Mei Mei… Get up, Mei… “Get up, Mei!” her mother shouted. Mei blinked and realized that she’d blacked out for a moment. She was numb to the pain, aware that it was everywhere but feeling adrift in it. The first real sensation to return was the gritty texture of the cobblestone under her fingertips, then …
Mei Though she hadn’t noticed them in the beginning, Mei had become aware of the watching soldiers during the fight. She’d heard their jeers and laughter and some of their mocking insults. Though she’d tried to resist, no one is ever entirely unaffected by such public ridicule. Along with Fowler’s treatment of her, she was …
Mei Mei felt her palms growing sweaty and worried about how well they’d continue to adhere to the polished wooden grip of the pistol in her left hand. Fowler continued to give her that infuriating half-smile, just waiting for her to move. Her heart rate started picking up speed. Her fingers flexed around the wood …
Armand Armand studied their destination from where he drifted in the river next to the log, hidden behind an unoccupied fishing boat. They were nearly at the mouth of the river, and the water had become briny, fresh and salt mixing, the smell of the ocean in his nose. After the bridge, the river had …
Mei They managed to get around Bridgetown and reach the Constitution River undetected. The river was surprisingly wide, the water slow and seemingly deep. They found refuge in a thick patch of jungle along the banks a few hundred meters from town that would hide them from casual passerby, not that there were many at …
Mei Mei saw Amos hurl the lantern down and, fear clutching her heart, launched herself from the window opening before she could mourn his loss or appreciate his sacrifice. The explosion was so powerful that the rush of air and flame jetting through the window behind her flipped her over in midair. Upside down, she …
Amos The Asian woman licked her lips, likely nervous from the way they’d all jumped out of their skivvies when he’d spoken. “I’m a captain.” He chuckled. “Only got one cap’ain in Barbados, and you ain’t him. Besides, yew’ve got a lovely little lass wi’ ya that looks a bi’ out of place, doesn’t she?” …
Lia They had left two of the males behind for some reason and pushed on without them, leaving the road and going inland, where they hurried through fields and bush. Lia did her best to put on a stoic facade as she strode beside the foreigners this dark night. But inside, she was trembling with …
Juan Flushed and spirits high off their success of the plantation raid, everyone was filled with hope and a belief that they could do this. They could steal the ship and escape prison. There was much back-slapping and silly grins, and light steps carried them away to the next phase of the mission. Mei wore …
They stared towards the island in the dying light of the day, Barbados sitting on the very edge of the horizon, waiting for darkness. The fiery ball of the sun sank into the ocean behind them and extinguished itself, hiding them. The time of debating and waiting was over. Laughter and cheer fell away, replaced …