Danni O'Dell (ROUGH DRAFT)

CHAPTER ONE

It was a dark and foggy night where the ships docked in an old bay. A young mother looked down at the sleeping infant in her arms, and a tough looking older man silently led her away from a weathered, black sailed pirate ship. There were holes in the hull, and fresh breaks upon the deck. It looked as though it had just come from an exciting battle. In the quiet of the night the two stole away carefully. They navigated around the sleeping sailors who were dutifully guarding their ships and fellow crewmen. Once out of sight of the docks, they turned down the nearest, darkest road. Their heavy steps echoed through the trees that surrounded them. They passed many darkened houses. Some were fine and decorated nicely, while others were a bit shabby, but all were modest in their tastes. This may have looked like a cute little town, had it not been the middle of the night. After a long while, they came upon a small, warmly lit cabin in the woods, and just off the road the man turned to the young mother.

"CeeCee, I hav'ta get back to the ship now. In there you'll find Struts and Sandy. They're aware of the goins on, and are ready to help ya out."

Pappy, will we see you again?" She hugged the infant closer, as Pappy's big, rough hands gently stroked the child's cheek.

It's a good, strong baby. Jus' like 'er dad. She's mighty good lookin' too." A smile escaped his lips, "I don't know how it'll all turn up." He looked into her teary eyes,"But prophesy or no, I can't let 'er be killed. So keep to yerselves. I'll write when it's safe." With one heavy breath, he patted her shoulder. He started back towards the docks.

"Please be safe!" She called out to him, and with a wave he disappeared into the fog.

She knocked on the cabin door, and went into the light.

CHAPTER TWO

Danni slumped into the office chair, holding her bloodied nose. Through the door's window he saw a girl walking that jock into the office. The air filled with tension as their eyes met. Danni's dark hair swept back and her fists readied for another fight.

"Danni O'Dell!" The principal came out just in time. Danni tore her crimson eyes away and lumbered into the other room.

"Sit down Ms. O'Dell," The squat, plump principal gestured to the chair in front of his desk, "Now tell me what happened."

"We had a bit of a disagreement. That's all."

"A little disagreement that landed you with a bloody nose, and him with a black eye and skinned arm?" Danni sat quietly.

"Ms. Connor tells me you just went off on him."

"Now hold on! He started it! Him and his fat bulldozer friends took my necklace."

"You can't just go around beating on people who pick on you."

Danni looked out the window with a sneer.

"Sharon is here, may I send her in?" The speaker cracked in the secretaries small voice.

"Yes, thank you." The principal spoke into the old grey speaker.

Danni looked down into her lap as she entered. Her fiery eyes looked through Danni like a laser. From the corner of her eyes Danni could see her thin frame standing angrily by the door. She had dark eyes, unlike Danni, but they shared the same wild, coal colored hair.

"Danni Ardent O'Dell, what have you done? I saw that boy out there! This is the last straw! Now, Mr. Dawes, are you finished with my daughter?"

"Yes. Danni go out until we're finished. I have something to discuss with your mother." Danni saw Mr. Dawes consoling her mother. Her angry face melted into a worn sadness. Just then something wet and sticky hit Danni's head. Snickers erupted behind her. In the history of dirty looks, death stares, and sneers, the one that Danni shot back at her classmate couldn't be beat. The snickers tapered off into a silence. Only the click click click of the secretaries computer broke the air.

"Mr. Ramsey, in my office please." The principal came out with Sharon. "Keep your head up Sharon. Things will even out. Danni, behave yourself, I'll be watching you next year. Mark my words!" With that he closed the door and went to talk with Ramsey.

"Mom..."

"Not now Danni, let's go home." She walked out to her car as Danni followed.

"Mom, come on Mom, I'm sorry!"

"There have been enough apologies. Every week it seems you have something else to apologies for." She turned and looked at Danni, "Apologies from you are lies. Your actions remain the same, even though you keep saying you will behave from now on."

"Mom, I..."

"No more. I... need a break. You will be spending the summer with your grandfather."

"In Florida?" Danni couldn't believe it. A whole summer in sunny Florida?

"No." she rubbed her temples and continued, "Your Father's Dad. In Washington. He lives by Willapa Bay."

"Washington State? But it's so not warm, or sunny! I've never even met him! what if he lives in some old, smelly retirement home? What if there's no room for me?!"

"Then you'll face the consequences of all these fights you get into. You'll be on the bus in the morning.

"But Mom!"

"No But's. Get in the car." Danni didn't speak to her for the rest of the night.



In the morning Danni silently got on the bus headed for Washington.

"Hey you, where ya headed?" An old man with a snaggle tooth asked.

"Willapa Bay, just outside of South Bend."

"Ah, nice place, nice place. Lots of ocean." He seemed to drift away then, in memories or dreams. Danni looked out the window. "Ocean huh..." She mumbled to himself as she drifted off into the passing landscape.



CHAPTER TWO

It was late when the bus pulled up to the station in South Bend. Danni looked around for his grandfather. Danni waited on the station bench, watching person after person leave until she was the only one left. The clerk gave her a nod as he locked up for the evening. Pretty soon the sun drifted under the horizon and Danni shivered from the setting cold. Up the road she could see an old rusty truck coming her way. The moon reflected brightly along the cracked windshield, briefly flashing her grandfather's face. As it pulled up, a thin wrinkled hand gestured to the passenger side. Danni slid in to the smell of old spice and alcohol. Danni and her grandfather sat silently through the winding roads, darkness drifting by.

"We're here." Her grandfather's gruff voice broke the silence. He turned onto a rocky road, and a small, old house stood tall against the night. Next to it, the moon's light shown steadily upon a small cove. Danny squints to see an old sailing ship tied to a dock, it's ominous shape larger than the house it was tied near. It's sails were ragged, and water shimmered through a hole in it's side.

"Come on." Danni followed her grandfather into the old house. "You can sleep in the attic room. There's a bed up there, and some shelves to put your stuff." He gestured up a thin staircase.

"Thanks," Danni said.

"Don't like it?"

"It's fine." Danni's eyes darted down.

"It's old, but it's a roof over your head. You remember that," his whiskey laden, sour breath surrounded Danni, "Your Mother told me what you've been up to. Keep your nose clean around here, girl. Starting tomorrow you work in town at the pub. The Singing Pigs, great place."

"But it's summer," Danni looked at him with defiance in her eyes.

"If you wanna eat, you've gotta work."

"Fine." Danni glowered at the old man.

Danni's grandfather went out back, and he climbed the rickety stairs. The room was small and covered in a thick layer of dust. Old chests and boxes were stacked against the side wall. A small cot had been set up by a round window. Danni laid down on the bed and dust swirled around her as she looked at the stars from her little room. A heavy sigh escaped as she laid thinking about her particular situation.



CHAPTER THREE

"Come on, it's time to go." The call came just after the sun rose. Danni had barely fallen asleep.

"So early," she groaned. She threw on the same clothes from the day before and went down to her grandfather.

"'Bout time you got down here. Don't be late tomorrow."

"It is summer. What time is it anyways?" Danni yawned. Danni's grandfather sneered for a second, and walked outside. Danni hastened to catch up.

"What's for breakfast?"

"I had eggs. You get down early enough, you can, too. Them's the rules."

Danni looked at him, almost saying something, but she caught herself and decided against it. She gazed at him, observing him. Though he looked old, her grandfather held a good amount of muscles and looked like he could take care of himself. The smoke from the pipe drifted lazily along his tattoo laden arms. His grey hair held in a low pony tail. It fell to his shoulders. A long dread lock held a few interesting tokens and beads. A cold breeze off the ocean waters sent a shiver down Danni.

"Don't like the breeze, huh?"

"It's fine." Danni gloomily looked towards the waters. There was something about the ocean. He just didn't like. It scared him, how powerful it could be.

"You know, you have your Father's eyes."

"..."

"Just thought you'd like to know. He was a good man, your Father." The awkward silence filled the air. Danni was glad when they reached the small town.

"I didn't see this last night."

"Around ten the whole town shuts down. There was nothing to see." On the other side of town, a sizable harbor held many ships and boats. There were a few sporty race boats, some fishing ships, and a huge cargo ship unloading many crates. Nestled among the docks was a small, run down pub. The sign was worn and cracked. It hung from a crude, rusty wire. Walking inside, A mixture of sweat, booze and musty wood accosted Danni. Her grandfather seemed uncaring.

"Ho there, James!" A well groomed man came from the back, carrying three cases of liquor. He sat them down with a thud running his hand through shaped hair, "Is this your grandaughter?"

"Ya, this is Danni," he placed his hand on Danni's shoulder and looked her in the eye, "you're gonna work here while you're living with me. If I hear of you messing around, I'll fix you up real good. Ya hear me, huh?"

"Ya..."

"I've got some stuff to do, I'll leave you here with Hawk, and I expect you to come back to the house as soon as your done." James left and Danni looked at Hawk. He didn't look that old, just a bit older than her.

"Well, he sure is in a mood today, eh?"

"He's not like this everyday?" Danni looked surprised.

"Naw." He looked at Danni, "Well, doesn't matter. Have you worked before?"

"Not really, just some chores at home and stuff."

"Well you'll learn here. You're our new busboy. You'll be cleanin' off tables, sweepin', moppin', stockin', that sort'a stuff. You'll also have to keep the head clean, and help the other employees. Think you can do it?"

"What's a head?"

"The toilet." He looked at her closely, "You didn't know that?"

"No, should I?"

"Naw, s'pose not. You're here early today, you can help with the shipment. Usually, you should be here by two for dinner prep. You'll go home around midnight when the cook does," he walked towards the back, "Let's get to it."



CHAPTER FOUR

Danni slumped over the bathroom sink, her muscles cramping from overuse. Sweat stung her eyes as she washed the grime off her hands.

"Hard day?" A pretty woman came in, her blond hair sweeping her shoulders, "Name's Sami."

"I'm Danni. Danni O'Dell."

"OH! You're James' granddaughter! He told us you'd be coming! It's nice to meet you!"

"Oh, hel-"

"I'm so happy to have another girl here! Oh, let's go. Everyone should be here now; I'll introduce you!" Sami excitedley pulled Danni out of the bathroom, a big smile on her face. They came up to a tall, thin man. His blue eyes sparkled against long sandy hair.

"Danni, meet Adam. He's Hawk's right hand man, and the best waiter in town."

"Nice to meet you Adam."

"The pleasure is mine." His cold hands took hers, "It will be great working with you." He smiled widely and bowed a litle.

"Oh, you too." Danni felt a bit embarrassed as Sami ushered her away again toward the kitchen. "Does he always act so formally?"

"Ya, he is pretty formal, but you'll warm up to him!" She laughed loudly. "Levi!"

A thin, hairy man came from the back carrying a box of cabbage. "Ho there Sami!"

"Levi, meet Danni, James' granddaughter!"

"Hey Danni." His eye's looked her over, "Arn't you a beauty, wanna go out sometime?"

Sami gave him a stern look. "Don't mind him, he lost his manners in the fryer."

From the back, Hawk walked in with a man who looked just like Sami.

"Sam! Come meet Danni!" She bounced up to him. They looked just alike, save the clothes and hair.

"Hey there. Nice to meet you."

"Hi, and hey again." Danny waved sheepishly at Hawk.

"Oh, Hello Danni." His eyes darted left and right, "Alright you guys get back to work. I ain't payin you to sit around a chat." They all laughed and started off.

"I'll see you later Danni, Sam and I are waiters so we'll be out front if you need us."

Levi went back to cooking with a nod, and Hawk turned to Danni. "Can you clear the tables, bus away empties, and then do some dishes?"

"Sure thing." Hawk went into the main room, and she could hear him laughing with some customers. 'His voice is nice,' she thought to herself, as she retrieved a tote to clear tables. The rest of the night went along nicely. The work was hard and tiring but it was ok. At least she was distracted for the time being. She didn't start home until two in the morning. The streets were dark and quiet. Twinkling lights spread across the ocean, reflected from the sky above.

"Hey, Danni, wait up!" Hawk came jogging towards her, "I'll walk you home." "You don't have to do that."

"Meh, I was going this way anyways, and I need company." His gaze twinkled her way.

"Hmm. I bet." The bay's water twinkled with a cool glow from the moon.

"So, how was work?"

"Fine." She looked at him through the corner of her eyes. His hands fumbled within each other and he looked up, his dark eyes reflecting the night sky. Their feet crunched along the path in rhythm. "So, do you like owning a pub?"

"Well, it's something to do for now." He adjusted his thick yellow glasses. "Oh, we're at your place already."

"Oh..." Danni rubbed one arm and looked down toward Hawk, "Well goodnight then."

"Ya, goodnight. I'll see you tomorrow." He waved, and she walked up to the door, with one last look back at his shrinking figure she smiled and settled in for the night.