Dawn's Departure

Sunlight crept through Ethan's bedroom window as his door opened. His mother stepped inside, expecting to find him sleeping.

"Oh!" She blinked in surprise. "You're already dressed."

Ethan stood by his bed, smoothing down his white sailor suit. He had been awake for an hour, watching the harbor through his window.

"I'm going to play with my friends," he said quietly.

His mother smiled. "Don't wander too far from the village."

Ethan nodded and kissed her cheek before stepping outside. The morning air tasted of salt and seaweed. Down at the harbor, he spotted something unusual—ten adults gathered near a large sailing vessel. Five men and five women checked ropes and loaded supplies.

Two of them stood apart from the rest. The woman had dark hair pulled back in a practical bun, while the man beside her wore a weathered captain's coat. They spoke in low voices, pointing toward the open sea.

Ethan crept closer, his heart beating faster.

The Seagull's Warning

Behind a stack of wooden crates, Ethan watched the crew prepare their ship. The woman with the dark hair checked her pocket watch twice, then whispered something to the man in the captain's coat.

"William, we need to leave within the hour," she said.

"Don't worry, Charlotte. The tide won't wait for us either way."

Ethan's eyes widened. These weren't ordinary sailors—they carried weapons beneath their coats and spoke in hushed, urgent tones.

A seagull landed on the crate beside him, squawking loudly. The sound echoed across the harbor.

William's head snapped toward Ethan's hiding spot. "Did you hear that?"

Charlotte grabbed his arm. "Someone's watching us."

Ethan's heart hammered as the couple approached the crates. He pressed himself against the wooden boxes, holding his breath.

"There's a boy here," William called out.

Ethan stood slowly, his hands shaking. Charlotte studied his sailor suit and calm expression.

"What's your name?" she asked gently.

"Ethan," he whispered.

William and Charlotte exchanged a meaningful look. Charlotte knelt down to Ethan's level.

"You shouldn't be here alone, Ethan. This isn't a place for children."