The Bombshell

Part 32: Killian's Pov

   I'm supposed to be a pirate, but I'm not bloody acting like one, nor am I being treated like one. "Hook, where's my rum?" The captain was as arrogant as ever, even if he didn't know the meaning of the word.

.

   "It's right here, Captain." I replied as I retrieved his rum from the supply on deck. I hated Blackbeard with a vengeance and that was never going to change, but I couldn't stand up to him. I was too weak.

.

   "Ah, good. Now back to scrubbing the decks." He ordered before taking the rum from me and sauntering off towards the tavern. I did as he expected and began to scrub the decks. I guess the pirate's life isn't all it's cracked up to be; at least not for me.

.

   "Hook?" It was the voice of a child and it was one I didn't recognise. I looked up to see a young lad coming towards me accompanied by a woman who needed no introduction. Regina.

.

   "Indeed, and who might you be?" Why would an outlaw and a young boy want to talk with me? What could I possibly help them with?

.

   "I'm Henry and I need your help to rescue my Mom from a tower where she's being held prisoner by The Queen." A rescue mission; was this kid messing with me? I couldn't go on a rescue mission, I could barely stomach a crowded tavern.

.

   "I can't help you. I don't even know you." It was true, but I didn't think it pertinent to divulge the entirety of my failings to someone I just met.

.

   "Why not? You're a Captain!" Obviously what he'd heard about me wasn't as accurate as he thought. I didn't quite know how to break it to him.

.

   "I'm no Captain. I'm just a cowardly deckhand." The boy; Henry looked at me in disbelief. He didn't want to believe me because he needed this other version of me; the person he thought I was. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I can't help you." I reiterated, hoping he would leave me to get on with my work in peace.

.

   "You have to help us. We need this ship to get to the island where the tower is." How many times was I going to have to tell him that I wasn't who he was looking for?

.

   "Come on Henry." Regina seemed somewhat protective of the boy which was a little odd considering that it was clear the two hadn't known each other long. They turned to leave.

.

   Regina was a bandit and a sort of hero to the people, so maybe if I helped her then I wouldn't have to remain a coward forever. "Wait!" I called out in a rare moment of courage. "I'll help, but we have to leave right now... before Blackbeard gets back." This was it. There was no going back now.