4: Fall

Andrew heard shouts outside and went to the window. A ship was pulling up the the Benbow's dock, and he could make out RLS Ravenna on the side. Seizing his chance, Andrew opened the window and climbed out, pausing only momentarily. He still felt dizzy, but he knew it would go away. It had to.

He scaled the next two floors up to the roof and crouched low, pulling out the pistol. Deciding it wouldn't do, he was glad that Sarah Hawkins hadn't taken his rifle at the door. He pulled it from the sling on his back and took aim, just as a man in a tricorner hat appeared at the top of the gangplank.

There stood Jim Hawkins, with his hands clasped behind his back and a stupid grin on his face. He inhaled deeply and shouted something to his crew, and then he laugehd. Andrew took aim. This was his moment.

There was a slam from the front door of the inn and a shriek. Andrew took the safety off and steadied himself. Jim Hawkins brightened and skipped down the gangplank. This forced Andrew to adjust, but just a bit. Hawkins knelt. That's right, Andrew thought. Kneel.

It happened in seconds. Out of nowhere, Micha appeared and rushed to Hawkins, arms outstretched. She shouted happily, "Daddy!", and he gathered her into his arms. At the same time, Andrew pulled the trigger.

In recoil, Andrew blacked out. The bullet made contact just as he slid from the roof.