Resurrection

Chapter 16: The Great Big Hero

With the first part of the mutiny about to commence, Roach, Frenchie, The Swede, and Lucius keep watch outside the door to the hold, waiting for Wee John to retrieve the massive chest-turned-battering-ram. They can hear slow, heavy footsteps trudging up the stairs of the hold, prompting Frenchie to open the door slightly.

"Open the goddamn door, would ya?" Huffs Wee John through the crack in the door. Frenchie quickly opens it completely, revealing Wee John carrying the massive, wooden chest over his head. He staggers through the doorway, then sets the chest down as gently as he can, taking a much needed breather.

"I've got a question . . ." The Swede begins. "If we use the battering ram on Fang and Ivan's doors, won't that alert Izzy? And doesn't he have a gun?"

"Believe me, I had that same thought." Lucius agrees. "I have a way to get Fang to open his door . . . no force necessary. Then we'll just have to worry about Ivan."

Wee John takes a deep breath, then rubs his hands together. He bends down, then picks up the wooden chest once again, hoisting it over his head.

"Alright, alright, let's go, let's go!" Wee John strains in a whisper. The others scramble behind him as he strains under the massive piece of furniture.

Carefully and quietly, Wee John, Lucius, The Swede, Frenchie, and Roach arrive in the dim hallway leading to Fang, Ivan, and Izzy's rooms. With the same softness as placing down a step stool, Wee John leaves the enormous trunk silently on the floor, staring down the intimidating hallway.

"Alright, Spriggs." Wee John whispers breathlessly. "You said you had a magic trick or something?"

"Something like that." Lucius answers cheekily with a hint of hesitancy. He swiftly makes his way down the hallway, stopping outside of Fang's door. He gestures for The Swede and Roach to stand on either side of the door, ready to corner him as soon as he opens it. Wee John and Frenchie wait with the chest at the end of the hallway, anticipating Lucius's plan.

Lucius knocks quietly on Fang's door, barely making a sound. He then leans his face against the door.

" Oh , Fang ." Lucius sings barely above a whisper. "It's Lucius. I was wondering if you were in the mood for a . . . sketch."

Lucius waits expectantly for a moment, until he hears a small voice from the other side of the door.

"Lucius? Is that really you?" Fang asks softly from the other side of the door. "I thought you weren't interested in me anymore."

"How could I not be interested in you?" Lucius flirts against the door, staring expectantly at Roach and The Swede. "I found myself looking at old sketches this evening, I think I can improve on my form if you'd let me."

There's another brief silence, followed by the sound of a couple locks unlocking. Lucius's eyes dart towards Roach and The Swede, signaling both of them to get ready. Slowly, Fang opens his door, meeting Lucius's eyes with a smile. His shirt is off and wears a pair of brown breeches.

"Lucius. Handsome as always." Fang begins, moving slowly towards Lucius, expecting an embrace.

In a blink, The Swede grabs Fang's beard, holding his chin to his chest as he positions the wooden stake against the back of his neck. At the same time, Roach holds his stake in front of Fang's eye. Lucius holds two stakes against Fang's bare belly, feeling strangely guilty about the whole situation.

Fang is stunned. He's completely silent as he tries to make sense of what is happening. He looks up from his bowed head, staring at Lucius, betrayed.

"Hey, don't give me that." Lucius whispers to Fang. "Give us a second to explain everything, and nobody gets hurt."