Fin

Chapter 3: Shipwrecked

Once we docked and unload our bags at a local motel we agreed to meet up at the bar Shipwrecked to unwind after the 36 hour journey. Walking through the town I noticed how remote this place is, there was a few cabin type dwellings lined along the street which was just a dirt and gravel road. It was a very small town maybe had 2,000 people and there were probably just as many boats as people. The people I passed all looked at me with suspicion and curiosity since this town is so small I'm sure they know an outsider when they see one.

As I walk up to Shipwrecked it looked just the way it sounded. It was a beaten down old bar with a neon light flashing in the front window and the smell of fish and stale beer lingering outside. As I walked in I spotted Monkey and Mr. Hook at a table laughing about a past trip while drinking a beer and I walked over to them. "What's got you guys laughing like high school girls?" I joked.

"Oh you know us girls always talking 'bout gossip and spreading rumors" stated Monkey.

We laughed and I sat next to Monkey and we started planning our trip and where we should go to stock up and to get more information about the cove. As we were discussing the cove and drinking a song I knew came on the jukebox "Oh my I know this song my dad and I used to dance to it all the time!" I exclaimed.

"Well what are ya waiting for let's dance milady" replied Monkey as he stood up and bowed with his hand out.

Giggling I took his hand and we went out to the pretty much empty dance floor and started dancing to Fishing in the Dark by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Monkey was actually a good dancer and we had a lot of fun. People actually started laughing, clapping and a few joined in. As we were dancing a man sitting in the corner by the jukebox caught my eye. He was a rugged older man about mid 50's with slicked back dark brown hair with some silver streaks in it, a rough beard and piercing hazel eyes. He was watching us as we were dancing, clapping along with a straight face. Once the song was over I told Monkey to grab me another beer I was going to put another song on and talk to the man by the jukebox. As I walked over to the jukebox I walked up to the man and put my hand out "Hi, I'm Laura Bell"

His rough hand shook mine "I'm Abel Captain of The Dark Water."

"Nice to meet you, I saw you watching us and was wondering if you could help us. We are from Gold enterprise and we are here to map out and explore the nearby cove.."

Before I could even finish he narrowed his eyes and in a quiet harsh voice he said "don't go there unless you have a death wish and if I were you I'd stick to dancing rather than exploring a cove that has already claimed four of your crews that you sent up here a few weeks ago."

Shocked I couldn't even respond before he got up slammed money on the table and said "a pretty girl like you would be a shame to lose to the Tonrar and that God forsaken cove" and stomped out.

Still stunned I walked over to the jukebox and played  Jackson by Johnny Cash and June Carter. It reminded me of how my mom and dad would sing this song together and dance like there was no one watching every Sunday morning while making breakfast. I smiled at the memory and made my way back to Mr. Hook and Monkey.

"Great song choice Ms. Bell" said Mr. Hook

"Yea I didn't take you for an old country song lover" Monkey added.

I smiled and told them about my parents and the meaning of this song. The both smiled and laughed with me about it then Monkey asked "if you don't mind me asking what happened to your dad?"