(Y/n)= Your name
(Y/s)=Your surname

I went out attracted by noises and shouts that came from the deck. What was happening over there? I found myself in front of an awful sight. The members of the crew were engaged in fighting against other pirates, but they seemed much stronger. I went in a corner trying to avoid the strokes, worried for what was going to happen. A strange man with a cigarette in his mouth came closer to me. I swallowed. "Are you part of this crew?" I nodded. Actually I wasn't exactly a member of the crew, but what else could I say? "Captain, what should we do with her?"A red-haired man went near us. "Come on, Beckman! Don't frighten her like that!" "She was part of the crew." Answered the man irritated. "Leave me alone with her." I started to fret, what he wanted from me? "Don't be afraid, I'm not used to harm nice girls. I'm Shanks." And he smiled at me stretching out his harm. "(Y/n), (Y/s)." And, hesitant, I clasped his hand. "So, (Y/n), would you like to join our crew?" I stayed quiet, without knowing what to answer. "Come on, do you really want to stay here alone?" I made an half smile, he seemed nice. I nodded. "Come, then!" I noticed something. That pirate had only one harm. I followed him. "Guys, she's (Y/n) and I thought that she could stay with us for a while. What do you think about it?" There were exclamations of joy. "Then we have to celebrate!" Everyone shouted happly. Where have I got to?

"Here we are!" The captain had told me that I could have a room on my own. "Sorry, (Y/n), maybe it's a bit small to be called a room, but..." "It's okay... Thank you." Shanks looked at me suspicious, then he smiled. " The celebrations are only delayed until we reach a certain island, don't worry." "Okay." "And if you have some problems, tell me." I smiled at him and he left me. It was right; the room wasn't really big, but it was my room, where I could sleep and spend some time alone, without answer for something of what I did and thought. I sighed and I threw myself on the bed.

Some hours later someone knocked at the door. "Come in!" I said sitting on the bed. "Don't I disturb, do I?" Shanks appeared behind the door. "No, no." "May I go in?" "Sure." I answered confused. The pirate entered and he sat next to me on the bed. "So, (Y/n), from the little things you've already seen... How do we seem?" "Strange." I answered without thinking, I lowered my gaze embarassed. Shanks laughed and placed a hand on my shoulder. I shivered at that contact. "Anyway we are going to arrive, prepare yourself." I swallowed. "Okay."

I couldn't imagine that I should have prepared myself to something like that: these were real celebrations. When they've attacked the ship on which I was they seemed pirates without scruples, while now... People that had fun and enjoyed life. "Capitain, anyway it's not right that only you could enjoy the presence of (Y/n)..." "Ahahah! I'm the captain of this ship; it's obvious that I have to try to make new members settle in!" "Only when you have to do with nice girls..." "What are you hinting at?" At that point I lowered my gaze losing the thread of what they were saying. Maybe I had decived myself thinking that Shanks wasn't like my captain... For which other reason should he want to keep me with him?

The next morning I went in the room of the captain. "(Y/n)... What are you doing here at this time? Do you need someth..." His eyes went wide as he saw that I have let my dress slide on the ground. I lowered my gaze. "What are you doing?" His voice has become serious. "I thought that..." I stopped on the last words. I felt him came closer and I took a deep breath, ready to do what I have to do. I felt something fall on my shoulders. It was the cloak of Shanks. "Did you think that I had took you with us only for this reason?" I nodded, confused. "Where did you get this idea?" "The captain of the other..." And I drew close to the cloak, while tears started to run down my cheeks. I felt his harm wrapping around me, accosting me to his chest. I stiffened for a brief moment and my eyes went wide, then I clinged to him starting to sob. "Don't worry, (Y/n)... Calm down." And he gave me a kiss on my head. Finally I calmed myself. "I'm sorry..." I whispered. He lifted my chin. "You don't need to worry. Here nobody is going to do something to you you don't want, okay? And if someone will dear come closer to you he'll have me to deal with." I smiled at him. "Thank you, Shanks."  That pirate was making me feel safe and at home, for the first time from years. My life could have been changed... And surely for better.

31/12/2016