Captain Fin Read online

  Praise for CAPTAIN FIN

  “I began writing and directing films twelve years ago through my production company, Olive Ranch Road Productions. One of my first and absolute favorite stories was Captain Fin. I would eventually write and direct that story as a short film. The film was a big success in festivals, so I then wrote the feature-length script. But it wasn’t until I was introduced to Amanda M. Thrasher years later that I would see the depths that this story could really go. Amanda has molded the lead character, Hannah, into a beautifully enriched soul with incredible layers. Amanda’s novel goes so much deeper into the life that Hannah leads after so much misfortune fell upon her as a little girl. Her story takes us on a gripping journey as she weaves us through Hannah’s unrelenting pursuit of her past. This is my second feature film script that has been written into a novel, and it is without a doubt my absolute favorite! Amanda’s kind and caring soul is so deeply embedded in this amazing novel… it will touch people on so many levels.”

  Kevin James O’Neill

  Writer/Director/Producer

  www.oliveranchroadproductions.com

  5 STAR REVIEW READERS’ FAVORITE

  Captain Fin is a work of young adult fiction penned by author Amanda M. Thrasher and adapted from a screenplay by Kevin James O’Neill. In this tale, we find our hero Hannah Gunner in a state of turmoil regarding the secrets unveiled about her life. Hannah doesn’t really know the full particulars of who she is, and so she forms a trio of inquirers with her boyfriend Cash and best friend Lindsay to discover the truth about herself. She must distinguish between memories and dreams to uncover reality, coming face to face with the ghosts of her past and the elusive Captain that haunts her still.

  This is a fascinating tale that certainly has much to offer its young adult readers, with likeable lead characters, hidden treasure and secrets, as well as important social issues about growing up, learning who you really are, and having that sense of self put to the test by the information and people you face in the wider world. Hannah is an endearing lead character whom author Amanda M. Thrasher makes very likable and relatable, and I enjoyed the unreliability of the memories and secrets she has to deal with. This enhances the overall plot with plenty of twists and suspense, making it all the more exciting when moments of real truth do emerge for us to put the pieces of Hannah’s life together. Overall, Captain Fin is a strong work of teen identity, adventure, mystery and plenty of hijinks to keep its readers entertained.

  Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

  CAPTAIN FIN

  Amanda M. Thrasher

  Based On The Screenplay By

  Kevin James O’Neill

  Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, is purely coincidental.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

  Text Copyright © 2019 Amanda M. Thrasher

  All rights reserved. Published 2019 by Progressive Rising Phoenix Press, LLC

  www.progressiverisingphoenix.com

  ISBN: 978-1-950560-02-8

  1st Printing

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data and on file with the Publisher.

  Edited by: Jody Amato

  Cover Photos: Young Girl, Stock Photo ID: 209064253, Copyright: 4 PM Production. Older Girl, Stock Photo ID: 127669838, Copyright: Ababaka. Pirate Ship, Stock Photo ID: 255479581, Copyright: Proslgn. Back Cover Letter, Stock Photo ID: 156087626, Copyright: Free_lancer. Photos used by permission.

  Information from The American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/chronic-myeloid-leukemia.html

  Book cover design by Kalpart.

  Visit www.kalpart.com

  Book design by Polgarus Studio

  Visit: http://www.polgarusstudio.com

  Acknowledgments

  I want to thank Kevin James O’Neill for trusting me with his script and being patient throughout when it seemed as if time was never on my side, thank you! I immediately fell in love with the life that young and teen Hannah could have led, and I’m thrilled to have brought her to life.

  Special thanks to Jody Amato, my editor; we have yet another book under our belt! I enjoy working with you, and I look forward to our next one.

  To my family whom I adore: Mike, Zack, Krista, Lauren, my dad, Martin Mulroy, Jo-ann, and my beautiful grandchildren, thank you for allowing me the time to do what I love as an author and business owner. I know how it affects you all.

  Remembering my mom, one of the most incredible women I have ever met, Irene Yvonne Mulroy; you are not forgotten. I miss and love you still.

  To my business partner and friend, Jannifer Powelson, we made it another year and I look forward to many more! I’d also like to acknowledge and thank our Production Manager, William Speir; our Marketing Director, Galeo Johnson; and of course, our Webmaster and the person who keeps PRPP running behind the scenes, Matthew Gene; thank you all for everything that you do!

  To Sue Nodler Hamideh, for your constant support! You have read my work since Mischief in the Mushroom Patch, and I am grateful. Thank you to Cindy Nave and Caroline Dixon; you took the time to read the manuscript during the earliest days. I appreciate it.

  Amanda M. Thrasher

  March 2019

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1 ~ Hannah

  Chapter 2 ~ The Gunner Family

  Chapter 3 ~ Celebration

  Chapter 4 ~ Captain Fin

  Chapter 5 ~ Nathan

  Chapter 6 ~ Hank

  Chapter 7 ~ Chaos

  Chapter 8 ~ Cruel to Be Kind

  Chapter 9 ~ Moves in Motion

  Chapter 10 ~ Not Again

  Chapter 11 ~ A New Adventure

  Chapter 12 ~ Last New Beginning

  Chapter 13 ~ Welcome

  Chapter 14 ~ Settling In

  Chapter 15 ~ Gloria

  Chapter 16 ~ Cash

  Chapter 17 ~ What’s Going On?

  Chapter 18 ~ Time Is Ticking

  Chapter 19 ~ Fix It

  Chapter 20 ~ Hannah

  Chapter 21 ~ Complications

  Chapter 22 ~ My Closet

  Chapter 23 ~ The Tattered Box

  Chapter 24 ~ Prepare Yourselves

  Chapter 25 ~ Doesn’t Add Up

  Chapter 26 ~ Out of Time

  Chapter 27 ~ Death Sentence

  Chapter 28 ~ Answers

  Chapter 29 ~ Lost

  Chapter 30 ~ Missing Links

  Chapter 31 ~ Dive In

  Chapter 32 ~ What Do We Do?

  Chapter 33 ~ Open It

  Chapter 34 ~ Bucket of Nerves

  Chapter 35 ~ I Remember You

  Chapter 36 ~ Nigel

  Chapter 37 ~ Hannah

  Chapter 38 ~ Help

  Chapter 39 ~ Borrowed Time

  Chapter 40 ~ Scared to Death

  Chapter 41 ~ Hannah

  Chapter 42 ~ Hank

  Chapter 43 ~ Sit Tight

  Chapter 44 ~ Are You Ready?

  Chapter 45 ~ This IS It!

  Chapter 46 ~ Captain Fin

  Author’s Note

  About the Author

  Titles by Amanda M. Thrasher

  This novel is dedicated to anyone who takes comfort in their memories or imagination. Find your peace!

  Chapter 1

  Hannah

  Shattered Layers

  Broken Dreams

  Tattered Hearts

  A Past Revealed

  Twisted Paths

  Sha
dow Dark

  Out of Grasp

  A Father’s Heart

  ~ Hannah Gunner ~

  “That’s it, then!” Hannah whispered in a raspy voice. “She’s really gone?”

  Lindsey stared down at her lap, avoiding eye contact, not knowing what to say to her best friend, who was still in shock and so much pain. Tears had welled up in Hannah’s eyes, and though she’d been fighting to hold them back, they threatened to flow uncontrollably down her cheeks. Hannah couldn’t allow that, not yet, knowing that once the tears fell she’d lose it completely. The air had chilled, and she stood shivering, but Hannah didn’t seem to notice. The oversized black sweatshirt she’d picked that day drowned out her petite frame. She looked like a little kid instead of a teen. Every now and then her arm reached up and swiped away escaped tears from her face, as if denying they were ever there.

  Lindsey had been Hannah’s best friend since they’d been paired together junior year for a chemistry project. It was a good match. They had more in common than the pair realized. Gossip, boys, music, both lacked fashion skills, which didn’t seem to bother either of them at all, neither wore much makeup, and they both loved to write, especially poetry, and constantly carried a journal or had one close by. They practically lived in Vans, jeans, sweatshirts, Nike shorts and, of course, T-shirts. This day, this terrible day, was the hardest day they’d ever experienced together as friends. Lindsey opened the door of her gently used gold Toyota Corolla, affectionately named Silver. A joke, agreed upon by the two girls, which made them laugh every time they referred to her—except for today.

  “Silver awaits. Climb in; it’s freezing. I’m taking you home.”

  Ridden with guilt, Hannah felt conflicted. On the one hand, she didn’t want to be with anyone, including her best friend or her boyfriend, and on the other hand, she didn’t want to be alone. Reluctantly, she climbed into the car. As soon as the door shut, face buried in her hands, she sobbed without taking a breath. Within minutes a full-fledged panic attack set in, and she couldn’t breathe. Lindsey pulled the car over to the edge of the road and opened the windows. The fresh cold air blew across the back of Hannah’s neck, but it didn’t seem to help. Gently rubbing her friend’s back, Lindsey whispered words to help calm her down.

  “Breathe. Calm down and breathe, in and out, slowly, but just breathe.”

  “I can’t, can’t breathe.”

  “Just calm down and take a deep breath.”

  Hannah’s heart was racing and it felt like her chest was about to cave in. Lindsey continued to talk her down. Finally, Hannah’s breathing returned to normal. Struggling to hold back tears of her own, Lindsey dabbed her friend’s tear-stained face with her sleeve. Sitting in silence for a few moments, the two huddled together inside the car. No words of comfort were offered, none needed—they’d already been said, and Hannah knew that Lindsey was grieving as well.

  “Are you ready?”

  “Yes. And I’m sorry.”

  “No need to apologize.”

  Lost in thought as she drove, a slight smile crossed Lindsey’s face.

  “What is it?” Hannah asked. “Could do with a smile myself.”

  Lindsey proceeded with caution. “It was a memory.” Glancing at Hannah, she continued. “Of the first time I met Gloria. Do you remember?”

  Thankfully, Hannah smiled.

  “How could I forget? My mom told us, even that day, we were bound to be double trouble.” Hannah laughed, the first time she’d laughed in a while. “She also said we were going to be thick as thieves.”

  “Cause we are!” Lindsey grinned. “I’m so glad she moved you back here.”

  Hannah remembered the day her mom had asked her to move back to their hometown of San Francisco. After relocating more than a few times over the years, it made absolutely no difference to Hannah where they went next, which thrilled Gloria.

  “You have no idea how much this means to me! We’ll be with your Aunt Kathy again, and I can’t wait for you to have a relationship with her, and we’ll all be a family again,” said Gloria.

  Gloria had smiled and hugged Hannah longer than usual that day because she was so happy.

  “Nothing wrong with just you!” Hannah had grinned.

  “Thanks! But you know what I mean, right?”

  “No,” Hannah had smirked. “But I don’t care; that’s fine by me if we go back to San Francisco.”

  Rolling to a stop at a red light, the cool breeze blew through the open windows. Hannah caught wind of a terrible smell, her shirt. As the air shifted, the stench of the hospital, which was sticking to her like glue, made her gag. Hospital smells, so specific—sick people, bedpans, disinfectant, hospital food, body odors—all together a terrible combination. Hannah had been barely able to walk into the hospital lately without feeling violently ill herself, and now the stench was all over her.

  Struggling with what had just transpired and the realization that half of her life had been a lie, Hannah sat in the passenger seat, shaking in absolute shock. There’d been a lot of lies floating around, apparently for the past, say, most of her life! In those few moments, she tried to process three things: what in the hell was she supposed to do now, what exactly was her mom thinking, and last, but not least, could she find the Captain? She pulled a tattered yellow piece of paper out of her sweatshirt pocket and stared at it.

  “What is that?” Lindsey asked softly.

  “Something I need, but not sure I want.”

  Hands trembling, she moved the worn-out paper, a faded handwritten letter, quickly to one side, so a massive teardrop didn’t splatter it and ruin the letters that were hard enough to read already. The words that were faded and worn weren’t the problem; the problem was that as she read them to herself, Hannah didn’t recognize who had written them. The sound of the voice that reverberated back to her as she read the words from the letter in her hand seemed foreign to her; this man from the letter was a stranger. His voice didn’t match the sound of the gruff but comforting, familiar voice of the Captain’s in her head that had held her together for years—the man who had taken the time to read to her night after night and turned her bed sheets into sails so they could reenact her favorite story. And the man who had created make-believe ships and sailed them to Treasure Island, taught her that treasure could be found anywhere, even in the real world, but that she was his most important treasure. That man, the Captain, who lived in her head—he was dead!

  Chapter 2

  The Gunner Family

  Tell Me a Story

  No, I Lied

  Let’s Play a Game

  The Pirate Kind

  You’re the Captain

  I’m Your Crew

  We’re All We Need

  Me and You

  ~ Hannah Gunner ~

  “I’m not asking you not to go; I’m asking you not to leave yet.”

  Hank knew Gloria, his wife, understood that he didn’t have a choice when it came to the number of hours he worked, but she was getting sick and tired of the union business taking up so much of his time as well. Tensions at the dock were running high as talks of strikes circulated. Hank, respected by both his peers and representatives from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, ILWU for short, were smack in the middle of negotiations. Gloria was well aware of what that meant: late nights and very little time with her husband. Hannah, on the other hand, was oblivious to her father’s dealings on the dock and had climbed out of her bed for the second time that evening. A mass of long unruly hair, big blue eyes, and wearing a Disney princess nightgown, the five-year-old little girl appeared at her daddy’s side and wrapped her skinny arms around his legs. He looked down at her, and she peered up at him with big, sparkling blue eyes and made a request he could hardly turn down.

  “One more story, please Daddy, just one more?” Giggling, she twirled around and around his legs. “I promise, only one.”

  Gloria sat back and waited to see what her husband would say, but she knew it was already
over. One look at Hannah—union meeting before work or not—and he wasn’t going anywhere for a while. Pleased he was staying a little longer, she admired her two favorite people in the world, who just happened to be standing in her kitchen. Kissing Hannah on the top of her head, placing a peck on Hank’s cheek, she waved them toward the hallway and poured herself a glass of wine.

  “Well, what are you waiting for? Off you go!” she commanded with a smirk.

  The two of them brought out the best in each other, her stubborn husband and her ornery, beautiful daughter. They were, without question, her pride and joy.

  Hannah’s giggles echoed down the hall and bounced off the wall as Hank held her upside down and swung her to and fro by the ankles. Her long hair draped the floor as she wriggled and squirmed the entire time. Blood rushing to her cheeks, face beet red, her giggles continued until Hank threw her gently down onto her bed. The gruff but kind voice that now bellowed from her daddy’s mouth could only mean one thing: the Captain had arrived!

  “One more, and a quick one at that, do ya hear me, lassie?”

  Jumping up, Hannah reached for the book and excitedly handed it to him, knowing full well that before they had finished the next chapter they would be acting out the story together instead. In her words, the bestest story ever! There was no point in pulling down any of the other beautiful books that sat on her shelf, even her beautiful picture books, since none compared to the one that he read to her each evening. All the other books were ruined because of one thing: a game her daddy had turned this book into, a pirate game! Reading less than a few minutes into the book, the two would play-act the story instead of reading it together. It had become a ritual night after night that Hannah, though she didn’t realize it at the time, would cherish for years.