Chapter One
I only know the sea. I was conceived on a mystical island, born on the Lido deck, and have spent all twenty-five years of my life on the ocean. Oh, yes, I've seen land, even stood on it from time to time, but never more than I had to. I have two passports, American and Dutch, but neither country is my home. My home is the Stargazer, and my country is the sea.
I don't usually talk about it, but I was born with a mark low on my belly. It's a symbol. My mother has it too. It's faint, but it's there. We know it has a deep meaning, but we have no idea what that meaning is.
I only mention it now because something strange has happened. I'm telling you about it so you'll be on the lookout. All of a sudden, babies around the world are being born with the same mark.
I don't know what it means.
But I intend to find out.
You may be wondering why I haven't mentioned the name of my ship until now. The Stargazer isn't an ordinary ship. She's my home, and has been since the day I was born. To me, she's as much a part of my family as my mother and father.
I suppose you could say I had an unusual childhood. I never went to school, at least not the kind you're probably familiar with. My teachers came from all over the world, and some of them were among the most brilliant people alive. I learned to swim before I could ride a bicycle. Actually, I still don't ride a bicycle very well. There isn't much room for one on a ship.
I know what you're thinking. Poor little girl, growing up without a normal childhood.
Don't waste your sympathy. I wouldn't trade my childhood for yours, whoever you are.
But I would like to know what it's like to have a best friend who doesn't sail away every few weeks.
There. I've admitted something I don't usually tell people.
I have friends, of course. Lots of them. But most are considerably older than I am, and the others are visitors who eventually return to their homes on land. I've never understood why anyone would willingly leave the sea, but they do.
My mother says I've inherited her curiosity. My father says I've inherited her stubbornness. I think they're both wrong. I just want answers to questions nobody seems willing to answer.
Especially questions about the blue mark on my belly.
Until recently, I thought there were only four people in the world with that mark: my mother, me, a woman named Rosa, and Rosa's son. My mother has told me about Rosa many times. They survived something extraordinary together in the Central American jungle, long before I was born.
I've never met Rosa's son.
That may be about to change.
But I'm getting ahead of myself.
It was shortly after sunrise when my mother called me. I was standing on the Lido deck, watching the sun climb above the Caribbean. The sea was almost flat, with barely enough movement to feel comfortable.
"Shrieese?"
"Good morning, Mama."
"Where are you?"
"Where do you think?"
"The Lido deck."
"Very good. You're learning."
"I need to show you something."
"Can it wait until breakfast?"
"I don't think so."
You should know something about my mother. When she says something can't wait, it usually means she's discovered something that interests her. It doesn't necessarily mean the rest of the world is in danger.
Not necessarily.
"What is it?" I asked.
"A photograph."
"Of what?"
"A baby."
I laughed. "Mama, people have babies every day."
"Not like this one."
There was something in her voice that stopped me laughing.
"What do you mean?"
"Come down to my stateroom. I want you to see it for yourself."
I looked out over the water. The sun had risen high enough to turn the wave crests gold. It was going to be a beautiful day.
At least, that's what I thought.
Draft opening of Chapter One. The novel is in development; the published text may change.