Chapter 1
The rickety ship cut its way through the water. The early morning sun made the oak gleam. The main masts of the ship were drawn, the smaller ones catching the humid, sea breeze. The patter of the crew's footsteps set an eerie tone about the ship. As the sun's rays kissed their way up the ship, the sailors became less oblivious to their surroundings.
"I see land, I see land!" screamed a sailor from the deck. The crew ran to see it. The ship tossed to one side at the sailor's weight.
"Step aside you imbeciles!" the captain, John White, said. He groggily paced to see his beloved island. He had been away getting supplies for the settlement but his trip had been lengthened when war broke out between Spain and England.
"Tis your home, tis Roanoke!" a young sailor smiled.
"I see land! Hurry up, get the main sail up! We must arrive today," John commanded. The crew obeyed. They cast the main sail as John starred at the horizon.
The ocean's spray licked John's face as he leaned out further. The sun's glare hit his eyes. The pinks, oranges, yellows, blues, reds, and purples seamlessly melted together to create a perfect sunrise. The sun is now rising and 'tis rising on my fellow colonists and all of their possibilities. I can already smell the feast that the Croatian women will cook! I just can't wait to be home, John thought.
Hours later the land grew closer and closer. Tension hung in the air. John barked orders while contemplating how to get to shore faster. The faster we go, the sooner I will be home, assumed John.
Minutes, maybe hours, or even decades later they reached shore. John ordered that they stay there while he met his anxious colonists. He stepped on to land, and then hurriedly ran towards the settlement. He finally reached the first house, and much to his dismay it was empty. He scanned over the scene. Nothing was out off place. They must have gone to Mass early…they couldn't have…disappeared, John thought.
He walked into another house. Dust settled every possible surface. Then a feeling of angst and worry made its way to his stomach, and sank there. He desperately ran from house to house trying to find something, anything, which would show signs of life. Nothing. Just nothing.
He made his way to a tree, behind his house. The word CORATAIN was etched on its side. John traced the etching with his fingers. It was just deep enough to notice. The word was barely readable. Whoever did this was in a hurry, thought John.
"We must find them!" John ranted to his crew. They were debating whether to try and find the missing colonists. Most wanted to go home, but John was too stubborn to leave.
"I agree with Mr. White!" an eager man said.
"Well, I say we leave you to here and go back to mother England! My brothers, don't you miss your wives, your children…your home? Why stay here to find people who we know are lost to the devil when we can be home, kissing are wives and hugging are children? Why, I ask you, why?" Robert Smith declared.
"Yeah!" coursed most of the crew.
"Well, do what you want! I'm staying!" the eager man, Jake, yelled.
"Me too!" another coursed.
"And me!" yelled another.
"More food for us!" sneered Robert.
"Then leave. Those who commit treason to are not welcomed in my house! Leave. Leave! Before you go…I bought the supplies and I want them! Take the boat for yourselves but leave my belongings!" John jeered.
"Fine," Robert grumpily scoffed.
"Now give me my supplies and GET!" John proclaimed.
"With pleasure," Robert whispered.
"What shall we do capin," Alton, a follower, asked.
"Tonight we shall rest in my home and tomorrow we store our supplies, maybe even plant some crops. And then I will search for clues. Did you see the tree that has CORATAIN etched into it? There's bound to be something else," John consulted, "There is always something else."
"Why, it could mean they are in another Coratain village!" Jake piped up.
I hope u liked it. I really enjoyed writing it!!!!!! Thanks to Susan and Libby for inspiring this, in some way they really did. Well actually they really supported me in my random writing! Anyway, I hope you like this and I PROMISE that chapters will be longer!!!!!! Nightz,
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