Wicked Runaway: A Mark Cannidor Adventure

Chapter Five

He had been accused of another crime he didn’t commit. The woman called Brenda had accused him of leaving a bloodied ostrich in her room and stealing some of her late mother’s jewels. It was such a subliminal crime which Mark, of course, knew in his heart he could never achieve. She was so upset that she had to be escorted by Jayne and some of the other ladies below decks, where the captain instructed that she was given a strong brandy to calm her nerves.

It was all an act. This was like living in some sort of bizarre nightmare. Young Mark Cannidor had been taken below decks as well and was locked away in a cramped and uncomfortable cupboard, isolated with little space to move about. He had been in there for hours. He had lost track of what was happening outside of these four walls. However, the other crew members were disgusted, and some were quite clearly frightened. The only company he had inside the cupboard was that of a large rat which was staring at him, sniffing, and looking for the right opportunity to take a nibble at his feet.

‘Shoo!’ Mark screamed, waving, and kicking, hoping for the rat to go away. The rat squealed in fear and went off into hiding, leaving the young lad on his own once again.

Mark was beyond help. There was no way to guess what was going to happen to him next. He just wanted to be back with his parents, his friends, his community, back to his old life. He wanted to know where those other children he had met days before were. Surely, two young children couldn’t just get up and leave. The real mystery was that Mark had no idea whether they were real, or just a figment of his imagination. The very thought made Mark shudder. He had been thinking about them quite often over the past few days, thinking they were there to tell him something. Anything. Was there a reason that two young children upped and left like that?

It was no good. He was going stir crazy.

Then there was a knock on the door. Mark hit his head on the wood of the low ceiling as he jumped up in surprise. It was an unexpected visitor.

‘Who is it?’ Mark hissed in agony, rubbing the top of his head which was now sore. He was feeling rather nauseous as well. The last thing he needed at a time like this.

‘It’s me’.

The door opened. It was Lorenz.

‘What are you doing down here?’ Mark asked, trying not to hit himself on the head again.

‘I’ve come to make sure you’re alright,’ Lorenz responded, crouching down to Mark’s level. ‘I know you’re not supposed to have any visitors, but I was so worried about you that I had to do something to bail you out. So, I spoke to the captain…’

‘What?’ Mark asked, surprised, standing up. ‘You shouldn’t have done that! You could have gotten into a lot of trouble!’

‘I know, I know,’ Lorenz continued. ‘But I had a plan. I told him that you were with me when that happened. You know…when that batty old woman claimed that her necklace was taken?’

Mark was adamant that it wasn’t him. He explained everything that had happened over the past few days and implored on Lorenz to believe him. It was such a relief that Lorenz was on his side, and he understood what Lorenz meant as he nodded gratefully.

‘It wasn’t. Turns out she left her necklace in the captain’s quarters earlier. And the ostrich wasn’t even an ostrich. She has been sneaking her dinner to her room every night for the past few weeks. Being out at sea like this has driven her stark crazy. The captain and his main crew are having words with her. Anyway,’ Lorenz continued. ‘The captain is willing to give you one last chance. And he means it this time. But you have to promise to stick by my side at all times. No more wandering off in the middle of the night or anything. Just stay with me and no one will be hurt. Understood?’

Mark nodded in agreement.

***

‘Is someone trying to follow me or something?’ Mark asked Lorenz later that evening. Captain Malcheffi had agreed to allow Mark and Lorenz to live together once again. They had a small twin room towards the bottom of the ship near bow. There were no windows, and the only light came from a candle sat on a table wedged between Mark and Lorenz. It was so much better than the last place Mark slept in. Much more room in Mark’s opinion, and at least he could read a book if he wanted to.

Instead, that evening had been spent catching up with his best pal on board the Lady Sinatra. They had spent the whole evening chatting about places all over the globe. Lorenz had been to New York and was just reminiscing about a time he cooked for a rich family in Hudson, when Mark had a sudden concern.

Was someone setting themselves out to kill Mark and his family?

‘Why would you think that?’ Lorenz asked, frowning as he shuffled a pack of playing cards in his hands.

Mark shrugged.

‘Maybe it’s because all this weird stuff has been happening since I’ve been here?’ Mark suggested. ‘I don’t know. Does it not seem odd to you? I mean, I saw the way the captain spoke to that man over dinner yesterday. He was trying to humiliate me. He was trying to make it sound as though I was a raving lunatic. He deliberately went out of his way to make me feel bad. I just…I don’t trust Malcheffi. You know what I mean?’

Lorenz laughed.

‘Cheer up, mate,’ Lorenz said. ‘Who on God’s mightiest Earth would want to kill you? You’re only a kid, for crying out loud. You’re just as innocent as I am’.

Lorenz had a point. Mark was unable to answer that question. Maybe his imagination was getting the better out of him. He had all sorts of crazy thoughts ever since that day he was taken away from his father. The real question was – what motive did the captain have to keep him on board?

It was late by the time Mark managed to at least try to get some sleep. Yet he did not realise that, above them, more mysterious things were happening on board the Lady Sinatra. More bags of gold had gone missing. Personal belongings were being set alight. The ship was being destroyed. Bit by bit. Crumbling apart by some mysterious person who had been trying to frame Mark. Whoever it was, they were succeeding.

There were unexplained illnesses, strange sounds, and much more going on above them.

And Mark had nothing to do with it.

Mark didn’t get any sleep that night. It was much more turbulent at the bow of the ship, and it was a rough night at sea too. No peace at all. The waves crashed much louder down below decks. He tossed and turned in his bed, restlessly trying to concentrate.

It didn’t help that Mark’s mind kept swimming with all sorts of bizarre thoughts and ideas. He experienced hallucinations. Thoughts about approaching the captain’s quarters in the dead of night. Malcheffi was asleep in his bed. He was the only other person on board this ship. A hand reached out to grab the captain. But there was a light. A flash of white light. Then there was pain. There was a painful cry. A cry for mercy. A plea for forgiveness…

There was a scream. Then there was a cry for the captain.

It was a cry for help.

Mark woke up with a start.

‘Lorenz!’ Mark whispered, getting out of bed. He tried to shake him, in a bid to wake his friend up. However, Lorenz simply grunted and turned away from Mark.

This was hopeless. Mark didn’t want to put himself in more bother than it was worth, but he had to find out what all the commotion was about. He felt guilty promising Lorenz that he would stay put, when in fact he was completely going to go against his word. All for the sake of another scream, another cry for help. However, if anything was about to escalate, he could be in the wrong and his fate could end in a much worse position. He didn’t want to risk all that.

It was about time that he proved his innocence.

He snuck out of the room. He grabbed his satchel just in case. The quill would work as a useful weapon in case he needed to defend himself. The rest of the items in his satchel were his only safety blanket. They may not be very useful, but they were the only reminders he had of his home.

As he managed to sneakily set foot outside of the room, two women dressed in brown raced past Mark down the corridor. They seemed to be in a hurry. Mark was quick to follow them, being careful not to be seen. He followed the women towards the main deck which was almost empty save for two men in uniform. The men wore trench coats and had what appeared to be swords sheathed in scabbards. Mark had to hide. If anyone saw that he was out of bed…

He hid behind a pile of wooden boxes, where he sat and listened intently as the women approached the men.

‘He’s out of bed,’ one of the women said.

‘Ridiculous’.

‘Wicked individual, that one’.

‘Has the captain been notified?’ one of the men asked.

‘I should think so,’ one of the women responded. ‘I think there is a meeting in his quarters’.

‘Where is he now?’

‘I don’t know,’ one of the women said. ‘He could be anywhere on board this ship. I doubt he would be in his room, but it might well be best to search there just in case. If you see him, capture him straight away. Take him to the captain immediately. Why they let him on board in the first instance, I shudder to think’.

‘You should go to the meeting,’ the other man suggested. ‘We’ll wait here and keep a watch out on the main deck. Find out what’s happening. He can’t have gone overboard just yet. We’ll catch the little rat soon enough’.

‘Well, make sure the little rat is alive, for goodness’ sake,’ the woman said. ‘It’ll flay Malcheffi if he doesn’t get his bare hands on him’.

Mark had to wait until he was out of sight before he could follow the two women. The captain’s quarter was located towards the rear of the ship, and without any way of hiding on the way down there, Mark had to be quick. He snuck below deck, being careful not to be noticed. He froze as he bumped into a young girl with a blonde plait and a blue dress. But she asked for directions to the main deck. Mark was surprised that she didn’t recognise him.

That was a close call. If he had been caught…

After a few moments where he continued to remain hidden, he found himself outside of Captain Malcheffi’s quarters. Mark knew he had to hide somewhere near the door. He just had to listen in on what was happening. Perhaps he should return to his room? However, he didn’t want to face Lorenz. Not now. Not when he had breached his best friends trust. Mark had broken his promise to Lorenz. He snuck out in the middle of the night. Looking for trouble.

This was all his fault.

Lorenz would never forgive him for this.

Just then, Mark heard his name from inside the captain’s quarters. He stepped closer to the quarters to listen. Something had happened, and they were blaming him. But how could it be Mark’s doing? Mark was in bed, asleep. Mark was with Lorenz. Surely, if the captain had put his trust into Lorenz, he could see that Mark was not at fault here?

How very wrong he was.

‘Shut up! All of you,’ Malcheffi commanded. ‘Now- listen to me for just one moment…’

There was outcry when Malcheffi told his crew that he may be innocent after all, and that they will return him to England as soon as possible.

Was this actually possible? Could the captain truly be on his side? Mark had been eager to prove his innocence, yet suddenly his prayers could be answered after all. It was about time, too. The captain should have known sooner…

Then one of his crew members demanded that he, Mark Cannidor, should be thrown overboard. There were loud murmurs of agreement, and Mark decided his only choice was to get out of here. Off this ship. As quickly as possible. One way or another, he had to leave. His very life depended on it. There was no longer any hope left for him. None at all. This was what he had to do. He was on his own now. It was time that he fended for himself.

‘Psst!’

Mark turned.

It was Lorenz. He was peering round the corner. Mark started and joined him.

‘What are you doing here?’ Lorenz whispered. ‘Didn’t I tell you not to run off? This is dangerous, mate. You could get both of us into a lot of trouble for doing this’.

‘I’m sorry,’ Mark responded. ‘I heard a commotion, and then I heard my name, and I had to find out…’

‘That’s going to get you in a lot of trouble,’ Lorenz snapped. ‘Sneaking off in the middle of the night? You’ll be better off handing yourself in to the authorities! At this rate, the crew are going to capture you and take you in. That’s the end of it’.

Mark looked at the ground, feeling miserable.

‘Sorry mate,’ Lorenz continued, feeling guilty. ‘I’m just trying to protect you’.

Mark shrugged.

‘I suppose you’re right,’ Mark sighed. ‘What happens if I’m tried?’

Lorenz shook his head.

‘I’m sure that won’t happen’.

‘Are you sure?’

Once again, Lorenz shook his head.

‘I don’t know for certain’.

Mark looked back towards the door of the captain’s quarters. Then he heard more shouting.

‘That is preposterous!’ one of the crew mates shouted. Then he heard shouting from some of the other crew.

‘He’s a thief!’

‘He’s a coward!’

‘He’s an i***t!’

‘He’s a moron!’

Mark looked nervously back towards Lorenz.

‘I am not trying to make excuses for the damned boy!’ Malcheffi snapped. The crew members inside had fallen silent. ‘I have had my own suspicions with the young lad since the day he boarded this ship. I told his father he was not welcome on board, yet he disobeyed my orders. We took him in, and I have given him far too many chances. I admit that this is all my fault and I do take full responsibility. However, he has abused my trust’.

‘I’m sorry,’ Mark whispered. ‘I’ve got no other choice’.

Mark thought Lorenz would start pleading with him. He thought Lorenz would try to parent him, stop him from making the biggest mistake of his life.

Instead, Lorenz simply shrugged.

‘I can’t stop you,’ Lorenz explained. ‘It’s not my duty to look after you. I am, after all, your friend. All a friend can do is support their friend in any way they can. If you feel that this is the right thing to do, I’m right behind you’.

Mark was lost for words. On board the Lady Sinatra, a ship clearly full of hatred and disgust for Mark, there was one truly good person who loved Mark for who he was. Lorenz was the person he loved the most, apart from his parents that is. Lorenz understood Mark, and Mark was full of trust for him. Without thinking, Mark gave is best friend a hug.

‘Okay then,’ Lorenz said happily, patting Mark on the head. Then he did something that Mark did not expect. Without hesitation, he drew out of his pocket a purple box.

‘Here,’ he said, handing the box to Mark.

Mark took the box. It was purple. To his horror, it had sleek, golden handwriting on the box:

The Wand of Captain S. Malcheffi

‘Where did you find this?’ Mark asked with seethed shock and curiosity.

‘I stole it from the captain myself,’ Lorenz explained. ‘I found it on his desk shortly after we left Denmark. Luckily, he doesn’t know it’s missing. If he does find out, he can never suspect anyone but you. And you’ll be long gone by then. I’m sure I’ll probably get it in the neck. But he’ll panic. He’ll fear for the worse just like you are now. He’ll be weak’.

Mark laughed.

‘I bet he’ll be furious,’ he surmised.

‘He won’t be the only one’.

‘I’d love to see the look on his face’.

‘I will get to see the look on his face’.

Mark and Lorenz chuckled for a few moments. Soon after, Mark removed the wand from the box and gave it back to Lorenz.

‘Why are you giving this to me?’

‘I don’t want to make it too obvious that it’s gone,’ Mark explained. ‘If he asks where it is, just don’t say anything to him. He cannot blame you really, can he?’

Lorenz shook his head, reluctantly agreeing with him. Then he took a deep breath.

‘Listen – there is one thing you should know,’ Lorenz told Mark.

Everything else had been drowned out. Mark listened intently to what his friend had to say.

‘You are him,’ Lorenz said. ‘You are the one we need to stop this from happening. I cannot say any more here but trust me. You’re going to need that wand for as long as it takes. Don’t let anyone know you have that. Don’t lose it, either. If that gets into the wrong hands, then the world we live in could change forever. Understand?’

‘Wait, what?’ Mark asked. He was confused. At first, he thought Lorenz told him that he was him. What did that mean? And what was he supposed to do with the wand.

‘I’m not saying anything else,’ Lorenz said. ‘Just go. Get yourself off this ship now. Go to the first place you can think of. And I’ll meet you there. Trust me’.

Mark felt miserable. The first place he wanted to go to was back at home in England. How was he supposed to do that on his own?

The penny dropped. He had no choice but to do this.

‘Will you be okay without me?’ Mark asked as he stepped away.

‘I’ll manage,’ Lorenz said, chuckling. ‘Do what you need to do. Just promise me one thing’.

‘What’s that?’

‘Wait for me in Alliva’.

A second later, Lorenz disappeared. Mark had no idea what Alliva was, and he was so desperate to run after Lorenz and ask more questions. But he had little time. He so desperately wanted to change his mind and stay here with Lorenz. The trouble he’d be in if the captain found out he had escaped. Yet it was the people who were inside of the captain’s quarters who made Mark wish to disappear forever. He wasn’t going to stand for these accusations. One way or another, he was determined to leave the Lady Sinatra. And he hoped that Lorenz would join him one day. Wherever he may be.

Mark ran out onto the main deck and observed his surroundings. There were rescue boats towards the starboard. Crew members on the deck were busy attending to their duties. Children were playing on the main deck. One woman shouted at the children to be careful.

There was still no sign of So and Jay. Perhaps they were a figment of Mark’s imagination? The children who were playing on the main deck looked nothing like them. How could they have disappeared like that?

He looked down at the box and opened it. Inside was a black wand. Mark didn’t know any spells. He wasn’t a wizard, so how would he know how to use this wand?

Then again, he saw the spell Malcheffi’s wife conducted when she set him free. Was that what he was meant to do? Or could he do this without saying anything? Maybe, just maybe…

Perhaps he just had to use his gut instinct to control what the wand did for him.

He thought as quickly as he could. Mark pointed his wand towards the main mast and commanded for it to be set alight. That way, it would cause the diversion that he needed.

It worked. The crew stopped their work straight away to attend to the damage caused. There was yelling and fits of anger. And confusion about what could have caused such damage.

This was his chance. His only chance.

One way or another, he was going to make it.

Mark pointed the wand towards the rescue boats. He didn’t need words for this. All he needed was a clear image in his mind. If he could use his mind to command a rescue boat to drop into the ocean…

He thought about it. But then the instruction didn’t come clearly to him. What did he want the boats to do? What were the exact words to command the boats to do what he wanted?

There was not a moment to spare. The door to the captain’s quarters opened. Mark had to think quickly. He pointed the want towards the racks holding the little boats. He tried to do this as quietly as possible. But it didn’t work out quite the way Mark had intended it to. Instead, there was a loud crash, and at least a dozen rescue boats crashed into the water.

Some of the crew looked around for the source of the commotion. The children stopped playing, and one of them noticed Mark brandishing his wand.

‘Look!’ the girl shouted. ‘That boy is escaping!’

It all happened in quick succession. As Captain Malcheffi stepped outside of his quarters, he noticed Mark with his wand.

‘Oh no you don’t!’ Malcheffi shouted, starting towards Mark.

It was too late. Mark was prepared to make a run for it. He ran towards starboard.

And dropped the purple box.

‘You get back here at once!’

Crew members from everywhere tried to grab hold of Mark. The wand in his hand was shooting sparks all over the place. Feeding off the emotions Mark experienced at that moment. Crew members had their wands out too and attempted to disarm Mark. But it didn’t work. Mark turned out to be too quick for them.

He reached the edge and realised the only choice he had was to jump overboard. Quickly, he magicked a crate overboard, hoping there would be some supplies there to keep him going until he reached land or civilisation. Behind him, he could hear screams and shouts from the crew behind him. He jumped overboard and missed one of the boats. Crate in his arm, Mark struggled to swim, missing gunshot after gunshot from the crew up above. Finally, he made his way to the boat and managed to clamber in, painfully bringing the crate with it.

A shot hit the boat from up above. Mark violently tapped the wand onto the back of the boat, and it started to float above the rough waves. He sped off without a second thought.

He had escaped the Lady Sinatra. This was his journey to freedom at long last.