[ IP ] The Forgotten Forts .

( I chose not to read the background and go solely off of the image ) 
 
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 I gasped for breath, spitting out sea water and trying to use the energy I had left to stay above water. The waves were hitting me on every side. Behind me, my ship burned, attacked by the most feared pirates in the seas. He took all our supplies and left my father and shipmates to burn. Never would I forget the fear I felt when I saw the Captain's great black flags approach our ship. 
 
 In front of me, I was amazed to see how many stars I could see. It was poetic, really, the pounding of the waves and the peaceful stars above, watching it all happen. I knew I probably would n't survive. The thought caused a panic to surge through me, gripping my heart. I cried out, but there was only empty sea. 
 
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 I'm not sure how long I blacked out, but when I came to, I was sure I was dead. First of all, I was extremely comfortable -- more than I had ever been during my 20-some years as a sailor. The second reason I was sure I was dead was because a beautiful girl with bright yellow hair was staring at me, her face not far from my face. I took a deep breath and began coughing. She rolled me over and I spit water onto the wooden floors. 
 
 `` Where am I?'' I asked. My mouth was dry and my body felt stiff. The girl handed me a glass of water. It tasted odd. I heard footsteps approaching and managed to sit up. The girl backed away and opened the door. A large man entered. He had red hair that waved to his shoulders and a long beard. He stopped when he noticed I was awake. He exchanged a glance with the girl, who then lowered her head. 
 
 `` Where am I, what's going on?'' I repeated, beginning to feel anxious. Outside, a bell began to chime and the large man tensed, looking towards the window. 
 
 `` Cap'n is returning, lads!'' A voice called from somewhere else. I pulled myself up to the window, where I was immediately shocked to notice the cabin I appeared to be in was somehow surrounded by the sea. The large man walked up behind me and pushed me back down on the bed. 
 
 `` I'll keep him hidden, papa,'' the girl said, eyes wide. The large man turned to me and spoke gruffly, 
 
 `` You want to know where you are son? You're in hell -- and you'll be praying soon enough that my daughter did n't have the idiocy to rescue you on her pearl dives last night.'' He stormed out of the room at another call from the man outside. My heart began to race and my mouth felt dry again. I pulled myself up to look out the window again. The girl tried to push me back down, but I was stronger. As I peered out the window, a fear returned that was much to recent to relive again: the ship with the great black flags approached, and I realized I had been rescued to the secret port of the band of pirates that had just taken everything from me.
