Chapter 3
Josh sat motionless. He was thinking about calling Albert or Marty, his two best friends, to discuss this with them. Instead, he got up slowly and put the book back in its hiding place. Walking through the hallway, Josh continued to think about what he had just read. Who were these Fellini girls? He never heard his Gramps talk about them. He never heard much about his ancestors. Before this, he had never been interested in any family history. When his mom had talked about aunts, first cousins, second cousins, or cousins removed, he tuned her out. Maybe he should have paid more attention to that information. He flew down the stairs.
While he was debating whether he should talk to his mom about his ancestors or check out the painting one more time, he ended up in the kitchen. Grabbing a few granola bars and a can of soda, he headed back to his parents’ room. He stopped at the front hall closet to get a jacket, not even conscious of what he did.
As Josh sat on the edge of the bed, he stuffed his food in his jacket pockets. His forehead was creased as he was trying to remember when he put his jacket on. Looking at the picture, he took a deep breath and concentrated on the scene before him.
He stared at the beach. Slowly, the sea grass began to move. A warm, salty breeze pressed against his face. The sound of waves rolling onto the sand hypnotized Josh. He couldn’t move as he watched one of the boats change shape to a seafaring vessel of long ago. A lullaby filled the air. He couldn’t make out the words, but the lilting voice belonged to a girl.
Feeling as if he was on the downhill part of a rollercoaster, Josh heard a swishing sound and landed sitting down on the beach in front of a dark-haired girl about his own age. She had on a black and green dress tied tightly at the waist with a wide sash. Lace adorned the sleeves, collar and hem. Her black hair was tied back with a scarf that matched the green color in her dress. Brown, luminous eyes bored into him. She seemed faintly familiar to Josh.
“Oh,” the girl exclaimed as she ended her song. “It really works!”
Josh got up and brushed the sand off. He looked around, trying to find the picture he came through, He saw only trees and bushes at the end of the beach line along with two small row boats. His face grew hot as fear spread through his body. Where was he and what if he could never go home?
While Josh was assessing his situation, the lovely girl grabbed his hand and said, “Have to move.” She pointed to the anchored ships as she pulled Josh toward the tropical vegetation. Two small boats were being lowered over the side of the larger of the two.
Josh quickly glanced at the sails and saw the emblem he couldn’t discern earlier. Pirates. As his eyes grew wide, he turned and ran along with his new friend towards the brush and trees.
When they reached the brush, the girl instructed Josh to hide behind the bushes as she grabbed a small tree branch and went back to the beach and swept over their tracks. Hurrying to Josh’s side, she looked out at the two approaching boats, “They did not see us. Come along. We will need to find a hiding spot.”
“But I don’t even know who you are and where I am?”
“I called to you, in my lullaby. You are here to protect and save me.”
Josh started to explain how he had just learned of the spell and was really new to this saving thing, but the girl told him to be quiet and looked out to sea.
“They’re getting close. Let’s go. We have to make it to a cave I found.”
Josh was amazed by the rocky formation nearby. Tree branches were swaying in the gentle, warm breeze. Red and yellow flowers bloomed among the sea grass and various other species of plant life.
Josh drew in his breath as the girl started to pull her dress over her head. “What are you doing?”
“Can not do any serious running with this dreadful frock on. I have got my twin brother’s breeches and shirt on underneath. It is still warm out so I will be fine for now. Just thinking of my brother makes me sad. He’s out there on that pirate brig. They tied him up and locked him in their galley when they captured us. I will tell you the rest of the story when we find the cave. Come along, now.” She shoved her dress into a canvass sack that she carried slung over her shoulder.
Josh looked back towards the sea and two vessels. Two small boats were making their way to the shore. Josh sighed, thinking to himself that he might be more in need of saving than this strong-willed girl leading the way. Quickly he caught up with the girl who was moving skillfully up the side of a cliff.
“I don’t even know your name.”
“Annabelle. Annabelle Fellini.”