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I’m going to pop this here and see if anything happens. I would love this critiqued and pulled to bits if necessary. 🙂

Dear Diary,

My name is Charlotte Blackwood. Up till now my life has been very boring. I am the daughter of Frederick and Sophia Blackwood. We live in a double storey red brick house near the coastline of Estra. I am 18 years old, but I am no lady. My grandfather, Gael Nightwind, fuelled my ambition to travel with presents such as a compass and a green hat with two gorgeous feathers on it. He said it was a sailor’s hat. And it’s because of my grandfather that I now write this journal. It was at my grandfather’s funeral that my journey began.

My grandfather was buried near the sea because that’s where he usually was. I rarely saw him. He brought with him tension whenever he visited the house, so I think he stayed away deliberately. Mother never told me what he did for a living and Father just told me that he sailed a lot, which I already knew. The funeral was a small affair. My grandparents on my father’s side of the family, a couple of my aunts and uncles and cousins too. I couldn’t seem to focus in the house; the air was stifling me, so I came back to the grave. Rain fell, soaking my black dress. Gulls cried and the sea hissed and crashed far down below. I like the sea. It helps me to feel connected with grandfather.

As I turned to start back towards the house, I nearly jumped out of my skins because standing behind me was a big man who looked very similar to grandfather, His beard is a different colour though, but he is the same build. This man is bulky and he is wearing a patch over one eye.

“My name is Nick Cutlass,” he says. “I’m sorry about your lose.”

I just stared at him, not knowing where he is from or what to do. I think he realized that he was scaring me and he sank to the ground and smiled at me. That freaked me out even more. For in his mouth shone a gold tooth. My knees started to tremble and I was thinking of trying to make a break for it when Nick spoke again.

 

“I realize you’ve never met me before, but I’ve seen you from a photograph your granddaddy used to have. I sailed on the same ship he did. We was best friends, him and me.”

“You knew him?” I asked cautiously.

“Yep. Your granddaddy was cap’n and I was first mate.”

“What was he like?” I asked eagerly. I crouched down beside the grave, my fingers sinking into the muddy dirt. I could just see my grandfather, Gael Nightwind, head of an English fleet in his handsome suit.

“You don’t know?” Nick frowned. “I guess most people didn’t approve of what Gael did. But I recon you should know. He was a pirate and a good ‘un too.”

“A pirate?” My image fade and was replaced by confusion. “But…how? What do you mean by a good one?”

Nick grinned at me. “Successful. Not a ship stood against him. But he was also an honourable one. He only attacked other pirate ships. Never those English ones. Said he wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if he did.”

“So why are you telling me now? What do you want?”

Nick looked at me gravely. “Your granddaddy’s ship, the Royal Fortune, no longer has a captain. It’s anchored about a furlough from here. But it can’t say there forever. It’s got loot in it and it’s in fine shape. A person, if they’re wise, could make a real fortune.”

“What’s that got to do with me?” I felt a weird tingle begin to run up and down my spine.

“Seeing how you’re Gale’s granddaughter, how would you feel at being capt’n yourself?”

I didn’t know what I felt. I didn’t think I was the right person, but deep down, it’s felt like I’d been waiting for this moment all my life.

I gently flexed my fingers in the soil of the grave.

“I’ll come. When?”

“Now. Grab what you need from the house and get back here. Essentials only. Tide’s about to turn and we need to leave.”

Well, let me tell you, dear diary, everyone seemed to want to talk to me when I got back to the house. Thankfully my wet clothes gave me an excuse to get up to my room. I hastily throw some clothes into a bag, grabbed my hat and compass and prepare to leave through my window. In the last minute I hurriedly scrolled a quick note saying goodbye to my parents. Then I left.

 

Nick was kneeling beside the grave when I returned but then we set off at a fast walk. My dress was a pain; clinging to my legs. Halfway there, I guess Nick was tired of me tripping. He grabbed his cutlass and sliced my dress off above the knees. Without a word he set off again, and I followed wordlessly behind. The first sight of my grandfather’s ship took my breath away. It was gorgeous. And so tall. The rigging reached high into the sky. But I had no time to admire it. Amidst the stares, Nick hauled me on board and yelled for the men to cast off. He hurried me to what I presumed was the captain’s quarters and told me to make myself at home and wait there till he returned.

 

And so dear diary, I make this entry in shaky writing, partly out of excitement and fear and also due to the movement of the ship. I suppose I will get used to it soon enough. I have too. For I am…. Captain Charlotte Blackwood