I was lonely and wishing England was here. No one in the city cares about me. I know because no one has come to say hello or to play with me or anything. The English soldiers only ever came to give me something to eat or drink. They brought lots at once and left me alone for more than a week at a time. I was beginning to think that no one would miss me if I went missing. The next time the English soldiers came by I tried to play with them but they weren't interested. I can't wait for England to come back.
I was exploring the city early in the morning. I was noticing that the boys and girls would usually head to the same building in the city, five times a week. That must be what England calls 'school'. I was tempted to go in and see what it was like but then I noticed two boys who weren't headed there, instead they were heading for the forest, one of the places that I go to play. Maybe they want to play too! I hurried after them. They turned.
"What you want?"
"I wanted to know if you two wanna play with me?"
"Nah we got somethin' important to do."
"I can help."
"Why don't we let him come with us?" The other finally asked.
"What you wanna do that for?"
"He looks awful nice and we could use more hands where we is goin'."
"Aw shucks. Fine, but you gotta swear you won't tell nobody."
"I-"
"Not here, what's wrong with you. We gotta go find Tom first." I smiled. I have new friends! I hurried after them. We walked into the woods and made our way to… an abandoned cabin! Tom came out holding a stick. He was wearing dirty and torn clothes with holes in it.
"Who goes there?"
"It be Joe Munson and Jake Colt come to see Tom MacKenney, with a new friend." They turned to me expectantly.
"Alfred Jones."
"What you want?"
"Hold up Tom. Alfred has to swear. He has to swear not to tell nobody even until his dying day."
"I swear."
"Not yet, to swear you gotta put your hand over your heart. Repeat after me." He put his hand over his heart. I copied him, getting bored. "I, Alfred Jones, swear not to tell nobody, not even if they torture it out of me." I repeated him and they finally welcomed me like a friend.
"Well what you want?"
"We running away from home."
"Why?"
"Why not? Nobody's going to notice. No really they want us gone so we decided to give em what they want." I frowned.
"I know how you feel. No one would notice if I went missing either. Nobody ever pays attention to me."
"No parents or siblings? None of em?"
"I don't have any of those." They stared at me in awe, at least Joe and Jake did.
"Me neither." Tom replied. "No rules but my own. You see this? This is here be my home."
"That done explain why we don't see you at school none, Alfred."
"I've heard of it, but I've never gone."
"Where you two wanna run away to?"
"We was coming to see if you wanted to come with us, Tom?"
"I reckon I could."
"Can I come?" I asked.
"Sure, if you don't tell nobody."
"I have no one to tell." We made our way into the forest and talked about what we might be and I was excited when they suggested pirates! "Yes! Let's be pirates! Pirates are cool, Ar-" Arthur. I miss him. He had many stories about pirates, Robin Hood, and even Camelot. They other two quickly agreed.
"I hear there's a river near here, we could go find it and be pirates there!"
"What's the closest river?" I asked.
"The Poto- Potomo- aw shucks! You know what I'm trying to say." We started trying to find it based on memory, but then we followed the sound of running water. We found the river! "Okay men. We found the river. Now we gotta decide on our pirate names, retrieve supplies, and build a shelter. We meet back here tonight, under the cover of darkness. Swear on it."
We swore and went back home, marking our way back so we would know which way to go. I grabbed a blanket and a stick before beginning to pack. I packed a cooking utensil, some meats, and even some vegetables and fruits. No matter how I didn't like to eat them. Of course I'd forgotten the food I was to be given by the English soldiers. I remembered it as I was leaving to go find my new friends again. I bundled it up and took it with me, leaving out the sandwich which I nibbled on, followed by the two cookies I'd been given. I was met by two of them and we continued on our way.
"Halt! Who goes there?"
"Captain Silver, Terror of the Seas."
"Captain Cut Throat Conner, Bringer of Death."
"Captain Redbeard, the Crimson Seadog." I called. I had wanted to be Captain Kirk from Arthur's stories but it would only serve to remind me about how I missed Arthur. I might still decide to change my name to that.
"And I be Captain Dreadful, Killer of Men." We made our way back to the river and I noticed that some shelter had already been built, and even a fire place. "Men, tomorrow we start our lives as pirates. Tonight we should just get some sleep."
The next day we cooked some bacon and ham for breakfast, and I noticed that Joe- Captain Silver had brought another cooking item. We'd all brought meat, I'd brought fruits and vegetables, Captain Conner had brought cookies and matches, and Captain Dreadful had brought small blankets. Among other things we'd brought.
"I bet it takes a month or so before they start missing us."
"I bet it's longer for me." I muttered.
"Pirates don't have to do anything they don't want to. All they do is take ships, find treasure, and hold people hostage. They were the bestest of clothes too! Diamonds, gold, and even an eye patch to make them look cool!"
"Wow!" They were amazed. Having already known this, I beamed. We sat in silence and in that silence nature began to wake too. The bird song was beautiful. "Hey, we should go fishing. That way we have something for lunch."
"What about the food we brought?" I asked.
"We needs to save it for days when we can't catch nothing."
"I guess that makes sense." I watched them undress before jumping into the river and start chasing fish. They motioned me to join and I got up and grabbed a stick and a sharp rock before looking around for something to tie it together, like my Indian friends did. They shouted for me to join and I dropped my two objects before getting undressed and jumping in with them to help catch fish.
By the time we'd tired ourselves out we'd only caught four fish, four small fish. Of course we'd started playing in the water instead of fishing so I didn't expect much. Captain Dreadful started the fire again and started to cook. I lowered my lips to the river and got a drink and they copied me. We called over a few minutes later to eat the fish that had been cooked. We each got one. He'd also cooked a few of the meat we'd brought and we even ate some of my fruit. I loved my breakfast. I could get used to this.
After we'd finished eating, we separated to go see what we could find to bring back to camp. I was alone in the forest, enjoying the sounds of nature as I looked for food or something to play with. My adventure had found a trap set by man. I cut the trap down and coiled the rope to take with me to make spears. Then, fearing whichever adult might have set that up, I ran from the sight. I got to see foxes, birds, snakes, and even a flower field. I made my way back to camp when I noticed the sun overhead.
There Captain Silver was cooking this time. I cut some of my rope and used it to tie the stick to the stone, and once more just to be sure. I wish I'd asked how to make a spear, though I doubt they'd have told me. We had more meat that we'd brought and some more of my fruits for lunch. We'd have to try harder to find food or we'd run out and starve at this rate.
When time for dinner came, we'd actually found more fish, bigger fish. At least each of us got to eat a big fish, and a few small ones. The rope I'd found had been very useful. Even my spear caught a few fish before the rope broke and my stone was gone. Captain Conner cooked this time. Breakfast, it seemed, would be my job.
We lasted this way for a few days until our food supplies had been depleted and we had to find food or face starvation or disgrace. I was wondering the forest alone trying to find food when I came upon George. I beamed and ran over, forgetting that I'm supposed to be hiding from adults and finding food. "George!" I cheered. He was walking with a horse by his side, being led by reins. He turned, surprised.
"What are you doing all the way out here?" I grabbed onto him like I sometimes did with England.
"Playing. What are you doing?"
"I was having a bit of exercise. I've just returned from the city." I gaped.
"You live out here?" He chuckled.
"No, I live that way." He pointed and I quickly hugged my stomach and grimaced as it growled for food. "Something troubling you?" He asked, worried. I gave the best smile I could.
"Nothing really. Just hungry." He opened the sack that his horse was carrying and handed it to me. An apple. "I couldn't. I have to scavenge for my own food to take back to-" I shut my mouth immediately. "Uh… I have to go. Bye!" I quickly ran away.
"Alfred! Alfred! Come back!" I didn't listen. I couldn't. I'd sworn not to tell. I almost did! Tears formed in my eyes. I didn't want to leave George, he was my friend. I missed Arthur, if he were here I'd be full and having fun. I wanted to go home. The place I used to live at didn't feel like a home though, only when Arthur was there. I made my way back to camp. They looked up expectantly then drooped.
"I'm hungry. I wanna go home." Joe complained.
"Me too." Tom replied.
"Oh come on now. We can't give up. Nobody great ever got anything by giving up." Jake said. "I know we didn't get food this time but by dinner we'll have loads of fish."
"We can't keep eating fish. I'm starting to feel no good."
"What say you Captain Redbeard?" Jake asked.
"We should keep trying."
"Well I don't care, I'm going home." Joe said and stood up. Tom watched him go until Jake called him back.
"Wait, if we come back at the end of the week, then we'll be welcomed back like heroes. They'll never treat us bad again." Joe stopped and turned back.
"Honest?"
"Honest."
The next day I came across George closer to our camp. I had to get him away. Or we'd be found out. I ran to him from the opposite direction than our camp. He smiled. "Alfred. Ready to take me up on my offer?"
"I'm starving." He handed me an apple and I happily munched. My stomach only growled louder. That had made my hunger worse. I put my hands on my stomach and bit my lip.
"How long have you gone without food?"
"Uh… I can't say. Sworn not to."
"Sworn? By who?"
"Can't say."
"Why don't you come with me and I can give you something for lunch?" Get him away from camp.
"I don't know…" I looked up at him and he gave me a smile. "Yes."
"Excellent." He picked me up and set me on his horse. He led the way to a farm. He tied the horse and walked toward the building. This didn't feel right. I feel like I'm betraying my friends. "Come Alfred."
"This doesn't feel right."
"It's okay. I'll keep you safe." He said, a smile on his lips. I hurried to his side and he took my hand before guiding me into the house. He set a few plates of food in front of me and unable to resist I dug in. He replaced the empty plates until I couldn't eat anymore by which time I remembered that I should be finding food for my friends.
"Thank you for the food." I said.
"You're welcome. Would you like for me to take you home now?"
"I'm good. Is this where you live?"
"Yes, I live here. Would you like a glass of milk to go with your meal?"
"Yes please." He turned and I grabbed a loaf of bread before jumping down and running for the door, which was opened by another person coming in. I fled down the road and back into the forest, feeling awful for the theft and knowing that I could never be a pirate now.
I made it back to camp and showed them the bread I had. Their faces lit up with joy. Seems another one of them had had the same idea. They'd went back to town and stole some food. They, unlike me, hadn't felt bad for doing it.
We had enough food for two days it turned out but the day after I had stolen from George he found our camp. "What are you boys doing out here?" He demanded. However, instead of answering him, Tom called out.
"Every man for themselves!" They scattered. I stayed.
"Stay right where you are. I expect your parents shall be more than furious." They stopped in their tracks. We were led back to town, Tom dropping off before we got there. The town embraced Joe and Jake happily. "Where do you live Alfred?" George asked.
"George, I'll replace your bread. Promise. I shouldn't have taken it. I'm sorry."
"If you had asked for it I would have gladly given it to you. We can talk about that later. Where do you live? Who are your parents?"
"I don't have any parents." He picked me up and I smiled, having been sad for a second.
"You live here, don't you?" I nodded and started guiding him. Until a familiar voice called.
"Alfred!" I turned my head to see England running. George stopped and England took me from him and hugged me tight. I beamed and hugged him back. "Thank you so much, sir. How can I ever repay you?"
"Anyone would have done the same thing, I assure you." I looked up at England.
"This is George. He's my friend."
"George." He moved me to one hand, on his hip, as he held out his right hand and shook George's right hand. "I'm Arthur, Arthur Kirkland."
"George Washington."
"You're welcome to dinner."
"Thank you for the offer."
"Have a good day sir." England said and they said their goodbyes before Arthur carried me back to the house. "Alfred, you're filthy. Where on Earth have you been?"
"I was off playing pirates. I don't think I want to be a pirate. Why are you here? I thought you weren't coming back until you brought me a new friend."
"The moment I got word from the soldiers that you were missing I made my way back as soon as possible, thankfully I was nearby. What made you think to run away from home?"
"I thought nobody would notice. The soldiers never interact with me."
"They were to check on you every morning, afternoon, and night." He opened the door and carried me straight to the tub. I squirmed. If I'd known the first thing he'd do was give me a bath…
"Engwand! Can't we eat first?"
"We can eat after. This won't take long." Too late, I was in the tub and he was washing me. I sighed and groaned until I was laughing, England had put toys in the tub. It was over before I knew it and I was being dressed again. "Your clothes will have to go in the trash. They're dirty and torn in so many places it would be best to buy new ones. We'll be going to the store tomorrow."
"You're not mad at me?" I asked.
"I'm not mad at you. I'm sorry you felt neglected. From now on I'll set some soldiers here to keep you company." I frowned. That wouldn't do. I'd have less freedom to go see my friends, and George.
"What if instead you set playtime instead?"
"What do you mean?" He asked as he set me down with some toys as he started cooking a meal.
"I'll get to make more friends if you make playtime instead. Different people could come over instead of just the same ones every time."
"I'll think about it." He set plates out when he finished cooking before sitting me at the table and we ate together. At dinner England had summoned George for dinner and we had a great time together. I was happier than I had been all week.