Pirates at Heart

Chapter 10: Alive

My life felt as though it was flashing before my eyes as I felt my body helplessly plummet as my arms groped the air desperately to grab or cling to anything that would save my life. Whilst falling, I closed my eyes and readied for the dark, painful impact I was about to experience until..

I landed with a thud but something had cushioned my fall. Small fragments of hay poked into my back as I noticed that I was sprawled out across a thick stack of hay.

"Oh my god we killed Isobel!" I heard the distant sound of a familiar voice. Glancing upwards, the golden glisten of the sunlight glowed relentlessly and highlighted Bonnie who was grinning down at me.

"She's alive! Scorpia. Come see." Without a moments hesitation, Scorpia rushed to the edge of the building and peered down with a desperate expression.

"Thank god for that! Stay there, we're coming down." She called and the trio were gone. Rising from the haystack, I brushed the excess hay from my new clothes and patiently waited for the girls until a familiar scent tickled my nose. I simply couldn't stop my legs from marching forward as my inquisitive eyes searched for the golden jackpot. I longed for the delicious liquid that sloshed and swirled in my tankard and quenched my thirst and my head. There it was, the gates to heaven that glimmered in the mid-afternoon sunlight. The shiny taps coated in beer froth that dripped heavenly.

I immediately felt a sense of security and nostalgia the second I entered the unfamiliar pub filled with unfamiliar people. Several men gave me blank stares, others whistled and most carried on with their drinking.

"One pint please!" I said a little too enthusiastically. The barman raised and eyebrow and tugged on this thick broomstick moustache.

"Well don't just stand there? I need some alcohol!" My voice raised a little bit more and the pub was starting to go silent.

"¿Que?" His voice stabbed my ear. He couldn't understand me.

"Fuck sake. One.." I held up one finger on my right hand. "Pint." I imitated picking up a glass and chugging a beer. "Please." I clasped my hands together and begged the man to understand.

"¿Que?" He repeated. I was about to go behind the bar and make myself a pint until another voice called.

"Una cerveza por favor. y otra para la dama" Whilst pointing to me. I turned my head to face the deep voices but was faced with a mysterious hooded figure that was seated beside me at the bar.

The bartender nodded and rushed over to the taps where he pulled the handle one and the liquid gold shot from the taps and filled up both cups quickly but not quick enough. Eventually, he pushed the drinks skilfully over to the pair of us and tended to some other customers.

"I don't know if you understand English but, thank you." Before he could reply, I gripped onto the glass as if it were a precious jewel and allowed the refreshing liquid to flow harshly down my throat and coat the tastebuds that longed for the wicked taste.

"I do understand. And you're welcome." He said in an accent I couldn't decipher. However, his voice was warm and had a comforting tone to it.

"Here. Take this." I fished into my pocket and retrieved some coins I had managed to steal from Bonnie's pocket as we were leaving the stalls. The man took the coins in his dominant hand and inspected these closely.

"I've never seen coins like this. Where did you get them..."

"Oh. Well, I don't know where they are from originally." I answered.

"I see. And what is your name?"

"Isobel. That's my name. And I got them from a friend." I couldn't name and shame Bonnie as all I knew they were fugitives.

"What a beautiful name. It's so unique." His voice was slightly muffled due to his hood which only intrigued me more.

"Really? I always thought it was pretty average." I had met several Isobel's in my life and they were all regular normal girls. All except me. "How come you're wearing that hood. I don't suppose you could take it off?"

The alcohol had started to seep to my brain making me a little more confident to ask a daring question. He lowered his head and I could see a flicker of grin in the darkness of his hood.

"Even if I wanted to, I can't. I'm undercover and unfortunately I can't break the rules for your darling."

He took a thoughtful sip of his beer and noticed my inquisitive stare.

"There is something I can tell you You want to know my name? It's Vex." He almost whispered.

"Wow! I've never heard anyone with that name before." I was starting to feel the alcohol kick in. Although, I couldn't have said that it was the most unique name I'd never heard because after meeting the pirates I had gotten used to extravagant names. I bit my lip and had to directly pin my hand down to prevent myself my snatching his hood to reveal his face but I wanted to be enticed by the mystery a little longer.

"She's in here! Didn't I tell you she'd be in here?" I heard Bonnie's voice shout from outside. Scorpia strode into the pub with large steps and clutched my arm.

"We have no time for your antics so let's go." She pulled me to my feet and tugged as I resisted.

"Bye Vex. I hope we meet again." As I was dragged away, I saw the hint of a chestnut that glimmered with passion. His eyes were barely visible but I could just make out their hazel colour.

"Goodbye.. Isobel."