The Wall of the Hurricane

The storm raged around us as we hid in the cove, the cliffs offering limited protection. We’d done this routine before. We had it down to an art form. Batten down the hatches, tighten the main braces, reduce sail, see to the lines. If we had any cargo on deck we’d be making it secure but we don’t have any cargo yet. Cargo comes after the storm.

“Why were we out in a storm rather than trying to find safe haven at port?” You might ask? Because it is the perfect way to draw in the unsuspecting. A ship that looks like it’s been beaten to hell by the sea is the perfect bait. Other ships come to our aid, never expecting to be boarded, killed, and their goods stolen. And no one suspects pirates when the storm could just as well have destroyed their ship. A crime without proof left behind.

The calm settled over us as we began to prepare. We raised our sails part way, loosened the braces, and made our way out of the cove we’d been hiding in. I headed to the bow and readied myself with a white flag to wave as soon as another ship came into view. The rest of the crew hid. I was the only woman on board. My husband knew I wouldn’t tolerate another. So I was the one who called for help. It's surprising how few people suspect a woman of treachery.

But oh, we had become too brazen. We were too confident in our scheme. We didn’t take into account the wrath of the sea herself. She does not take lightly to those who abuse her gifts. We were in the calm for just enough time to get into open water when the wall of the storm hit us with such force I’m surprised the ship didn’t capsize on the first blow. The winds shredded our partial sails like they were paper and spun the mast in a way that should not be possible. All hands jumped to but there was no fighting this beast of a storm. We had been lucky too long. I held onto a line like my life depended on it. I suppose it did. I watched as man after man of our crew was ripped from his feet and thrown into the angry sea. I watched as my husband was bludgeoned to death by the ship he loved and tossed to see like so much garbage. I alone survived her anger. I alone did not die that day. My tears and the sea spray were one and the same as the storm finally released me from its power. I sat there alone on deck for hours. I lost all track of time.

Eventually I saw a ship on the horizon. I tore away a part of my blouse and waved to them until they came alongside us.. Me. They wrapped me in blankets and forced me to drink water and some sort of brandy. They towed our ship, what was left of it, back to harbor. I don’t remember a single one of their faces, let alone their names. I was numb.

Someone must’ve taken me in because I remember waking up in a bed a couple times over the next few days. They said I called out my husband’s name. Of course, they didn’t know whose name it was, just that it was a man’s. They assumed it was someone I had sailed with. No one here knew us so they didn’t know what to do with me.

As soon as I could I left. These were not my people and I wanted nothing to do with them. I’d show you proof of my misdeeds. I can see in your eyes you don’t believe me. But every trinket I kept, every bauble I stole, was washed away.

I headed down to the docks to find a ship to take me away from this town and the pitying glances I kept getting. As I walked, I saw this amazing hat. It reminded me of everything and everyone I’d lost. I gave the little princess the chance to give me the hat and she laughed in my face. You will note - I gave her a chance. Then I took the hat. She just kept screaming and screaming so I was just trying to quiet her down when those officers pulled me off of her. I wouldn’t have cut off her entire tongue. Just enough to prove a point.

Of all the things I’ve done. Of all the people I’ve killed and things I’ve taken, THIS is what I die for? Taking a hat from a privileged little thing who probably has ten more hats at home. It’s a joke. It’s pitiful. Hang me as a pirate, not some petty thief. Why couldn’t the sea have taken me with my crew? What special hell is this, that I must be taken down by the law of the land?