BEYOND THE LOOKING-GLASS: Book One in the BEYOND Series Page 8
“Don’t cry, sweet,” he said. “It’s all right now. We’re together. Daddy won’t ever leave you again. ”
Anton looked over at young Jim Hawkins. The young boy grinned and held up a large brass key. Behind him, Long John Silver and his crew came pouring out of the hold onto the ship’s deck.
The pirates scrambled across the deck to retrieve their weapons. They glowered at Anton. Shouts rang out.
“Hang that lubber from the yard-arm!”
“Keel-haul him!”
“Make the scurvy rat walk the plank!”
Long John Silver silenced them with a wave of his crutch.
“Patience, shipmates. I think we’ve all spilled enough blood in our time. I say we puts this here constable ashore and set sail for the Isle of Treasure while we have a favorable wind.”
Anton faced Aleeta’s family and the angry mob of pirates.
“Gentlemen, I admit I made a grievous error this day. I sincerely apologize for my action. I was mistaken. The perpetrators I seek are not aboard this vessel. I shall take my leave of you now. I wish you all a safe and prosperous voyage.”
Long John motioned for his pirate crew to get back to their appointed tasks. Many were obviously not satisfied with their leader’s decision. But none appeared to want to challenge Silver’s authority.
Anton stood by the rail with Aleeta and her family.
“I hope you have smooth sailing, Aleeta. I’m sorry if I caused you grief. I wish you only the best.” He took her hand and gently kissed the back of it.
“Goodbye, Anton. And thank you.”
Anton glanced over at Kellen. “Take good care of your family, Marlowe. Or I won’t be so forgiving next time.” He climbed over the side and scrambled down the rope ladder to the dinghy below.
Aleeta leaned over the railing. She held the small Mega-Chan in her hand. The last link she had to the outside world. She let it drop. It hit the wooden planks of the dinghy with a thump.
Anton picked up the controller. He examined it for a moment. After smacking it several times with his hand, he pushed a small button. A red light came on. Anton smiled, put the unit in his pocket, and began to row vigorously toward shore.
The Hispaniola weighed anchor and set sail, leaving the peaceful lagoon and heading out to the open sea beyond.
~*~
Anton stood in front of the Looking-Glass chamber. His torn clothing was still dripping wet and smelled of seawater and sweat.
He peered at the huge Glass screen and watched The Hispaniola under full sail slicing through the wave-tossed open sea.
He clicked the zoom button on the Mega-Chan.
The image behind the Glass screen switched to a close-up of the schooner’s poop deck. There was Long John Silver in a red headband and striped shirt manning the wheel. Aleeta, Kellen and the two children stood nearby looking out at the ocean.
For a brief moment, young Tress turned her head and looked back in Anton’s direction. She was smiling and her bright blue eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Bon voyage,” Anton whispered softly. “Goodbye, my daughter. I hope you find all the joy and happiness you so richly deserve. Your father wishes you a safe journey to your Isle of Treasure.”
As Anton switched the image back to normal, he watched The Hispaniola plowing through the rough waves. He felt a momentary pang of regret when he thought of his boyhood desire to become a pirate. Anton almost imagined he could smell the pungent aroma of salt water and tar. And that he could hear the raucous voices of the pirate crew singing: “Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest…yo-ho-ho…and a bottle of rum.”
~*~
THE END
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COMING SOON:
Beyond the Far Horizon
Book 2 in the Beyond series
For another exciting fantasy-adventure, be sure to check out Time Trolley – where a reporter chases a serial killer back through time to save a beautiful young socialite in the days just before the Great San Francisco Quake
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About the Author
Gordon Rothwell was born in Seattle and got a BA in Journalism from the University of Washington. As an advertising copywriter—one of the original Mad Men— he wrote material for more than 100 major firms in California, including PR for the Apollo lunar space program. He received numerous awards including a CLIO (the Oscar of advertising).
He’s also a sportswriter and screenwriter, and many of his screenplays have won and been finalists in the Motion Picture Academy's Nicholl, Acclaim, Chesterfield, Hollywood Symposium, and FADE IN competitions. He’s published articles and stories in numerous men's magazines as well as youth-oriented publications like BOY’S LIFE.
Gordon enjoys the fanciful and macabre, on screen and in books, and he hopes you do, too! Let him know, at his blog https://olddognewtricksblog.wordpress.com/
Gordon now lives in the shadow of Mt. Shasta, surrounded by a loving family and one sweet pit bull named “Dreamer.”
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