It was a hot July day in Barcelona, Spain. The flowers were blooming, and a cool ocean breeze blew in from the docks. Children ran around playing. Lovers strolled in the park.
A tall, hansome young man of 16 was shopping with his 6-year-old sister. He had curly jet black hair, and vivid green eyes. His sister also had long, curly jet black hair and vivid green eyes. Their names were Miguel and Graciela Rodrigues.
They stopped in front of a small general store and walked in.
"What about this fabric for your dress?" Miguel asked Graciela, holding the forest green cotton out to her.
Graciela clapped her hands happily. "I like it!" she exclaimed.
Miguel smiled at her and started looking around for the other things they needed.
As they left the shop, Miguel counted how much money they had left.
"We have enough money left to buy some tapas. You want some?" Miguel asked Graciela.
"Really? Can we, can we?" Graciela squealed.
"Yes, we can. Let's buy some and eat it on the pier!" he said.
Twenty minutes later they were sitting on the pier, eating their tapas and hanging their feet over the edge, their shoes placed beside them.
When they were done, they put their shoes back on and Graciela started chasing Miguel. Finally Miguel stopped, let her catch up to him, tackled her to the ground, and started tickling her.
"Stop! That tickles Miguel!" she managed to gasp in between giggles.
"I don't think I will!" he answered back.
He tickled her a bit longer, then stopped, and they looked out at the ocean. They were surrounded by ships of varying sized, some royal, some personal boats. The water was smooth and gentle today, with a few small waves. The sky was a beautiful light blue, with a few fluffy white clouds. There was a small summer breeze, blowing their hair gently. They could see a few boats out sailing today. Miguel thought about getting his and Graciela's fishing poles. They were only two blocks away. But at that moment, Graciela was pulled away from him, and she screamed in fright.
He pulled his knife out of his boot like lighting and faced the men who had her.
"Let go of her," he said angrily through gritted teeth.
The leader lowered the hood of his cloak. "My name is Roderigo. I am the captain of the Treasure Hunter. We are pirates." At this, all the men lowered their hoods. Every one of them had at least one ear piercing. Some had bandana's on their heads, and Miguel could see that under their cloaks, all were dressed in dirty, ripped clothing. "If you want your dear sister back," Federigo began, "you have to give us something."
"What do you want?" Miguel asked.
"Simple. We've been watching you, and you look like you'd make a good pirate. So," he said pointedly, "if you want your sister safe from harm, join us and become a pirate. But if you don't," he put a knife up to Graciela's neck. Graciela was white and shaking with fright. "She dies," Federigo concluded. He grinned at Miguel.
"So, what is your choice?" he asked, as if he already knew.
Miguel stood in silent thought, his dagger still held out in front of him. But there was nothing to think knew what he had to do, although he hated the idea of it. But he would do anything for Graciela.
He lowered his dagger and walked slowly up to Federigo.
"You must promise not to hurt her," Miguel said angrily to Federigo.
"You have my word," Federigo said, all the while grinning at Miguel.
"Done," Miguel said.
"NO!!!! Miguel, don't do it! You can't be a pirate!" Graciela screamed.
Miguel shook hands with Federigo, and walked over to Graciela, who had been released.
"Please, understand Graciela. I have to do this. Go back home and explain what happened to Mama and Papa. Tell them I love them. And know that I did this because I love you. Don't forget me."
Graciela was crying into Miguel's shoulder. Miguel could hear mumbles of "don't leave," in between the sobs. Then she lifted her tear- stained face and nodded. Miguel kissed her forehead and they embraced one last time before Federigo became impatient and pulled Miguel away and forced him to the boat.
Miguel could her Graciela's cries all they way to the boat. He would never forget the sound of her cries or the look on her face when he shook hands with Federigo.
Then he was on the ship, and Federigo took the iron mark to mark Miguel as a pirate. He forced Miguel to take off his shirt and turn around. Then Miguel felt searing-hot pain as the iron brand touched the upper part of his back.
His scream could be heard by the citizens in the marketplace.