Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:30:41 +0530
From: ss.surene@gmail.com
Subject: Serenity of the Sea. Chapter - 1

Hi, I'm the author for this here story and hopefully it is an original. But
if you have come across something that you think has a similar script to
it, let me know and I'll stop right away.

Oh yeah, that goes for the people who have ACCIDENTLY come across this
chapter and are too young to read it or are in the country whose law makes
it illegal to read it. Stop It And Move Elsewhere... but I cant stop you so
if you do read it.... I hope you enjoy it.

It's my first story and I'm just trying my hand at writing. I haven't given
this to an editor and I haven't reread. I'm just going for luck and
hopefully might find someone (Might not be that many people who would read
my writings, I'm sure.... I get this way if I do something for the first
time)

So......if you have any feedbacks...either constructive or otherwise...
Let me know.... I'll try to answer all your emails within a day (if I do
get more than one email)

Email -      ss.surene@gmail.com

I'll be writing more and putting it up as soon as I get it done... this
chapter is like my `all in' on the poker table... either I win or I
lose.... Its your turn to play...... enjoy....


Chapter 1 - The Calm Before The Storm


It was a gloriously bright day, the sky blue and the horizon perfectly flat
separating the sky from a very calm and glittering ocean. Chris was
standing on the bow gazing at the nothingness while the wind blew fresh
through his long shaggy blond hair. The ocean sun had bleached it well,
really complimenting his deep blue eyes. An albatross was flying low right
next to him, so close that he could almost reach out and pet the little
thing. It was peaceful.

Chris broke his hypnotic gaze and looked behind at everyone else working
joyfully. There was Blake, his best friend, hard at work polishing an apple
he was most likely going to eat. Chris knew that Blake would not share that
apple even if his life depended on it. A thin smile formed on his lips as
he thought that he had ways of making Blake share his things that not a
soul knew about. They were best friends after all and he knew every nook
and cranny of the lad... well, almost.

Chris let his gaze wander beyond Blake and fell on Simon, his younger
brother. He was almost a mirror image of himself, just two years younger
and much longer hair. How his brother squirmed every time a pair of
scissors came within his sight. He really needed to get out of those
tattered clothes no matter how often Simon kept saying they were his lucky
clothes. For now Simon was lucky. They were a hundred miles out from the
closest port and a getting a new set will be quite difficult at the moment.
Simon, was at the moment, sweeping a corner of the deck while whistling a
tune to himself. He wasn't forced to sweep, he does it because some hours
of the day can get very boring for a 13 year old. Actually, when Chris did
look around, it was the most boring part of the day. All their chores were
done and lunch had been eaten and they were just waiting for the afternoon
nap time to come along before rolling up the sails for the evening, or
keeping it in check if the wind was favorable.

Chris went up to Blake and stared at the apple in hand, of which two bites
had been taken.

"Apple's sweet, Blake?', asked Chris in a voice he knew Blake would
register it as I want that apple.

"Well... it was too juicy at first. Took a second bite to check if it was
and found a worm in it. Well, half a worm now.", Blake replied as he looked
up at Chris. Chris raised a single eyebrow and knew that Blake wasn't going
to fall for it that easily. He really did not have to think too hard on
this one.

"Uh huh, and you're still going to go through that one, aren't ya? Tell ya
what, since you polished that apple real good, I'll take the half you
already bitten into. You know, the wormy part and you can have a fresh part
all to yourself", Chris told Blake.

"No way! Its disgusting but since I've already tasted the worm I think I
can go through the rest", shot back Blake with a slight grin. Well, Chris
thought that he knew almost everything about Blake there was to know, but
both being best of friends, it went vice versa too and not always did Chris
see himself on the winning side.

"But...", continued Blake, "C'mon, I kept another just for you. Simon had
already got himself an orange. Why were you standing o'er there on the bow
all statue like?"

"I was bored and just found myself there enjoying the air", replied Chris.

"Okay laddies, we're all going down below deck. The sun has already gone
way past its halfway mark", shouted a voice from above. Chris looked up and
saw Captain Murdock looking down upon them. Chris nodded his head and
stretched out his hand to pull Blake up. He looked to see where Simon was
and already saw him heading towards them.

"Simon! Let's go. It's time for our studies then.", shouted Chris to him.

"Already? Aww, c'mon. Can't I relax a bit today?", asked Simon as he
approached them with his puppy eye look.

"No you can't. If we ever want to captain a ship ourselves, we need to make
sure that we're smart and studying is the only way to do it.", answered
Chris. So the three of them headed down below and waved a goodbye to Blake
as he headed to his cabin.

"Kay Simon. I'm gonna heat up the water and get your bath ready. At least
finish a few chapters and then clean up and sleep for a bit."

"Alright, Chris". Chris headed off to the corner and put a pot of water on
the boiler allowing it to heat up. As he got the towels and Simon's clothes
ready, his brother opened up the a history book and started going through
it. He may be missing a couple of months of school but Chris did promise
his mother that Simon will be taught well.

After a half hour of studying and Chris all ready with the bath, Simon
stood up and started shedding his clothes which he kept very carefully on
the chair near his bed. Chris removed his clothes as well and put them in
the corner for washing.

"I'm gonna put these clothes to wash, you better get find yourself some
fresh ones to wear. I won't have no brother of mine smelling like day old
fish.", said Chris. Simon pouted and went to his chest to retrieve a fresh
set.

"But it better be washed by tomorrow, Chris. I want them back.", said a
sulking Simon.

"C'mon, lets get into the bath.", said Chris and pulled Simon into the bath
with him. The water was perfect and they both started cleaning themselves
with the wash cloth Chris kept ready. Chris got to see his brother growing
into a man at each bath and Simon got to see what sort of man he will turn
out to be. They washed themselves well and then Chris got out and started
drying himself off and passed the towel to his brother. They both dressed
up and each into their own beds fell asleep for the afternoon.

It seemed a quick nap for Chris as the sound of the clanging bell woke him
up. His bladder felt full and so left the cabin to make his way to the
toilet. He was thinking to himself that he should have woken up Simon but a
little extra sleep wouldn't hurt him at all. Chris reached the toilet and
heard some soft banging. The Cook must be calling everyone again, he
thought and walked in. First Officer Luis was on the pot with his face all
in a strain.

"Evening, Luis", said Chris but all he got in reply was a grunt and then a
plopping sound from the pot.

"Hey Chris, I shouldn't have tried my brother's homemade rum.", Grunted
Luis again. Chris stepped up to the next pot and fished out his tool. With
a sigh he let the stream flow free.

"At least your brother doesn't make it stink as well. I'm lucky." said
Chris as he shook the last few drops off, "Oh, and I'll be needing your
scissors soon to. Need to trim myself a bit."

"What ever for? We're not going to hit port for another couple of weeks. Do
it then. The gals will be happy for it." said Luis with a glance over.
Chris put his tool back in his pants and walked out of the toilet. He
headed back to his room and found Simon still asleep. As he shook him
awake, Simon whimpered something about five more minutes but Chris shook
him even harder and he finally shot up awake.

"Whacha go do that for? I was having a nice dream", said Simon.

"I can see that. The captain has no need for a compass if he gets his hands
on you. Now use that to point your way to the toilet for a pee and lets
head to the mess room. I'm famished. I wonder what Cook has on the pot
today." snickered Chris. After Simon left the cabin, Chris looked out the
porthole and saw that the sun was nearing the horizon. All that was left
today was to tidy up the mess room after dinner and then a bit more
studying for the both of them.

The door to the cabin creaked open and Simon had a shocked look on his
face.

"Chris.......I heard..." but Simon couldn't finish what he was about to say
as a loud bang echoed through the ship and then a violent shake made
everything, including Chris and Simon, fall to the floor.

To be Continued.......