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Chasing the Archangel- Chapter 4

10/5/2013

By Emma Dennis (Age 14)

The air feels as if it’s been knocked out of my lungs ever since I first saw Captain Ky face to face for who he really is: my brother, Samuel, who I thought I lost long ago. The silence is deafening, except for the quiet sounds of the ocean that have become white noise, no one says a word and that’s unusual for such a rambunctious bunch. The world seems to be happening in slow motion. Everything’s a blur.

Slowly but surely, the real world resumes and Christopher, my best friend for as long as I can remember, seems to begin to understand what I said. He looks as if his eyes might fall out of his head. “What do you mean he’s your brother?” I can only shrug in response. I don’t know what to say.

“You’re...” he stammers. “And you’re...” He looks back from Samuel to me, pure shock and astonishment in his expression. After a moment, he puts his hands to his forehead.

“This is ridiculous.” Looking at Chris, I furrow my brows. His shock I understand, because I was just as surprised, but he seems more angry than confused.

The lines etched across his forehead indicate his discontent. I don’t need to ask him to know that something’s wrong. “Chris, we need Samuel’s help to find Daniel. He is our only link,” I say with a stern face.

“He’s a pirate! He’s the reason my father is mis-”

“Finding Daniel is our priority right now.” I cut him off before he can finish the sentence. I initially tried to keep my voice calm, thinking I could reason with Christopher, but as I spoke, my voice raised. Chris’ jaw is set and much like his opinion, it isn’t changing. As I grow angrier with him, I hear the rumbling of storm clouds in the distance. I think I might be imagining them in my rage, but the cracking of lightning assures my suspicions. The grey sky rolls in just as my own storm clouds gather in my eyes.

“Are you ever going to trust anyone? Or are you just going to be juvenile and stubborn for the rest of your life?”

His facial expression stoic, Christopher’s lips purse. After a few moments, his face eases. “Okay, what should we do now?”

“According to my source, he was last seen at meeting another shipment,” Captain Ky says in a calm voice as he points to the island on his map with burned edges.

The raindrops sound like a million little marbles hitting the deck above, falling from that dust-coloured sky. That is the only noise for a while. I begin to wonder if Chris is going to say anything at all. Knowing Chris, he’s always got something to say. He always has to have the last word.

“We are only working together until we fi nd my father,” Christopher says with a harsh voice. “And then, I want you to be out of our lives.”

Then, we set to sail. Through the entire trip, Chris remained silent and reserved, only talking with me at dinner time. He did a lot of reminiscing, but I know it’s more than that. His real fear is, “what if my father is not who I think he was.” The thought haunts him like mosquitoes in the summer nights.

Samuel and I spent our time recalling childhood memories: the games we played, the silly jokes we shared and how our parents used to sing to us under the palm trees. At those moments, the young man
sitting beside me was never the dreadful pirate, Captain Ky. He was my dear brother, Samuel.

After a couple days of travel, we finally reached our destination – Easter Island. A dark smoke comes from the island and tall trees cover our sights from having a clear view of the shore. Its rocky shores struck fear into the boldest navigators because it could send any ship to the bottom if it broke through the ship’s haul. After we dock as close to the shore as we can, we hear a big explosion. That is our first big giveaway that there are people on this island. Now, it is time to explore.

Samuel gathers some of his men and weapons and we follow them on to the land. The sandy beach leads us to a dark and menacing jungle where we see a few exotic animals and plenty of vegetation.

As we travel further into the jungle, we see a lot of craters and fi ssures in the land. This is obviously left by the explosions. As we approach the rocky side of the island, we hear voices. We stand behind a few large rocks and observe the people that are on the island. Slaves are carrying huge sacks as men with guns shout orders. Daniel stands among the crowd of people giving instructions in his fine, expensive attire. I suddenly
know - he is their leader.

Learning Toolbox

New words (Level: Grade 5 - Grade 7)

Astonishment (as·ton·ish·ment)
Example: He looks back from Samuel to me, pure shock and astonishment in his
expression.
noun – 1. overpowering wonder or surprise; amazement.
2. an object or cause of amazement.

Juvenile (ju·ve·nile)
Example: Or are you just going to be juvenile and stubborn for the rest of your life?

adjective – 1. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or suitable or intended for young persons: juvenile books.
2. young; youthful: juvenile years. 3. immature; childish; infantile: His juvenile tantrums are not in keeping with
his age.

Literary Device:
Pathetic fallacy - As I grow angrier with him, I hear the rumbling of storm clouds in the distance.

Sometimes referred to as “personal forecast,” it is a literary term for the attributing of human emotion and
conduct to all aspects within nature. Pathetic fallacy is when an aspect of nature is used in literature to further
convey an emotion.

Try this on your own:
Connect the two words given and create a pathetic fallacy

Example: Happy / Rainbow
The colourful rainbow shines in the sky as my friends and I
finished our fundraising goal at our tiny lemon stand.

• Nervous / Dark clouds
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• Sad / Rain
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• Angry / Earthquake
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Questions for the reader:
Why do you think Chris was not willing to cooperate with
Captain Ky?
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Why did Chris remain silent during the trip?
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How do you imagine Easter Island?
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What do you think Chris will do when he meets with his
father, Daniel?
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What do you think happens next?
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Chasing the Archangel -Chapter 3

5/8/2013

Illustration by Ali Pilli

Kida and Christopher are captured by the pirates! Find out the truth behind Captain Daniel’s disappearance!

Haven't read the first two chapters? Read Now. Chapter 1 Chapter 2

Story by Emma Dennis

I try to force his name out of my throat, but I just end up feeling faint and losing my balance. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see the wild locks of Christopher’s hair springing through the crowd towards me, shouting something, but I can’t make it out. Everything is dizzy.

I hear Christopher’s familiar yet harsh voice, yelling at Captain Ky. “What did you do to her? I swear, if you hurt her…”

“Hey!” Captain Ky voiced. But he must’ve been cut off by my actions. I sit up suddenly, my eyes shut tight and my palm pressed to my burning forehead. I rub the heel of my hand into my squinting eyes, hoping it’ll give me a moment to clear my mind and get myself together.

“Kida,” Captain Ky says to me in an eerily kind voice that I used to hate and think was condescending when we were younger. He stares at me for a moment, as if he was examining the situation and deciding what to
do about it. That calculating stare is one of the very few things I remember about my brother.

“C’mon.” Captain Ky moves his hands under my arms, easing me up into a standing position
as if I were a baby learning how to walk. “Let’s get you off the board.”

Chris pushes his way through the pirates to try and save me, but he has been quickly outnumbered and captured. “I suppose he can come along,” Captain Ky says sarcastically, and the pirates laugh with mockery.

Captain Ky barks for them to get out of the way and make a path for us as he guides us to his quarters. After pulling out a jangling ring of keys to unlock the door with, the hinges make a long, unpleasant squeaking noise when Captain Ky pries it open.

There are small lanterns that sway gently from the waves smashing against the side of the boat, incasing dimly lit candles. Captain Ky takes a seat in a nicely furnished chair at the head of the room.

Captain Ky inspects us, and Christopher’s eyes narrow at him. He’s the first to speak, not surprisingly. “So? Why did you bring us in here, Ky?”

There was a glint in Captain Ky’s eye that suggested that Chris was threatening his patience, and I could feel Christopher seething with anger. “What did you do to my father?" Chris demanded.

“Your father?” Captain Ky’s eyebrow knit together in an expression of confusion. “What about your father?”

“You killed him, didn’t you? My father, Daniel,the captain of the Majesty.”

“I think there was some misunderstanding, but I remember him,” Captain Ky continues. “We intercepted his ship while his crew was gone. During our intrusion, we expected gold or other expensive metals, but your captain was on the ship dealing banned materials that had dangerous explosive potential .”

“That’s not true, I think you killed him,” Christopher interrupts.

“He didn’t give us any trouble. We threatened to take him captive unless he let us take what we wanted. He is a smart man; he agreed and we left.” Captain Ky explains.

Christopher denies, “You’re lying. I curse you Ky!”

“That’s not my real name. It’s the name of the Captain that came before me. I adopted it; my name is Samuel.”

“Fine, I curse you Samuel!” Christopher hisses. The way he slowly speaks my sibling’s name sends a shudder shooting up my spine.

Christopher clearly doesn’t take it well.

He stands up briefly, his lips curled back into a snarl. Samuel rises, also mimicking Chris’s actions. A captain will not submit on his own ship. “You’re a liar. It’s your fault he’s gone. You did it.” I’m only able to stare blankly.

“Believe what you want, little boy. Your daddy’s gone and I didn’t have anything to do with it.” Samuel’s brows furrowed, his eyes narrow dangerously at Christopher.

Growling, Chris pushes me aside and grabs Samuel’s collar. I see his hand pull back in a fist.

Suddenly, I find myself in between the two of them, shouting.

“Christopher, don’t! Samuel is my brother!”

Christopher’s expression drops. He looks lost. “W-What?”

Chasing the Archangel- Chapter 2

12/15/2012

illustration by Katie James, Story by Emma Dennis

A huge surprise awaits Kida and Christopher at sea as they continue their quest to save Daniel!

We’ve been sailing for days on end. I’ve lost count of how long it’s been. The entire crew is paranoid; everyone seems to be on edge. The only conversations I ever hear are in cautious tones, always about notorious pirates, and the dreaded, ever elusive Archangel. Not a word about the vessel has ever sounded remotely comforting. The crew consists entirely of men who were kidnapped as children, torn from their families and raised under a pirate flag. Men – or rather pirates –with no moral compass…from what I’ve heard.

The days are always dark and stormy. The nights are worse, and the light from the moon and stars, like our hope, is hidden from us. The sea has been rough, and that’s putting it lightly. Thunder is constantly booming all around me as single streaks of lightning ignite the dark sky, if only just for a second. The tossing and turning sea glitters with the brief strike of brightness and allows me to see a rather distressed looking
Christopher, sitting starboard. He runs a hand through his greasy hair, a look of frustration and near hopelessness carved into the features of his face. I sigh, a frown furrowing my eyebrows when I cautiously walk over and sit down next to him.

“Chris,” I say quietly, my voice weak. I sound just about as distraught as he looks. “We’re going to find him. I promise.” For a moment, I think he might just respond. But he doesn’t. His facial expression is unchanging, his jaw muscles taut. He looks as if he didn’t hear a single thing I said. But I know he did…he’s just ignoring me.

“Christopher, please.” Have I really stooped so low as to have to beg? I don’t even sound like myself. “I-” But I don’t get to finish. A sharp crack, perhaps thunder, cuts me off as the ship suddenly lurches to one side – as though something big had collided into us.

Christopher rises to his feet at the same time I do, his new found expression urgent and worried. A sense of confusion sweeps over the crew. They all scurry to the side where the impact occurred, and as we all look over the railing, we see it; the vessel we’ve all heard of but Christopher and I have never before laid eyes on, the elusive maroon sails of the Archangel.

The threatening, and surprisingly agile, crew clambers over both sides of the ship, weapons in their hands: pristine swords and stolen rifles from our navy. I didn’t expect the crew to be as lean and limber as they are, considering their appearances. The dirt and scraggly beards on their faces tell me they haven’t bathed in who knows how long. The bags under their eyes suggest they have had many restless nights, and the scars all over their bodies, some infected, tell me they’ve had more than a few battles. Their faces are mutilated into looks of growls and grimaces, evil smirks and snarls. In pirate fashion, the entire crew is to get on board before the finale, the big reveal, the presentation; when the Captain presents himself and decides our fate. Instinctively, all of the Majesty’s crew, me and Christopher included, back up into the center of the ship, our hands fumbling with weapons.

The band of pirates gather up some rope and bark at us to not dare touch our weapons…and we oblige. All except, of course, for Christopher.

“Chris!” I hiss at him through my teeth as I watch him struggle against the ropes that are binding him. I nudge the only part of him I can reach, as hard as I can.

He turns to me and scowls. “What do you think you’re doing?” He mutters under his breath.

“Saving your life!” I whisper, my tone harsh. “There’s too many of them. You can’t take them all on yourself. You’re just going to make them angry and wind up getting us all in a situation I don’t want to be in.”

An uncaring expression replaces his infuriated one. “So?”

“So?” I ask incredulously, as if sampling the word on my tongue and rejecting its bitter taste. “You’d really risk the lives of your crew members like that, so selfishly?”

I’m about to go on, but the five little words that follow hit me hard and the words die in my mouth: “They don’t matter to me.”

The way he said it, so calmly, so nonchalant, rocks me back on my heels. I cannot believe my ears.

“Christopher!” My voice is drowned out by the stomping of boots. In true pirate manner, the stomping cues the arrival of the Captain. I’ve heard plenty about the infamous Captain Ky, but I’ve never quite been able to picture him in my mind’s eye. First, I see a hand, and then another; gold rings – no doubt stolen – are emblazoned on each finger. Next, a tousled head of dark brown hair, much like my own, hidden underneath a large feathered hat becomes visible as he emerges ; two shoulders covered by a red, velvety material. As he appears in full sight, his face remains hidden by his enormous hat. The curiosity, the anticipation is torturous. Suddenly, the stomping ceases, and Captain Ky’s head finally flicks up, a proud smirk prying on his lips.

As the stomping of the boots stop, I swear my heart does the same. With widened eyes, I can’t stop staring at him. Captain Ky: the murderer, the thief, the scourge of the seas. Captain Ky with his electric green eyes, his dimples, his chestnut coloured hair. The entire ship is silent. There is not a sound, save for the screeching of the waves and the wind. There’s something oddly familiar about him, but I can’t put my finger on it. He begins to speak. “So, this is the Majesty. The Queen of your fleet.” He scoffs. “Pathetic.” I notice that he has a lisp, and it softens his harsh tone.

As his eyes graze over our crew, my thoughts go to Daniel and I wonder if he is on the adjoining ship, possibly tired and hurt. I wonder how we will get to him. Then suddenly the Captain’s eyes find mine, and his attention lingers for a moment. The condescending look in his eyes changes momentarily to an expression of curiousity, confusion, maybe even shock; and all other thoughts are driven from my mind. But then the moment passes, and he continues to take in the appearances of the rest of the crew.

My curiousity seems to give me courage as I find my voice. “What is it you want from us?” I ask. His face contorts into a look of absolute disbelief, and then surprisingly, a strange smile lingers there. Out of everyone aboard the Majesty, I’m sure I look the least menacing, the least likely to speak out. He looks uncertain as he replies, “Everything you’ve got. Medical supplies, ammunition…” he gazes at me intently and says almost as an afterthought, “and a hostage.”

The band of pirates stir, and share a few comments with each other, but Ky continues. “Unless the chosen captive comes with us, we’ll sink your ship…and I want you.” He looks straight into my eyes when he speaks, “A girl could be very valuable to us. My men need tending to, and there are chores to be done, meals to be made.”

I don’t like this. No, I don’t like this at all. But I know I must be brave. Be brave for the crew, be brave for Christopher, and be brave for Daniel.What would Daniel do? He would stand and have courage. He would do what is right.

“Fine. I’ll go with you.” I say, shaking but determined. Ky nods, and beckons a couple of his men to lead me to their ship. As I walk beside him, I fight back the salty tears that form in my eyes. He looks at me and suddenly his menacing demeanor fades away, and a look of compassion takes its place. Cautiously, he bends down and whispers something in my ear. I stop dead in my tracks, my eyes wide with complete disbelief. I nearly stumble backwards, my knees weak. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Christopher step forward with a look of concern. I shake my head frantically in refusual, shutting my eyes to barricade the relentless tears that fight to fall down my cheeks. The word tears from my throat, sounding like a scream. “No. No, no, no!”

I’m sure there’s some confusion, but I can’t hear it, my ears are ringing. I can’t hear a thing except for Ky’s voice, saying over and over again, ‘Kida, it’s me, Samuel. I’m alive.’ This can’t be happening. This can’t be true.

“Kida?” Ky looks at me, an eyebrow raised, his back turned to the rest of the crew, so no one can see his act of kindness, “What’s wrong?”

My head still shakes repeatedly, but I can’t deny it. His eyes, his hair, his voice, the patch of freckles on his cheeks. He is who he claims to be. I don’t want to believe it, but it’s the truth.

Captain Ky does not want me because I can clean, or cook, or heal. He does not want me because I am just any girl. He wants me because I am a girl with his eyes, his hair, his blood. The man who just moments ago could have killed me without a thinking twice, is the person I thought I’d never see again…my brother.

Read Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3

Questions to think about....
1. Why do you think Christopher was so willing to sacrifice the crew?
2. How do you think Samuel became a pirate?
3. What emotions do you think Kida was feeling when she recognized Samuel?
4. Which character can you relate to the most and why?

Chasing the Archangel- Chapter 4

Learning Toolbox

Chasing the Archangel -Chapter 3

Kida and Christopher are captured by the pirates! Find out the truth behind Captain Daniel’s disappearance!

Chasing the Archangel- Chapter 2

A huge surprise awaits Kida and Christopher at sea as they continue their quest to save Daniel!

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Chasing the Archangel- Chapter 4

Learning Toolbox

Chasing the Archangel -Chapter 3

Kida and Christopher are captured by the pirates! Find out the truth behind Captain Daniel’s disappearance!

Chasing the Archangel- Chapter 2

A huge surprise awaits Kida and Christopher at sea as they continue their quest to save Daniel!

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Archives

Quick Links

Contact Us

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