Into the Night - Part 1

Into the Night: Bruce and Emma's Story Part One

Eighteen years ago, a small peasant woman crept along the docks of a port. In her arms, she carried her 9 month old baby girl. She whispered to her life words of sorrow, regret, and repentance for she was to leave her child on the docks.

“'My darling Emma,

Under any other circumstances would I not give you up. Poor and husbandless as I am, you are my world and the sweetest child in all the earth. However, someone has threatened to kill you, my sweet, so I must conceal you from him. He’s long left, believing you are somewhere else. I love you Emma; I wish you well as you’re growing up and I hope we will meet again someday. Your mother, Audrey.'"

So read her note and the last time I saw her. 18 years ago I found my home on the ship Atlantis. The cabin boy, Bruce, 10 years old at the time, found me on the dock the morning after my mother left me. Bruce received permission from the captain to bring me on board. So began my life and being one of the crew. As I grew, the crew was my family; they were there when I took my first steps, when I said my first words. Bruce, however, was the one who took care of me. I remember the first time I saw him: merry brown eyes, wavy amber locks, and a fast-changing expression set on a nicely contoured face.

Bruce was my protector, my brother. Whenever I got into trouble, he was always there to get my out and make excuses for me. Eighteen years have passed since my being initiated into the crew. Bruce is now captain; having moved up through the ranks and is now 28 years old. He has kept on as first mate the man who was once captain, Amos. I’ve learned to perform my duties as one of the crew; I’ve become family and we trust each other.

One day, Amos asked me to come back to crew quarters when I was done with my watch. I willingly complied and entered the crew’s quarters a little after 1 A.M. There was an eerie atmosphere in the place I knew so well. Footsteps shuffled behind me and when I whirled around to see who it was, I was met with blows from fists and pistols. Amos stepped out of the twilight and commanded his followers to cease the attack. I had been confused but found what I needed to fight off my attackers. Amos knocked me out with the butt of his pistol. I drifted in and out of consciousness but I finally awoke when Dawg, a short sailor with shifty eyes, threw a bucket of water in my face. Amos appeared out of the grimy atmosphere wearing a devilish smile.

“Well, Emma, I’m sure you’re wondering why we would go to all this trouble capturing you.” He declared.

“No, not really. I’ve always had an inkling that you despised me. What I don’t understand is why. All of you have known me since I was brought on board; you’ve raised me.”

“Do you recall,” asked Amos, “in your mother’s note where she said someone threatened your life?”

“Yes,” I replied, “my mother said that fate would take care of me. She also said she believed that person was in another place and couldn’t find me.”

Suddenly it dawned on me: Why would Amos ask about my mother’s note unless…he was the one who had threatened my life!

“What did my mother and father do so you hated them? Since your quarrel isn’t with me, you should let me go.”

“On the contrary,” exclaimed Amos, “you may yet serve a useful purpose in my plans. Your father and I grew up together as boys in England; we later sought the same form of employment. We both dreamed of a life at sea and for years we served side by side. One day, as we put into port in Havana, Cuba; we saw a people that we both despised, the absolute scum of the earth, natives of the island. Your father changed his loyalties when he met your despicable mother. He was charmed by her wiles and decided a life at sea wasn’t suitable for him. Well, since he fell in love not just with your vulgar mother but also with her people, I of course tried to change his mind. I spoke out against your mother’s people and the fact they had accepted him as one of their own, he severed our bond of friendship. We parted ways because he had betrayed his race as well as me.”

“Yet,” I asked, “how was that reason to kill or hurt him?”

“Ah,” he said, “that came later. I eventually ran into a little trouble with a radical group of mercenaries, I owed them a great deal of money and I implored your father to help. He refused even though he had become a respected merchant; he refused because he had a wife and child along the way. I was forced to give myself over to the mercenaries as payment. It turns out they hated your father as much as I did; for he fan them out of town, stopped their illegal activities, and exposed their abuse of the native people. I became part of their activities and was chosen to execute a plan to kill your father. I accomplished my mission and decided to kill you and your mother. I went to her squalid village to find her only to discover that her people didn’t know where she was. So I joined Atlantis as captain but still am part of the rogue mercenaries.”

“How does this relate to me?” I asked quizzically.

“For one, I can retribution by killing you. Two, you can help lead a muting against Bruce so I can regain my rightful place as captain. Three, the mercenaries can use you for their plans concerning Havana. I’ll leave you now to contemplate your fate.”
He started walking away then turned around and punched me in the contempt until I had several cuts, a bloody nose, and a black eye. I returned the favor by starting to fight for freedom when he knocked me out cold. The next moment I woke up, I could tell my surroundings had changed. By the lack of light and horrid stink, Amos had moved me to the brig. I thought about Amos’ last words; I became lost and felt that my situation was hopeless.

My mind started thinking about my father, my mother, my people, the Atlantis, the crew, and Bruce. I wept for my father, a man I had never known, I missed my mother, I hope her wish came true and that we’d see each other again. I had suddenly become aware of my heritage and my people, the native Cubans. To go away and see them was my heart’s desire even though my life was devoted to the Atlantis. Betrayed by most of the crew, my heart was wrenched that I couldn’t trust and rely on them, However, ideas of rescue started to form, my best and only chance was to free myself.