Resurrection

Chapter 19: Who Said Anything About Violence?

"Ed . . . perhaps you could give yourself some time before you see Izzy." Stede says carefully.

"Give myself some time?" Edward replies snarkily. "All I've been doing is giving myself time, which gives him more time to be a fucking twat."

"He's also . . . unwell." Lucius adds. "He may not even be awake yet."

"I'll wake 'em up." Edward growls, beginning to make his way to the door to the lower deck. He pushes through Stede and Lucius as he eyes his destination.

"Wait!" Saraghina yells out, running to Edward. She grabs his hand, which seemingly brings him back to the real world. He stops abruptly, his face still enraged and focused, then lets his eyes lock with Saraghina. Like magic, his breathing slows slightly, and his expression softens. "Edward, darling, you need to think about this more. I'm begging you."

"Sara, I know you heard a lot tonight . . . but you don't understand that . . . monster. What he's done to me, to this crew." Edward explains intensely. "The things he said to you . . . how he disrespected you, humiliated you . . . I'm sure you're leaving out some details, too. But you don't have to protect him. No one has to protect him. These matters are between me and Izzy, that's all."

"Clearly they're not." Saraghina retorts. Edward stares back at her confused. "It sounds like everyone on this ship has been hurt by Izzy in some way. But . . . it also sounds like . . . everyone's been hurting one another. If violence was the only kind of solution, then there'd be no one left on the crew."

"Who said anything about violence?" Edward mumbles, slightly shameful.

"Come on, Edward." Saraghina jests slightly. "I have an idea. If you're completely sure about speaking to Izzy tonight, how about I accompany you? Even Lucius and . . . Stede . . . can join if you'd like. Just to hold you accountable. I know that your emotions are complicated right now, to say the least."

Edward looks behind himself, seeing Lucius, Stede, and the whole crew staring at him worriedly. He then looks back at Saraghina. Everyone watches him like he's a mad dog, trying to keep him from flying off the handle at any moment. He feels a twinge of shame knowing that Saraghina is witnessing this, and perhaps even feeling it, too.

"Fine. But the three of you wait outside." Edward grumbles. "If there's any kind of struggle, you'll hear it. But there won't be . . . I just need to talk to him, Sara."

Saraghina looks back at Stede and Lucius. They look back at her almost like they're waiting for her to make the decision.

"OK. We'll do that." Saraghina decides.

Lucius and Stede join Saraghina and Edward. They all take each other in, almost incredulously, amazed to all be within feet of each other. It's cathartic to have secrets finally out in the open.

The four walk down the stairs to the lower deck, approaching the hallway to Izzy's room.

"Ed, no offense, but I don't think you should be the first person to say something." Lucius suggests carefully. "He probably has a gun in there. If you say something that'll piss him off-"

"You're talking to me like I don't know my first mate." Edward growls. "I know who he is, how to handle him. I was thinking of maybe having one of you blokes announce me or something."

"I don't think he'd talk to me. He hates me, and he's made it pretty clear." Stede adds. Edward's eyes still seem to linger on Stede in disbelief as he talks.

"I'll do it." Saraghina says.

"I'm not making you interact with that twat ever again." Edward says defensively.