"He left a week ago," Sarah said to Delbert and Amelia, two common guests to her inn. They never had time to catch up, since Amelia's schedule wasn't very flexible. They had brought their kits and pup, which didn't make it easy to have a conversation with Sarah.

"He should be back in about two weeks," Sarah continued. She absentmindedly grabbed onto her locket. "I can't wait until he gets back. He'll have so many things to tell me."

"What ship is he on?" Amelia asked, absentmindedly keeping her two fighting kits in her lap.

"The Wolverine," Sarah said, and Amelia nodded. "Do you know anything about it?"

"It's a good ship with a good captain. Jim will have a very good experience on it," Amelia said.

"Sarah, there's a very handsome officer at the door for you!" B.E.N's voice rang out.

"Excuse me," Sarah left and went for the door. She was a bit surprised to see an officer at her door. The odd part was he wasn't a robot. She had thought all officers were robots since the work was too dangerous.

"Can I help you?" Sarah asked. She had no idea why she would get a visit from him.

"Mrs. Hawkins," the officer said with a sad look on his face. He took his hat off, "I regret to inform you-"

Time stopped. Sarah knew what would come next, and she knew she didn't want to hear it. She braced herself for the next words that would come.

"- that the S. S. Wolverine has been ambushed by pirates. There are no prisoners and no survivors."

Sarah covered her face with her hands. She didn't want to cry where all of her guests could see her.

He handed her a letter with a wax seal, then the officer left her. She stood at the closed door for a few moments, trying to wrap her head around everything.

Without thinking, she darted upstairs and into her room. She no longer cared if the guests if saw her run off. She slammed her door when she entered her room and fell on her bed. She could only cry. Her shoulders jumped with every sob, and she tightly held onto her blankets.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Amelia and Delbert were confused and surprised at the visit of the officer and Sarah's leaving. Other guests were a bit surprised as well, but they didn't take much note of it.

"I think I should check on her," Delbert broke the silence.

Amelia scoffed, "Please, Delbert. I really think I should."

Amelia got up from the table, leaving Delbert with the kits and pup. Amelia didn't really know her way around the Benbow, but she found Sarah's room when she heard sobs coming from behind the door. She knocked twice on the door, and Sarah responded by telling her to go away. Amelia ignored that and entered her room.

"Please, leave me alone," Sarah said in a whisper.

"What happened?" Amelia asked.

"Jim," Sarah said. She started to cry even more, if that was possible.

Amelia had an idea of why the officer came. She too, felt tears coming, but she refused to let them come. She was about to leave Sarah when she noticed a letter on the floor. She ripped it open with a claw, and began to read.

Dear Mrs. Hawkins,

We regret to inform you that your son, Jim Hawkins is missing. The S. S Wolverine had been ambushed by pirates, leaving no survivors, but Jim's body has not been found. We are currently looking for him, but he is presumed to have passed away with the rest of the crew.

My regards,

Officer Warren, head of Montressor Police Force

"He's not dead," Amelia said. That made Sarah calm down the slightest bit.

"That's what the officer said," Sarah said.

"But the letter didn't say that," Amelia said, putting the letter beside Sarah. She decided to leave her to look at the letter on her own.

"But...the letter says he's- dead," Sarah began sobbing again.

"It says 'presumed'. No one knows for sure, and it's not like Jim to leave his mother like that," Amelia said.

Sarah said up to look at Amelia. She was a complete mess. Her face was red and puffy. "I appreciate you trying to comfort me, but Jim is gone."

"I'm sure he isn't," Amelia said, "and I'm so sure, I'll leave tonight to go looking for him, and I will not return until I find him."

"No. You are not. That's too dangerous, and it's not fair to leave Delbert with the kids," Sarah said. She was trying to hide the hope Amelia was giving her.

"Of course I'm not leaving Delbert behind. He can hardly change a diaper. He'll be accompanying me," Amelia took Sarah's hands in hers. "Jim is somewhere out there, and we will find him. You have my word."

It's not a Treasure Planet fanfic until Amelia and Delbert are in it...and dramatic irony is fun ^-^