My eyes widened in utter astonishment. So, the stories were true. Giant whales breached and swam for as far as the eye can see. Today, we would not go home empty handed.

Over a year ago, I boarded the Essex for the first time. She was a sturdy, strong ship that renewed my confidence that would not sink. Although I was the only girl, and still at the ripe age of 14, I made a name for myself.

This wasn't the first time I'd been whaling with a crew full of men. Every time they underestimated me, but I always proved them wrong and became apart of their temporary family.

When I set foot on the ship, I only knew Owen Chase, the first mate from previous voyages. By then he was like a father to me.

I never knew my real father. He'd left before I was born and the task of raising me was dumped all onto my mother. She tried her best to be a good parent, and she really was amazing right up until the day she died. There was a sickness that spread through the area I lived in. I was lucky enough not to catch it, but my mom wasn't so fortunate. She passed a week after my 10th birthday.

Since then, I've been on three whaling expeditions, including this one. What I didn't know was this would probably be my last.

Back to current time, I stood on deck gazing at the vast valley of whales, dreaming of the fortune it would bring us. With the money from this trip, I'd finally be able to work back home as a nurse, healing people and finding new cures to sicknesses like the one that killed my mother.

"That's the jackpot." One man, William Bond grinned.

I hopped onto a boat with Owen Chase and my closest friend, Thomas Nickerson.

Thomas was the only person on the Essex who was my age. We met for the first time when Owen threw the poor kid over the side of the boat. I apologized to Thomas for my non-biological father's actions and since then, we'd become good friends.

I will admit, I did have feelings for the boy, but I set them aside. Now was not the time; we had more important things to think about.

I towed in sync with the crew, cutting through the water with incredible speed. Waves crashes on the side of the boat, splashing my face from time to time. I didn't mind because it was rather refreshing.

Finally, we were out far enough. Whales were all over, flying out of the water just inches away. I bet if I reached out, I could've touched one.

The crew was ready to hunt. They eyed the majestic sea creatures like a cat eyes a mouse. I decided to sit back and watch. I was better at catching then throwing anyway.

"Hey Y/n." Thomas nudged my arm to get my attention. "After this, do you think we can go home?"

I nodded. "I'm absolutely sure,
Tommy." Although I had used the nickname he hated, he ignored it.

"I'm excited to get back." He said. "How bout you?"

I thought about it for a minuet before replying. "Not really." I decided. "There's nothing for me back home. No family, no friends, nothing."

Thomas studied my expression thoughtfully. "Well, you have me now! I'll be there for you whenever you need anything."

I smiled at my friend. "Thank y-."

I was cut off by the crew's shouts. They'd caught a huge cow (female whale), and we're betting on how many buckets worth it would be.

Thomas and I stood up with the rest of the men. We all smiled gleefully, anticipating the whale's next moves.

The happiness was short lived. The boat began to shake like an earthquake, causing us to fall on its wooden bottom.

"What the-." Thomas stopped as the boat rocked more vigorously. Suddenly, it flipped, sending the whole crew flying off. Screams were cut short as men went under. The sea hit me like a block of metal, pulling me under as I desperately tried to swim to the surface.

I emerged from the ocean, gasping like a fish on land. My mind was a jumbled mess of panic. What had caused our boat to capsize just then?

My question was answered as a whale flipper as big as a house rose from the water. It came down violently, covering us in a blanket of saltwater.

I swam over to our sinking boat, trying to pull it out of the water along with some others. "Come on!" I cried. "I can't die today!"

Our efforts were unsuccessful, so I swam to a different boat. Some of the crew helped me up.

"What was that?" Matthew Joy asked frantically. I gasped, falling onto the wooden benches.

"I-it was huge!" Was all I managed to say.

Fortunately, we were all able to get back into the boat unharmed. I searched for Thomas aboard the ship and was relieved to find him clinging to a rope.

"Tommy are you alright?!" I ran over to him.

"Y-yeah. Just shaken up is all."

I sighed and embraced my friend. He seemed startled by this, but hugged me back anyway.

"I have to go find Owen." I walked away, leaving Thomas to stare after me.

Just as I saw Owen Chase, something big hit the ship, sending me spiraling to the floor.

"Ow." I mumbled getting up cautiously. I looked over the side of the deck only to see that giant whale once again.

This time, he had managed to make a hole clear through the bottom.

I stared in horror. The whale backed away, no doubt coming back to kill us all.

As the monstrous whale continued to ram the ship, the Essex began to rip. It caught me off guard, causing me to tumble toward the dark sea. I caught a rope before I could be consumed by the darkness.

The oil we had previously collected had leaked out, catching on fire. Anyone who fell off would drown and burn.

The monster hit the ship once again and I lost my grip falling further from safety.

Suddenly, I felt someone grab my arm. Looking up, I saw Thomas, a panicked look on his face, trying to pull me back up. His other hand gripped the railing, it was the only thing keeping us from certain death.

"Don't worry, Y/n!" He shouted over the roar of waves. "I've got you!"

I glanced back at his hand holding the deck. His grasp was slowly slipping with the weight of both of us. I didn't want to die, but I certainly didn't want to bring my friend down with me.

"Thomas!" I yelled back, for once not using his nickname. "You need to let go!"

The look of surprise almost conquered the fear in his expression, though only for a moment.

"What?! No!"

"If you don't, we'll both fall!" I cried. By the utter hopelessness in his eyes, I could tell Thomas knew. He just wouldn't except the truth. He couldn't.

"I am not letting you go."

His voice cracked with despair as his eyes began to water. I knew there was no convincing the stubborn boy. There was only one option left. I lifer my other arm, which until then had been dangling at my side, and grabbed his wrist. His eyes widened at my actions.

"Y/N, NO! Don't you dare let go!"

I ignored his pleas, excepting my fate. At least I'd see my mother again. I looked at Thomas one last time.

"I can't lose you!" He cried, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Please... don't let go!"

Guilt crawled to my throat, choking me. Guilt that I'd have to leave Thomas in this broken state, but my choices were limited. Leave him or have him die. I listened my grip on his wrist, lowering my arm. I pressed my fingertips to my lips, then brushed them over his hand as a last goodbye.

"I'm sorry, Thomas."

Grabbing his arm once again, I pulled myself from his grasp and hurtled toward the fiery destruction below.

Haha! Sadness and tear-jerking death scenes! My specialty! Told ya I'd make a longer one.
Surprise, surprise, requests are still open!

-JL4L