Resurrection

Chapter 14: The Last Supper

Stede is jolted awake by the sound of loud banging on the door of the group bunk.

"GET YOUR ARSES UP, YOU LOT." Izzy's angered voice yells from the other side of the door. This has been the crew's typical wakeup call for the past month or so. After the morning scold, the crew has about a half hour to get dressed, eat something rancid, maybe have a cup of tea or coffee, then report up to the main deck for chores. It seems that nothing can be gentle and easy on this ship from Hell.

However, this morning already feels different. Stede looks around at his crew, none of them are trying to savor a few extra minutes in bed, everyone begins their day as soon as they hear Izzy's booming voice. It's for the hope that tomorrow, there won't be a raucous first thing in the morning, or unmanageable, backbreaking chores to follow. For the first time in weeks, there's hope that tomorrow will begin with peace and quiet.

Stede gets down from his hammock, already feeling his heart racing and stomach turning. Today is the day. Today is the last chance to liberate his crew, liberate the girl, liberate the entire world from the evil clutches of Blackbeard. Still . . . why does he feel so miserable about it?

"Did you guys . . . hear anything last night?" Wee John pipes up as he gets dressed.

"No, did you?" Oluwande asks.

"Yeah, I thought I heard something in the middle of the night. Wasn't sure if I was dreaming." Frenchie agrees.

"What was it?" Jim interjects, more urgent.

There's a brief silence as Frenchie and Wee John look at each other, wondering if they heard the same thing . . . and wondering if they should discuss it in front of Jim.

"Um . . ." Wee John begins, suddenly bashful.

"It sounded like growling. Loud growling." Frenchie cuts in. "Like . . . from a person."

The room goes silent as the crew freezes.

"Yeah, familiar growling." Wee John finally adds. "Ed's growling."

Stede swallows a dry lump in his throat. Jim averts their gaze to the floor, breathing heavily. Lucius's eyes go wide as he covers his mouth with his hand.

"Well," Jim begins tersely. "All the more reason not to fuck up tonight."

The crew slowly begins to get dressed again, all lost in their own despondent thoughts.

"Did . . ." Pete begins hesitantly. "Did you guys hear the girl at all?" The room seems to freeze again.

Wee John sighs, his face getting red. His eyes turn glossy, though he tries to hide it. "I couldn't hear her as well . . . but I thought I might've heard crying."

The crew stands quietly, solemnly. Everyone is frozen with sullen expressions, except for Lucius who stands with his mouth agape, his emotions stemming from something completely different.

"At least we know she's alive." Stede finally chimes in. "Jim is right. It's all the more reason to be at our best. Any free time today must be devoted to practice and preparation. Got it?"

"Aye, Captain." The crew mumbles softly, resuming their morning routines.

Lucius is the first to leave the bunk, making his way into the galley for some much needed tea. He lets his thoughts ruminate as he continues to wake up. Oh my God they had sex , he thinks. They finally had sex and now we're gonna kill him . Lucius rubs his eyes in frustration and confusion. I told Saraghina to have sex with him and now we're gonna kill him . Lucius takes a sip of his hot tea, not minding the burn, since it distracts him even for a brief moment.