Cutlass Anne

Cutlass Anne - Chapter Ninteen

Chapter Nineteen

The next week had me walking on eggshells around the entire crew, especially the captain. The Gilded Lady kept her distance, and there were times when I thought The Cutlass had lost them. I stood near the captain studying him, his moves, and how he acted. His atrocities did not seem to mar his conscience. He seemed unscathed by the bloodbath he allowed. It opened my eyes. If I were to kill his entire crew, even the new innocent men, I would be no different than he. I would be the same murderous barbarian that he was, but I was no barbarian.

Surely he had to die, as did Gregory. They would not survive their first night in port in Tortuga. I would put an end to them, then an end to The Cutlass. His crew, most of whom were surely coerced into working for him, would be free. I would not be shocked, however, if they joined other pirate crews. Even if they did, at least the seas would be without two bloodthirsty monsters.

The captain stared at his compass before staring out at the sea. "We will berth by noon."

"I am looking forward to it," I lied as the anger seethed in me. I had never known what true hatred was until I met that man.

"This is the longest you have been on a ship?" he asked, glancing at me quickly.

"Aye, sir."

"Be sure to take your time getting your bearings. It can be quite disconcerting going from ship to land."

"I'm sure."

"You haven't changed your mind about staying with my crew have you?" he asked suddenly.

"No, sir."

"I hope that the decision to eliminate those men didn't scare you."

"It was something I had never seen before, but I was sheltered in that little town by my parents," I said, trying to choose my words carefully.

"I tried sheltering Flynn from this kind of life. That's another reason I never let him join my crew. If The Cutlass were ever captured, we would all be hung." He cringed and shut his eyes tight.

I reached my hand up to my neck and rubbed my throat.

"It's a price we pay if we're caught. This is why we make sure we're never caught."

Perhaps he is completely insane.

I only had a few more hours before I would potentially be safe. Of course, how safe would I be on an island that was a haven for pirates? An air of excitement seemed to be stirring on the ship. Even the newly acquired crew chattered amongst each other and kept an eye out to sea looking for the much-anticipated port. We were nearing land. We were going to be in a port where they could do whatever they wanted without any consequence.

"You know, Thomas, you will make a fine pirate captain someday."

I looked at Captain John Jacks confused. "Why do you say that, sir?"

"You're not like the other men. You don't rush into things. You think. You contemplate. You make decisions."

"I suppose."

"I have to wonder if you're only here to find your missing sister," he said side-eyeing me.

"Why do you think that, sir?"

"You are very determined. Your sight is focused on the end result. On your treasure," he smiled at me coyly.

"My treasure?" I asked, furrowing my eyes.

"Not all treasure is gold and silver, my boy. For you it could be finding your sister."

I had never thought of her in such a way. Was Jane my treasure? Was finding my only link to a happier time in my life my treasure? I bit my lip and furrowed my brow. He was right. Deep down I was a pirate. As much as I hated them, I was one of them. I was willing to murder and do whatever I had to in order to find my treasure. I was determined to find one thing and, though I had no intention of killing everyone, I dreamt of spilling blood. The idea of driving the dagger through Captain John Jacks' heart filled me with pleasure.