Edward Teach Died on a Beach (OFMD)

Part 2: Chapter 10

If I didn't have the skill to churn out 4 page essays in an hour I don't think I'd make it in school bc I can't fathom starting something before it's due

Stede stood in front of the door to the little tavern that Spanish Jackie owned. Stede glanced at the others and then pushed the door open. Stede stepped into the room confidently, slowly scanning it. Spanish Jackie was sitting at a table with one woman and two others. The woman glanced up as they entered, her bright green eyes flashing with curiosity.

The woman made eye contact with Stede and grinned. She had curly red hair that was tied tightly behind her head. She wore a baggy old shirt with a dark blue coat over it. She had a long strap of leather hung over her shoulder. Two pistols stuck out of it.

Spanish Jackie turned to watch them. "What could you possibly want now?"

Jim cleared their throat, slowly stepping around Stede and approaching the table. "Who's this lady?"

Spanish Jackie glanced over at the woman with a slight grimace. The woman stood up and looked into Jim's eyes for a long time. The woman turned over her shoulder, glancing at the two people she'd been sitting with. The woman turned back to Jim with an amused look.

"You walk in here like you own the place," the woman said lowly. "And then you demand to know my name?"

Stede looked like he was about to pass out. Jim glanced over at him and shrugged. "Yeah," they said. "I did."

The woman stepped slightly past Jim to examine the others. Her eyes stopped on Stede for a moment.

"Tell me who you are first," the woman said, examining Stede's nervous expression.

Jim shook their head slightly, but Stede stepped forward with his shoulders back and his back straight.

"I'm Captain... Thomas," Stede said.

"Oh, shut the fuck up," Jackie said, waving slightly. "That's Bonnet."

The woman grinned, looking at Jackie. "This is Bonnet?"

"I told you he was mouse-like," Jackie replied.

"Fuck. I expected him to be a little... I don't know..." the woman said with a chuckle. "You know what I mean?"

Jackie nodded knowingly.

Stede frowned. "What?"

One of the people that had been sitting with her stood up. Now that he was standing, Stede could see him better. The man had a soft, pale face. He had curly black hair that went down past his shoulders. It was tied back with a red satin ribbon. His face was clean-shaven. Stede was immediately impressed by this man. He wore a rather fancy red coat. The man's dark eyes were warm and inviting.

"Nice to meet you. Call me Sam," the man said softly, holding out his hand.

Stede took his hand. He was extraordinarily clean for a pirate. Though, Stede decided, he couldn't tell if Sam really was a pirate. Perhaps he was some royal that one of the others knew. The woman next to him, however, was most definitely a pirate. Sam squeezed his hand and firmly shook it with a warm smile. The woman that stood near them seemed unsure for a moment. She nudged Sam as he released Stede's hand.

"You sure about him?" She asked.

Sam shrugged. "I'm sure that I want to be on their side of all this."

The woman sighed deeply. She turned to Stede and held her hand out. Stede shook her hand hesitantly. She intimidated him.

"Anne Bonny," the woman said.