Jackson was miserable. He hated being a pirate. He hated being on the ship. He hated being with the crew. He hated everything about his new life.
He tried to escape many times, but he always failed. The pirates were too smart and too fast for him. They always caught him and brought him back to the ship. 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 Jackson 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 to go back home.
He wanted to go back to his room and play games all day.
He wanted to go back to his old life.
He missed his parents.
He missed his friends.
He missed his computer.
He missed his phone.
He missed his bed.
He missed his pillow.
He missed his blanket.
He missed his teddy bear.
He missed everything that he used to have.
He realized that he had taken everything for granted.
He realized that he had been a fool.
He realized that he had been unhappy for no reason.
He realized that he had been ungrateful for everything that he had been given.
He realized that he had been wrong about everything.
He realized that he wanted to change.
But it was too late.
He was stuck with the Happy Pirates.
And they were happy.