The pitch black hull was wider than four town houses side by side, and towered at least four stories overhead like some kind of moving fortress. Its sails were laden with dark green fabric from top to bottom in sets of eight on either side of the mast. From its bow, a giant silver spike shot out with what appeared to be barbed wire lining its shaft.

	Molly didn't move. She froze up at the sight of it. If Shane had moved only a moment later, both him and his sister would have been crushed by the oncoming ship as it tore through the sand, destroying half the beach.

	When the ship came to a stop, several slots opened all along its frontal hull, and spiked shot into the ground with anchors attached to the end of each one. Far above the eight-fold sails, a black flag waved with a white jolly roger spread across its length. It looked like a skull with thin slits for eyes, and smooth hair-like patterns on either edge wrapping down into a spiral below its jawline. No doubt, it was the sign of a pirate ship.