The blue of the sea seemed endless as the sun rose over the ocean. The boats in the harbor were already waiting for the competitors, each one promising a different world, a different opportunity.
Ezekiel Morrissey walked to his own boat, a massive, dark-wooded sailboat, at the helm of which sat Captain Horatio Finn—the kind of sailor who was both tough and mysterious, but who seemed to have all the knowledge of sailing.
Ezekiel's parents stood on the quayside, watching their son approach.
"Just take care of yourself, son!" Gerard Morrissey said, his voice deep and firm, but behind his words there was that typical, slightly sexist, ignorant tone: "Don't let the girls distract you… you know, boys are supposed to…"
Helena Morrissey, in her wheelchair, smiled softly and squeezed her son's hand. "Don't listen to your father, darling. I know you always know what to do."
Ezekiel just nodded. He didn't say anything, he didn't need to. His father's voice and his usual comments were just background noise in his thoughts. His mother's smile, her calmness, and her support were far more powerful than anything Gerard could say.
"Is the ship ready to go, son?" Captain Finn said in a deep, commanding voice, glancing behind the wheel. The ship rocked majestically on the waves, ready for whatever challenges awaited them on the open water.
Ezekiel took one last look at the harbor, at his parents, at his home, which was now nothing more than a memory. His father nodded once more and said with a half-smile, "Remember, son, a real boy is always… well, you'll see."
Helena squeezed his hand again and said in a soft, reassuring voice, "Everything will be fine, Ezekiel. Just be yourself."
Ezekiel nodded and slowly stepped onto the deck of the ship. The waves of the sea rocked the ship beneath them, and as he looked out to the horizon, he felt the sweet tension of freedom and challenge. The race had begun, the ships on separate paths, but he already felt that the story would soon be about more than just a race, but also about discovering his own strength and determination.
Captain Finn stood behind the wheel, watching Ezekiel take his seat on the ship, then he waved, and the ship slowly moved toward the open water, the image of the harbor and his parents slowly disappearing into the distance.
The ship rocked slowly on the waves, the wind rustling beneath the sails, and every movement on deck added a new rhythm to the conversation.
Ezekiel turned directly to Captain Finn, listening for every little cue.
"What do you think is the most important skill on a ship, Captain?" he asked softly, his voice calm yet curious.
Finn frowned, then answered slowly, "Attention. And knowing when to act. If you don't pay attention, every move you make has consequences."
Ezekiel thought for a moment, then nodded with a small smile. "I see. So if someone is good at reading others, they can gain an advantage?"
Finn looked at him, giving him a brief, searching look. "Those who learn to pay attention can gain an advantage… but most people don't pay enough attention. What do you think, young man?"
Ezekiel looked straight into his eyes, but his face showed no telltale signs. "I think attention is more than just observation. Good attention also means knowing when to speak up and when to listen."
Finn flashed a small smile, as if acknowledging the thought, but behind his words was the question of how much the boy understood the dynamics of the ship and the deck.
As the ship creaked softly to the rhythm of the waves, Ezekiel asked another question, as if testing the man's patience: "And if someone not only listens but also tries to control what happens on board, how much does that matter?"
Finn paused, then smiled slowly. "You have to be careful with control. If you try to control too much without understanding the situation, it can backfire. But a skilled person knows when to take the initiative."
Ezekiel nodded, letting the rhythm of the man's speech sink in. Every word, every reaction was another piece of the secret map that only he could see in his own mind.
As the sun slowly sank below the horizon, the ship's lights revealed the outlines of Wawanakwa Island. The outlines of the camp, at first vague, then increasingly sharp, loomed above the waves.
Ezekiel closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the weight of the challenges ahead and the promise of opportunity. The gentle rocking of the ship and the rustling of the wind accompanied him as they approached the Wawanakwa camp, each moment drawing closer to the place where the competition and the secrets would truly begin.