Heart of the hidden sea

I am slightly below average in build and height for a woman. Which one would have ensured my safety, at least for a while?

My father and I heard the bells ring a code. Signaling pirates were invading.

They rob at will. They not only kill their victims; they often use perverse tactics and methods of torturing them to death. My father made quick work of chopping my beautiful hair into a short, uneven, and messy cut. After all, it was done quite hastily.

Throwing in the shoot to go outside.

He grabs his clothes, cutting them quickly to fit me.

Shoving them at me. "Get dressed, Elizabeth; they will be here at any moment. You know how they are; if they find a woman, they either rape them or they are auctioned off to the highest bidder." My dad tells me, pleading, looking behind him, weary of the impending doom we are about to face.

He hears some yelling. "Hide in the wardrobe if they talk to you; you're just a young boy. Most of the time, they take boys as prisoners to work on their ships.

Just stay safe. I love you so much, Elizabeth."

"I love you, Dad," I said in a whisper, and my tears began to fall.

I hid in the wardrobe as instructed. There was lots of screaming and yelling. My body uncontrollably shook from fear.

The door was opened to our house.

The small creak echoes through the room.

I trembled in fear as I peeked through the small gap. I covered my mouth to stop my scream from coming out. The pirates were walking around, opening drawers and cabinets, and tossing beds. One man approached the wardrobe. I close my eyes and bend down, holding my body as I hug my knees.

The wardrobe was opened. I can't help the tears that are leaving my eyes. I still haven't made any eye contact with them yet. Fear is running rampant.

"Look what we have here, boys." He says. I watch his feet as he drifts his body away from me to give the three other men a look at me. (1)

"A boy" chuckled in amusement. (2)

"Perhaps our newest young swabbie." One of them laughed in response. (3)

"Young spring, rise so we can see your face." One of the men said, (2)

My body was frozen with fear, and I made no move.

"Now young, Swabbie. You may be of use to us yet." (3)

I glance at their shoes. Slowly standing, my legs trembling slightly.

I wipe my tears with my palms. Then look at the burly men before me.

"Come on, wee lass, the captain will surely be missing us." One of them states: (1)

I only shake my head no.

His smile disappeared within a few moments.

I gulp my spit.

"Come on, lass, you will be becoming one of us, matey. There is no need to feel frightened." He says it with a blank face. (1)

I step slowly out of the wardrobe. I bit my lip out of nervousness.

"What is your name, Lass?" (4) The last man says he is looking at me.

I think, for a moment, should I act like I can't talk? Or tell them a lie.

"Eli," I say as I try to deepen my voice slightly. My voice is cracking a bit.

"Eli." (4) He softly whispered to himself. Before grabbing my forearm and dragging me out of our cottage.

I close my eyes tightly, seeing the bloody, disturbing scene before me.

Knowing I was in the hands of ruthless killers.

I didn't want to see any of it.

We stop suddenly.

"Open your eyes, matey." He says this as we approach the big ship at the dock. (3)

There was a wooden plank to walk across to get on the ship. I look around for help. There was nothing.

I sigh softly and watch a couple flawlessly and effortlessly walk the wooden plank.

I was shoved as if asked to follow.

My feet shuffled. I held my arms out in an attempt to keep from falling. Once I was close, I was pulled in by a rough arm.

I look behind me and see the other men walking with the same effortless stride.

"Everyone back?" (4) asked aloud.

"Aye, matey." I heard from an unfamiliar man.

"Raise the anchor." (2) he says as he moves the plank.

My only chance at fleeing is gone. I mean, I highly doubt I'd get very far.

I stand there awkwardly as everyone moves with purpose.

The ship begins to move.

I look down. I was contemplating if I'd stand a chance just by jumping into the water.

"Thinking of jumping?" (4) voice asked with amusement.

I jump slightly. I shake my head no. Oh, of course, I was, but my escape plan was on a need-to-know basis.

I might be a boy for now, but I wasn't, and as soon as they figure that out, I'm as good as dead.

"Come, the captain wants to meet you." He says he is dragging me once again, my bare feet hitting the wooden planks of the boat.

As we walked up some steps to the top of the boat,

"This is the poop deck." He said this as he was about to open the door.

"I don't want to go in there if he's pooping!" I say this with disgust, pulling my arm hastily away.

I hear a few laughs at my reaction.

"He's not pooping. The captain can usually be found on the poop deck, surveying the horizon. Not pooping." He laughs at me.

Which I didn't think was funny at all. I glared at him.

Which made me laugh even more.

"Come on, he's waiting." He said it again, opening the door.

Closing it behind him. Leaving me and the captain alone.

"Eli. Is it?" He questioned me, looking at me quickly.

I nod.

The less I talk, the less likely they are to discover my real gender.

He looked at me for a long time.

"Very well, lass, have one of my men fetch you a buck and a brush. I want you to scrub the deck." He says it quickly before turning his gaze back to the shoreline.