Edward Teach Died on a Beach (OFMD)

Chapter 23

"We should go back to the ship for a bit," Ed said to Stede.

Stede looked over at him. "Jim and Oluwande can handle being the leaders for a while."

"Yeah, but for every Jim, there's a Roach," Ed replied. "They're probably already eating each other."

Stede hummed. "True. We'll be back by tomorrow, though."

"I think we should just stop back to make sure they're not about to take the ship. Jim said they would," Ed said.

"And it hasn't been a week. I trust them," Stede replied.

Ed sighed. "You're right."

Stede and Ed sat next to each other on the steps of the veranda. Mary was inside. Louis and Alma sat nearby. Alma stood up she ran up to Stede and sat at his feet.

"Can you tell me the story of the orange again?" Alma asked.

Stede smiled. Ed listened silently as Stede told a kid-friendly version of their treasure hunt at St. Augustine. Ed looked down at the ground. He'd ruined St. Augustine.

"And then you found this!" Alma said.

Ed's eyes flicked over to Alma, who held half of the petrified orange. Ed stared at it with a deep frown. He felt nervous again.

"Yeah, I did. And guess what? Ed was with me," Stede said. "Him and Lucius were there with me when I found it. I thought it was just a rock, but Ed realized it was a petrified orange."

"Wow," Alma said.

Ed looked over at Stede as he pulled the other half of the orange out of his pocket. Alma grinned.

"May I?" Stede asked Alma.

May I?

Alma nodded, watching as Stede took the other half of the petrified orange. He ran his fingers over the broken halves before fitting them together. Ed felt his heart sinking. He felt nervous again. His heart began to pound. Mostly, he felt guilty.

Alma laughed as the orange was fitted together. "Look! They're together again."

"Yes. They are," Stede said with a warm smile.

Ed felt sick. He hunched over slightly, wrapping his arms around his legs. He stared over at Stede and Alma. Louis ran over. Louis glanced over at the closed door.

"Do you want to play pirates?" He asked Stede.

Stede grinned. "Sure."

Louis quickly ran inside. A few minutes later, he returned with four wooden swords.

"Look! Doug helped me paint them!" Louis said.

"Wow! Look at that!" Stede said cheerfully.

"Come on," Louis said, dropping all but one sword on the ground.

Alma picked hers up enthusiastically. Stede picked one up and glanced over at Ed. His smile flickered with concern for a moment.

"You guys start. We'll catch up in a minute," Stede said.

Alma and Louis ran away. Stede leaned against Ed. He put a hand on Ed's back.

"Ed?" Stede said quietly.

Ed looked up and blinked.

"Are you alright?"

Ed frowned. "Y-yeah. I'm just... I'm fine."

Stede frowned. "Are you sure? You look like you've seen a ghost!"

Ed forced himself to sit back slightly. He forced a smile. "Yeah."