Beacon

11

She loaded her gun and I reached under the bed and starting packing mine. She looked over at me with her eyebrows raised but didn't make a comment. That's a first.

"So do you have a plan?"

"Yeah, run and shoot the zombies."

My eyebrows furrowed at her less than helpful plan. But I loaded my shotgun and began to walk toward the stairway but stopped and turned to look at her.

"What's your name?"

"What, so you know what to scream while you're about to get eaten by zombies...or later tonight?"

My face went hot and I lunged at her ready to punch the stupid grin off her face, but she grabbed my wrist and my waist holding me in place, just inches from her face. She really is strong.

"My name is Alex, but that'll be Captain to you, princess."
~
The way to Alex's ship went by in a blur. Alex shooting madly into the crowd, throwing punches and kicks into the group as well. Me trying to keep up, shooting at the zombies but usually missing. I don't know how long it went on for but eventually we reached the dock, only a few stragglers still behind us.

"Wow you did better than I expected, you got one in the toe!"

I punched Alex in the arm but I was laughing from the adrenaline. I've never felt like this before, I've never felt so..alive.

I looked up at the ship and my jaw went slack. It was massive and painted all black except for a big red X painted on the side, for Alex I presume. The sails were black with the same red X as the ship, and there were a little over a dozen people scurrying around on the dock. It looks like something straight out of some pirate movie.   

"So are you a, a um .."

"A pirate? I guess you could say that. But despite what you're probably thinking', no we don't steal. We make money by goin' and doin; jobs for people at our island."

I raise my eyebrows at her, the same way I do to Oliver when he lies about sneaking extra candy. Did. What I did to Oliver. Alex starts to walk towards the ship and I follow.

"Stealin's just a little side thing for me y'know. Life gets expensive when you got so many ladies to please."

    She winks at me and I grimace.

"So you're also g-"

"Yeah I also like chicks. A gay pirate it's hilarious ain't it?"

"And are you also as-"

"Oh my fuck, yes I'm also Asian. Parent's never told me where they're from but that's what people told me I am so there ya go."

    She keeps walking and I follow, but make more space between us. She's different than anyone I've ever met. Everyone in my town is white, except for that one black man that comes into the bakery every so often. And I don't think anyone here is..gay. And if they are, or were I guess, they hid it well and with good reason. No one likes different in Berry, Maine. I don't like different. Or do I?

    I follow Alex onto the ship. She makes a loud whistle and everyone on the ship cheers and yells merrily when they see her. They seem unfazed by her partial nakedness, it's probably pretty common.

"I've come back with a new passenger! Her name is, er, what's your name, princess?"

"Elisabeth" I said to her quietly. She nodded at the crowd of people ahead.

"Elisabeth!"

     I said it loud enough for them to hear this time. The crowd yelled it back at me. Their gazes burned into me, I don't think I've ever had this much attention before in my life. I heard mumblings between them but not the words.

"Both of us are exhausted, we'll have introductions in the mornin'."

    The group looked disappointed but obeyed the command. Alex walked and I assumed it was my job to follow so I did, and she led me into a room with advanced controls and screens everywhere. I was mesmerized by all the flashing buttons and levers and screens. How could anyone figure out how to use this? I remember my mom driving boats before, she loved being out on the ocean, but I don't think her's was this complicated.

"Impressive ain't it? We aren't your average pirates eh? Now I need you to describe what you saw for me so we can start off in the right direction."

    She looked at me expectantly and I cleared my throat.

"Well it was a large boat, er ship rather I guess, and there were many men on it. They weren't loud and boisterous like you guys they seemed more, reserved. When I got close I realized the ship looked like it could belong to the Navy or something."

    I stopped and realized what little information I gave, there's no way she could find it.

"Hmm, I know where that kind of ship would be headed princess, don't you worry your pretty little head 'bout it."

She reached and grabbed something that looked similar to the microphones principles use to make school announcements.

"Wesley, I need your assistance in my office please!"

    Her office? I guess for a pirate this could be considered an office, but it's a funny thing to be calling it. A young blonde man enters the room. Alex nods out the door and he seems to know what that means and leads me out of the room. I turn around and glance at Alex before closing the door and she's busy at work already. She's amazing, annoying and arrogant yes, but if she can find my brother with that tiny bit of information she is definitely also amazing.

    Wesley leads me into a small cabin without speaking, obeying the command of leaving introductions for the morning. After he closes the door behind him I immediately slip under the covers of the small cot and fall into a much needed sleep.