Run Away

Chapter 1

I sat in the bar staring at the wall. What was I thinking, running away like this? I have always planned on doing so, and now I actually am.

I began to think about what my next move should be when I overheard two people talking.

"Captain Thomas," said a big burly man who looked about 40, as he approached a younger man, the burly man continued "The ship is ready, I estimate, due to the weather that we should be arriving in France in 3 weeks" the Captain nodded but didn't say anything, he seemed like the quiet type.

I looked at them with interest and decided to walk over to them.

I approached them carefully.

The bar was full and busy so no one noticed me. I stood behind them and then said quietly "Excuse me" no one heard me. I pulled up the courage to speak louder, "Excuse me, sir!" I said louder than I planned to.

They both looked at me the burly man (who later turned out to be called John) smiled but Captain Thomas just briefly smiled then looked away.

John said, "How can I help you, Missy?"

I replied, "I heard you are traveling to France, am I correct?" 

Thomas turned around and looked at me, he stared I thought he could see into my soul. John said "Yes you are correct, Missy" 

Thomas then talked for the first time, he said in a brisk voice but not harsh "What's it to you?" 

I replied "I wish to travel with you to France" 

They looked rather shocked.

And they looked at each other then back at me.

John laughed and said "Well Missy, maybe you should find a more appropriate ship for someone of your status to board" 

I looked at him and said "This ship will do" 

They looked at each other again.

John drank some of his rum and looked at Thomas with a weird look as if to say 'go on then, say something'

I noticed the awkward silence and said "I will pay for my travel" I handed them a bag of money.

They looked at the money then at each other then back at me.

The captain said "Alright then, we leave tomorrow at 5. am, our ship is called The Black Pearl" 

I smiled "Thanks, I'll see you then" 

John looked a bit confused and amused and said "Don't arrive late, we don't expect you to actually come"

I laughed and said "Oh don't worry I plan to" 

The next day I arrived at the port just before 5. am, I could easily tell which ship was theirs, it was not very large but not small either.

It had the words "Black Pearl" painted on it.

I thought it looked lovely, like the type of boats you read about in fairy tales, but I didn't spend too long staring at it as I heard a gruff voice shout from behind me "Ello Missy, so you showed up?" 

"Yes I did, I always do what I set out to do" I replied smiling 

He laughed and said, "Might I know your name, Miss?"

"Of course, it's Kathrine Smith" I lied I didn't want people to know who I really was, just Incase they have heard of me because my family, the Carter's was well known throughout England "but you can call me Kate, what's your name?" I asked.

"John, John Liddle" he replied "But hurry along with Missy, or should I say, Kate, we have to get aboard"

I got on board, I saw several men working, preparing for leaving port. The captain came down towards me and John.

He smiled picked up my hand and kissed it, then said "I didn't expect you to hold to your word and come." He looked at John and said "Go help the men, they seem to be walking around helplessly" John nodded and left, the captain then turned to me and said "I overheard your name was Kathrine, am I correct" I nodded, he continued "I insist you stay in John's room, I'm sure he won't mind giving you his room" 

I said "Are you sure he shan't mind"

"No I shan't," said a gruff voice that belonged to John. I turned around he was smiling and I thanked him.

Soon after the crew began to lift the anchor up. John was shouting commands and before I knew it we had set off.

At last, I am on my way. Away from here and off to Paris. Away from that horrid Duke. The thought of him made me sick, but now I was leaving, I was escaping who knew what life had in store for me

Everything seemed so simple, or so I thought.

Chapter 2

Aboard the ship

The cold air rushed against my face

We had been sailing for an hour.

I felt excited and free.

I decided I would have a look around the ship.

On the deck, I noticed a boy around 18 I went up to him and I decided to start a conversation.

"Hi there!" the boy looked up at me and smiled, he seemed really friendly "uh..hi.Miss" 

"Call me Kate" I replied

"Well then Hi Kate, I'm Peter"

"Nice to meet you, Peter" 

Peter looked rather confused and he stared at me for a while then said

"I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else,"

I looked concerned, what If he knows who I am, and if word gets out that I've run away I would be in trouble. But how would word get out, we are on a Ship, but maybe by the time I reach Paris they will have already told people where I am and then I will surely get caught.

I turned away I didn't want him to recognize me. Just as I was walking away, Peter said "WAIT, Rose?" 

I turned towards him and put my hand over his mouth "Shshshshhhhh, no one can know!! Wait how do you know?" 

Peter replied "Remember a long time ago you went to visit your cousin Andrea? And there was a boy your age with red hair and freckles, who you played hide and seek with? Well, that was me!" 

I gasped I did remember him, "What are you doing here" I demanded I was very annoyed that my cover was blown.

He smiled and said cheekily "What are YOU doing here?" 

I held my head high and said "That's none of your business"

Peter replied smugly "Oh sure, I'll just go tell the captain that we have a stole away!" 

"NO" I exclaimed "Don't do that, I'll just tell you why I am here and you have to promise to keep your mouth shut! Understand?"

He smiled and said cheekily "Perhaps, I will decide not to tell the captain but that is entirely up to ME"

My cheeks went red from annoyance 

Peter laughed "I'm only playing with you, I promise I won't tell, now be a good sport and tell me why you are here?" 

I sighed "Well I am betrothed to a Duke or Lord of London or something, and I don't love him and I can't bear to marry him, he is at least 40! So I had no choice but to run away, don't you dare tell anyone, I'm going to live in Paris with my friend and her husband and this is the only way I could get there"

"Oof that's unfortunate, so you're running away, I never thought it would come to this," said Peter sympathizing with me

I sighed "Neither did I" 

Chapter three. Peter