Edward Teach Died on a Beach (OFMD)

Chapter 21

Uh oh guys I'm running out of drafts

Sam's face was switching wildly between relief at the sight of Mary, who'd been on his ship and confusion at the lack of said ship. In the chaos of the ship being boarded, Ed and Hornigold were staring at each other. Jim was over by Vane, quickly slicing the ropes off of his wrists.

Stede turned slightly as Hornigold raised his sword. Ed shook his head.

"No, Ben. It's over," Ed said.

"I didn't tell them!" Vane shouted as soon as Jim had pulled the gag out of his mouth. "The only thing that kept me going was the hatred I have for you, Hornigold!"

Hornigold and Ed both ignored him. Ed stared at Hornigold, trying to plead with him.

"I'm dead," Ed said. "Stede's dead. Let us go. We have the remainder of Vane's crew, Sam's crew, and Bonny's crew on our side."

"Sam? Bellamy?" Hornigold asked, offended.

"Yes. You are sorely outnumbered, my friend. If you surrender, I will let you live," Ed offered.

Hornigold pushed forward, shoving Ed against the wall behind him and putting an arm against his throat. Horigold pointed his gun at Ed's head.

"Tell me why I shouldn't just pull the trigger," Hornigold hissed.

"You've got one shot. That will take you too long to reload. If you kill me, Stede will have his dagger into your throat before you can turn around," Ed said smugly.

Hornigold looked into his eyes. "What have you become?"

"Happy," Ed replied. "I was never happy as Blackbeard. I was a shell of a man. I've... I've found someone that I..."

Hornigold's arm tightened against his throat, cutting his words off. Ed's eyes widened as he struggled to breathe.

"What a disappointment," Hornigold spat.

Ed began to struggle against Hornigold. Stede stepped forward quickly, frowning as Hornigold abruptly stepped away, letting Ed fall to his knees. Stede glanced warily at Hornigold before crouching down by Ed.

Ed glanced up at Hornigold, who stared at him with pure disgust and disappointment. Ed grinned as Sam Bellamy put a gun against Hornigold's head.

"Benjamin!" Sam said cheerfully, his gun wavering slightly.

"Bellamy," Hornigold said dryly, looking at Ed. "Why would you work with him after what he did to us?"

Ed shrugged. "He's a nice guy, to be honest."

Hornigold looked like he was about to go insane. "You were my best student."

Ed shrugged again. "Sorry."

Hornigold paused to look over as Anne Bonny descended the stairs above them.

"Here's what you're going to do, Hornigold," Bonny said, approaching them with her hands in her pockets.

Mary stood right behind her, grinning devilishly. Stede glanced around and saw that most of Hornigold's crew had surrendered. His eyes scanned the crowd for his own crew; he managed to find everyone alive, thankfully.

"Hornigold, those of Vane's crew that survived have already cleared one of your ships. They have left no prisoners," Bonny said fiercely.

Sam's eyes widened. Stede glanced nervously up at Hornigold as he helped Ed to his feet. Hornigold clenched his fist, taking in a deep breath. His brow furrowed.

"They were pleased to have that opportunity. Now, my friend," Bonny said. "Bellamy's crew is nicely gathering the remainder of your crew thats left on this ship next to us. It's likely that they will live. If you'd like to live and let them live, I suggest you surrender and stop coming after us. Let the dead lay."