A/N: This is the sequel to 'Tales of an Adventurer'. It isn't necessary to read that first, but is advisable. As before, I do not own any of the original King Kong characters, places or events. Any characters you don't recognise are my own creations.
Chapter 1: The Paper
Early August 1939, and New York's hot summer was nearing its end. The streets were crowded one late afternoon, and a general mood of light-hearted laziness seemed to accompany the warm weather. Pedestrians ambled along at an easy pace, all save for one young man.
Of medium height and build with short, mousy-coloured hair, he raced along the pavement regardless of those around him. Clutched in one hand was a rolled up newspaper; in the other, a small envelope. Hurtling round a corner, he ran straight into a well-dressed man coming the other way, scattering paper up into the air.
"Watch where you're going, kid!"
"Sorry, mister!" The reply was distant: the runner was already much further along the street.
He made his way swiftly towards the docks, slowing briefly to greet his destination with a smile, before sprinting up the gangway of an old tramp steamer.
"Skipper! Skipper!"
Scrambling up steep staircases, he eventually tumbled through the door of the wheelhouse.
"Skip… Oh, sorry, skipper."
"Yes, Jimmy?"
Captain Englehorn of the Venture turned to face his crewmember with an expression of annoyance. Behind him, his wife Jane was leaning against the table with pinker-than-usual cheeks.
"This is for you."
Jimmy held out the paper and the Captain eyed it nonchalantly.
"I don't read the paper."
"You'll want to read this one, sir."
Englehorn's eyes narrowed curiously, but he took the proffered newspaper and unrolled it.
"What's that, Jimmy?" Jane nodded towards the envelope he held with a smile.
"It's just a letter from Suki."
Jane's smile faded. She'd never heard him mention his 'Suki' before with such little affection, but then she followed his gaze to her husband. He was studying the front page with alarm.
"What is it, Frederick?" she asked, her brow furrowing in concern. He threw down the paper on the table and she too froze as the headline hit her:
'War in Europe.'
What's the matter, mum? You've been awfully quiet all evening."
Jane smiled sadly at her son. "It's nothing, Freddie," she said quietly. "Daddy just received some news."
"What news?"
She sighed. The six-year-old watched her suspiciously, looking, as he always did, strikingly like his father. He'd actually started dressing like the Captain now, with his own seaman's cap and all, and even spoke basic German. He watched her now with his head on one side.
"There will be some fighting in Europe," she told him. "My country and… and your father's are involved."
"Will he have to go and help?"
"No, of course not. He's a little shocked, that's all."
There was a knock at the door of the cabin, and Jane glanced up to see Jimmy. He greeted her with a small smile.
"Thank goodness!" Freddie exclaimed. "You're not all boring too, are you, Jimmy?"
"I hope not."
The young man caught Jane's eye and she understood quickly. "Isn't it your bedtime, Freddie? Be a good boy tonight and go and get ready for bed."
Groaning, the youngster thankfully obeyed, and Jane was left alone with Jimmy, but for her second child Cathy, who was currently snoozing peacefully in a cot they had fashioned out of old barrels.
"How is he?" she asked. She did not need to say any name for Jimmy to know who she was referring to.
"Still up on the bridge. He hasn't called for anything since we left him."
Englehorn had been thrown into a state of disarray by the newspaper article. Jane had never seen him like this before, and was worried for him.
"I suppose he's best left to himself," she said.
"Yeah." Jimmy paused. "What's going to happen, Jane?"
"I don't know." Sighing deeply, she tried to change the subject. "Now, what about that letter of yours?"
This brought a small smile to his face. "You can read it if you like." Pulling it out of his pocket, ha handed her the crumpled sheets of paper, all three covered in tiny handwriting.
'Dear Jimmy, I hope your Captain agrees to sail down here… I'm missing you too much for words…'
Jane glanced up, grinning. "She certainly seems fond of you." He simply looked at the floor, blushing.
"Mum!"
Their smiles faded instantly; Freddie was back.
All was dark. Jane could hear gunfire all around her. She could not hear them, but somehow she knew that people were dying nearby. Crying a name, she reached out in terror. "Frederick!"
But he was not there. She was alone in bed as she woke up in a cold sweat. She had no idea of the time, but it must have been past midnight. Looking around her dimly lit cabin, Jane realised that she had been dreaming. Cathy slept on in the corner, but where was her husband? Climbing out of her bunk, she flung a shawl round her shoulders and set off up through the vessel.
Sure enough, a light still burned on the bridge. Jane climbed the steps slowly, and rounding the corner, laid eyes on her husband asleep at the table, his head leaning on the front page of the paper.
Smiling sadly, she bent over to lay a gentle kiss on his forehead, and took a seat beside him as he stirred slowly.
"Jane? Is that you?" Englehorn opened one eye to look at her.
"Yes, Frederick."
He sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes and yawning. "What time is it?" he asked groggily.
"Nearly two," she answered, glancing at the clock.
He groaned. "I must've fallen asleep." He paused. "Too busy thinking about this." He nodded towards the newspaper. Jane noticed with vague amusement that some of the print had transferred on to his face.
"You worry too much," she told him. "We'll be safe here."
"Here?" He shook his head. "No, Jane. We have to get out of the way. America's such a big country they're sure to get involved at some point. They won't be able to resist."
She frowned; he was probably right. "So what do you suggest?"
Taking one of her hands in his own, he shuffled his chair closer to hers and she leant against him affectionately. "Australia, perhaps?"
She looked up quickly. "And New Zealand? For Jimmy?"
Frederick smiled. "Very well."
He looked so handsome as he smiled that Jane could not help but kiss his lips gently. Even as she pulled away he brought her closer, sliding his arm round her waist.
"What about Ann and Jack?" she asked.
"You can say your goodbyes tomorrow," her husband promised, "but make them quick. If we're going to escape we must leave soon."
Smiling sadly, Jane leant back against him with a sigh. "Yes, Captain."
A/N: I hope someone out there is reading and liked this. Please leave me a review!