Well I was moving at the speed of sound.
Head-spinning, couldn't find my way around, and
Didn't know that I was going down.
Where I've been, well it's all a blur.
What I was looking for, I'm not sure.
Too late and didn't see it coming.

And then I crashed into you,
And I went up in flames.
Could've been the death of me,
But then you breathed your breath in me.
And I crashed into you,
Like a runaway train.
You will consume me,
But I can't walk away.

Somehow, I couldn't stop myself.
I just wanted to know how it felt.
Too strong, I couldn't hold on.
Now I'm just tryin' to make some sense
Out of how and why this happened.
Where we're heading, there's just no knowing.

"Crashed" By Daughtry


Part 7

"Tell me news of my beloved England!" Shakespeare exclaimed as he soaked his feet into a tub of steaming water, drinking some of his tea he had made for us.

"I want to hear absolutely everything!" he continued, as his he was one of the women I had seen at the town square gossiping.

I sighed and took a sip of the tea he had given me. "Nothing of great interest is happening. Only scientists trying to discover more."

I then inquired," Are you from England?"

"Oh! No! Sadly, no!" He sighed, but continued to explain," But from my earliest youth, I lapped up the stories. People always told me they were nothing more than folklore, but my heart told me they were true." He took a sip of his tea, and further reminisced," As a boy, I'd scurry away from my father at the market while he did his deals just to peek over the wall, dream of, perhaps, crossing it one day, seeing England for myself."

I smiled, and commented," You sound like my uncle. But he actually went over the wall. He met a woman named Una and had my cousin, Tristan. But nine months later, when he was back at Wall, they found a baby at the wall, which was addressed to my uncle."

"You have been raised with a little Stormhold influences haven't you?"

I shook my head," My uncle kept it a secret from Tristan and me, until last night, when he gave Tristan a letter from his mother, which had a candle in it. Tristan was supposed to light the candle, and it was suppose to help him find her. But instead I found myself here."

Shakespeare nodded in understanding, while I brought my knees up to my chest, resting my feet upon the daybed I sat upon, looking out the window, taking in all that was called Stormhold.

"Do you mind if I ask you," I looked up at him as I continued to ask my question," why do you have such a harsh persona with your crew and not with me?"

Shakespeare took a sip from his tea, before crossing his legs, only having one foot in the water. "Mind you, I did my best to fit in, when I inherited this ship. I tried to make my father, Captain Ghostmaker, proud. I forged a decent reputation as a ruthless marauder and cold-blooded killer. But my father died. I always promised him I'd take over the family business, keep the old girl flying. Does that explain everything?"

"Somewhat," I answered, but he continued wearing an overjoyed smile," You have no idea the lightness it brings to my heart being able to confide in you, such a charming and brilliant young lady. The pressure of maintaining the whole Captain Shakespeare persona for the sake of the crew. I don't know, sometimes…You see, I'm very much a man of my own creation. Even chose the name specially. Took me ages. See, I'm thinking legendary British wordsmith. My enemies and crew are thinking, 'Shake! Spear!'. Its little thing like that makes me happy."

I let out a small giggle. I love the eccentric personality and behavior. It was so refreshing!

"But about twelve years ago, I had to take my nephew aboard. His father, my little brother, had been sent to prison when Sirius was only a baby, for stealing and selling lightning illegally. And his mother gave him to me, after he got in a fight with some military personnel, which is why he has the scar. He was such a lively child, but now…he's quiet. I just wish he didn't adopt this cruel pirate persona, like he did when he moved onto the ship and became my co-captain and next in line to inherit this ship, when I'm gone."

I looked at him in shock, and repeated," Sirius is your nephew?"

Shakespeare nodded, somberly, switching the foot that sat in the tub of water.

"I'm surprised," she commented," you two seem so impersonal to one another."

Shakespeare glanced out the window, and cooed," As I said before, it's all Sirius's doing. But he will always remain my little Dog Star that knew every name and story too every star."

I sympathetically smiled and looked back out the window. I could see storm clouds developing along the horizon. "Looks like a storm is coming."

Suddenly Shakespeare snapped up, and set his tea down. "I'm sorry darling," he stepped out of the pan pushing his wet feet back into his boots. "When there is a storm that is a pay day for me and my men."

He then smiled, as he took a brief second to stand still," Make yourself comfortable, darling. I showed you where the dresses are, so if you want to, you can go and change. Or else take a nap. But the key thing is don't be a stranger and enjoy yourself, while you fly on my ship."

I nodded, while he scampered out of his cabin, leaving me alone again.

I looked back out to the window and examined the threatening and fierce storm clouds.

Tonight's storm may be rough. I hope the guys can handle it.