Never Broken
by Honorat Selonnet

For the drabble challenge "Broken" at Black Pearl Sails.

Rating: T

She haunts his memory, floating like a broken doll amidst the flames and wreckage of the pirate attack. The water carrying away the parasol she was so proud of is red with her own blood. He had dived into the sea to save her, knowing she could not swim—not knowing it was already too late. That dive had saved his life.

Now another beautiful young girl stands before him twirling her parasol. Her brown eyes sparkle. "Please, Will. Teach me to shoot,"
Elizabeth coaxes.

Slowly he hands her the rifle. He knows that girls, treated like dolls, break like them.