The Kindness of Strangers

The fierce Australian sun beat down on his bare neck, sweat trickling between his shoulder-blades and seeping into his torn shirt. The heat was stifling but it was a welcome change from the his home in Manchester, and besides it was too late to turn back now.

The bay reeked of salt and spoilt fish, once he might have found it sickening but hunger was a constant companion and he'd learnt to appreciate what he could get. And right now, he'd just spotted his favourite treat: yabbies.

Licking his lips, Jez set off towards his goal, careful to appear nonchalant as he passed the caged crayfish and reached out for some grub wrapped in greasy paper. He kept on walking; aware of the pressing crowd and the emptiness in his pockets. He let out a sigh of relief, but it was short lived and quickly followed by the all too familiar cry of: "Stop! Thief!"

He broke into a run, dodging stalls and people, without even glancing to see who was giving chase. He didn't stop until his heart felt as if it would swell and burst. Only then did lean back against a plaster wall to catch his breathe.

"Hey, you!" he looked up at the man who had called out. Even if he hadn't been able to read the words: Port Security, Jez would have guessed the man's naval uniform, contrasting with his own demiurge which screamed vagrant, was bad news.

As the man neared, he considered making a run for it. But he was exhausted and besides, the security officer couldn't have seen him rob the food and as far as Jez was concerned if no one had seen the crime, it hadn't happened.

The man grabbed Jez's without warning and pulled him upright.
"Let's see some ID,"
A wave of dread overwhelmed Jez, but he forced as smile, "Of course, just let me find my passport,"
He began to pat down his clothes to buy some time. The officer didn't look amused, and grabbed his shoulder. He glimpsed a crowd beginning to form, drawn by the sight of trouble.

"Look kid, do you know what we do with pirates in these parts?"
"I'm not a pirate!" Jez shouted indignantly, and for once, truthfully, "So let me go, you-"
He was cut off as a boy, around his own age stepped out from the surveying crown.
"Yo, Max what've you done now?"
Both Jez and the officer looked as the newcomer in surprise.
"You know this boy?"
The boy grinned so widely Jez was sure it was unnatural, "'Coarse I do, he's my brother"
The lie blatant, although similar in age, the boy was far taller and broader, with a deep tan and a curly mop of hair. His accept was broad and native in strong contrast to Jez' Mancunian dialect. He approached the man, holding out his arm as if he wanted to shake hands.
"Get lost," the man snarled.
"Afraid not, buddy," he said, still grinning haphazardly as he pushed the man away from Jez.  The strange boy cocked an eyebrow at him, "You any good at running?"

They pushed through the crowds together. One of them had grabbed the others hand and they dragged each other further into the alleyways of the port until they were out of breath.

"Thanks," Jez panted.
"No problem," the boy gasped back, "you looked like you could do with the help,"
As soon as he was able Jez turned to him, "Why did you help me? Not that I'm ungrateful,"
"To be honest I'm looking for a pirate ship, I thought you might be able to help, it's a famous ship: The Diablo"
"I'm not a pirate," Jez said swiftly, "But I've heard of it,"  he added when the boy's smile dropped, "It's captained by a notorious man:  Molucco Wrathe,"
"Aye, everyone's heard of the Wrathe brothers. I'm looking for a girl,"
"Your about to tell me he's kidnapped your girlfriend and we're about to go on some madcap adventure to win her heart and, of course, I have to go with because I'm in your debit,"
They both laughed.
"Actually, the girl I'm going on the madcap adventure for is a pirate,"
He met Jez's eye, "So, you in, brother?"

Common scene told Jez he was crazy to consider entertaining the stranger who's name he didn't even know but unbidden came memories of the warm grin, the strength in his grip as they ran together and even more importantly the utter sincerity in the word brother.
Jez shrugged, "Why the hell not?"