Storms draw something out of us that calm seas don’t. – Bill Hybels
The only sound was the crash of the bloody waves on the stained shoreline and the cry of the seagulls circling overhead. Pieces of wood littered the foreign beach, the only remainder of the beautiful ship they used to be. The sole survivor sat atop of a hill of sand staring out at the battered bodies of her crew members and enemies alike.
Theodora Whitley was a small girl, only around 15 years old. The wind blew her cropped raven hair into her stormy grey eyes but she couldn’t bother to fix it. Her brown leather coat lay beside her so the wind would flow through the holes in her tattered white blouse.
Three hours passed and she still could barely remember what happened. All that came to mind was someone had fired at the large vessel she was on. Now she sat stranded, God knows where, alone with all the reminders of her loneliness and loss. All she could bring herself to do was drag herself up the hill and try to recollect her thoughts.
“Looks like you’re in a bit of a pickle.”
Theodora stood up in surprise and drew a sword she had found in the sand. “Who are you?”
A well dressed man sat beside where she had been. The only word that could be used to describe the atmosphere around him was dark. Perhaps it was the official uniform he wore, or his unlit eyes, either way it didn’t matter. Theodora was ready to attack at one wrong move.
“Which name do you want to hear.” He sighed and leaned back to look at the sun. “Some people call me Mot, others Thanatos. I think in your language…I’m death.”
“I think, in my language, you’re mad.” She mocked him and held her sword higher. “Death isn’t a person.”
Death stood up and scoffed. “Well I’m as much of a person as you are. I could have gotten you off of this island but you went and made me cross so now I don’t think I want to.” He spun on his heel and started walking away with a childish pout.
Theodora watched him go with a raised thin eyebrow. She was convinced he was crazy but if he was talking about getting away she was curious. She looked around before sheathing the sword and running after him. He ignored her when she caught up to him and crossed his arms.
“Why do you think you’re death?” She asked with a tilt of her head.
“I don’t think I’m Death.” He snapped. “I know i’m Death. I’ve existed alongside Life and I’ll continue existing long after she’s gone. Look, I take people’s souls to their afterlives. That’s my job. It’s what I do.”
“Why?”
“Every story has an ending. Someone has to close the book. Why are you following me?”
She shrugged. “What else am I going to do?”
He was silent before consenting. “Good point.”
They walked in silence over the dunes of sand. The sun beat down on Theodora like it was trying to cook her inside of her torn clothes. She was sweating buckets and was gasping for breath after an hour of walking. The stranger in front of her treated the walk like he was walking through a park during late September. He even started whistling a tune that Theodora couldn’t recognize.
Eventually the sun started to set and Theodora stopped to stare at the sky. She knew deep down that she was going to die soon. That was the only reason he could be standing here next to her.
“You said you could get me off the island.”
“Yes, I did. But then you made me cross remember?”
“Well say I didn’t. Say I fell at your feet begging you not to take me to die. What would you have done?”
Death paused and tilted his head before shrugging and moving on. “I would have looked at you in disgust and taken you anyway. I’m looking for a pirate…more of a captain, Theodora, not a coward.”
“I’m not a captain. I’m not even a pirate.”
He frowned and turned to look Theodora up and down. “You could be. A woman though…I suppose it would surprise him a little. It will take time but looking back on your lifeline, I can tell that you’d be alright on your own in only a couple of years… Alright. I’ve made my decision.”
“And?” “I’m no longer cross with you.”
Her eyes narrowed with curiosity. “What does that mean?”
“I can give you one of my ships.” He told her after a brief pause. “A beautiful strong ship, made from cedar and stained a glorious black. I’ll even let you’ll wreak as much havoc as possible. You could make the world whisper your name in fear and be a story that parents tell their children to make them behave.”
Now Theodora was suspicious. That sounded too good to be true. “What do you want in return?”
“I want you to kill someone for me.”
“Who?”
“Captain Cedric O’Malley.”
“Captain Woodley says he’s been calling himself the King of the World. What do you want him for?”
“He’s been on my list for sixty years and I haven’t been able to drag him to his filthy excuse for an afterlife. Every time I try, his soul burns me. I think it’s voodoo. He can’t be taken by natural causes. So that’s where you come in. Gather an army, a rather large army, find his, then kill him.”
Theodora was quiet. It was a large request. She could die trying to follow through with it and there would be a lot of blood on her hands…she didn’t even know where to start.
“Look, you can stay here and waste away with no food, water, or shelter, or you can accept my offer and become something worth looking at. Either way, I eventually get to take your soul to the underworld so.” He broke off and then shrugged.
Her hand fell onto her sword and she bit her lip in thought. Her heart pounded in her ears as she held out her hand.
“I’ll do it.”
Grace's Short Stories 
Whenever I read anything that has a playful mind triggering event. I get very excited and gives me that dark intensity experiment. I love the story!
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I really enjoyed this story. I would like to hear more of this story.
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Oooh, suspense…I love it! Once you’re done with web design, you should really consider trying your hand in creative writing Grace. You are really talented at this. I love/hate cliff-hangers and I can’t wait what the next scene will be. I hope this story is something that continues with new characters and world building. I’m a book fanatic, so I like to give my support to those who share the same hobby in reading and writing. Anyway, this was awesome!!!
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I love it! I’m excited to read more of your short stories 🙂
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