Chapter Three: Dying!
Damn the rain. Love it I do really, just annoys me when that's the cause of waking me up. Not a morning person I am, especially not at four in the morning! The bright side is the rain woke me up and not Mullins, I don't think either of us has to think too hard to remember our parting words, what caused him to be spending the night in the brig. Once I've woken up I'm sure the rain really will be fun, but not yet, it's way to early to be happy-go-lucky. For now I'll be grumpy and seasick.
Usually I'm not the least bit seasick, and don't get seasick unless I'm grumpy. And grumpy I am now that the rain has woken me up, and from where I'm sitting still in the Crow's nest I'm really getting pelted. Annoying it is really. No longer am I at peace with the world at this height. Damn, I wonder what the time is really? I'm suggesting from the sounds of the men below that it's four in the morning; only a handful is ever up this early in the morn. Judging from how soaked to the bone I am with rainwater, I'd say I'm totally correct in saying I slept the night soundly through.
So down I go, not free falling, it's too early for such and with the rain everything is too slippery. Even the ropes I climb down now my hands and feet slip off of and I'm forced to take things slow. Man I wish my thoughts weren't so groggy or else I could remember the one thing I should be worrying about. Is it the storm? Nah, with a glance to the raging storm anyone could tell it's nothing close to a gale, so it's nothing but a light shower compared to what it could be. Damn this makes me more irritable, what the hell is it…
"Up early for duties aye?" Nat interrupts my thoughts. "You're soaked through!" Obviously our previous argument between him and me has been forgotten, or put off until later in the morn. "Been gaining weight have yah?" He pats my breasts and suddenly I remember exactly why I should be worried about the rain. Automatically my hands are flying up to cover up my-er- essentials, while my left hand goes to slap Nat's hand away. "What the h-"
"Can't take a joke this early aye?" I laugh as I let my arms go loose, suddenly remembering I'm supposed to be a boy rather then my true nature. Nat laughs heartily and shakes his head before nodding once and turning to walk off. "Is Captain up?" I call.
"Nah, not in this rain. If he's up he won't be out of that cabin for awhile." Nat carelessly calls over his shoulder to me.
"Aye yey." My murmur goes unheard as a roll of thunder cackles through the grumpy gray clouds. Times like these I wish I were back at the Tavern in my warm bed, curled up under the covers with not a worry in the world. Damn my carelessness! That was close with Nat staring like that. Had they not been tied against my chest with a thick ribbon I woulda really panicked! And what was with that reaction? It was like I didn't even have control of my body. Can't let that happen again, I say!
"Li'l brat, the lad can't see through yah but I can." A deep booming voice whispers in my ear. This morning just isn't my day. Keeps getting better and better aye?
"Top of de morning to yah aye Mullins?" And if this morning couldn't get any worse…
"I can see right through ye." Like history, he repeats himself.
"Yah just don't like me, do yah Mullins me man?" I pat him on the back as I can't reach his shoulder, and before he can grab me I stalk off and towards the captain's cabin. Though I can't see him I can hear Mullins muttering something under his breath, something I would have frozen up over if I wasn't already having a terrible morning. Without breathing a retort I enter the captain's cabin and let out a sigh of relief.
"A ship has been sighted off of the port bow. This is yer chance to prove you boy. Mess this up and the next land we near you'll be docked." So Captain is already awake, I'll be damned! Guess I couldn't blame him; the light thundershower seems to have made a slight turn for the worst. Well not really the worst yet, more like a turn for the unimproved soon to be improved. At least I can dream aye? Not like me not to look on the bright side of things. If I have a bad day, this crew's gunna have a bad day, say I.
"Aye Sir, just give me the word-." I don't have to finish it for Captain's already waved me aside.
"Don't bother changing yer clothes, we're all going right back into that storm, matter of fact we're heading straight back into the eye. That's where the imperial ship is and that's where we're going." Really, isn't it a touch too early in the morning for this? And wasn't I just in the crow's nest? How come I didn't hear or sense anyone come up? That's not like me at all! Wow, today just isn't my day.
"Aye Sir." I mutter and go to my bed to fetch the knife always under my pillow. It's a little joke between Nat and I having to do with this here dagger. First day abroad, right after my and Nat's fight to prove myself worthy to sail with this crew, he told me all about the crewmates I'd be sailing with. Mind you, we both had our share of injuries. But of course I couldn't trust anyone with my secret so I had tended my own wounds, including a pretty bad scratched up right arm, a gash in the leg, and some nicks along my stomach and back. Nat had his share of injuries too, and him being cabin boy at the time had offered to accompany me and help out when needed. The captain had allowed it o course, having proved myself worthy and taken my rightful place as new Cabin Boy on this ship. Said we both deserved a rest, quite a show we'd given the men. But I think something having to do with the fumes made Nat a little too talkative and he ended up talking about more then he should chew. Said Mullins was the one to watch out for, kill yah in yer sleep said he. Ever since then been sleeping with a dagger to keep me at comfort.
"Ship abroad!" The familiar yell rings out. Someone's already taken my place up in the crow's nest, and I'm not allowed a touch of rest. How unfair. Oh well, what's a life of a pirate? Anything but fair, I can tell yah that much!
"Well boy-." Captain turns to me and gives me one of his very rare smirks, which amazes me into silence. Without words to express this, I nod and turn to the door.
Both Captain and I walk out of the cabin and look around at the many men rushing around to get a good look at the ship we're just starting to approach. Unfortunately for all of them we've sailed further into the raging storm that's quickly turning into a light gale, and view of the imperial ship is blurred. Something at the back of me mind is eating away at me, but being so early in the morning as it is, I can't think of a damned thing. Very unlike me to be so off my game!
Salty ocean water whips at my face as the ship is pushed forward by a hard gust of wind. God! The ocean can be so wonderful, yet cruel at the same time. Crushing waves now screech against the wooden planks of the ship, all the while Captain keeps his cool, pointing and directing people here and there. Turning to me his earlier smirk is far gone and replaced by an immediate scowl. Seems this weather isn't affecting just my mood.
"Why isn't you helping the others lower the sails? Do you want imperials to spot us?" his growl is enough to scare me shitless and I go scrambling up the nearest rope, leading me straight to one of the sails being doctored by a short man I think the name of him being Hire. Looks like he's from some foreign country. Guess it'd make sense, seeing as we're quite close to the China borders. Matter o fact I believe I watched him come aboard last time we docked. Well it's good to see him working his heart out then. But I'm not so sure how to feel about him being comfortable with us looting one of his own country's ships. Oh well, won't think much on the matter, the wood gets real slippery during the rain.
Finally all the sails are lowered, just as we're slowly approaching the Imperials ship. Our 'colors' are shown on a black pirate flag with a skull on it, right now it's flapping loudly in the harsh wind. A red flag is below it, stating us, as the much-feared Red Baron. Times like these I can't help but think what dad would think of me now if he saw me jumping onto another ship, only to loot it for its many treasures most positively abroad. Never mind though, thoughts like those make me loose my nerve, so as always I shove em to the back of me head.
"Ready men?" Calls Captain, raising his silver hook hand above his head.
"Aye!" The sound of all the men cheering makes me go temporarily deaf. Damn my excellent hearing sometimes!
"Fire!" Captain orders the canon chargers. Many of the gunners rush to their places and light the fuses, which I can only guess is hard in this here damp weather. Deaf I am once again as the booming sounds of many canons being fired reins into the damp cold morning air. Really, damned my hearing. Screams from the imperial ship sound and many men with firearms rush to the edge and begin firing at the Red Baron. Give me a minute to pray.
Okay I'm done. "Come on Trent!" Nat's hand clamps onto my shoulder and we jump from the ship and onto the one opposite us. I've got sea legs all right, but mine aren't nearly as well placed as Nat's and as we land I prove this fact by tripping gracelessly face first into the Imperial ship's wooden planked deck. Damn that hurts, and now I'm rubbing my sorer nose. Guess it hasn't gotten over the ache of yesterday's run in with the captain's cabin door. "You okay?" Nat whispers with laughter hidden in his voice as he slaps away an Asian man's sword.
"Don't worry about me yah lolly-gagger. Er you'll get the both of us killed!" I retort slapping away another Asian man's sharp blade with my much smaller dagger. Speaking of which, why in the hell did I grab a dagger? Why not a sword? Borrowed one of Captain's? He wouldn't of mind much I'm willing to bet. "Damn me for a foe!" Whoops, did I just say that aloud?
"What?" Nat calls over his shoulder as the blade of his sword comes out the other side of another Asian man. Hm, this really is an Imperial ship. The guards are coming by the many, the more we strike down the more they keep coming. It's like when yah kill a spider, it's kids come out and get yah. Er maybe that's just me?
"Nothing!" That said I strike the Asian man I've been sword playing with and leap over his unconscious body as he falls to the ground. Didn't I mention I've never killed a man? No, I haven't killed a man, never have and hopefully never will. If it can be avoided then I'll never resort to that. On the other hand, animals are a different story. You can't be a sailor/cabin boy and not have gutted at least one sunfish. And if you haven't then really yah don't belong on a ship a t'all!
Damn! Really I shoulda been paying attention. Some Asian guy just came out of nowhere and cut me arm open! Well sort a, I mean it's only a gash and not too deep. Damn and he's a big fellow too. Weird, I've never seen an Asian man this tall before? Is he Asian even? Whoops, guess not. Guy was just squinting his eyes against the rain. God I hope he wasn't on our side! Oh well, doesn't look it as he struck me first. Anyhow, now he's unconscious on the deck so nothing to worry about. Now's all I have to do is get below and-.
"Fuck!" What the hell was that? Something real huge just- oh. "Mullins!" I growl as I get back to my feet and run after the man that's just cut off my way of getting below deck. Why in the hell does he have to be so huge? Couldn't get around him even if I was a mouse! Or maybe it's just this passage is too small. Damn Asian ships, all tiny the lot of them! I guess Mullins must be getting me back for giving him the night in the brig. Damn it no fair! Wasn't the punch enough? Can't he give me just a tiny little break so I won't get kicked off- oh damn! What am I saying? That's exactly what the git wants. Humph. "Move Mr. Mullins." God I love this trick. Dun knows where I picked it up, but even though I'm a girl I can imitate people's voices perfectly. Maybe me dad could do it? Oh well, no time to think more on the matter as Mullins has just made an opening for me. Ha! Who woulda thunk that he'd actually listen to the first mate Smee? Haha! What a laugh. "Thanks mate!" I call over my shoulder as I jog past him. Uh oh, I can hear him fuming behind me. Maybe I should speed up?
"Get back here yah little shit! Dirty trick that was!" Mullins calls and I can hear his footfalls coming after me. The loud gulp is in my throat, but I doubt Mullins can hear me as I dodge into the nearest, thinnest, corridor and slam the first door I enter behind me.
"Who are you?" Oh damn. How in the hell do I get myself into these things? Five men sit around a circular table. Looks like a game of poker, or maybe some other game that originated in some Asian country. Well I'll think about that later, right now I've got to work my way through them and get to- is that real gold on the table? O the Captain is gunna love me!
"Don't be daft I'm part of yer crew. No time to explain things but we're under attack, there's a big man after-" Ah, almost right on queue too. So what, Mullins is here now, and he can take care o these men in a jiffy. Better then I can anyways. Maybe I could have taken out two or three, but what a waste of time that woulda been with Mullins right outside the door, just roaring for a good fight. Ah these men are too scrawny to give him a good fight, maybe they will just serve as a distraction, and even let Mullins blow off a bit of steam. "Yipe!" I howl and hop onto the other side of the room and stare down Mullins from behind these men's backs. Good show this'd be if I had the time, but right now I'm too busy scooping up the gold and rubies off the center of the table as Mullins knocks the scrawny men aside.
"Now is yer turn." Mullins grumbles stalking towards me. With a glance I know all five of the men that were supposed to be my 'saviors' are dead and still bleeding. Sad really, I'd weep for them if I were a true girl, as in if I didn't have a secret to hide. Gentle heart I think me dad called it once. Said I was an ignorant fool of a child, but a gentle heart I had, which was rare. Times like these, when I remember him saying those gentle words to me, I really do miss him. But can't worry about the old father dear at the moment, too busy dealing with a big fat bat in my exit. Where the hell is one of d'em ventriloquists when yah need one? Wish I were one in these times of need.
"Ah come on Mullins my man! I was only joking round. No need to be upset. Can't take a joke like the lad Nat aye?" Damn, damn, damn! Why in the hell did I have to add that last tidbit? Probably would have let me out Scott-free, er I mean with a bruise or two maybe, but still lemme out ta this room in a jiff!
"Oh I can take a joke. So can Cap'n Hook I might add." He stated while pounding a fist into an opened palm. The gulp in my throat is loud as hell, or at least it is to my ears.
"What joke would da Cap'n have to laugh bout?" What a stupid question. I already damned well know what he means. I should just run. 'Yeah, run right into the gits gigantic hands. What a plan!' Did anyone else hear that? Who was that? 'Yer subconscious dumb ass.' Ah, so you exist. Excuse me for my rudeness, but I'm a little busy, could you take a rain check? Hm that's not so strange. No answer? Guess Mr.- er I meant Ms. Subconscious sensed the fist coming before me. Damned distractions.
Well now I'm flying into that little circular table I told yah about earlier. If yah didn't guess the joke Mullins was talking bout earlier, meant he was gunna kill me here and now and just tell the captain I musta been stabbed through by one of the Imperials. Shame it is really. I was kind a hoping Captain woulda been me savior. Dash it all! Now Mullins is stalking towards me all slow and dramatic like. Damn fool, shouldn't he just stab me through and get it over with? Maybe carry me body aboard to convince Captain. Oh wait, wouldn't be as great an idea as first thought. They'd discover my secret and then the very memory of me would be in vein. Well if anything is unfair that isn't! Not one damned person to cry at my funeral. Ah well, it was to be expected.
"Fuck!" That was kind of uncontrollable. Sorry if you don't like swearing, but you'll be hearing the lot of it from me before my time is done. Reason for that itty-bitty cuss was cause Mullins just broke my nose I believe. Damn that hurts! And now I'm bleeding all over the place! Ahh, and what a nice pretty tables this used to be. Luckily I'm too light to break it through, so if you set it up right the goldish color of it will be just a little smudged with me blood. Damn Mullins, big codfish he is! Wait a sec, where's that word come from? Codfish? Ah well, he is one anyway. "C-come o-on Mullins me mat-mate." I cough out once he's finished his ten punches to me stomach. Well there goes me good-looking figure. Guess that kind of went out the window when the gigantic dumbass broke me nose, now I've just got around seven broken ribs to add onto the mass.
Suddenly a whistle sounds from above and Mullins and I freeze up. The whistle, means either the Navy be on their way, or we've finished here. Guess we'll find out in a second, or at least Mullins will, and we both know that much as he comes at me with his dagger in hand. Here it comes, any second now- where the hell is the finishing touch?
"Mullins, what the hell are ye doing'?" Is that Nat or Starsky in the doorway? Hm, wonder where the cut is the blood that's in my eye is coming from. "Come on, we've gotta get back to the ship, Navy's on the- oh my god! Trent!" Yep, that's Starsky. Good fellow he is. Too bad Captain wasn't my savior.
"I'm aright. Mullins took care of de men that did this. Let's go." Damn do I ever sound weak, especially with the last of my strength trying to remain in my boy's tone? If only I could see Mullins' face. If I looked up now I know I'd see a semi-surprised big fat bat staring down at me. "You coming fat ass?" I ask over my shoulder as Starsky and I, who're holding me up, reach the doorway. Mullins' growl is my only answer, that and his footfalls coming towards me. "Starsky my man, RUN!" And together Starsky and I stumble down the exit corridor while Mullins angrily walks after us. Times like these I really hate Mullins' long fat legs. Doesn't even have to run to catch up to us.
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AN: So how did ya'll like this chapter? Many thanks go out to all of you who are reading my story, and special thanks to those of you that are reviewing! Really, I type much faster when you people review. Sorry about the grammar, but since this half this story is from a pirates point of view, and that's how I see them speaking, that's how I'm going to type. Forgive me, but I did try to make it as understandable as possible. Anyways, I meant no disrespect to people from any part of Asia in any of this. Only the fact that they're near China's borders has something to do with the story, and that's why it's a Chinese Imperial Ship that they rob. Sorry if it was a little gory too. Look at the bright-side, at least I didn't type exactly what I was imagining ::shudders momentarily::… Thanks for everything, and I hope Tristen isn't sounding all Mary Sue. That's half the reason I let her get beat up. ::Tristen glares daggers at me while I gulp too loudly:: and the whole Subconscious talking thing, sorry that's confusing, and don't deny it isn't, even I'm not sure I should have put it in there. Talk to you peoples later! Thanks again!
Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to Peter Pan. I do own any rights to my original character Tristen (a.k.a. Trent)