Chapter 7: The Attack of Captain Grump

Captain Grump was the leader of the Grumpy Pirates. He was the opposite of Captain Laid. He was a short and skinny man with a bald head and a long nose. He wore a gray coat, a black hat, and a silver earring. He had a sour expression on his face and a sneer in his voice. He looked like he was having a bad day.

He was an unhappy pirate. He hated his life and he hated his crew. He hated everything and everyone. He was always angry and bitter and rude. He never smiled or laughed or celebrated. He never gave gifts or compliments or hugs. He never invited anyone to join his activities or games or parties. He never asked anyone about their feelings or opinions or dreams.

He never cared about anyone.

He only cared about himself.

He only wanted treasure.

He was greedy and selfish and cruel.

He had been following the Happy Pirates for a long time. He had learned about their quest for the secret island of Zurina. He had wanted to find the island and steal the treasure for himself. He had tried to stop them and sabotage them many times. He had attacked them and chased them and tricked them. He had set traps and curses and enemies for them. He had made riddles and puzzles and mysteries for them.

But he had always failed.

The Happy Pirates were too smart and too fast for him. They always escaped from him and reached the island before him. They always laughed and joked about his attempts. They always said things like, "Nice try lad!", "Better luck next time mate!", "You're so funny lad!", and "Don't worry lad, we still love you!"

They never got angry or punished him. They never locked him up or tied him up or threw him overboard. They never hurt him or threatened him or insulted him.

They always treated him like a friend. Like a brother. Like a son.

They always tried to make him happy. They always gave him gifts and compliments and hugs. They always invited him to join their activities and games and parties. They always asked him about his feelings and opinions and dreams.

They always cared about him.

But Grump didn't care about them.

He didn't want their gifts or compliments or hugs. He didn't want to join their activities or games or parties. He didn't want to share his feelings or opinions or dreams.

He didn't want their friendship or brotherhood or love.

He wanted their treasure.

He wanted to go to the island and take it for himself.

He wanted to go back to his ship and count it all day.

He wanted to go back to his old life.

He wanted to go back to being unhappy.

But it was not too late.

He had followed them to the island.

And he was ready to attack them.