The Plank - micro

Sunshine cast a golden hue over the ship. Captain Jake's stance was starched by salt and pride, yet fluid to match the sway of the deck.

For a fleeting moment, he was no seasoned sailor, battle-scarred and wily. Only a smooth-cheeked boy, gazing at the horizon.

Scowling, he set his jaw. A man doesn't waste time on such things!

"Captain!" The voice broke his reverie.

“Yes, Calder?”

“ They say it’s time for a change in leadership."

Jake kept his eyes on the horizon. "Gather the crew," he said. Calder nodded and moved away.

At the railing, Jake stared into the faces of his brothers, feeling betrayal's sting.

“You dare to plot behind my back?” His voice lacked a fearless boom.

“We’re tired of scrounging for scraps," Calder said. "There's loot out there. We want a Captain who'll lead us to it.”

Nostrils flaring, Jake breathed slow to steady his bruised heart.

Finn leaned close to Calder, whispering. Calder barked, "Seize him!"

Jake lifted his blade, but it was useless against so many. They're my brothers! His hand faltered. I don't have a pirate's ruthless heart.

"I'm Captain!" he yelled, writhing with Fat Harry's sat on his back.

"Tie his wrists!"

Jake's grizzled exterior dissolved in the breeze, leaving him small and weak.

Calder shoved him towards the Plank. Jake remembered his disdain at how others snivelled and scraped along it. The cheers when they went over, the smile stretching his own mouth.

Now, fear sharpened his gaze onto the far end of it. It looked higher from here. Scarier. It felt wobbly and rough under his feet.

"You'll pay for this!"

"Shut up and walk, Jacob," Calder jumped on the far end, sending Jacob sprawling, face-first, into the dirt. Tears stung. He hid his face against the ground for a moment, stilling a sob.

"Jakey's crying!" Calder squawked.

Staggering to his feet, Jacob heard it: "Jaaaaaaacob! Tea's ready!"

Max Calder nodded at Paul Grayson, who stepped forward, a flick knife in his hand, to cut the cable-tie, nicking Jacob's wrist.

"Run home to mummy," Max hissed. "Tomorrow, I'm Captain."

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Word count excluding title, subtitle, and authors notes: 366

Submitted on Saturday 17th August at 16:07AM

A Year of Stories: I'm writing a story every day this year. This one continues my 230 day streak since 1st January.

Please consider lending your support to the other creators on this madcap "a story every day" adventure. They're putting out excellent content every day!

Rachel Deeming

Gerard DiLeo

Please leave me a comment: Still avoiding first person! And still kicking myself, wondering if I'm being stupid, and that perspective would work better! Let me know what you think? And if you do read both versions, please tell me which you think works better?

Thank you

Especially if you are one of the wonderful people who has been staunchly reading these daily scribbles since the start of the year. I see you, and appreciate you very much indeed!

If you enjoyed this one, the very best compliment you can give me is to share it, or read another!

Here's an oldie:

If you'd prefer a wanky poem: dig⋅ni⋅ty

A recent Top Story:

My look back at July:

My reflections on the recent nonet challenge:

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And now for something completely different:

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Thank you again!