The Pirate's Code

The Day The Ships Came

The world of Mobius was caught in a turbulent time, as pirates had decimated the waters, and most cities were thrust into times of disease and crime. Most were fine, but there was one city where it was the worst: Algonda. From having families with absolutely nothing to go for, it was a tough time. And in one family, they were expecting yet another child: a beautiful blue hedgehog who had just radiated a much needed positivity. It's a shame he was born at the wrong place, however. This same hedgehog, who was named Maurice, had been treated horribly by his own family. Since he could talk, he was neglected, making him yearn for love. Maurice had been born into a terribly poor family that resulted in violence and crime to get their way. Maurice didn't even get to see his parents, and by the time he was a toddler was told that they were killed. Maurice spent his childhood locked inside his room, which consisted of the dark, damp basement, eating only if there were leftovers offered to him, and always being left behind on family endeavors. And he was always yelled at and hit whenever the slightest thing went wrong. But that never held Maurice back. He would always find a way to sneak out to his favorite spot: the docks. He would always pick up a stick and pretend to play as a pirate, a term he heard a lot growing up. Everyone always talked terribly about them, but Maurice saw it as a beacon. To travel the world and see what you want, when you want. To be part of something. It was something his heart yearned for. To have a sense of belonging. Although, in his delusions of joy, he had completely forgotten to check if the coast was clear. As he was freely running along the beach, he heard the dreaded screech...

"MAURICE!"

He flinched, and would turn to the source of the noise. It was his so called mother and father, along with three of his siblings.

"W-what....?"

He put the stick down and looked at them. His voice trembled with sadness.

"We have told you time and time again not to sneak out! Why can't you cooperate like the rest of your siblings?!"

His father yelled, walking over and breaking the stick, making Maurice reach out for it.

"No!"

And that resulted in him being smacked upside the head by his dad, which made him begin to cry.

"IT'S NOT FAIR!"

He screamed, on his hands and knees.

"YOU TREAT THE OTHERS BETTER THEN ME. WHY AM I DIFFERENT?! WHY?!"

He bawled and bawled, holding himself tightly now. All he wanted was affirmations. To hear the words "I love you" directed to him towards a change. Yet all he got was more punishment. This time...it was the worse. The door to the basement was permanently locked and would only be opened so one of his "parents" could go down to feed him. Or abuse him. Usually the latter. Maurice's only source of light was a small window that he could only peep through, seeing the moonlight and the ocean. It made him yearn freedom even more. It almost hurt.

God knows how much time had passed. Maurice had gotten numb to the beatings and words, and would take them as he needed to. But that didn't stop him. He would always stare out that window, dreaming about sailing those seas.

"I'll get out there one day...I'll be a free man...."

He would feel the fatigue of his body set in from how long he stayed up, and went to go to bed on his makeshift bed. It had been a broken barrel as a pillow and used flour bags as a mattress. He laid down on it and closed his eyes, attempting to drift away into a deep sleep.