TAoP Chapter 16

Letters from Home

As soon as they landed on the RLS Treasure, Illiana sent them to work. Max and Jayden were sent to check the supplies and Penny had to mop the deck.

"Why can't I check the supplies?" Penny whined as she held the mop. Midnight and Star had gone to bed since the times have been screwed up for them.

"'Cause we can't trust you around food," Illiana explained. She was studying paper maps and a computer. She believed that she had discovered where they were in space so they didn't have to guess where they were. "If you don't start now, you'll never finish."

Penny grumbled as she set off to work. She never had to clean anything in her life and now, she had to do it every day. Maybe I should've stayed on Neverland, she thought as she splashed water all over the place.

Then you would've missed out on all the fun, Midnight called.

Not if I have to clean all the time.

Penny worked in silence for awhile as she thought. Since finding the three Hearts (she's apparently not counting the one at Neverland), she felt closer to them, like there are constant whispers in her head of them going on their days. Only once in a while they check in to see how she is. Mostly it is Minnie, but Amelia has looked in to see how the ship is. Penny didn't mind, of course, but it was strange to have people in her head. It was like she didn't have any privacy anymore. Was it always going to be like this? How many girls was she going to have in her head?

She shook her head to get rid of such thoughts. She shouldn't be worried about such things. Penny should like the fact that she was always in contact with them. After all, I am their protector. She splashed more water more water on the deck and swished it around with the mop. As she was doing that, she moved on to different thoughts, like the water at the fountain. If I had control over my magic, this deck would be clean already.

Penny paused in mid stroke; why couldn't she do that? After all, she was told she had to practice. She looked up at Illiana to see if she was watching, but she was focused on the maps that she wouldn't notice anything strange going on. So, Penny put the mop against the side and concentrated on the water in the bucket. She closed her eyes and imagined the water lifting and spreading all over the deck. As she thought about it, her right hand went cold.

All of a sudden, Penny was pushed back against the side by water. It lifted and carried her over the edge. She had barely managed to grab the edge when more water came crashing over. She heard Illiana's scream of shock as the water hit her as well.

Penny! Midnight barked as he sensed her panic. He ran to where the boys were, but they were already on their way. Jayden made it to the top first and was knocked down by a wave. He spit out some water and pulled his staff out, looking for the problem. He finally found the bucket that Penny was using. There was water spout coming from it and it was causing the water to come out in waves. It took some intense concentration on his part to reverse the spell, but he finally managed it.

The water slowly stopped and flowed off the edges of the ship. Max was holding onto the stairs leading below deck and spotted Illiana still by the wheel.

"You okay, Illiana?" he called as Jayden ran to help her.

She looked soaked to the bone, but she was fine. "I'm okay. It surprised me that's all. What caused all that?"

"Let's ask the only person to do that," Jayden said, cleaning his glasses and looking around for the girl.

"Over here! I can't hold on any longer!" A voice called from the edge. Max ran over and pulled Penny over the edge. She was shivering and soaked to the bone. She shook her head like a dog as Midnight came over.

And which part of that plan was thought out? The wolf asked as he looked her over.

If I say every part, will I be in less trouble?

"Penny…" Jayden began, putting his fingertips to his temples, "what possessed you to do that? Have I not explained that your magic is more powerful than a normal person's?"

"But you also told me that I should practice to learn control," Penny pointed out.

"Yes I did, but I never expected you to practice without me to watch you. Had I not gotten here on time, you would've been lost in space. From now on, if you want to use magic, I must be there."

She sighed, "Okay Jayden. Whatever you say." Her stomach growled with hunger and she was still soaked.

"Go grab a snack, get dry and go to sleep. We'll talk more in the morning.

Penny nodded and headed below deck with Midnight. She fumbled around for some food in silence thinking over what happened.

I wasn't expecting the water to be that high, she explained.

What exactly were you trying to do? Midnight asked watching her.

Just trying to get the deck clean. And I wanted to see what I could do. I only did what Jayden taught me.

But he only managed to tell you a little bit about magic. I understand that you want to learn, but you should think about the others.

That's the problem! I never looked out for others. The Lost Boys went their own way and I stayed away, Penny bit into her huge sandwich she made. She could hear Jayden, Max and Illiana talking, but not what the topic was. It didn't take a genius to know who they were talking about.

You are part of a team now! You are not alone in this journey. You should trust them, Midnight continued.

I suppose you are right. I'll apologize tomorrow then. She yawned and the two of them turned in for the night.

The next morning, as the group was eating breakfast, the sound of a horn came out of nowhere. Jayden, Max, and Illiana immediately dropped their forks and ran to the deck. Penny was a second late, having stuffed the rest of the pancake in her mouth, and found another ship next to theirs. The three were talking to the captain when she felt Amelia's presence.

"Ah there she is! I was wondering when you would show up," the cat said briskly, "As I was saying, we were heading off to another sector and we have some mail for you. We weren't certain where you were, but luckily we crossed paths. Mister Hawkins, please fetch their letters," she turned to a young boy who looked about Jayden's age.

"Aye, Capt'n," he ran below deck.

"So, Penny, how was your first trip?"

Penny quickly swallowed her food and choked out, "It wasn't that bad until I got arrested."

"Arrested? For what?" Amelia's ears perked up.

"They thought I stole a diamond, but the Princess managed to get me out. We believe someone framed me."

"Hmmm, intriguing. I hope whoever it was will rethink about what they did. Ah, here are your letters." The boy came back on deck.

"Okay, Illiana, you have two letters." He handed them to her.

"Thanks, Jim!" Illiana jumped to the upper deck to read them in silence.

"Jayden, you have three letters." Jayden took them without any expression and put them in his pocket.

"Max, a couple of letters for you. Some are from the university."

"Sweet! Thanks, I've been waiting for these," Max said excitedly. He immediately ripped open the first one and started reading.

Penny was looking at the other ship when she heard her name, "And one for a Penny?" She turned and found Jim Hawkins behind her with a letter. "I take it you're Penny?"

"Yea, but who would be writing to me?" Penny took the letter and looked at it. On the back was the King's seal.

Max looked over, "Hey, it's from Minnie. I'd recognize her handwriting anywhere."

Penny slowly opened the letter and looked at it for a long time. Midnight sniffed at the piece of paper, waiting for any kind of reaction from the girl. So was Max, but when she didn't say anything, he spoke up.

"Anything bad in there?"

"No, umm, it's just that…I can't read," Penny said quietly looking at the strange writings.

"What do you mean you can't read?" Max asked surprised, "Didn't anyone teach you?"

"Nobody on the island knew how to. It was one of Peter's rules. But I can draw really good!"

"Here Penny, I'll read it to you," Jayden offered as the RLS Legacy left.

"Aren't you gonna read your letters?" she asked, sitting in the air next to him.

"Umm, I will later. They aren't important," he said quickly reading over the letter, "Here's what it says:

Penny,

I hope this letter reaches you before you get too far in space. We have received Jayden's report about how you had already found three Hearts. Good for you and I hope they are kind to you. How I wish someone young as you didn't have to go on this journey, but I'm sure in time you will grow. I just have some advice for you and I will check in with you every day. Make sure you don't run out of Never water; drink it only when you feel like you are growing. Also, stay by Jayden, Max and Illiana's side no matter what. They will help you in any situation. And most of all please be careful. There are many people who care about you. Hope you come visit us soon!

Love,

Minnie

Jayden handed the letter back to Penny when he finished, "See? She just wanted to let you know that she is thinking of you."

Penny nodded her head and put the letter in her shirt, "I wish I could write her back."

"I'll teach you how to read and write," Illiana offered, "But it's gonna have to wait. We are at our next destination!"