Pirate swords almost plunging into Savannah’s side push her farther onto the plank. She turns to look at her father, tied to the mast with a pirate’s blade pressed to his neck.

She smiles at him and pats the rare gold coins in her pocket. Shedding a tear, Savannah jumps.

Gabby Q. is a member of Todd Battaglia’s Grade 7 Language Arts class.