Dinner took much longer than the Captain had prepared for. Laurel Davies, Malachi’s wife, just had to make up for all the conversations she had missed with him over the years because he “simply refused to take a break from all the trade exporting” as per her words. Oh! If only she knew it was much more than export! Even worse, the children had kept demanding to stay longer after having got along with Malachi’s three sons. Nonetheless, he managed to haul everyone out by midnight. No one was in the streets and most houses had turned their light off for the day, the only sounds being the soft hum of the ocean a few blocks away. Amias wasn’t tired and he doubted anyone else was willing to go to bed either.

“Claire!” he called out. From the herd behind him, a small girl in a purple country dress hurried forward. “You said you wanted something?”

“A book, Captain. Quite a large one perhaps?” she squeaked, shuffling her shoe in between the cobblestone plating across the path.

“Yes, yes” Amias agreed , stroking his chin absent mindedly, “I believe most of you are getting too old for The Ugly Duckling or Little Red Riding Hood”. He thought to himself for a couple of moments. As far as he remembered, there was a small local library deeper into the town, and it was bound to be abandoned for the night. He felt the adrenaline levels in his blood grow as the idea of a heist came into play. Of course, it won’t be as exciting as attacking an unexpecting ship for gold and other valuable items- Amias doubted libraries were even heavily guarded- yet it was still a raid. He browsed through his crew.

“Right.” He cleared his throat, “Claire,….hn.. Marcus, June,. Sylvester? And…..”

“Me!” August butted his head against the Captain’s thigh, “You must! I’m your first mate!”.  Captain Keggard couldn’t help but smile. His first mate had been with him the longest and had followed him everywhere all the time, doing exactly as he says. The boy’s pupils had dilated large enough for the Captain to clearly see his reflection in. He wanted to say yes, but there were others who’d never participated. Besides, August had gotten a little too big-headed lately.

“Actually August” Amias cleared, “I was wondering whether you could take the young ones back to the ship and tuck them in”. It hurt to see him recoil and his shoulders slump. “I know you’ll keep the ship safe for everyone. You’re brave, aren’t you?” With a sudden pulse of determination, August straightened himself, a stiff salute resting above his creased brow.

“I’m brave.” He exclaimed, “Let’s go everyone. Nothing to fear!” He arranged the younger members into a single file, ensuring they were holding each other’s hands so as not to get left behind and prepared to march forward. The Captain came over and dropped his hat on August’s along with a small peck on the cheek.

At night, libraries give off an entirely different mood compared to their warm and homey atmosphere during the day. Vacant eyes of the many busts placed around the empty holes seemed to follow their every move under the haunting light of the pale blue moon. The smell of fresh parchment bound in their leather covers now felt thick, rancid of decay to breathe in. Even libraries were never meant to be this quiet. Amias stood quietly at the corner, guarding the window from which they had clambered in from. Just a little nudge and shake of the lock could pop open any old window clasp.

“Moby Dick”, he contemplated, reading the title of a book to himself, “Whatever did the whale do to him?” he tutted in disappointed. There was no one walking the street outside, a peaceful night for a peaceful heist. The rest of his crew were all over the place, some rolling down the halls on the sliding ladders, some testing the many inks on the librarian’s desk and some actually bothering to look through the books they were here for.

“Captain,” June beckoned as she lay on the floor, a novel spread out in front of her, “Are we going to pay for these?”

“Nope” Captain Keggard replied absent-mindedly. He licked his two fingers and flipped a page.

“Right..” the girl accepted in a hushed tone. Amias heard the sound of disappointment in her voice. As far as he could remember, June had never taken part or rather known that all her luxuries came from the many raids he, August and some eager volunteers had lead past everyone’s curfew. He was hurt that she was not accepting his less-than-ethical methods. For a moment, the Captain rethought what Malachi had said earlier, maybe he should have contributed to society like any other working adult. Sure he carried on the sea- thief legacy from those who saved him but, this isn’t the role model he wanted his crew to see. Yet, old habits are hard to come out of.

“Well, June”, the Amias stammered, digging the many pockets in his coat, “we can leave something behind for them.” The girl watched closely as he pulled out a small woven pouch. Inside something jingled. Gold coins. “We can leave this behind” he shook it, “They might be able to repurchase what they’ve lost”. June smiled, taking the bag from his hand and trotting along to leave it on the librarian’s desk. He watched as she took a pen and wrote a small note ‘thank you’ note. He had taught them well: they would grow up to be fine, caring ladies and gentlemen. Everyone except August.