The Immortal Adventure

It was a silent night tonight. No bombs going off, and no gunshots. No screams, and no deaths.

"Mother, is this terrible war coming to an end," I asked, as I sat beside her on her bed. There had been no answer. The room was as quiet as tonight. Then, I heard the faintest gurgling sound that seemed to be coming from her throat. She was fast asleep. I went to my sister, Emerly, to ask her. She gave me an answer like no other.

"Sarah, I want you to understand the way wars work, and the truth about them. Wars are never going to be over. When the battles are only in the past, and not to happen anytime soon, the effect of either winner shall affect the world forever."

These words stunned me. Then, after thinking of other subjects to come, I asked her a question I have never asked before. “Are you a patriot or loyalist?”

“Patriot, no question!” I nodded. I was as well, and so was our father. Father is one of the militia of Washington's troops. Mother is neutral. Then, a lightbulb lit in my head.

"We should go visit father!" I shouted. She looked at me as though I was kidding.

"We can't! Mother would have to go with us! We can't just go. Unless…" she said. She then smirked.

"Now your devil is talking." I mentioned it as a joke.

"We can go tomorrow. But for now, let's go to bed. It's going to be a big day tomorrow." She said, as she took my hand to take me to my bed. She tucked me in, and kissed my forehead.

"I'm not a little kid anymore, I can tuck myself in."

"But you can't kiss yourself on the forehead." She said. I smiled.

"Good night."

"Good night."

Sun finally showed. Birds were singing. Breezes, were not too warm, not too cool. I sat up in my bed, and went to go get Emerly. She wasn't in her room. I went downstairs, and found her talking to mother.

"I think you should take the whole day to yourself. Do whatever you want, and Sarah and I could have a sister day. This is the day God rested. I feel you should rest and relax too," said Emerly to my mother. She then looked at me, with only her eyes moving. She winked.

"I guess you're right. I am always worrying about you kids and your father and I never have time for myself. I will do it today, but only if you are sure," responded mother, still clueless of the real reason for the offer.

"Of course, go enjoy yourself. Meet us at church, and we can walk home together. Have a great time!"

Mother nodded, and walked out the door with a light jacket. Emerly waved goodbye. Once my mother was gone, I showed myself.

"What's the plan?" I said I was very intrigued.

"Once mother falls asleep tonight, we will go get James, and he can drive us in his horse and buggy to the next british ship load. You and I can get some uniforms, and escape the ship on drop off. Then, during one of the battles, we can go to Valley Forge, and see father. Then, during the next load, we can take the ship back home," replied Emerly, more confident then the time she served tea correctly. She was so proud that day.

"Tonight is when the next ship is going, so tonight is when we leave."

I nodded.

"Let's pack our stuff and prepare," I directed.

Night finally came, and mother was fast asleep. We got our satchels, and coats, and examined the dark and empty road, making sure we weren’t being watched or studied.

"Okay, we are good. We can't get caught or else we will get sent back home and have to wait a whole 3 months. James is a few blocks up. Try to blend in on the way," Emerly said. I saw some concern in her amber eyes.

We finally arrived, but not to see James. We waited ten to fifteen minutes. He didn't show up. Something must have happened. I looked over at Emerly, and she started to walk up the road. I ran up to her, following her black cloak.

"Emerly," I whispered. "Where are you going?"

"We can't just wait around any longer, that ship isn’t waiting for us." She noted.

"We shouldn’t have trusted him," she said, with a disappointed look on her face.

It was about a fifteen minute walk to the British ship, but we finally made it.

"How are we going to sneak onto the British ships without anyone knowing?" I asked. She didn't answer for a good ten to twenty seconds.

"Just follow my lead."

She took off her long black cloak. She was going at a faster pace than she usual. I could tell she was really in a hurry, so I tried to catch up to her.

About fifteen minutes later, we arrived at the British ships.

“How are we going to get on, do you have a pl-” I asked, before I got interrupted by her silent finger. Her index finger seemed to be controlling me, making me stop talking. She put her cloak back on, and took my hand. We noticed the ship went a few inches farther at a time. Emerly took my hand tighter than she ever has. She started running, so I ran as well, but let go. She jumped onto the ship. I jumped as well, hoping I’d make it. I landed on the boat, and felt something tickle my feet. I looked down to see what it was, but before my mind understood what the scene was, the floor started sinking. I could feel myself go further and further down into the floor. I opened my eyes after a long time of them being closed. I saw a blurry figure approach me. Then, somehow, it all got clear. I saw a fin bigger than my head. I started to feel chest pain, so I kicked and squirmed. Turns out I was in the ocean. What would you do? Take the ship to see your sister and father, or go back to peace. Of course I choose peace. I dove back down, as far as I could go. The creature looked like a shark. Most people (especially girls) would be terrified of sharks. But, all I felt was peace. I put my hand out to pet him, and he let me. After constant up and down for air and peace, I told Clovis goodbye. I admired his greyness, with darker grey stripes. He went in the direction of the ship. I looked up, and the boat wasn’t too far; I could probably swim to it.

I swam harder and harder. When I was close enough to see the details, I saw Emerly turn the wheel a hard turn, shoving the captain out of the way. She passed down a rope ladder, and I boarded the ship.

“I thought you were dead when you didn’t come up all that time, you scared me!!!” Emerly shrieked.

“Sorry, Clovis was awaiting me.” I replied, knowing she wouldn’t understand.

We got in our uniforms, and we pretended to be a part of the British battle. It wasn’t easy. Someone named Clifton knew that we weren’t originally soldiers, and kept making conversation.

“What are your names?” he’d ask.

“Oh, look at that, we are being called,” Emerly said with a fake deepened voice.

As we went over to Washington's army, we put back on our dresses, and left the British uniforms.

“What was wrong? Why did you rush so much back there?” I asked.

“Because he didn’t show up. We needed to double the pace. Don’t trust anyone.”

I was kind of confused. Emerly isn’t the kind of person where a lad makes a mistake, and she gives up on them.

“What really happened,” I asked, fully in the conversation.

“Father?” she said. I looked up, knowing she was fooling me. She wasn’t. Father was right in front of... THE GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON! We approached them. Emerly and I gave father a big hug. We never felt better. It was like he was the marshmallow in the hot chocolate. Both made us happy, both made us feel warm inside.

“Washington! It’s really you!!! It’s so great to finally meet you, but there is something you should know. The British are going to be having parties on Christmas. You should find a way to get there; it will be a totally unexpected attack. They wouldn’t be ready, and we’d win the battle!”

“Where did you hear this,” he asked with true curiosity.

“The British delivery people were talking about what they were going to do, since they are attending it.”

“Thank you for the news, I will talk to my soldiers about it,” he said.

“Before you do,” I began, “how did you figure out what you wanted to do? When you were a young lad, how did you decide you wanted to fix the country and world for the great or good? Father said ‘unlike other young lads, you knew what was right for you.’ How?”

“Once I thought of the subject, it inspired me to follow it, like a butterfly. Once I followed it deep into the truth, I knew that my locket would forever be locked, but my passion would forever be open. Though we are in war, I feel peace, because something deep down says we shall win this war, and all of my friends that have died from this are free, more freedom than what we could ever give them. Though you are a young, you are capable of doing anything you wish. Think of my words, and know that I am proud of you and your family. Don’t let anyone stop you from doing what you love the most,” he responded. I was moved by his aspirational words, and because of them, I’d never felt as blessed.

After closely considering that interaction, I realized that when I was with Clovis, I had never felt happier, and I knew then that my passion was sharks. Because sharks were feared, I traveled around the world and attempted to change people’s minds; sharks are peaceful, and humans are the real danger. Sharks are more advanced, and at much higher level then we humans, in many ways. I published several papers and furthered marine biology and elasmobranchology research. People began to open their hearts and minds.

When the treaty of Paris was signed, I got a chance to talk again to Washington.

“Thank you, for your strong words. Had you not said that to me, my life would have been a waste. My life would have been nothing. My life would have been no heart, no soul, no peace. Thank you for everything you have taught me.”

He put his hand on my shoulder. “I never expected any less of you. And your writing about these creatures? Mind changing. You changed the world for the greater good, whether you know it or not. So thank you for teaching me and the world what is really important. Love, peace, and sharks.'' This made me chuckle.

“I couldn’t have done it without you.”

It’s now 1867. I followed my passion my whole life, until I lay in the hospital, dying a natural death. My kids and family were all there. “Will we ever see you again?” my son, Clovis asked.

“ Up there, you all will. I am going to miss you all, but knowing I will see you again gives me joy. Clovis, Marrie, all of you, I want you to understand the way life works, and the truth about it. Life is never gone, just forming into different obstacles, for the next soul to come. When one person leaves this world, they leave to go to another. My life isn’t over, it is just starting.”