Chapter 10: Into the Lion's Den
She watches Charles as he rows the lifeboat in silence, darkness surrounding them from all sides.
The outline of their ship barely visible, Eleanor's chest tightening painfully as they get further and further away from its familiar comfort.
Glancing at the dark waters, she tries to shut away her fear, keeping her chin raised high until they reach the secluded beach where a lone, familiar figure awaits them.
Mary's face remains serious for a moment but soon a smirk tugs at her lips and she wraps an arm around Charles' neck in a quick hug before greeting Eleanor too.
"I'm so glad you made it in one piece. Did someone see the ship?"
Charles shakes his head, glancing over his shoulder in the direction of the Ranger.
"Okay, we'll have to walk for half an hour to reach the safe house."
"Is there anyone from the headquarters out and about at this time?" The criminal asks as the trio begins to walk, relying on Mary's guidance since they decided against flashlights for discretion's sake.
"Don't worry. The pirates stay underground after 9 p.m., and so does Teach. No one will see us."
Eleanor's hand seeks his as they walk behind Mary and he squeezes it reassuringly, trying to make her feel better.
Silence reigns, except for the variety of sounds coming from unseen insects Eleanor really does not want to get more familiar with. Their feet sink slightly in the sand, and she notices the cold. It seems Agatha was right about this place becoming chilly during nighttime.
There's not a single house or hut in sight, the full moon illuminating their path. It could be a pretty place, she supposes...
If she wasn't so damn terrified for what's to come in the next few days.
After what feels like just a few minutes they make a turn and she immediately sees two buildings looming in the distance. One relatively small, a two-story house, right in front of the beach.
It's welcoming enough, to be honest.
But Eleanor's blood runs cold as her eyes settle on the other building, considerably larger, a little further away from the beach and the safe house.
The "Marine Research Center", of course.
An hostile look comes to her face automatically as she thinks about who's inside that place, underground, just waiting for his nephew to arrive...
Her hand grips Charles' even tighter.
Mary takes a quick look around, making sure they were really alone before facing the couple and forcing a smile.
"I know it's not much, Eleanor, but-"
"Don't." The blonde interrupts her familiar speech, offering her a weak smile too. "I'm tired of people seeing me as some spoiled little princess, because that's not what I am, even though I had everything to become one. I'm not linked to my father anymore. I left him and his stupid mansion, his stupid beach houses and châteaus behind. So don't worry about this, please."
Mary considers her for a moment before nodding and gesturing to the front door. "Go on now. The longer you spend out here, the higher the risks are."
Eleanor shares a quick, meaningful look with Charles before letting go of his hand, taking her bag from him and disappearing inside the house.
He watches the door, sighing heavily.
"Hey." Mary touches his arm, offering him a sympathetic look. "Billy and I will watch over her, alright? And you'll see her again soon. I don't know how long Teach will want to keep you there, but you can always give the excuse of wanting to see Davina to leave the headquarters and come check on Eleanor. It will be okay."
"It's the first time she will stay out of my sight for an extended period of time since I rescued her from Rogers' mansion and we worked things out for good... And I already know that I won't like it one bit."
Mary chuckles at his tone. "I know. You feel as if you're leaving her vulnerable. But Charles, protecting her doesn't mean keeping her by your side at all times. Right now, this is the best way to keep her safe and you know it, so just suck it up."
He scoffs at her words, offering her an almost imperceptible half smirk before turning around to start his way back to the rowboat.
"Before you leave..." Mary's voice makes him stop in his tracks and glance at her over his shoulder. She smiles softly. "Would you like to see your sister for a moment?"
Loud thunder sounds from above as he stands on the cliff.
But he knows it won't rain. He knows this place and the weather by now. His father taught him how to read nature like a book from a young age after all.
He lowers his eyes to the ocean below.
Is Adrik still burning in hell, paying for his sins?
His jaw clenches, that sight of his father falling to the ground all those years ago coming back to haunt him once again as he desperately tries to focus on the task at hand.
The Madame gave the order for the men in their community to take turns; each one of them has to come up here on the cliff to watch the ocean once every week.
It probably has something to do with those mysterious visitors she says they will receive soon.
Vasyl has yet to understand how she feels about that.
Usually, the Asian is very reserved and most times the thought of any outsiders coming here is enough to make her angry. But this time, she's acting so neutral.
He wonders what these new visitors have to make them special in her eyes.
Or why they are going to need their help.
Max smiles warmly at the baby in her arms, his big blue eyes shining as he brings both hands to his tiny lips. He's been getting more vocal, cooing and gurgling regularly. It only makes him even more adorable.
It's almost noon in LA and she's enjoying some time alone with Aiden before her lunch break, even though she knows this is probably not wise.
Max ended up getting a little too attached to the infant during the last month, since that scary day when he was born nearly dead. She nursed him back to health after all. And Aiden is more comfortable with her than he is with Mason or even Sarah. He often fusses when she's not around, though only crying when his father tries to hold him.
She has a feeling that if Aiden had it his way, he would just choose to go home with her instead of with his own mother, uncle or father.
But still, of course this doesn't mean he will.
Sarah will be leaving the hospital tomorrow.
And she will finally take Aiden home.
Tears threaten to come to Max's eyes but she holds back, moving closer to the small crib and gently placing the infant on it just as the door opens.
She instantly puts on an unfriendly face, thinking it was Mason or his brother.
But it's just Sarah, quietly walking inside the room to check up on her son.
She notices this woman has been acting really weird since she gave birth, almost as if she feels guilty about something... and scared.
As if she regrets something very deeply.
"How's my son?" She asks quietly, coming closer to the crib.
Aiden shows no special reaction to his mother's voice, but when Max speaks, he looks in her direction despite the fact his vision is probably still very blurry.
"You have nothing to worry about anymore. He'll be just fine."
Sarah nods, forcing a smile. But her eyes remain sad.
"You know, I've read so much..." She begins, reaching to caress her son's face. "Newborns usually bond with their mothers so quickly... But Aiden is just so indifferent to me, and no matter how hard I try, this is not changing, there is no progress..."
Because he has already bonded with me,Max bites her tongue not to say the words out loud.
"Every baby is different. They have their own time, you can't rush things. I assure you it will be better once you take him home."
She sighs heavily, shaking her head. "I just feel as if I will never be able to reach him... To bond with my own child."
Maybe if you tried to take better care of him during your pregnancy instead of letting him starve, he would like you a little better today.
Again, Max bites her tongue.
"To be honest, I'm scared of leaving this hospital."
She frowns at Sarah's words, looking from Aiden to her worried face.
"I know it may seem scary to be alone with a new baby, but-"
"It's not that." Sarah meets her eyes, scowling softly. "I... did something and I regret it so deeply."
Max stays silent, waiting to see if she would decide to confide in her.
And she does.
"Weeks ago, shortly before Aiden was born... I was so desperate. All I could think about was Woodes, wondering if he would ever wake up... Mason told me, about Eleanor and her lover. I was just so angry, I wasn't thinking clearly."
Max approaches her slowly, trying not to sound too alarmed. "Sarah, what did you do?"
"I sought out a very shady man... I wanted to make these two pay, so I made a deal with this... This maniac called Edward Low."
Max closes her eyes briefly and clenches her jaw, feeling her heart sink as Sarah continues to talk.
"I was willing to pay for his services, if he found them and brought Charles to us, so that savage bastard could respond for his crimes... He said he would do it, on one condition. He wanted Eleanor for himself. And I agreed to his terms."
Max's eyes open and she shakes her head briefly, trying her best to rein in her anger.
"You were ready to hand Eleanor over to that psycho, as if she was nothing." She speaks slowly, unable to believe how a 21th century woman could do this to another.
Guess spending time with Woodes made Sarah pick up on his habit of seeing Eleanor as an object, a piece of furniture, she thinks in sarcasm, scoffing softly at the woman in front of her.
"You speak as if you know who that man is." Sarah says in confusion and she hesitates for a brief moment.
"I don't. But you said it yourself that he's a maniac and I know very well that this city is filled with dangerous weirdos."
She seems satisfied by her answer, lowering her eyes to her son again.
"As I've said before... I regret what I did. When I gave birth, when I looked at Aiden's face for the first time, my priorities changed in a heartbeat. I do still love my ex-husband, that will probably never change, but he's not my main focus anymore. The most important thing in my life is Aiden now. I need to do what's best for me and my son, and... I don't want to be associated with that maniac anymore, Max. He's dangerous, I don't want him near my son." Her voice breaks, tears glinting in her eyes. "He's been trying to contact me but I don't answer his calls... However, once I leave the safety of the hospital..."
A sob leaves her lips as she hides her face in her hand. Her despair is palpable.
And Max can't bring herself to feel sorry for her, not in the slightest.
Serves you right, she thinks, staring at the crying woman.
But her eyes soon drop to Aiden, now asleep in the crib. His innocent features cause her to frown in concern.
"Go to the police."
Sarah scoffs, shaking her head. "I can't. They can't know I am associated with him, and Mason is the chief of the police department, he would kill me if he knew, he would try to take Aiden from me."
Max rubs her forehead, brain racing.
"Then hire a personal bodyguard... Pay someone to watch your door, I know you have the money to do so. Just do whatever you need to keep Aiden safe from Low."
Sarah takes a few steps away from the crib before slowly meeting Max's eyes again. "Of course I will, I'm his mother. But... I have no idea what he likes. How he behaves. However, you do know him well, better than anyone... If I can't care for my son properly at first, maybe I will be able to count on you? I know you're already pretty busy as it is, but... Just maybe? I can pay you."
Max sighs, looking down at the infant.
His sweet, innocent face...
As she meets Sarah's eyes again, there is only one thought running through her mind.
What the fuck am I getting myself into?
And yet she nods, eyes glued to Aiden's adorable little face.
"Count on me."
Eleanor is already settled in the room Mary prepared for her, and Charles' eyes linger on the door for a moment as his ex-lover guides him through the safe house.
He's still too hesitant about leaving her here. All he wants to do is open that door and make her forget about all this hell they're about to go through, in the best way possible.
But these thoughts disappear as they get to the end of the short corridor and Mary opens another door, a dark brown one. He sees a single bed, touching one of the walls. A small window that offers a nice sight of the ocean, a dollhouse... he has a feeling his sister doesn't play with it too often.
The little wooden cutlass, however, is well worn and in fact, Davina's tiny's fingers are still loosely wrapped around the hilt as she holds it to her chest, letting out a soft, adorable groan in her sleep.
Just like a miniature pirate Captain.
Pride swells in Charles' chest, taking him by surprise. All his worries about Eleanor are momentarily forgotten, his whole world is centered around his baby sister in this short moment.
A proud, loving smile plays on Mary's lips as they stare at the little girl curled up on the bed.
"Want me to wake her for you?"
Charles immediately shakes his head, unable to take his eyes away from his little pirate princess. His anchor necklace catches his eyes, the string wrapping around her delicate thumb, and it makes his heart skip a beat.
"No. Let her sleep."
His voice is barely above a whisper. The last thing he wants is to disturb Davina's peace.
So he burns the image of his sleeping sister into his brain before turning around, unable to fight away his smile.
Everything will be just fine.
This thought comes suddenly and he can't help but agree with it. After all, his two most precious diamonds are perfectly safe inside this house. And he will continue to ensure their safety and their well being.
Even if he has to sacrifice his own life to do so.
Jack can't stop smirking and looking all around as one of the Somali pirates guides them through the various underground corridors. Anne remains serious at his side, eyes glued to their leader while Charles walks ahead of them. At every turn, there are armed men.
They already recognized some of them as the savages from Charles' new crew after he went to confront Albinus. The three of them are impressed with the infrastructure. There are more men under Teach's command than they initially thought. All of the pirates look at them with scorn. It seems they will need to conquer their respect.
Just like the good old days in Nassau.
Anne lets out a soft scoff as one of the men glares at her and Charles glances at them over his shoulder in silent warning as their "guide" reaches a large oak door.
There's a skeleton piercing a heart. The image is engraved on the wood and the trio simply stares at it for a few seconds.
Remembering the past.
The pirate knocks once on the door before opening it.
"Sir? Your nephew is here."
For a few seconds, there's nothing but silence.
Charles straightens up, Jack and Anne sharing a look behind him as that familiar, grave voice comes from the unseen giant inside the office.
"Send him in."
Notes:
I know my chapters are usually much longer, but I couldn't resist this cliffhanger lol. Sorry guys! XD
Roza-Maria: Glad you like Keswick! They really are just fine without marriage, I agree. I can't see them as a married couple, it's just not for them... They are two original, free souls that find completion in each other, without needing to limit themselves to the whole "married couple" concept, created by society. And I absolutely love that originality and the freedom it brings to our babies, along with the unique love! Lol I love to imagine Charles looking like that too! I'm sure Rogers did go crazy too, and I want to explore that lol That is a perfect solution for his madness, yeah! XD Glad you like the whale watching! Oh I'm sure you'll love the whole Mary plot... And yes... We can say Davina is really sensitive and she has a clue about what will happen... more or less.
Angie-Han: I'm glad, because we will actually see more of Keswick and Ned ;) As for Max and Aiden, maybe... maybe not. I won't give spoilers, but she does have a special connection with that baby already ;)
Next chapter teaser:
"Is there any particular reason for that?"
He stays silent, avoiding his eyes, and Teach clenches his jaw. "Charles, please tell me you didn't find her again."