9
A S L A V E—
A F R I E N D
Fiona helped a slave get water and she often encouraged them.
Both Colin and Ronan just didn’t see the point.
“Why does she do that?” Ronan whispered to Maddock, an old man.
“Maybe she thinks you’ll free her if she does something good.” Maddock made a face at her. “I think we should toss her overboard.”
Colin asked the same thing to a slave man who was in charge of scrubbing the floors now. His name was Sean.
“Why does she always help them?”
Sean sighed. “She’s a Christin, son. That’s what they do.”
Colin looked at Fiona and Fiona looked back. She knew what he was thinking.
“But they’re just slaves, trying to hope that some god will rescue them.” He mouthed.
“They’re no just slaves, Colin. They’re us. They’re friends. And God will rescue them.” Fiona walked away.
The ship sailed on. Time passed. Fiona felt lonesome for home. But she also felt feelings. Feelings for Ronan. She felt God could change him. But she also felt that he needed her. Though he was her captor and Colin might hate him, Fiona wanted to be there for him. As time grew by, she began to enjoy his company more.
10
C O L I N ’ S P R I D E
Colin grabbed hold of the rail and he ran his fingers down the little designs engraved upon it. He felt chilly and he sensed a storm.
“Batten down the hatches!” Bartley called.
He then felt Ronan’s hand upon his shoulder. He pushed it away. “What do you want?”
“Your sister wants me to free you. If you promise to never return to rescue her, then I shall treat her well.”
“Treat her how? You think being a slave is treating her well?”
Ronan whispered closely. “I’d make her my wife. We’d live a happy life together, rather than her living in a pen with the pigs.”
Without thinking, Colin grabbed Ronan’s jacket, threw a hard punch at him and pushed him overboard.
The wind began to howl and the sky grew very dark.
“What did you do, idiot?!” Came Ronan’s frightened voice.
The waves grew higher.
“He can’t swim! He can’t swim!” Screamed the crewmen. “We should toss you overboard and see how you like it!”
Fiona’s eyes filled with fear. She looked over the side of the boat. “Hang on, Ronan!”
Colin heard the worry in Fiona’s voice.
Fiona searched the boat looking for a rope.
“Where’s the ropes?!” Her voice grew louder as the waves crashed and the thunder roared.
“What, are you crazy?! If you rescue him, you’ll never go home again!” Colin screamed. “You’ll be his slave for the rest of your life!”
“I don’t care!” Fiona ignored him.
Crash! Went the waves!
The slaves began to yell,Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted!”
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
“Shut up!” Yelled the crewmen.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,
for they will be filled.” The slaves cried out, and a bigger man kicked one in the face. “I said, quiet!”
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.” The Irish kept on going.
Just then a bigger, stronger man pushed Colin off the ship.
“Colin, no!” Came Fiona’s cry.
Colin miraculously caught a short rope Fiona tossed down.
The strong man yelled to her, “He deserves to die! Let the rope go!”
Bartley screamed back at him, “If she lets go of the rope, there’s no hope for the captain! That heathen boy is Ronan’s only hope!”
Ronan choked on the water and tried to keep his arms and legs moving but he was failing. “Help!”
Colin looked at him with such hatred.
Ronan slowly moved his way closer and closer to Colin. Now, he was right there, and it was up to Colin to rescue him.
“Grab his hand Colin! Do it!” Fiona called. “He’ll die without you! You’re his only hope!” Tears poured down her face.
“Fiona, he captured you! He took you away from your home!”
“Please!” Ronan looked so helpless, and about to enter a different world.
Colin looked away.
Fiona, barely knowing how to swim herself, ran with all her might and dived into the icy, monstrous storm. She grabbed Ronan’s hand, and a man grabbed her hand and lured them in.
Bartley grabbed Colin’s shirt and threw him on the ground, so hard, Colin’s knees were bruised and bleeding.
Ronan threw up water and choked, breathing heavy and deep. He grabbed Fiona’s hand as she went to get a blanket.
“No. Stay.” He looked as if he were about to cry. “Thank you.”
Fiona met Colin’s gaze. He looked like a whole different person. “How could you?” She whispered.
Colin looked away. He couldn’t bear his disappointed sister’s eyes.
No comments:
Post a Comment