Colin's+Group

binabear: the revised (5/27) version is up. i edited some, but ii'm gonna do some more later. (midnight wikispaces party, whoot whoot!) i added a bit about the kings of the past and their trip to the island, but not much else. feel free to edit! <3 binabear binabear: (hey it's only 9:13, i'm early to my own party!) if anyone should (perhaps, maybe, please, with ice cream and cookies on top) edit this tonight, i am just now noticing how much we cut. no wonder tanner doesn't understand, the details that were embedded in all our cut writing were somehow important. ... i'm editting now, just some organization and word changes. somebody better have me covered math wise because i'm going to bed after this. baking is tireing work! --- i lied it's 9:42 and //now// i'm going to bed. g'night govner!



//The rising sun this morning marked the seventeenth day of our journey at sea. With Father being the captain, I get off easy, and I am exempt from doing the grueling work that the rest of the crew must endure. In their eyes, I see the hate spawned from another journey in search of the Isle Cocidia. Even the promise that this will be the time they find its riches does not quench their thirst for mutiny. Father's first mate, Gideon, has been able to put a temporary stop to these terrible whispers, but the hate remains, seeded deep inside the men. I do not wish to see anything bad happen to Father, for he is only following his dream. Sadly, this clouds his eyes and he does not see the looming clouds of doom as I do. He only- //

"Leo, me' boy! Put that wretched book away and get to the bow, I've got somethin' ta' show ya'!" Leo quickly, but carefully, shoved the book underneath his mattress. Even with a deprived workload, he was still apt to get punished for being late. Careful not to bump into the other crew members, Leo navigated his way up to the bow, where his father, Captain Aeron Hammerick, was waiting. The captain was a proud man, but as of late, the years at sea had started to take their toll. Specks of gray were becoming more noticeable in his once black beard, and he no longer moved quite as fluid as he had in his prime. Standing next to the captain was his trusted first mate, Gideon Nero. Even after eleven failed attempts at finding riches, Gideon had stayed by the captain's side. With rusty blond hair and sweat covered tan, Gideon was more of a seaman than Leo, who was constantly stumbling from the waves that crashed upon the ship.

"There she is," Hammerick said, pointing to the growing speck in the distance. "I told 'em, I told 'em I'd find 'er, and what did they say? 'It's hopeless', 'It's only a myth'. Well, today be the day that we prove 'em wrong, right me boy?" Hammerick looked at Leo with hopeful eyes, for too many times he had been brought down by the doubt of others. Leo glanced at Gideon, as he always did for help, but the first mate was only watching the approaching island, a new spark in his eyes that Leo could not place. “The Isle Cocidia – //greed// – has been hidden for far too long, Leo." Gideon responded to Leo's silent plea. “Many years ago, leaders of the land far and wide gave their indulgences; gold, jewels and money; to one man. Our great President promised to keep the riches hidden, and never let them be used to harm the world again. You're too young to remember, but the President used to jest about a secret cave that held all the wealth. And now look,” Gideon outstretched his arms to encompass the sliver of land that was now visible, “here we have found the mythical island. And when we tell the world of our discovery, no one will ever again doubt the name of … Aeron Hammerick.” Gideon turned to the captain, who was beaming with pride and joy. "Well, Leo, what'cha say," the Captain said, drawing Leo's attention away for Gideon. "Shall we feast to celebrate our discovery?" "Ehm...," Leo started, unsure of what to say to his father and still absorbing the legend. "Sure, dad. A feast would be great." "Wonderful!" The captain marched away toward his quarters, one hand clamped onto Leo's shoulder, forbidding him from staying with the more mentally stable Gideon.

Instead of following the captain around, as he would have any other day, Gideon continued to look out to see, his eyes unmoving from the approaching Isle Cocidia. Nothing could stop a grin from appearing on his lips. It was finally within reach, the great island of abundance. And like a king might plot destruction, he stood at the bow lost in his many thoughts: //Wow, there it is. There is my ticket out of this god-forsaken hell hole called poverty. The fools on this ship are so naive// //to think that I would lead them right to the solution to the horrible situation the government has put everybody in ////. This island, said to contain the treasures and riches of all the kings of history, will grant me the power to turn every dream I have ever had into a reality. Every thought I have pondered since spawned on this Earth has been of this moment. My uncanny gift to persuade people into thinking everything will be alright comes in handy here because after the crew, captain and son find the treasure I will overthrow them ALL and be on my merry way. I will take a couple hostages to run the ship and get us back to the main land and that is when I will have the current crew members thrown in jail while I take my rightful spot in society as the right hand man of the President...//

"So, dad, how is everything going to be split up money wise within the crew?” asked Leo, as Gideon wandered over and claimed his seat next to Aeron. "Well son, I was thinking that I, being the captain, would get about fifteen percent which you and I would share. Gideon would get ten, and the crew members, there being fifteen of them, would get about five percent each." Leo answered, "...but the crew does the most!" "Leo me' boy, this is strict ship business that you should not involve yourself in, so stop worrying and enjoy the feast!" As Aeron finished his sentence Gideon, as if he sensed Leo's discomfort, turned to Leo and exclaimed, "He's a bit... hard headed when it comes to his treasure hunts isn't he?" "Yeah I guess...," Leo pondered the thought about what would really happen after the treasure was found. He did not know why, but something in his gut told him that this discovery was a bad idea.

Later that night well after the feast was over and everything was cleaned up, Gideon sat alone with a large collection of ale and rum bottles thinking about all the possibilities.... //This is going to be so easy. I mean, even if I only take out Aeron and Leo and keep the crew as my own, this will still work. I could just wipe the whole crew for my own and then dump them as I take my rightful place as the right hand man of the President....What wonders I could accomplish, I could "help" him make the decisions that govern this world. Or better yet maybe I will just make the decisions myself. Soon I could have everyone at my beck and call, waiting on me hand and foot, eating out of the palm of my hand!//

Just then there was a knock on the door. Gideon, being a gregarious drunk, pushed all dictating thoughts aside as he turned to find Leo standing in the door way. "Leo! What brings ye down here this late at night?" "Um.... I don't know, I was just walking around and thought I would come stop by. There is actually something I need to talk to you about. I guess that is why I am down here..." "Well sure! Have a seat." Gideon patted down on the old, raggedy bed. Little puffs of dust formed clouds and floated about the room as he did so. Although it was the only other place to sit in the tiny, crammed up room, Leo declined the offer. "No thanks, I um... I can't stay long. I just wanted to talk to you about what we were talking about earlier. About the treasure and all." "Yes, I see. Well, your dad has a thing about getting what he wants, especially when it involves treasure. He is very adamant in doing so, I'll tell ya' that. But he also can be very... well very stupid when it comes to this type of thing. I mean don't get me wrong; he's witty and has a gifted mind, but when he wants something this bad, he gets blinded by it so much that he gets carried away." Taking in the various liquor bottles strewn around him, Leo marveled at the fact that fact that a man could drink so much and still be able to talk coherently. Usually Gideon maintained such a controlled persona, that the giddy drunk before him was almost astonishing. "So I've noticed. But why does he want this treasure so bad, I mean I am sure there are other treasures out there besides this one. What makes this one so special?" "Well now there's a good question. I suppose ye dad never told ya'. Well you see that cave is said to contain all the riches in the world that once belonged to the kings." He said, "Now you see why your dad is being so stubborn 'bout it? It's not that he doesn't wanta share, he just wants all the fame and glory for being the one to find it....which isn't goin' to happen this time if I get my say in it." "Oh okay I understa--- wait what was that? What's that supposed to mean?" Gideon looked confusingly at Leo as he rethought what he had just said; Leo probably knew something was up now. Maybe he could play it off? "Um.... what? Oh that was um... nothing. I think you should go t' sleep now it's kinda late. And we gotta get up early to start explorin' that cave!" "Yeah, sure. Well g'night." And with that he turned and walked out the room without another word or a glance back. As he walked back he thought about what Gideon had said. Was he just kidding? Is there something I'm missing? And with that last thought in mind he slipped into bed and lay there, listening to the sound of the crew snoring close by. He could hear the waves crashing on the side of the boat as he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep....

At dawn, the crew was awake. Those who had been on watch that night were now rubbing the sleep out of their eyes as they tugged on ropes and lowered the longboats into the water. Icy foam splashed them into consciousness. If anyone had, for a second, glanced at Gideon, they would have seen a stranger. Filled with his new ambition for power, Gideon was busy cleaning his pistol, loading it, and unloading it, waiting impatiently for Aaron and Leo to awake. A contrast to the old, cranky Gideon that would have chastised the crew for any little misdemeanor so early in the morning. The proud captain strode out of his quarters and to the longboats. Leo followed in suit and Gideon after him. Gideon could see Leo contemplating what he had heard last night, but knew the boy was too tired right now to think very hard about it. Besides, Gideon did have a lot to drink the night before. He could just blame it on that, right?

Any happiness that would have persuaded the crew into enjoying their short journey to shore was hidden behind the blistering sun. Hammerick paid this no mind, and stood by the bow for the entire ride. Framed like a Greek god, the captain fearlessly led his crew across the tranquil waters. Still consumed by his dream, the captain was the first to step onto the island. White sand surrounded the small boat as the crew dragged it inland. Gideon was busy observing his surroundings, for there was much to observe. As the blazing sun started its journey up to the heavens, Aeron, Leo, Gideon, and five crew members began their quest into the island's interior.

Leo sprinted forward to where his father was standing and admiring the perfection of the island "Father I" He was cut off by Gideon who had at that very moment, stepped in front of him and proceeded to announce in a voice that the entire crew could hear, "So Captain Aeron, which way do you think we should go to get to the cave? The longer we wait here, the less time we will have to spend our riches eh?" The Captain turned around and replied "We can split up. I'll go with Maddox and Lucien. You take Leo and the other three. We shall divide and conquer. If you reach the cave, send a spark into the air and we will find you." "But dad I think it would be better if I go with you," Leo ran towards his father with great haste and without as much as a glance in Gideon's direction. //This can't be happening//, he thought. //He doesn't understand what is going on. I have to warn him no matter what happens.// "Leo you go with Gideon, its ok. You'll be fine, and if anything is to happen then remember to send a spark in the air and I'll be there as soon as I can." "But Dad, you don-" And without so much as a glance toward his concerned son, Aeron turned and started on the journey. Leo walked as far as possible from the group as he thought of a way to distract Gideon from going on with his plan; he had realized Gideon was up to something.

On the other side of the island Aeron and his group had already made it to their destination, the opening of one of the caves. "There it be boys, a cave entrance. Now to go find that treasure." All the way up there, Captain Aeron stood and thought of what he would do when he found it.

Gideon's group of five traveled endlessly through the wilderness and still had no sign of the cave in sight. Their weathered faces were beaded with sweat and they were gasping from the exertion of hiking. Dusk was already approaching, and soon nighttime would be upon them. A rest was what they needed. And a rest is what they got. Well... some of them. "We'll make camp here tonight men!" Gideon shouted over their rasping breaths. "Leo and Tim, you're in charge of dinner, go fetch us some fish from that stream. Charles and Andy, gather some firewood. Let's get started!" Gideon watched as the boy went out of the clearing, because the kid definitely knew something. He waited a few minutes just to be safe when everyone left. Then, quieter than a mouse he crept over to a bush and waited for an opportunity. And thankfully it didn't take long, because he had to get this over with before Tim and Leo finished catching dinner.

"Hey Andy!! Git that're one right thur! It's a big one." "Will do Charles! Man I can't wait tah git this treasure. We won' have tah do no work no more. No sir, we'll have people work for us!" Gideon watched the fools talk in silence. He was almost giddy with apprehension and had to hide a giggle in his sleeve. The pair was coming closer and closer to his hiding spot. He rechecked his pistol again, but that was only in case of an emergency. His knife was the important thing. The sharp blade was facing outward... good, good. Things were going perfectly. A few more steps... so close. He could almost see the blood pouring from their throats, all it takes is one slash. And in three, two, one... show time.

The trustworthy first mate ran from his hiding spot, slicing his blade as he went. Neither man had time for more than a surprised gurgle, for by the time he was finished blood coated the ground like an oozing blanket of red. Bird calls had fallen still, and even the wind barely dared to rustle the tops of the trees out of fear of the maniac on the ground. Where vultures would usually circle the sky, they had flown off, as if the sight were even too disgusting for them. Small mammals and rodents huddled in holes as they waited for terror to pass. Nothing like this had ever occurred in their utopia before. You would think even a madman would recognize this. You would think one would hear quiet descend upon the forest until it seems as if you're the only one breathing. You would think that. But Gideon didn't hear any of it. Greed comes in many colors, and in this case, it came in the color of madness.

It takes a pure heart to understand when evil is amidst, and much to his dismay, Leo possessed such a heart. Though the frigid waters soaked his dress, and shocked him to the core, his soul was calm, as if before a storm that was to come. He was thinking about greed. Leo knew that something was wrong with Gideon by his demeanor, and silently chastised himself for not noticing sooner.

"'ey! Leo", Tim called from the bank of the river. "It's 'bout time we should be headin' back, don't ya think?" "Hm? Eh, What?" Leo tried to collect his thoughts, his trance now broken. "Yeah, it is getting pretty dark. You go on ahead; I'll get these fish and meet you at camp." As Leo walked back to camp he stopped in the middle of the path, there he saw the motionless body of Tim. He would always regret not going with Tim on his way back to camp. It was then that he realized that Gideon had to be stopped as soon as possible

A sound from the bushes caused Gideon to turn away from the now lit fire, fresh kabobs roasting on top. Leo entered the clearing, and immediately put down the fish he was carrying. In his thoughts of earlier, Leo had not realized how much fish he had actually caught, and now his back had paid the price after the brisk ten minute walk back to camp. "Leo!" Gideon called from the fire. "Why don't 'ya come rest a bit? Here! Have a kabob!" Leo walked over to the fire, but did not accept the kabob from Gideon's open hand. //If I really reach then I can get to the supplies, but Gideon won't let me out of his sight. I have become the mouse and he the hawk in this crude game.// He then decided it. It was time to end this horrible journey once and for all.

As dawn broke the next day, Leo flipped a few pages back in his journal, reevaluating the events of the night before.

//I sent up a flare and ran to Father's camp, for I had heard them catching fish upriver earlier. How the wind carried me as I ran, and how the island seemed to augment my effort to be speedy. Once in the camp I saw their faces, the crew surprised, my Father confused. Then Gideon entered, and the world seemed to slow its rotation, if only for a moment. A knife in his hands... One look in his eyes and no thoughts were present but that of survival. Maddox and Lucien, the crew with Father, lunged at Gideon, but were instantly victims of his horrid knife. I had a small knife in my hand, gathered after I set up the spark, but I knew it would be no match for Gideon if I charged. Gideon pulled out a pistol and aimed it at Father; I saw in his eyes that he had forgotten all other existence except for himself and his prey. It was the only way ...as soon as I heard the shot, I pushed Father out of its deadly path, the bullet striking him arm instead of his heart. Basic instincts took over, and with my humble knife, I ran at Gideon. I cannot bear to describe his death. If I return to America with only Father and the few crew members still alive, I will surely be hanged for my actions. However instinctive, I still committed murder. That is why I will remain here, among the plants and animals that already call this island their home. The ship will depart soon enough, for I'm sure they think us dead. I might as well be dead; no one should live after committing acts as I have.

"Let my own home be my gallows", and the treasure of old remained untouched by the avarice of men.//