Ghosts Of The Sea

Audience: 16-25

Purpose: This piece was written to display a more serious side of pirate life. To show that outcasts are no better or worse than those who society considers as "good".

The night was unusually dark, and the waves were surprisingly soft. But, as I have learned over the years, the calm only suggests a strong storm is near. The rest of the crew is fast asleep, yet I remain awake. It has been like this for as long as I can remember.

Some say I worry to much, and that I suffer from paranoia. In my defence, I reply by stating "This is how I stay one step ahead of the game". I am a strong believer that fear and preparation are the keys to true glory. Fear is what motivates the best of the best to remain completely aware of their surroundings. Preparation is the ability to have a plan, regardless of the situation. I am confident that I have both, and that these qualities make me the best captain that has ever sailed these seas.

Tonight, my fears of an impeding storm are keeping me from my sleep. We will soon be arriving on Taluga Island, and I cannot afford to have Mother Nature jeopardize my conquest. I have worked far too hard and I have raided too many villages to let Taluga Island slip away. My men have slain women and children to get to where we are today. They stare at my wrinkled and scarred face with respect and envy, and I lead these sorry souls with pride and confidence.

We are feared as the outcasts and criminals of society, yet there are times when I think society has it backwards. There are times when I feel society's "Non-Sinners" are the true monsters of the world, and that we are simply the victims...

Some call us theives, others say pirates, but on my ship, we call ourselves the Ghosts of The Sea. We are unseen yet many feel our presence. Any who stare into our eyes are faced with two options, join us or die. These are the deeds needed to be done in order for outcasts, such as ourselves, to survive.

Taluga Island is a new beginning however. Uncharted land, ripe with treasures and fruits. Taluga represents an end to life in exile and running away. These reasons are why we must be prepared to fight any storm that lies before us. Why I must be prepared to lead my Ghost's into the storm.