(Not very happy with this one, please tell me what you think!)

Waves crashed against the ship, causing it to sway in the unforgiving ocean. The deck was full of enslaved people, there to do the captain’s bidding or to pay of debt too big.

I snook through the ship cautiously, one hand on my blade, another squeezing my nose to rid my senses of the foul odour emenating from below deck. Beside me stood Coal, slightly hunched over to fit into the small spaces, him too trying his best to cover his nose, evidently being unsuccessful.

“What do we do now?” I asked him in a hushed tone, grabbing his collar to pull him behind a few old crates before a miserable slave walked past. When he didn’t answer I went on. “We can’t disguise ourselves as the slaves easily, and stealing the richmen’s clothes is impossible. So what do we do?”

Coal thought for a moment, looking from side to side. “I…didn’t think about that.”

“You don’t think about anything.” I rolled my eyes, checking the door to get to the main deck, and rushing out of it, finding cover behind more randomly dotted crates. Frantically, I waved for him to follow but he shook his head, mouthing ‘go’ with a nod of his head motioning to the captains quarters that sat below the quarterdeck. I soundlessly sighed and checked my surroundings, most slaves were either working or tied by the main mast whilst I stood by the foremast.

All I had to do was run to the opposite side of the massive ship, avoiding the eyes of the hundreds of slaves and many men in formal uniform whipping and watching them from a distance, as if being a slave was a disease. I grimaced.

Finally, an idea lit up within the dark corners of my mind. I began to climb the foremast, which was a difficult task considering the fact that waves had been splashing across it for hours, and it’s wooden surface was slick with water. Trying to be a subtle as possible, I dug my blade into the wood to not fall. I checked the deck, no eyes watched me, good. I continued on, finally reaching the middle, where a small platform stood called the fighting top. I checked the deck once more.

A pair of blue eyes met mine.

A young girl stared at me longingly. She smiled and mouthed what I thought was, “Thank you”. Then turned, and looked back to the deck, not opening her mouth once, not alarming anyone of my position. My heart pounded, thrumming in my ribcage, longing to break free. More than that, rage swelled within me, replacing nausea, replacing fear.

Ropes attached each sail together, that’s where I began to clime. Once reaching the main mast, I continued onto the mizzen, the ropes creaking in protest as I stealthily climbed across each. I hoped Coal wouldn’t be spotted or killed. Making my way down, I realised there was no way to get to the Captain’s quarters without being spotted. A man stood by the wheel, others by his side, more lining the stairs and the doors to the cabin. The wood my knife was embedded into let out a creak.

Suddenly, I began to fall, frantically grabbing for purchase as I slid down. The helmsman began to look up. My hand found a rope and gripped onto it firmly, it’s firm surface ripping open the skin from my palm as I dangled, catching the attention of a few members of the crew.

Then, I head singing. A small voice filling the ship’s silence, drowning out the waves crashing and the cracks of whips. It was beautiful. I scanned the deck to see who sang. The young girl smiled as more joined, harmonising in a language I couldn’t recognise. The slavers shouted angrily, trying to gain control of the slaves, but they wouldn’t stop. More crew members rushed in, leaving guard of the Captain’s quarters. My eyes landed on a quick figure winding through the confused guards, signalling me to follow. I climbed down quickly, warmth filling my body at the song. Coal flashed me a grin as we entered the captain’s cabin, quickly shutting the door behind us, drawing swords.

I scowled. “Time is up, Captain.”

The Captain merely let out a small grunt as he turned, sipping wine from a golden goblet perched in his wrinkled hand. Coal pointed a sword to his throat.

Throwing his hands up in surrender, the Captain said, “Before you kill me, may I tell you something?”

Coal pressed further with his blade, frowning. “Enlighten me.”

“No matter how hard you try, no matter how many slavers you kill or how many laws will be passed. You will never end slavery.“ the Captain chuckled, “So think, was this really necessary?”

Coal stuck the sword through the man’s throat. He choked and dropped to the floor, lifeless.

“The more we can rid the world of people like you,” Coal wiped his blade on the curtain, “The more we come close to ridding the world of things like slavery.”

I placed my hand on his shoulder. “Ready to free them?”

“Ready.”

(I’m sorry this was piece was a bit rushed! I found it on my drafts half finished so I decided to finish it but it turned out to be quite long! Thank you for reading anyway and I would really appreciate feedback!) :)