After dragging the crate as far up the shore as she could, and retiring for the night, she was heightened by the fact that she seemed to have the last part to her escape supplies.

She had woken, earlier the usual, and ran back to where she hoped the crate lay. And sure enough, even if the waves had carried it back, it was far too heavy, even for their great power.

As tired as she had been last night, it hadn't stopped her to wonder all night what else had been hidden in the crate, to large, or in such an awkward position for her to pull out.

Today, she told herself, she would return, break open the boards, and reveal whatever other treasures rested in the crate.

The sun had just begun to rise, sending thin stretches of light across the blank sky, when she had stepped foot on the beach.

Running fast over to the crate, she bent over it. Now that there was light shining, glaring around her, she could see much better. 

Shadows no longer hugged the inside of the crate, and objects were dimly visible. Taking the sword from her belt, she placed it under one of the nails, embedded into the boards, and heaved upward.

It sprang loose without a sound, leaving a distinct hole where it once sat. 

Repeating the process on the opposite nail, she lifted it free, pulling the board with it.

Removing the board, new rays of light illuminated the objects inside. With the hole bigger and more accessible to the articles inside, she reached her hand in once again.

This time, she felt around before pulling her hand out, and when it ran across a smooth, cool surface, she pulled it gently out of the crate. 

It was a bottle, a smooth, dark liquid filling up to where the bottle curved to the nose. There was a cork in the opening, and the liquid swirled when she shook it. 

Popping it open she squinted inside the nose, tipped it to her mouth, and slipped.

She coughed it all up almost immediately.

Reaching for the canteen at her waist, she drank, overpowering the taste in her mouth.

Only when it was gone did she think of a name that her mother had told her.

Rum.

If she was correct, and she usually was, this vile liquid was rum.

And she hated it.

Setting the bottle on the sandy beach at her toes, she reached in again.

This time, her hand ran across a more rough surface, one of cloth. Pulling it out and holding it up to the rising sun, she examined the surface. It was small, small enough to fit in the palm of her hand, but large enough to hold a number of small articles.

The top was pinched, sealed by strings dangling from the sides. Pulling open the top, she emptied the contents onto the board. A handful of small, silver coins came toppling out, sending clinking sounds across the waters.

Picking on up in her hands, she examined the markings on both sides. 

She hadn't seen them before, and such, placed them one by one into the bag, counting them as she did. Thirtytwo.

Tying the strings to her belt, and tugging on them gently, she moved on.

And on she went, the process of picking out treasures after treasure until noon struck and she was forced into the trees for shelter.

By then, she had plenty of objects to roll over in her hands and turn from side to side. Another canteen, full to the brim with fresh water. How it had stayed intact, she did not know, and that was stashed under a bush nearby, where other supplies lay.

At least half, if not more, of the boards, had been removed and she planned to attach them onto the raft as needed.

Then there was the hat. Shocked into silence, she had hardly moved when her hand ran across it, but soon, snapping out of her daze, she turned it over and over again. It was a flat hat, more of a feminine feel to it, and a feather lay on the left side, extending off the brim.

It was a bit damp, but after sitting it out in the sun for hours, it had dried and was now on her head. 

There were the countless other objects in the crate as well, others she had pulled out and were now sitting beside her, and others were still sitting in what was left of the pile of boards.

But now, she had other plans, ones which involved her raft, or rather, boat.

Snatching up the bottle or rum, and other articles laying around, she made her way through the trees and vines, toward the most secluded point of the island. To where she kept her secrets.

And sure enough, arriving with a light sheen of sweat across her brow, she spotted it.

As a procession, she had covered it in the huge leaves that shielded her from the sun's rays. Up close, the disguise was easily dismembered, but from far away, it seemed to blend in perfectly with the surrounding foliage. 

Striding forward, she swept away the leaves onto the ground, revealing the boat.

It was square in shape, with a mast and sail in the middle, protruding upward.

There was a pile of supplies cluttered around it, away from the edges.

The sail was a ruined sheet she had found washed up on shore, and with the new, she had found wrapped tightly in the crate, she intended to replace it.

Hours passed by as she placed finishing touches of the raft, ran back and forth between the now dismembered crate and the hidden boat. And finally, with a grin on her face, she stepped away and stared.

It was, if she looked hard enough, a beautiful thing. Now there was the matter of getting to the shore.

Easier said than done.

The craft was near enough to a river that ran through the island to push it in, and see it to the beach.

Then there was the risk of letting one of the mermaids seeing it, as it ran close enough to the pools. 

Deciding to take the risk, she heaved and pushed with all her might to the starboard side of the boat dipped into the water. Wiping her brow, she pushed more, until the entire vessel was floating and the water was up to her calf.

Gripping the rope attached to the mast, she pulled herself aboard.

The boat floated gently down the current, bobbing up and down. There was a slight wind dripping through the cool, night air making her hair rustle along with the brush on the sides of the river, causing them to dance.

With the mouth of the river in sight, she jumped off the boat and tied it to a tree, steadying it.

Walking ashore, she ran through the supplies once more, counting silently in her head.

"You're leaving." The voice made her freeze midway through one of the bags. Without looking around, she envisioned what the surrounding ground looked like. If she was correct, there were no pools, but then again, she was standing in a stream.

"You're leaving." she was still bent over the bag.

"Tamara--"

"You're leaving." It wasn't a question, nor an inquiry.

"Yes."

"Stay. Stay and you will be safe. Stay and you will live."

"Tamara, I have to go." She didn't speak, and Temperance turned. Resting on a rock, was Tamara. She was, in her opinion, on of the more friendly of her caretakers. When she had been caught climbing the mountains, Tamara swore not to tell.

When she asked about her mother, Tamara would tell her secrets the others would never reveal.

When she received wounds when younger, Tamara was the one who would stay after the others had left.

And now, she was sitting there, her arms crossed, resting on a rock in the middle of the current.

"I have to go." She spoke in a whisper, and she wasn't sure Tamara had heard her until she spoke.

"Your mother would have wanted you safe."

"My mother is dead." There was no response.

"Tamara, I'll come back. I promise." Her voice was pleading, and it surprised her coming our of her mouth.

"Stay and you will not have to return." She sighed and sat on the boat. Almost at once, tears came. They flooded her eyes, causing her vision to go bury. Salty dropped rolled down her cheeks.

The was a splash of water and a hand on her knee. She sat there, the sun setting behind her, casting rays of shadows.

Tamara held her hand as she cried, and when she had finished, and all the tears seemed to have dried, she looked forward.

"Go. We will always be here."

"Tamara--"

"Go," her hand gripped her own. "Call if you need."

"I will."

"Then go, and return."

"I will, I promise." She smiled slightly, and released her hand, sinking back into the water.

"What about the others?"

"They need not know." Untying the rope from the tree, she stood and watched her fade as she traveled downriver. Until finally, coming upon the open water, she turned her head to the setting sun. 

Thanks so much! So sorry if it seemed rushed! I love you all! Corrections are welcome!!!

https://youtu.be/4huNPAGLg10

This is a trailer (KILL ME NOW XD) that I made. *Dies* Excuse my HORRIBLE filmmaking skills, I have none. Thank you all for bearing with me through this awfulness. 

WARNING: IF YOU DO HAPPEN TO CATCH THEM, THERE ARE SPOILERS!!! XD

THANK YOU ALL!!!

~Kelly~

PS, My filmmaking skills are nonexistent. If you think the video sucks, then deal with it, because I cannot make a trailer to save my life.