Tim

I ran my hands through my hair for what was probably the millionth time that day. So, we have a clue about what probably-most likely-all of this is about. But... Now what?

I thought about running off by myself so that maybe I could lure the Pirates into thinking I would lead them back to this family only to discover, I'm leading them to their doom.... Well that sounds dramatic, but yeah.

I look back at the family.

The last thing the Pirates would expect now would be them going back home, right?

I threw that thought away quickly. How idiotic can I be? Taking them back to their house would be a rookie mistake.

Think, Amanda, think!

I glance back at the family once more and smile despite myself. Cameron's so good with the kids; it's kinda adorable.

I shake my head quickly after I thought that.

Focus, Amanda, you gross romantic.

What the heck am I doing with my life?

Quickly, I suck some air in and decide that I should discuss things with Cameron. Business things. Yeah... Official things that need to be talked about....

I skip over to him and pat his shoulder.

"Hey, can we talk?" I ask as he whips his head around to see me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Josh smile with a mysterious glint of mischief.

"First comes love..." he teases before Cameron quickly makes him shut his mouth by smacking him upside the head.

I unsuccessfully try to hide my giggle and my blush...

Way to make that as awkward as possible, Amanda, way to be.

Regaining my composure, I say, "Nooooo, Josh, we need to come up with a plan."

I grab Cameron's arm and begin to try and lead him away but Cameron says, "Wait. Hayley said she saw Dad with one of the pirates before. Didn't you Hayles?"

I look at little Hayley to see her wringing her hands nervously.

"I.... I think so..." she whispers.

I squat down in front of me, my curiosity spiking.

"It's ok sweetheart," I encourage her. "Please tell me what you know so we can beat the bad guys."

Her eyes are downcast but she takes a deep breath and determinedly says, "Ok. If it saves the family..."

I nod and give her a smile.

"I... I think he's been scared for out safety for as long as I can remember and right up until he died..." she starts slowly.

Furrowing my eyebrows and look at Cameron who looks scared half to death at the thought of another secret his father kept.

"I... heard a noise, late one night. About... Three months before he died... Ironically it was the sound of 'hushing...' Scared cries to sssshhhhh..."  she continued anxiously, trying to remember ever detail.

"I crept down the stairs, and peeked in the room to see Daddy and... A man that looked a lot like the leader of the ones who attacked us. Daddy was frantic. 'Take what you want, I don't care, but you don't get my children..."

My brain stopped trying to analyze the situation for a brief moment and suddenly, I felt a huge whole in my heart, imagining what it was like to be Hayley that night.... I look up at Cameron again, and then at Josh. Josh is pounding one fist into his palm....

"I... I ran back upstairs after that..." Hayley admits shyly.

I nod... "Wow.... Ok. Thank you Hayley. That's very good to know."

Before I think about what I'm doing, I give her a quick hug.

Then I stand up and face Cameron.

"You ok?" I ask.

Instead of answering me, he looks at Hayley who winces at the sharpness of his words.

"Hayles, why didn't you tell anyone?"

A single tear escapes her eye and she struggles to keep her voice steady as she says, "I don't know.... I-I didnt know what I was supposed to do-"

"That's why you tell someone Hayles," he scolds, softly yet still intimating.

"Cameron, shut up!" Josh bites. "She didn't tell until now and there's no changing that."

Cameron glares at him but manages to hold back whatever biting comment I could tell he had thought.

"Thanks, sweetie," I call to Hayley before dragging Cameron a little ways away.

"Did you trust Josh?" I ask.

He scoffs. "No."

"Cameron, I'm serious."

"Why the heck do you ask?"

"Cause-"

I take a deep breath. "Look I know you think it's your job to protect the family and-"

"It is," he mumbles.

"I know, but would you listen for a second please???"

He reluctantly lifts his eyes from the ground to my face. "What?"

"Protecting them in this case may be... Leaving them somewhere-Somewhere safe! While you and I act as lures to the pirates."

"What? How is that supposed to work?" he demands.

"Is that something you'd be willing to try?" I ask, avoiding his question for now.

He bites his lip. "I... I don't know..."

"Would you feel better if I went by myself to find them?" I sigh.

"Not really, no," he mumbles.

I chuckle. "Need Princess Amanda to protect you?"

He turns red. "In all honesty? Yes."

I let out one more chuckle and sit on the grass.

"Look, none of the options for dealing with this crappy situation are going to sound any fun," I state frankly.

He nods.

"But... Do you trust Josh?"

He shrugs. "Yeah, I guess..."

"And Cameron?"

He turns to look at me. "Yeah?"

"Do you... Do you trust... Me?"

Amanda, you idiot why did you ask that...

He kicks at the grass and looks up at the clouds.

"Yeah...." he finally says. "Yeah I do."

Why did my heart leap when he answered that way?