Dear Captain Teahan

Hello, everyone! I entered this flash fiction piece into The Writer Games' Arena Mini Contest. I was so excited when they announced it took first place for the round! So very grateful for the work they put into this contest every January. Check out their site here: https://thewritergames.weebly.com/*

Dear Captain Teahan,

You forgot about me, didn’t you?

You thought no one saw death sail close enough to shake your sails. Or the crew member that raised his gun. Or how you failed, turned too late to save yourself.

You though no one heard the shot shatter the air.

But it didn’t shatter you.

Because my father, the captain you so despised, jumped in front of you. The bullet meant for you smashed into his chest.

And he fell.

And you didn’t even flinch. You only scoffed. “The hero dying for the villain?” You had the nerve to kick his motionless body. “Try a new tale, brother.”

You strode back across the gangplank to your ship, your coat billowing in the wind.

But you forgot about me.

You didn’t see me take the wheel.

And now . . . we’ll meet again.

Sincerely, the next hero of the seas we sail.