Menewsha Avatar Community - Saravi Boo's Little Dome On the Moon: Contest Extended! Win a Bleeding Hearts Fan!! See first page for details!

ok, let me find the first section of it, not posting the whole chapter but still. ok, sences 1 & 2.

Quote:

Waves washed against the pebbled beach where Matty Eldon sat. The freezing cold water of the North Sea rubs gently against his bare feet making him shiver. He hated the sea. He had done since his eight birthday. Still he found himself tied to the sea like a dog tied to a leash.

His father, uncle and grandfather were all anglers and he was meant to follow in their footsteps. It was supposed to be a birthday surprise, when his father awoke him from his bed in the morning. Squeezing his father's hand he followed him down towards the harbour and the little fishing boat that his family owned. The excitement grew as his father pushed the boat down the launch and into the water. Fishing was in Matty Eldon’s blood. At least that's what he though until today.

The waves played with the boat throwing it around. It appeared to him that sea was a child and the boat was its toy. When the waves hit the side of the boat it sounded like thunder to his ears. The spit from the waves made him cough from the taste of salt in his mouth. The fishing nets felt like they weighed a ton to his little arms. His hands kept slipping down the wet ropes he was pulling on unable to grip them properly. That’s when it happened. On moment he was standing next to his father the next he was gazing up towards the surface of the water. It felt like a weight was crushing down on his lungs. His vision became blurred and then dark as night. He was fighting for his last breathe and sea was winning.
When he awoke he found himself back on the boat. He could feel his father's freezing cold hands pressed against his chest. He was still alive. Before he could realise was happening he felt his father grip him tightly and pull him into a hug.

Matty spent the next few days locked-in his bedroom. The sound of the waves, the smell of fish everything reminded him of the boat. The memories haunted him. Even when he was sleeping he couldn’t escape. Embarrassed and ashamed he couldn’t look his uncle and father in the eyes. He wanted to be alone.

A week past before Matty finally left his bedroom. Barefoot he crept down the wooden staircase trying to make as little noise as possible. Being ready to leave his room didn't mean that he was ready to face his family. He didn't know how he was going to tell them, only that he had to tell. He didn’t want to be fishermen. He didn't even want to go near the sea.

“Finally out off your bedroom, I see. How’s our youngest sailor riding today?” Said a voice from the kitchen. Time didn't appear to be on his side.

Matty froze at the sound of his father's voice. Shaking he slowly turned to face his father. He knew he had to tell him and he had to tell him now. “I dad well you see.” For some reason the words just wouldn't come. He couldn’t help feeling nervous in front of his father.

“Son if you are feeling up to it we can get you back to fishing tomorrow.” Gavin interrupted before Matty even had a chance to finish his sentence.

Matty was starting to feel the pressure. Closing eyes he just said his feelings as fast as he could. “I don't wanna be fishermen!” The words left his mouth so quickly it was hard to understand what he said. He couldn’t believe what he just told his father. Their family had lived-in the village for 60 years. Fishing was part of their community. It’s how they got their food and how they got their money. Fishing was life in these parts.

He could feel his father's disapproving eyes staring at him. His heart was racing. It felt like drum playing inside his chest. Opening his eyes he saw the disappointed stare looking back towards him. His father didn’t blink or twitch, he was still. He could feel his heartbreak. His father’s eyes were like a dagger thrusting into his chest and ripping out his heart. Matty had a feeling his words did the same to his father. Last time he saw his father look so heartbroken was when his mother had died.

“I’m not going to force you into not living the life you want.” Gavin said after a while. His voice appeared to lack the conviction that he normally had. Matty didn't believe this to be the truth. He had hurt his father and he knew it. Fishing and sea was everything to Gavin and his brother Rodger.

He tried to overcome this fear of the sea since then. “You’re being too soft on the boy!” Or “if you don’t make him. He’ll never learn!” His uncle would cry. Gavin wouldn’t force him like his brother wanted him to. Every morning Rodger and Gavin would head out before sunrise and every morning on the way to the stables where he worked he would visit this cove. He hoped that feeling the water wash against his skin or listening to the sound of the waves would make him forget. He didn’t forget however. Five years on and he was still a scared as he was back then.

He sighed disappointing his father, like his fears still got to him. He was about to leave when he noticed something on the beach. From where he was standing it looked like clothing lying among the pebbles. Curious he approached the item. It wasn’t often he found thing washed ashore. ’Maybe a ship going to the port up the coast hand sunk. It was stormy last night’ Matty thought.

The item appeared to be a black fabric. It was cut, torn and shredder. Like an animal had mauled it to pieces. He reached down as the water rolled across it. The fabric felt damp and cold but at the same time was as soft as fresh golden sand. He rubbed his fingers down the smooth edge of the fabric. Excited he picked the fabric up from the beach studying it closer. He had seen this before.
It was Silk. It was imported to the port up the coast. He could feel his heart beating faster. He knew that silk fetched good price in the marketplace. From were he was standing he looked around the rest of the cove. There didn't appear any more had washed up. Putting the silk into his pocket he felt something hard and dry on the back. Matty turned the silk around. He gasped when he saw what was staring up at him. Dried red blood painted on the dark silk canvas.

His excitement quickly turned to fear. He was transfixed with the blood. ’Had the sea claimed another life and?’ Matty though to himself. He looked across the bay. It was empty, apart from one Fishing boat floating among the waves. He was desperate he needed someone to talk to. ’His father and uncle?’ He doubted that they would listen. There was always Jessica, the daughter of the stable owner and his best friend.

Turning away he walked up the hill at the back of the cove. The climb was steep but he was used to it by now and his mind was elsewhere. Reaching the main path he began to sprint towards the stables. He kept his hand in his pocket gripped onto the silk. Matty had been a decision. He would bring Jessica here.