ANCHORED

CHAPTER1

Jariel stood at the edge of the dock, the salty sea breeze ruffling her hair. The vast expanse of the ocean stretched out before her, promising new adventures and a fresh start. At 21, she had just graduated from the maritime academy, a feat she was immensely proud of. The past few years had been a whirlwind of rigorous training, sleepless nights, and countless exams, but it had all paid off. She was now ready to embark on her first voyage as a mariner.

Two years ago, things had been very different. Jariel had been in a serious relationship, one she thought would last forever. But life had other plans. The break-up had been tough, leaving her heartbroken and disillusioned. In the aftermath, she had made a vow to herself: no more distractions. She would focus solely on her career, pouring all her energy into becoming the best seafarer she could be while on the path to becoming a captain.

As she boarded the vessel, Jariel couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and nervousness. This was her chance to prove herself, to show that she was capable of handling the challenges that lay ahead. She was determined to keep her promise, to stay focused and avoid any entanglements that might divert her from her path.

Little did she know, however, that the journey ahead would test her resolve in ways she had never imagined.

As she walked up the gangway, the ship's imposing structure loomed above her. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of excitement and anxiety. She was greeted by Reynolds, the AB(able bodied seaman) on duty with a grizzled beard and kind eyes.

"Welcome aboard, Jariel," he said, extending a hand. "We're glad to have you with us."

"Thank you, she replied, shaking his hand firmly. "I'm excited to be here."

"Let me introduce you to the crew," he said, leading her onto the deck.

First, she met Chief officer luke, a burly man with a booming voice and a hearty laugh. "Welcome to the CCR Jariel," he said, clapping her on the back. "We'll make a fine mariner out of you yet."

Next was third Mate Rayer a tall, stern woman with piercing blue eyes. "Follow the rules, work hard, and you'll do just fine," she said, her tone brisk but not unkind.

Jariel was then introduced to the rest of the crew: the deckhands, the cooks, the navigators. Each one greeted her warmly, and she felt a sense of camaraderie building already.

The ship's crew welcomed her warmly, and she quickly settled into her new role. The days were long and demanding, but Jariel thrived on the hard work. She found solace in the routine, the hum of the engines, and the camaraderie of her fellow crew members. Here, she felt at home, far from the memories of her past and the heartache she had endured.

Finally, she was introduced to Amrey, her new roommate and fellow deck cadet. Amrey was a petite woman with short, curly hair and a mischievous grin. "Looks like we'll be sharing a room," she said, extending a hand. "I'm Amrey."

"Jariel," she replied, shaking her hand. "Nice to meet you."

"Come on, I'll show you to our cabin," Amrey said, leading the way up the stairs through the alleyway.

Their room was small but cozy, with two bunks, a small desk, and a porthole that looked out over the ocean. Jariel set her duffel bag down on the lower bunk and took a deep breath. This was it. Her new home for the next few months.

"So, first voyage?" Amrey asked, flopping down on her bunk.

"Yeah," Jariel replied, sitting on her own bunk. "Just graduated from the maritime academy."

"Me too," Amrey said. "It's going to be an adventure, that's for sure."

Jariel smiled. "I can't wait."

The days that followed were a blur of activity. Jariel threw herself into her work, eager to prove herself. She spent long hours on deck learning the ins and outs of the ship's machinery. Chief officer Luke was a tough but fair mentor, pushing her to her limits but always ready with a word of encouragement.

In the evenings, she and Amrey would sit in their quarters, sharing stories and getting to know each other. They quickly became friends, bonding over their shared experiences and dreams for the future.

One evening, as they sat on their bunks, Amrey turned to Jariel. "So, what's your story?" she asked. "Why did you decide to become a seafarer?"

Jariel hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "I went through a tough break-up a couple of years ago," she said. "It really shook me up. I decided I needed to focus on something else, something…