Edward Teach Died on a Beach (OFMD)

Chapter 3

(Two days before ch1)

"Oh, fuck's sake," Izzy breathed.

He was staring up at Ed yet again. This time, he was stretched against the railing of the top, his arms and his legs hanging out.

That fall really would kill him.

Rather than wake the sleeping beauty, Izzy went and found Fang, who was taking a morning piss off the boat. Izzy stood by him for a moment. He glanced around, making sure nobody was in earshot.

"Bonnet's dead," Izzy said quietly.

Fang turned around so quickly that he almost pissed on Izzy's boots. "Scared me."

Izzy had to swallow the rage that bubbled in his chest. He wanted so badly to choke Fang and toss him off the ship.

"Did you say Bonnet's dead?" Fang asked, suddenly frowning at him as he pulled his pants back over himself.

"I did, yes," Izzy replied, grimacing.

Fang slowly leaned back against the railing. "Does Captain know yet?"

Izzy shook his head.

Fang looked up to where Ed slept. "He's going to lose his shit."

Izzy could only nod, his eyes locked on the top of the main mast, where Ed's legs were stretched through the railing. He looked like he was about to fall off. Izzy scoffed and rolled his eyes.

From just below them, in the shadowed corner of the gun deck, Frenchie had a hand over his mouth. He heard footsteps above and quickly began to tiptoe across the room. He stopped at the locked door to the supply room. As of right now, Jimenez was tied to one of the shelves.

"Jim?" Frenchie whispered.

Frenchie heard a quiet rustling. He heard a knock against the wall.

"I just heard Izzy tell Fang that Stede is dead. Our captain, Stede Bonnet, is dead."

He heard a thump from behind the door.

"Jim?" He asked sheepishly.

"Shit, Frenchie?"

"Yeah," Frenchie whispered. "We have to be quiet. Izzy was awake."

"Okay. Is Stede really dead?" Jim whispered through the door.

"I don't know. I mean, I don't trust Izzy, but there'd be no reason to lie when there's nobody else awake," Frenchie whispered.

Jim sighed. "How's Blackbeard doing?"

Frenchie hummed. "As miserable as always."

Jim chuckled. "Good. Did he mention how Stede died?"

"No," Frenchie replied.

Jim hummed. "Odd."

"I know," Frenchie said.

Frenchie heard footsteps above them. "I have to go. I'll talk to you again soon, okay?"

Jim grunted. "I'm gonna kill that bastard when I get out of here, sí?"

"Sí," Frenchie whispered back.

As Frenchie scrambled back to the dark corner where he'd been hiding, Izzy climbed up to the top. He stared down at the pathetic excuse of a pirate that laid in front of him. He contemplated putting his foot right on Edward's stomach and kicking him off the top. It'd be quick, easy, and a fucking relief, to be honest.

Instead, he opted to roll him onto the side facing the outside of the ship, using his foot to lift his limp body. Edward stirred and then began to panic for a moment. He scrambled away from the edge of the top, nearly knocking Izzy over.

"You do want to live," Izzy said quietly, a clear tone of mocking in his voice.

When Ed's head made contact with Izzy's knee, he spun and looked up at him, still on his ass. Izzy looked down at Edward as his face tilted upwards, his dark eyes peering at him. He squinted, slightly, like the dim moonlight was still too bright for him.

"Figured I'd wake you up before you rolled off," Izzy said simply.

Edward turned away from him, hoping Izzy hadn't noticed that his makeup was even more smeared that it had been the last time they'd spoken. He'd cried again, but he was running out of tears. And the kohl that covered his face.

"Get up," Izzy said.

Edward ignored him, lying onto his side and closing his eyes. Izzy grimaced. Izzy kicked Edward hard enough to make him wince.

"Get. Up," Izzy snapped. "I talked to Spanish Jackie tonight."

Edward glared fiercely at him. He rose to his feet, swaying slightly. Still drunk, Izzy thought. Edward shoved him backwards. Izzy barely caught himself against the railing, his eyes going as wide as saucers.

Izzy couldn't decipher the feelings that shot through him. Fear, excitement, and...

"What'd she say?" Edward growled.

Izzy paused. After a moment, he said, "Nothing much."

Edward looked at him distrustfully. "You got more rum?"

"Yes, sir."

Edward took a firm grip of Izzy's leather vest and pushed him backwards over the railing. Izzy was parallel to the ground, with one leg hooked around the railing of the crow's nest and the other wildly flailing outwards. Edward held him firmly. Izzy's hands locked onto his wrist.

"Make me wait, Izzy, and this'll be the plank. I'll leave you with one of those fancy fucking armoires tied to your leg."

"I thought we got rid of those," Izzy replied breathlessly.

Edward let go abruptly, smirking as Izzy clung to his wrist, desperatepy holding himself up. Edward let a few moments pass before he used his other hand to pull Izzy back up by his collar. Izzy groaned as Edward pulled him standing before stepping away and climbing down the mast. Izzy took a moment to catch his breath.

Edward grabbed a bottle of rum from the box that sat by his quarters. Izzy watched with wide eyes as he drew his dagger and used it to break off the top. The neck of the bottle shattered, leaning a sharp edge. Edward began to drink from the edge of the broken glass.

From the bow, Fang quickly turned his eyes away. He'd been on night watch. He didn't want a fight with Izzy. He knew Izzy would be bitching as soon as the others woke up.

Unfortunately, as Izzy climbed down from the crow's nest, obviously a little flustered, he spotted Fang facing toward the water. Fang groaned as Izzy strode over to him.

"Anything interesting?" Izzy asked, his voice quivering.

Fang just shook his head.

Izzy nodded slightly. "I... uh... keep an eye out."

Fang nodded again. He glanced over at Izzy as he walked away. He narrowed his eyes as a seagull landed on the railing next to him.

"He's not here," Fang said quietly. "Sorry."

The bird watched him for a moment and then leapt into the sky, flapping its wings. Fang watched the bird fly into the rising sun with a frown.

He wondered which one that was. At one point, Buttons had tried to tell him the difference between them all. He hadn't really been able to figure it out.

Izzy stood in the empty crew room. He crossed his arms, humming quietly. He was lost in thought. He was conflicted. On the one hand, telling Edward might change him back into the Blackbeard he knew. On the other hand, it could cause him to shut down.