By J. M. Allison
“Are you going to talk like that all day?” Jaqi flipped her hair and scowled at me.
“Aye,” I growled out the corner of my mouth as I attempted a ferocious smile. “How else should one celebrate Talk Like a Pirrrate Day? Arrrr.” I curled my finger into a hook and brandished it at her.
She rolled her eyes and folded her arms. “Steer clear of me at school, squirt. I’ve convinced people I’m normal and not related to a weirdo. I don’t need you screwing it up.” She turned and sauntered away.
My shoulders sagged. I missed the cool Jaqi who played video games with me, taught me to skate, and helped me with homework. Instead, I got high-school-senior Jaqi, who considered it uncool to acknowledge her younger brother’s existence.
I grabbed my backpack and followed her to the car. She couldn’t leave without me; Mom and Dad would murder her if she did. But she could force me to take the bus home after school.
I scooped up a small box on the front stoop. A glance at the return address revealed the package came from Aunt Louise. She always sent interesting souvenirs from her travels. I slid into the front seat and ripped through the wrapping.
“Back seat,” Jaqi ordered.
I ignored her, pulling out a cracked wine bottle and a handwritten note: “Jaqi and Zach, found this while diving off the Jamaican coast. May it lead you to untold treasure!”
I grinned. A treasure map! Perfect for Talk Like a Pirate Day.
“In the back. Jordan’s riding shotgun.” She grabbed my backpack and tried to toss it over the seat.
“Put down me bag, you scurvy wench! I claimed this seat fair and square. Ye boyfriend can take a—”
Two hands grabbed me and hauled me out of the car. “Babies ride in back, twerp.” Jordan shoved me, then slid into the front.
Jaqi beamed at him, then turned to glare at me. “Get in or we’re leaving you.”
I ground my teeth and climbed in the back, imagining my fist reshaping Jordan’s nose. I’d never understand why she liked him. He was dumber than a parrot, always mimicking those smarter than him. He flirted with other girls when Jaqi wasn’t around, and his face resembled the backside of a mule. Parrot Butt. I inwardly grinned at his new moniker.
I turned my attention to the gift, tipping the bottle upside down. An old, rolled-up parchment slid out. It felt leathery and smooth. I unrolled it.
An eight-pronged star with stylized arrows at each point filled the page. Calligraphed words circled the compass-like design: “To find the treasures ye hold most dear, recite these words, and do not fear. The truth will out with nary a doubt, and return ye home when the truth ye shout.”
I finished whispering the inscription as a wave of nausea twisted my gut. The car lurched, slamming me against the door. Yells erupted in the front seats, but I couldn’t understand the words. I closed my eyes and counted to ten, wishing the world would stop rocking. Water splashed my face and my eyes flew open. Blue sky and gentle waves stretched in every direction.
“What just happened?” Jaqi turned wide eyes toward me. “I swear, Zach, if you’re responsible…”
I stared back, my mouth agape. Our car had transformed into a rowboat, adrift at sea. How could I possibly be responsible? “If I did this, you think I’d want Parrot Butt along?” I waved one arm toward her idiot boyfriend. “Or you?”
“Well, fix it. I have an algebra test today, and I don’t…” Her mouth fell open as something behind me captured her attention.
“Ahoy, mateys,” a gruff voice hailed us from the deck of a sloop. “Might we render ye some assistance?” The man wore an enormous hat with an exaggerated black feather trailing off the back brim. A colorful macaw perched on his shoulder. A cutlass hung at his side.
A wild and ferocious-looking crew peered down at us.
I licked my parched lips. “And what be the cost of your assistance?”
The man smiled indulgently. “A few hours o’ company with the pretty wench for me and me crew, then we’ll deliver ye safe to any port ye choose.”
The crew leered and sniggered.
Jaqi paled.
I wasn’t entirely sure what the man had proposed, but judging by Jaqi’s response, it wasn’t good.
“Thanks. You’ve got a deal.” Parrot Butt stood and reached a hand toward the men.
“No.”
All eyes turned to me.
The captain frowned.
“You’ll stay away from my sister.” I moved to stand between Jaqi and the men on the ship, my fists clenched. With no weapons, muscle mass, or combat expertise, I hadn’t a prayer of winning, but that didn’t matter. These ruffians weren’t getting near my sister.
“Relax, twerp. The dude’s just joking.” Jordan ruffled my hair. “Now move or I’ll throw you overboard myself.” He grabbed my elbow and pushed, sending me sprawling across the bottom of the boat.
The sailors snickered.
“Keep your hands off my brother, Jordan!” Jaqi’s fists balled at her sides.
Did she just defend me?
“Chill, babe. He tripped.” Jordan flashed her a smarmy smile, hands raised.
“Chill?” Her voice went low and silky, a major warning sign to run for cover. “You’d turn me over to strangers and throw Zach overboard?”
“Babe…” Parrot Butt rolled his eyes.
“Find your own way home, Parrot Butt. We’re done!” Jaqi lunged, her right fist striking with speed and precision.
Jordan’s head jerked back and he tumbled over the side.
I closed my eyes against a splash that never came. Peeking one eye open, I found us back in the car. Jordan, the pirates, and Aunt Louise’s gift all gone.
“You okay?” Jaqi’s voice trembled and her eyes locked with mine, silently begging me to confirm the last few minutes.
“Yeah.” I nodded.
“Don’t you mean ‘aye, matey’?” She grinned.
I beamed back. “Aye, matey!”
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Loading...ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I was waiting for “Look at me. I’m the captain now”.
Perhaps on their next adventure. Thanks for reading!
yer story was yar, matey!
Thank ye, kindly!
Very nice, and Jordan deserved to be left behind in “pirate world.” Maybe they’ll take him prisoner and make him swab the deck…
Indeed! That would be a most fitting outcome for him.