35. Ocean (England) [part 1/3]
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You stared out beyond the horizon, imagining all the mysterious lands you would discover once you finally grew up and left this blasted country. All your life you had longed to escape the cage that was your sheltered manor and sail off into the seven seas, not a care in the world if your shoes weren't matching or if your hair was out of place. Mother and father had never approved of your constant day dreaming and adventurous schemes. In a world full of exquisite parties and grand ball gowns, you were the only one that didn't belong—a stranger in a strange land.
You sighed, ready to hop off the window seat when a sudden explosion made the ground tremble. Quickly shoving your window open, you stuck your head out in an attempt to locate the source of the sound. There was movement near the harbor, so you peered closer to see a ship—
—a pirate ship.
Your heart pounded. Out of the dozens of fantasies you dreamed of every day, pirates were your favorite. You watched as the mist-clouded streets deftly hid a riot of men as they rambled in like angry ants, yelling and creating an uproar of chaos. There were vague screams off in the distance. Gunshots were heard. Your heart beat quicker.
"M'lady!" cried out a maid from the hall, her footsteps loud against the hardwood.
Instinct took over your body as you rushed over to your bed, high skirts and all, and hid under it. Just as you got the last ruffle inside, your bedroom door burst open. Holding your breath, you silently waited for the maid to go away.
She finally did to search for you elsewhere in the mansion, closing your door.
After crawling out from your hiding spot, you threw all five layers of frills off and went to your secret desk compartment, pulling out a set of much more comfortable clothes—a pair of loose trousers and a cotton shirt (stolen from the general store? pfft, no. what made you think that?).
Even though you were sure your parents were going to send you to Hell for it, you couldn't pass up this once in a lifetime opportunity to see havoc at its best. Climbing out your window, you hit the porch roof running.
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Little did you know that at that moment, your manor's back door burst off its hinges, sending your parents and servants in a panic. A man, green eyes smoldering, stepped into the ruckus. His Captain's red coat flared.
"Where is she?"
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