sweat drop down my forehead. I was shocked that she had found me here...coming out from there... I didn't know what to say. But before I could even say a word, Cat said, "It's okay, Andie. I know you have that adventurous side to you." She patted my shoulder. "That's what I like about you. You do what you think is right, even if it may seem wrong to othersor at the time. Also, you have that adventurous and brave side you always show to the world." I guess I did my "confused" face, as Cat calls it, because she then corrected herself, "Or... well... you at least show it to your friends." I could only smile back at the comment. Cat smiled and finished, "That's what I admire about you. That's one reason why I'm proud to say you're my friend."

I could feel my cheeks turn pink. I loved it when people said something positive about me, but at the same time, I don't like it. I appreciate them looking at the bright side of me, but I guess I don't like all of the attention, or when the compliments go overboard or get to be too much. I couldn't turn down Cat's compliment about me, though. I'm too nice and friendly for that.

"Thanks, Cat," I said, really glad she wasn't Sammie. If it was Sammie who caught me instead, she would probably be scolding me at the moment instead of understanding. Of the three of us, Sammie's the one I guess you could say is the "mother figure" that always protects us and gives us advice for the better. Cat's more of the understanding, encouraging one. And me? I guess I'm the one that always saves everyone's ass. I apologize about the language, but it's true! But you know what? I'm caring, loving, understanding and all, but I'm always the hero (or in my case, I guess you'll have to say "heroine") of the three of us, saving them and anyone else I care about from trouble or an enemy of some sort. As much as it drives me crazy, I like it...saving my friends and anyone I care about. It always leaves a good feeling inside of me.

"Why'd you leave Sammie?" I asked, wondering the whole time why Cat was here and not across the street looking at different torture devices for women.

"Well, the dresses and corsets were too expensive, and since I have no money on me anyway, I thought Why bother looking if I can't buy them in the first place?"

I laughed a bit. "You have a point there, Cat."

She chuckled a bit, too.

"What's so funny you two?" We turned around. It was Sammie.

"Oh, nothing," I said smiling.

Sammie walked over to us, shaking her head as if she were our mother, but smiling as she did. "Come on," she said. "We need to get back to the ship. It's almost noon."

Cat nodded in agreement, "Yeah, you're right."

"Of course she's right," I said still having that smile plastered on my face. "Samantha Marie Morgan is always right." We all got a good laugh out of my comment, and we began our way back to the ship, the Fair Maiden.

Later that evening after a hearty supper, I went to Sammie's, Cat's, and my sleeping quarters. After I had changed into my nightgown, I saw Cat coming into the small cabin. "Good evening, Ms. Granger. How was your supper?" I asked, smiling as always.

"Quite pleasant, Ms. Rivers. And yours?" she responded in the same joking manner.

"Quite delicious if I may say."

Cat and I laughed. After a few moments, Cat walked over to her chest and pulled out her nightgown while I turned over and got my sketch pad. While she was changing, I asked her, "So, you like my adventurous side, eh?"

She looked at me. "Yes, I do. That's one thing that makes you such a wonderful friend." She smiled as she sat on her bed across from me.

"Do you know how much longer we have here?" I asked, just trying to make conversation.

"I believe Ronald is finishing up on the leak tonight. If he does, we are to leave at dawn and head for St. Joseph. Why?"

"Well," I said, putting my sketch pad off of my lap. "I have a little adventure that you and I could have." I saw her smile at my plan. "But, we'll have to do it quickly, and tonight."

11111111111111111111111111111111111111

This might start off a little slow, but it's necessary to explain what's to come for later chapters. Just bare with me please!

Don't forget to review, too:D