Pirates at Heart

Chapter 13: A wasp's sting

Being trusted with something so precious gave me a sense of accomplishment as Bonnie had put her trust in me. Normally I would've rushed straight to the pub to grab another pint but I knew the girls were in trouble and I couldn't just leave them. Without any hesitation, I watched as the guards advanced and the girls leaped from building to building and they slowly faded from my view as I climbed down the ladder and landed in a dark alleyway where the unsteadiness of the cobblestone streets made my landing unconfident.

Despite this, i managed to steady myself and I quickly noticed that I was located in the alleyway which I had fell down earlier. My eyes travelled upwards to where the guards sprung from one side to another with minimal effort. They didn't even notice that I was down here.

"Didn't know you'd be back so soon?" A voice came from the thick darkness that concealed the familiar voice. It was Vex. His voice was like a siren's song drawing me in ; I felt my feet  gradually drive me towards his voice and the darkness.

"I didn't either. But I'm here." My voice echoed in the tight alleyway as a smile spread out across my lips. There was something so alluring about the mystery of him that I couldn't stop myself. My mind completely forgot about Scorpia and the others. Without a warning, Vex firmly pressed a hand on my hip and pulled me closer to him.

"I can't." I whispered.

"You are, aren't you?" His voice was low and never faulted. I felt my hand travelling up to his hood. There was no thoughts of alcohol in my mind, my addiction had been replenished with another. His face was just hidden and so close to mine that I could smell his subtle fragrance of cigars and alcohol as his warm breath touched my skin. My eyes locked on his for a moment until I saw his eyes sparkle. Not a natural sparkle, his eye seemed to be reflecting something...

My eyes darted downwards to where his hand was. He clutched the shimmering jewel in his hand that he had snatched from my pocket.

"MOTHERFUCKER." My voice went up at least 5 octaves but it was too late. A sly grin played on his lips for a split second until he turned and hurried away. It looked like the chase was on.

He didn't hesitate to climb up the ladder, his burly arms thrusted him up the ladder quick as a flash. I was no match as I scrambled desperately back up the ladder and stumbled to my feet. The Spanish heat made sweat trickle down my back as I tried to catch my breath. Vex was far ahead already. His cloak blew in the wind and shielded him from the scorching rays of heat. Gasping for air, I continued the chase. I leaped from building to building with ease, just like Scorpia had taught me and I was starting to catch up to Vex.

"GET BACK HERE." I almost screamed. All of a sudden, I almost lost my footing and really did scream at the top of my lungs. Hell's gap. I was back again. Vex copied Scorpia's technique as he retreated to the edge of building to get the perfect run up until he ascended like a kite into the air and managed to grip onto the other side, dangling with his bare hands. I didn't hesitate, I knew I couldn't make it with my scrawny physique compared to Vex so I knew what I had to do. I had to make a sacrifice.

I positioned my feet at the edge of the building, I worked my arms and legs like pistons as I dashed along the high building and propelled my body through the air with one singular jump. As I flew through the air, I locked onto my target. Vex was still in the process of climbing onto the building from a dangling position. I knew he'd make it so as I felt my momentum being lost and my body plunging downwards, I grabbed onto his ankles and prevented him from climbing up.

"Get off!" He shook his legs violently to try and free himself from my grasp but I was too determined. His arms were starting to give way and I heard a distressed sound emerge from his mouth.