A PIRATE'S TREASURE

Chapter 6

It took a while to head back to Tortuga because of certain complications.

Hook touched his nub where his hand used to be with the phantom pain. It wasn't his sword hand but still a necessity. We all take small things for granted until it's gone.

     "I'm sorry James, it has to get cut off."

     "Isn't there another way? I need my hand."

    "The gunshot blew off more than it appears and gunpowder just sitting around the wound didn't help while you sailed here. Your hand lost all its color and is just dead weight now. If we don't do something, it'll get infected and spread throughout your body."

The doctor operated soon after and we stayed around until James could sail again.

He kept staring at his nub as if his hand would grow back. Or more like wishing it would.

    "Captain, we're about to dock."

    "Hey Smee, want to make a deal?"

    "I'm not so sure-"

    "Want your ship back?"

Smee was taken back waiting for the other shoe to drop.

    "I just need you to wait 20 minutes or so and take me somewhere."

Smee just smiled and nodded.

James was a pirate and fulfilled his father's demand. But his journey wasn't what he thought it would be and the whole time he just wanted to be somewhere else. The treasure was nice but he thought he would be more joyous than sad.

Blackbeard was wrong about being a villain. Villans cause chaos and stand by watching the world crumble under their foot. Villains murder for control and power. For their own gain in life.

He didn't do all this for personal gain. Before Jenny, maybe he did but now he just wanted out.

James walked into the pub looking for his father and of course, he was entertaining in the back.

The crew dropped the chest on the table quieting the whole place.

     "Blackbeard is gone."

    "Job well done my son. I see you have had some problems."

    "Nothing I can't handle sir."

    "Well done James. A deal is a deal and the Jolly Rogers is yours."

James took a deep breath in.

    "Keep it because I'm done."

His father snapped his head up so fast he might have gotten whiplash.

    "I don't think I heard you right."

    "This isn't a life I want anymore."

    "Son, you can't just quit being a pirate. This is in your blood and what your grandfather and I have trained you for all these years. So you have a little problem with the hand you can still-"

    "This isn't what I want any more father!"

His father looked at his son and then everything just clicked.

    "Does quitting have anything to do with a girl?"

Lie lie lie.

    "Of course not."

    "Ah, so it does. Have I ever told you about your mother James?"

James grew up without his mom. Stories were she died shortly after I was born and that was it.

    "Died at childbirth," James said.

    "Your grandfather would tell you that but no. She was a prestigious girl with money and power. I was trying to con her father when we met."

His father smiled reminiscing the past.

    "She fell in love with my stories and the sweet lies I told her. Such an innocent girl."

    "What happened?"

    "One thing led to another and you came along. She then demanded we marry because it would be the noble thing to do. When I laughed at her face she threatened to rat me out to her father and I don't take threats lightly."

    "Father you didn't."

    "It all spilled out then and she started to run screaming about pirates in the country and well she slipped hitting her head. Doctors claimed it was an accident and her father gave me our bastard of a son and to never come back. Her father knew something but no proof."

James felt his heart stop and he felt nauseous.

    "If you tell this girl what you are she'll be just like your mother. Women are gullible and only good for one thing!"

    "What about your mom? Grandfather dotes on her like she is an angel."

    "She was born from a great pirate where our families decided to bind them together for an alliance. But love is for fools, James. This girl will get you killed son because all women are liars."

    "I'm done father, keep the ship and leave me the hell alone."

James headed out the door with his father yelling,

     "You'll regret this James! Watch your back now because you're a dead man! No one walks out on me!"

He finally felt free to run to his friends' ship.

    "Ready for an adventure Mr. Smee?"

     "Sails are down captain. Anywhere special? Smee smiled.

     "I'm not your captain anymore Mr. Smee."

    "You'll always be my captain, sir, now where to?"

     "Home."

James pulled the compass out as the dial struck south towards the small island with a beautiful blonde waiting for him.