Bee and the Boy

Chapter 14

Beatrix stands in front of Alex. He notices that her hands are shaking, but she isn't moving.

"Bee, get out of here."

"I'm not leaving you again." she turns her head to tell him.

The Merchant snaps his fingers. "Get her out of here."

Beatrix yelps as she darts out of the way of the henchman's grasp. She then kicks him in the shin. "Not this time." She raises her fists up to protect her face.

The henchman takes note of her stance. "You never took self-defence, did you?" he grins.

Beatrix looks down and adjusts her feet. When she looks up the henchman punches her in the nose, knocking her to the ground. Alex yells out for her in the background. She props herself up on one arm and wipes the blood away from under her nose. "Is that all you got?" she speaks in a nasal voice.

Alex flinches when Marina touches his arm, breaking his gaze

"You!" He pulls his arm away.

"Shh, I can get you out of here."

Alex decides to obey her and watches as she picks the lock on the chain holding him to the floor. As soon as he is free, he jumps up and grabs Beatrix just as she gets to her feet. The three of them run for the exit.

"I told you to wait for me at the front desk," Marina says while running.

Beatrix is about to respond when she skids to a stop. The Merchant stands in front of the mousehole. Alex pulls her to the left and flees to a narrow tunnel.

They are backed into a corner when they hit a dead end. They hear footsteps approaching. Beatrix looks up and around for a way out when she spots a crevice high up in the wall. Nudging Alex, she nods him in the right direction. She laces her fingers together, and along with Marina, the two girls hoist Alex up so he can grab onto the ledge.

"Cmon," Alex yells out as he lays on his stomach, arms outstretched.

"Go," Marina tells Beatrix. Just as The Merchant turns the corner does she reach into her boot and pulls out a dagger. Beatrix watches as the two fight. Just when it seems Marina has the upper hand, The Merchant unsheaths his sword and runs it through her abdomen.

"Go!" She repeats.

Horrified, Beatrix stumbles backwards and fumbles for the wall.

"You have to jump," Alex calls out from above, holding out his arms as far as he possibly can. She shakes out her hands, quickly giving one final look to Marina's lifeless body, knowing she failed once again. She walks back a few steps, almost within reach of The Merchant, then breaks into a run. 

Up in the air, she reaches for Alex. He grabs onto her wrist just in time. Beatrix grabs his arm with her other hand, working with him as he pulls her up. They hug.

"You won't get far." The Merchant yells up at them.

"C'mon." Beatrix stands and grabs Alex's hand. They run until they reach a crack in the wall.

"Wait." She stops and starts tearing at the plaster.

"There's no time, we have to find another way." Alex pleads with her to stop.

"What if there is no other way?" She sticks her head through the crack. The drop-down is a death sentence. She withdraws out of the hole. "Do you have any rope?"

"What? Of course, I don't have any rope."

Alex stops to think. "I have an idea."

~

When the Merchant reaches them, Alex shoves Beatrix aside and falls out the hole in the wall.

"Alex!" She cries out.

"You cost me my paycheck." The Merchant growls.

Beatrix takes a step back.

Alex quietly climbs back up and sneak attacks him from behind with a hit to the head from the metal shackle still around his wrist. "Thanks, Marina." His whispers.

The Merchant falls forward, as Beatrix steps around him.

~

The three of them kneel beside Marina's body.

"We have to take her with us," Beatrix says. 

Alex nods.

Owen picks her up as they head out of the mouse hole.

~

They hold a funeral before heading out to sea, not knowing what the future holds.