I look back to Nadine and then to Rafe through the rain, as they wait patiently for my answer. They already know that I'm trapped, and I know it very well too. There was nowhere to go, and if I "refused their offer," I'm sure that I was just going to be used as a hostage regardless. The real question was, "Do you want to be tied up and beaten as we use you against Nathan and Sam, or be cooperative and help us get the treasure before Nathan and Sam can get to it?" Either way, my options were slim, and I was out of options.
Nadine's face was serious for once, her smirk gone as she has her hands on a pair of handcuffs attached through her belt loop. Nadine's more than ready for my refusal, while Rafe actually looks a bit hopeful and smug. Rafe knows my predicament, and he was definitely going to use it to his advantage. Despite all the weird shit that happened during our encounter earlier, I think he genuinely wants me to aid him in finding Avery's treasure.
"So Theresa, what's your answer going to be?" Nadine asked.
My eyes dart around nervously to the Shoreline soldiers that have their guns trained on me before I glance back over to Rafe and Nadine.
I just have to be cool and play it safe for now.
I feign a passive, calm, and collected expression as I reach into my satchel. The Shoreline soldiers all cock their guns as they carefully observe me and get ready to shoot. I pull out a lonely cigarette and get another match before lighting my fag. Some of them groan in annoyance as they lower their guns slightly. I can't help but smirk at their reaction.
"You guys sure are jumpy." I chuckled.
"Well with you and the Drake brothers, how can we not be?" Nadine gives me a small glare.
I give Nadine an apologetic look.
"I can't speak for Nathan and Sam, but your guys shot at me first. All I've been doing is defending myself." I told her.
"Tara." Rafe's voice cuts in sharply. "Are you with us or not? I'm willing to cut the treasure with you and might even negotiate the wellbeing of Sam and Nathan. Don't pass up the opportunity I'm giving you."
I exhale a bunch of smoke before noticing the rain finally clear up. I glance up at the storm clouds passing over us, and smile faintly.
Don't worry guys, I'll be back with you soon.
"Well when you say it like that, how can I refuse?" I spoke sarcastically. "Don't act like you suddenly care for me after all these years Rafe. You never gave a shit about our partnership or my expertise before, so don't start now. I'll play along in the meantime, because I'm fucking exhausted and don't like fighting anyway. But if I'm helping you, you better not fuck around with me. If you don't hold up your end of the bargain, if there's any indication that Sam and Nathan are severely injured or dead...rest assured that you will get what's coming to you." I lowered my voice dangerously.
Rafe chuckles when he knows that I'm serious, but he gives me a small nod. Rafe walks over with his hand outstretched towards me.
"I'll play nice if you will." Rafe smirks.
I grab Rafe's hand firmly before we both shake on it. Rafe lets out another laugh as his grin widens, and suddenly, the Shoreline soldiers lower their weapons and walk away on Nadine's orders. Rafe has his arm around my shoulders as he leads me along to the vehicles parked a good couple of hundred feet away.
"Oh I can tell we're going to have so much fun. It'll be just like old times, eh Tara?" Rafe murmured into my ear.
I shudder against Rafe and say nothing in return as he takes my earlobe into his mouth and gently nibbles.
Nope. Not interested. Whatever we had is history.
I gently ease him away and place my still lit cigarette in his mouth as we get to one of the vehicles.
"Hold that for me would ya?" I mutter.
I get inside and see Nadine in the front passenger seat, and another Shoreline soldier in the driver's seat. Rafe sits with me in the back of the Jeep, with my cigarette still in his mouth. He takes it out and hands it back to me as he exhales some smoke in my direction.
"Now, let's get to work shall we?" Rafe mutters. "Do you have an idea where we're going?"
When I realize Rafe is talking to me, I perk up immediately and blush from the sudden attention.
"Honestly, no." I replied. "I just know that this island is the one to be on. It's where the clues led us to. I'm sure we'll find something soon though. I think we're pretty close."
"Close to what?" Nadine interjects.
"Libertalia." I smile faintly.
"Liber-what-ia?" Rafe gives me a look of confusion. "I thought this was where Avery's treasure is?"
As the Shoreline soldier drives through the jungle, I try to give the best explanation I could.
"You guys already know from the clues you snagged from us that Avery was recruiting right?" Nadine and Rafe nod. "Well my parents, they were able to deduce that Avery was in the midst of creating his own little safe haven, a secret colony with the only population being comprised with nothing but pirates to hide from the law and live in freedom. Avery had made an alliance with other infamous pirate captains, and together they created the colony, Libertalia." I explained.
"I see." Nadine looked fascinated.
"Ah yes...your parents. They were historians and explorers." Rafe recalls. "Adam and Celia Walker. So their research wasn't published?"
"Nope. They...died before they could finish their work. People made a mockery of them shortly before, although they were right all along." I mumbled. "I have what's left of their work in my home."
"And you never thought to bring it with you?" Rafe raised an skeptical eyebrow.
"I know their work by heart. I don't need to risk something happening to what's left of my parents." I glared at him.
"Sorry." Rafe nods at me.
"So this colony, Libertalia. It was an exclusive pirate only colony, and all of that bullshit in Scotland was what? A test?" Nadine caught on.
"Yup, it was a trail from Avery and the other founders to lure those that wanted to join Libertalia's population. Only those that would pass their tests would be able to proceed and actually locate Libertalia. From what I've been able to see, Avery was quite fond of St. Dismas, used a lot of the philosophy revolving around him on the tests if you haven't caught on already." I responded.
"Interesting." Nadine mutters. "So Libertalia is here on this island? You're certain of this?"
"Yup. I just don't know where the fuck it is on this island. I guess we'll find out though." I confirmed.
"I guess we'll find out shortly." Rafe said.
Let's just hope Nathan and Sam beat us to it.
It's nearly an hour or so before we find any signs of civilization in the middle of the island. So Shoreline gets to work and scatters around several areas of interest to search around and guard the perimeter as I stick with Rafe and Nadine. I begin to wander off while still remaining in Rafe and Nadine's line of vision and take in the sight of Libertalia. It was a small section probably outside of the capital where the blacksmith and other lower-class citizens worked.
I look around the entire area and feel my eyes well up in tears just from...
Maybe it was fulfillment. Happy that I could prove that my parent's theories were right.
It was more than I could imagine, and I was just thrilled that my parent's research never went in vain. I find myself grabbing my polaroid camera and snap a few pictures discreetly before tucking it away in my satchel. Then, I look at a statue of Captain Avery and find myself puzzled when I see something painted on top of it. Despite that it was a skull with crossbones, it looked odd. It was a sign that was somehow different than anything I'd seen. It couldn't be coincidence that it was painted on an Avery statue.
Maybe there was a rebellion perhaps? I mean, Avery had no shortage of enemies I'm sure. How strange.
I then walk over into another building not far off. There are various items scattered around, but for some reason, it didn't feel like it was from the years of erosion and decay within the buildings. Aside from half of the wall being torn down, I could tell just from observing closely that the rest of the room had been untouched for centuries. My eye is caught when I glance over to the bed in the center of the room. While the sheets are old, musty, and dirty, what brought my attention to it was the piece of parchment left on the pillow and a golden locket. I pocket the golden locket before delicately picking up the folded up paper that's worn from age.
To whom it may concern,
The treasure is gone. Everything that we had worked so hard and diligently for,
Is all gone.
They've tried to keep it hidden a secret, those thieves.
Avery, Tew, Want, Baldrige, Bonny, Condent, England,
The fucking lot of them all took what was OURS.
I guess in the end, pirates will be pirates.
Stealing from each other is what we know best.
Our rebellion is on the way to New Devon, where all of the founders reside in,
Where our fallen comrades' corpses remain. In a mass graveyard to scare us off.
I will be amongst those to fight for justice. And then,
I swear I am leaving this cursed place when all of this is to be dealt with accordingly.
I flip the paper over to the other side, my eyes widening as I take in this newly found information.
Those greedy little rats will get what they truly deserve and burn in flames.
Libertalia could have been a utopia for us. It could have been our salvation.
But those bastards took it all away when they decided to get greedy and selfish.
Now we're doomed to extinction on this island with no way off.
All because of those thieves.
They destroyed all of the ships, the boats, there is no escape now, no turning back.
If I am to die in this fight for our property, our liberty,
Let it be known that I, Jonathan Thatcher,
Had a long and fulfilled life and fought for my beliefs,
For my rights as a human being.
And in doing what He had intended, God will be by my side and take my hand
As I am welcomed into Heaven itself.
Those thieving bastards, however, will be cast off into the fiery depths of Hell
Where they belong.
Signed,
Jonathan Thatcher
I carefully fold the parchment and place it into my satchel.
"What was that you put into your bag?"
I jump and see Nadine behind me, her hand teasing the gun attached to her hip. I roll my eyes at Nadine and give her a teasing smile.
"It was just a poem Nadine." I chuckled. "I think I'm allowed to have a souvenir."
Nadine looks unsure and confused, but gives me a small and curt nod as she finds herself believing me.
"You or Rafe find anything?" I asked her.
"You could say that." Nadine lowers her voice dangerously.
Well she sounds ready to kill someone...not a good sign.
My smile vanishes immediately and I begin walking out of the building quickly to find Rafe. That's when I hear the telltale sounds of explosions, specifically an explosion from a RPG and grenade launcher. In the distance, I see Nathan and Sam, fighting for their lives as they climb and run out of what appears to be the treasury building. My heart nearly lurches as I go to find Rafe as quickly as I can, hopefully to convince him to stop the assault.
"Rafe! What the fuck are you doing?! You said you were going to let me talk to them!" I shouted worriedly.
"That was before they killed a couple of dozen Shoreline soldiers." Rafe glares at me. "They'll get what they deserve."
"NO!" I shouted fearfully. "Rafe! Don't!"
Rafe grabs ahold of my arms before I can lay a finger on him and gives me a threatening look.
"Theresa. If you led them here, I'm going to personally shoot you in the head myself. But certainly not before I kill your precious Nathan and Sam in front of you." Rafe growls.
I stare at Rafe with wide eyes.
"Are you fucking serious right now?" I barely uttered. "Rafe! How could I have led them to us? I've been with you and Nadine this entire fucking time!"
At this, Rafe's glare softens until he realizes the truth in my statement. His grip on my arms loosens while his eyes flicker down to my lips. I'm once again fearful for my life and surprised all at once as Rafe leans in and brushes his lips against mine.
"I'm sorry, Theresa, darling. But I'm tired of taking chances and being taken advantage of." Rafe murmurs softly.
I feel a sharp pain on the back of my head and find myself on my knees, looking very closely at the ground as my vision becomes disoriented and blurry.
"R- -Rafe?" I gasp.
I glance up at Rafe and find myself dizzy as I see him get the attention of a Shoreline soldier.
"Get her please." Rafe orders the man.
I'm being pulled up to my feet, and nearly fall to the ground again. The Shoreline soldier doesn't seem to care in the least, and drags me with him forcefully.
By the time my vision refocuses, I'm being dragged and pushed behind Rafe. It's not the fact that we're at the edge of a cliff that grabs my attention, but rather the sight of Nathan, Sam, and Nadine. Sam is holding a gun to Nadine's head as he holds her hostage. One of the Shoreline soldiers, then, shoves me over to Rafe, who's quick to hold me in the exact same position. I can feel the cold metal digging into the side of my temple as I stare wide eyed and dazed at the Drake brothers.
"Let's just...just calm down, okay?" Nathan breathes out.
Rafe chuckles at this, and makes a show as he presses the gun to my head just a little bit harder. I can't help but whimper from the pain, and Rafe shushes me a little bit too gently as he presses a kiss to my temple. I can see Sam's nostrils flare in anger as he glares at Rafe with absolute hatred.
"Well, this is interesting." Rafe spoke up. "Nate. Samuel." He glances at the two of them.
"Put your guns down!" Sam shouts. "All of you!"
Rafe scoffs at Sam.
"No."
"Rafe, this guy's on edge." Nadine blurts out.
"Oh don't worry about him, Nadine. These guys don't kill anyone in cold blood, it's just not their style." Rafe assesses.
"You willing to bet her life on that?" Sam hisses angrily.
Rafe moves until he's at my side, wrapping an arm around my shoulder as if we're good friends. He continues to make a show of my life on the line as he continues to aim his weapon at my head.
"Go ahead then. You shoot her, I shoot Theresa." Rafe responds coldly.
At this, Sam's eyes flicker to me in worry.
"Go ahead. Shoot her." Rafe told Sam.
I can see Sam shaking, ready to just take action, but I can tell that he's actually scared more than anything. Nathan inches his way closer to Sam, and I can tell he's going to stop Sam from killing Nadine.
"Sam, don't." I pleaded. "Killing Nadine won't solve anything."
"I die, you all die." Nadine threatens.
Sam glares down at her and growls into her ear.
"So be it."
Rafe moves closer, keeping his arm firmly around me and forcing me to move with him.
"Not another step!" Sam yelled.
"You mean..." Rafe takes another step forward. "Like this?"
"Sam...put the gun down." Nathan spoke up.
Sam looks deadly serious as Rafe moves again.
"I warned you." Sam mutters lowly.
Right in the knick of time, Nathan pushes Sam's arm up high just as he fires the gun. Nadine quickly rushes back over to Rafe instantly. Rafe releases me quickly as he moves to Nadine, his arms outstretched as he tells the Shoreline soldiers to hold their fire.
"Put it down." Rafe orders Nathan.
Nathan, after having taken the gun from Sam, tosses it to the ground.
"It's done." Nathan assures Rafe. "Okay? It's done."
Nadine picks up the gun and gives Rafe a deadly glare as she walks away from Sam and Nathan.
"Don't worry, Nadine. It's not their style." Nadine mocks Rafe.
"What can I say? I didn't think he had it in him." Rafe responds nonchalantly.
I'm frozen in shock as I process what just happened. How Sam nearly murdered a woman in cold blood. Did he not care that I could die? Did he really care more about Avery's treasure than me? Or Nathan? What the fuck was his plan anyway? For some reason, Rafe looks unbothered by any of this as he waltzes right over to Sam.
"Samuel. You okay?" Rafe brushes dirt off of Sam's shoulders. "I guess you knew this moment was coming, huh?"
We're all thrown for a loop once again as Rafe suddenly decks Sam right in the face using the brunt force of his gun, almost using the deadly weapon like brass knuckles. Sam falls to the ground as Nathan quickly steps forward.
"Whoa! You already got us! Take it easy!" Nathan looks at Rafe in disbelief. "C'mon. You're a businessman. So let's just, work out a deal."
"Oh a deal." Rafe nods. "Well I'd love to hear what you have in mind!"
Rafe kicks Sam in the face while he's still picking himself up off the ground. I can feel my heart ache at the sight and finally lose it.
"Oh you can go ahead, I'm listening." Rafe mutters.
"Would you stop it?!" I snapped.
Everyone's eyes dart over to me. Nathan looks anxious, even scared that I spoke up and got Rafe's attention again. However, I suddenly find myself caring less about myself, and want to focus on saving Sam and Nathan.
"I'm so sick of all the fighting, Raphael Adler!" I shouted. "You can have all the fucking treasure and glory you want, but we need a small cut of it!"
Rafe lets out a laugh and places a hand on my shoulder.
"Oh Theresa, that is just adorable. How you think you can just tell me what to do." Rafe smiles thinly.
"Rafe! We just need enough for Sam's freedom. That's it." I informed him.
When Rafe sees how serious I am, his expression melts into confusion.
"His freedom?" Rafe questions.
"Tara, Nate- -" Sam starts.
"Yeah. He did hard time. Our time." Nathan adds. "And the guy that broke him out, Hector Alcazar...he owes him a lot of money."
"Whoa. What the hell are you two talking about? Hector Alcazar died in a shootout in Argentina like six months ago." Rafe replied with a chuckle. "I'm the one that got Samuel out."
At those words, I can practically hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears. My anxiety is through the roof at this point, and based off of Rafe's behavior as smug as it is, I can tell he's not lying. It just makes this sting much harder that we had gone through all of this, based off of a lie.
"W- -what?" I breathed out.
Sam's already looking at me in desperation and hurt, like he wants to say something, but he doesn't get the chance to when Rafe's already at my side twisting the knife into the wound on my heart.
"Oohh. Wow. What did he tell you?" Rafe grins. "Sam, what kind of story did you cook up? Alcazar? Really? You lied? You lied to your girl and your baby brother?"
I blink away tears as Sam doesn't try to even defend himself, and averts his gaze from both Nathan and I.
I can't...I can't fucking believe this.
"We're wasting time." Nadine interjects angrily.
"Just a second." Rafe responds with a sigh. "Thing is, Nate. I never stopped looking for Avery's treasure. I just kept running into these dead ends, you know?"
Rafe leans almost casually against me once again, wrapping an arm around my shoulders again like it's second nature.
"And then I hear that our dear Ol' Samuel Drake- -an authority on Avery- -is alive and somewhat well. There was no breakout. I bribed the prison warden and your brother, he just waltzed right out of the front gate." Rafe explained to Nathan.
I clench my eyes tightly as tears roll down my cheeks, and Rafe presses another light and feathery kiss to my cheek. I feel repulsed that Rafe seems to be getting off on my fucking hurt and pain, but the anger and betrayal I feel from Sam is much more stronger. Nathan, looks absolutely crushed and just as angered as I do, but he doesn't say anything as Rafe finishes speaking.
"He spent the last two years tracking down the second St. Dismas cross. And you know what, Tara? Nate? He did it all with me." Rafe finished.
"No." Nathan mutters.
"Oh yeah." Rafe smiles at Nathan.
"No, that's bullshit." Nathan glares at Rafe.
Rafe pulls back from me and walks over towards Nadine.
"Oh yeah? Sam? Care to refute?" Rafe asked.
For the next few seconds, it's nothing but pure silence, before Sam finally has the courage to look Nathan in the eye.
"...Nate." Sam started.
"Sam...aw, Jesus, no no..." Nate shakes his head.
"Listen, Avery's treasure was ours, it was always ours- -"
Nate shoves Sam away from him in anger. It was probably the first time Nathan had turned on Sam like this, but no one could blame him at this point.
"No! I left my life for you! I made Tara drop everything for you!"
Sam glances over at me once again, looking absolutely guilty with every fiber of his being. He walks over to me slowly, as if approaching an injured animal and tries to make contact with me, but I quickly step back.
"Tara...sweetheart. Come on..."
I can feel my entire body shake and quiver, and I'm helpless to stop it.
"You...you fucking piece of shit." I choke back a sob.
Sam looks at me in absolute shock. The last time I looked so broken, so defeated, was when I got beaten and raped all those years ago. So to witness me in such a state, I can tell, has Sam shaken. The ironic thing is, it happened after Sam and I got into an argument, when we both said such horrible things to each other before I stormed out.
To be thinking back on that now of all times.
"I...I can't believe you." I shake my head frantically.
"Tara, I...I never meant for things to happen like this." Sam weakly replies.
I pick my head up and give him a heated glare through my tearfilled eyes.
"No. You never fucking expected to get caught in your twisted lie." I hissed at him.
Rafe doesn't stop me as I walk right over to Sam, and rear my hand back before bitch slapping him as hard as I could out of anger and hurt. The sound echoes around the area as my hand makes contact with Sam's cheek, and his head snaps to the side. I can hear Rafe chuckling and silently cheering in the background, and it only makes me much more angrier.
"Hey, look, look, Tara, baby. If it's any consolation, he duped me too." Rafe told me. "He pulled a Houdini on me, he brought you and Nate...and that old man back into the mix." Rafe glances back at Sam. "And I cannot lie, Sam, that really...that really pissed me off." Rafe points at Sam with his gun. "But you know...all behind us now." Rafe smiles.
Sam glares at Rafe Adler with rage.
"You don't deserve it." Sam murmured softly.
"You do?" Rafe raised an eyebrow. "Last I checked, we're all a bunch of thieves...digging around where we shouldn't."
"Rafe." Nadine walked over to him.
"What?"
"One way or another end it. Or I will." Nadine assured him.
"Well, you heard the lady." Rafe mutters.
Rafe raises his gun at Sam, and once again, I find myself still caring about that asshole. I quickly step in front Sam and put myself in Rafe's line of fire.
"Don't. Please, we'll just leave- -" I tried.
"You miss one clue, and you can kiss that treasure goodbye." Nathan blurts out.
Oh fucking damn it Nathan! I had it under control! I probably could have convinced Rafe to let us leave!
I give Nathan a pointed glare, a "What the fuck is wrong with you?!" glare.
"You said it yourself, you keep running into dead ends. Why don't you face it Rafe, you need us." Nathan continues.
Rafe appears to actually be taking Nathan's words into consideration.
"Yeah you're right...you're half right. I just need Tara or Sam."
Until he moves his gun out of my face, and into Nathan's direction.
"Wait now, you're making a mistake- -" Nathan starts.
"No! No, Rafe don't!"
I panic immediately and run over before I even think about it, trying to protect my baby brother from Rafe Adler. Rafe fires, and as the bullet hits my shoulder, the force of the impact knocks me back into Nathan. Which knocks Nathan off the cliff. I wanted to die right then and there.
"NATHAN!" I scream.
Before I can do anything else, Sam is pulling me away from the cliff. I thrash against Sam, desperately trying to find out if Nathan is okay.
"Sam. Control her please." Rafe taunts us. "Nadine, get a medic over, Theresa's losing quite a bit of blood."
"Our last medic got killed by the Drake brothers. Use a first aid kit...it should do the trick." Nadine responds with.
I being to panic, my vision closing into a tunnel as I struggle breathe, let alone formulate any train of thought. I had lost Nathan, the one person who had been there for me since I was orphaned, who had been there since the man I loved had died (or so I thought.) He'd been there for me when Anne was born and through thick and thin, Nathaniel Morgan Drake was my rock and kept me steady and rational- -
"Tara! Look at me, baby!" Sam begs. "Tara! You're having a panic attack, I need you to try and calm down- -"
"No shit, captain obvious. Control her, Sam. Before I just decide to put her out of her misery right now. Which I'd rather not do to be honest." Rafe interjects. "She's much more preferable company than you."
All I wanted to do was join Nathan over that cliff as Sam rocked me against him.
After being shoved into the back of a truck, Sam and I are mostly left alone as they set off for New Devon. I honestly feel numb, anxiety eating away at me as I'm left unsure if Nathan made the fall, or if he died. Sam tends to my wound with what he's supplied with, which isn't much even with a first aid kit. It was better than nothing though.
"So...what was with you and Rafe earlier? Rafe was just...all over you." Sam spoke up.
I turn away from Sam, not able to look him in the eye. He finishes wrapping a bandage around my shoulder and puts the first aid kit to the side.
"Are you just vowing to remain silent for the rest of your life?" Sam grumbled. "I know what I did was wrong, but I...I wanted Nathan and you- -"
"Let me stop you right there. You didn't make contact with me and let me believe that you've been dead for fifteen years. Nathan on the other hand, he was the one to come to me in the middle of the night begging for my help." I retorted.
"I had to lay low and gather intel on everything Rafe had before I could come find you guys." Sam hissed at me. "I always intended on coming for you."
"No. You didn't." I mumbled softly. "Don't keep lying...please...just stop."
Sam looks completely hurt as I said this, but he refuses to back down for some reason. I didn't know what his intentions were at this point, but it felt like Sam was desperate. I was uncertain if I could believe a word he said at this point.
"The reason I didn't come get you was because I saw you picking up Anne from her school before I went to see Nathan and...you looked so happy with her. The last thing I wanted was to get in between that." Sam confessed. "But you know what? It was a mistake, and I can admit that...you've been my right hand man since we were kids, you took care of Nathan like he was your own brother, and you're family. It wasn't right of me to leave you in the dark when you're just as much an expert as Nathan and I, maybe even more so."
"Sam...just stop it." My voice shook. "You...you make me believe that you love me, but then you pull shit like this...do you not understand the gravity of the situation we're in? Rafe is going to kill us, just like he did with...Nathan. He doesn't care about anything but the glory, that fucking rich boy." I blink away tears.
"Tara. Look at me right now."
Hesitantly, I glance over at Sam, who continues to kneel right beside me. He's staring at me with such intensity that I'm actually feeling slightly overwhelmed. It was something I hadn't seen from Sam in years.
"I am so sorry, and I can never express that enough." Sam started. "But you cannot give up now. Nathan's too stubborn to be killed like that. By Rafe. I know he's still alive."
Sam grabs my hands as his eyes well with tears.
"I only ever wanted to finish my ma's work because it's all that I have left of her. Just like your parents, Theresa. And now, I want to finish what my ma and your parents started before they died way too young. I want to see this through for me, for Nathan, for you, and...for our daughter. I'm so close. We're so close. Don't you give up now." Sam finished.
Reluctantly, I give Sam a small nod. Because honestly? This shit was just as personal for me as it was for him. And especially because of earlier, without knowing about Nathan's current status, Rafe made this shit even more personal.
"Just so we're clear though, I'm still mad at you." I glared at him.
"I know, baby." Sam nods understandingly.
I give Sam's hands a gentle squeeze, before leaning down until our faces our within an inch apart.
"Samuel Morgan Drake. If you ever lie to me about anything this serious again, I won't be as forgiving. I understand more than anyone that this is something that's haunted you for most of your life. It's haunted me too." I spoke seriously.
"You forgive me?" Sam breathes out.
"I'll be able to forgive you, but I won't be able to forget." I mumbled softly.
At this, he only responds with a small nod, before gently pressing his lips to mine. I back up immediately and can already feel my face heat up.
"We need to uh...focus. On Rafe and um..." My eyes widen.
Sam gives me a small smile and sits back on the floor to stretch his legs.
"Tara. Just relax, doll face."
"Listen, about the treasure. I found out something before Shoreline started shooting their RPG's at you."
Sam's smile fades and he perks up.
"Is it about the rebellion? Nathan and I saw a war zone all set up outside of the treasury just before we discovered it was empty." Sam replied.
"Okay, well that helps speed things up a bit." I give him a faint smile.
Still hanging around my other shoulder is my satchel, and as I reach inside, I pull out the old letter I'd found just moments before the whole confrontation with Rafe, Nadine, Sam and Nathan. I give it to Sam and let him inspect it.
"Based off of how this letter sounded...I get the feeling that Avery and the other founders were basically assholes this entire time. Or rather, they were complete assholes that tried to trick people into this fantasy of a pirate utopia, only to doom them to die on a deserted island while the founders of Libertalia got away with everything. Although, I don't understand why they went through the trouble to build an entire civilization."
"So all of the boats were destroyed. They were trapped..." Sam catches on.
"Well if the founders planned on getting away with all of that treasure, they would have needed at least one huge ship right? And who's ship is historically recorded to be large enough to fit that bill?" I suggested.
"Avery." Sam nods. "So what you're saying is...the treasure isn't even in his mansion. It's on his ship."
I nodded and give Sam a small but knowing smirk he's all too familiar with. I take the letter back from Sam, hiding it carefully in one of the hidden pockets it would be the most secure within my satchel.
"How have they not confiscated your satchel yet?" Sam notes.
"Well when Rafe found me after our little boat chase, he offered me a chance to work with him. He even promised that he would let me negotiate with you guys, and give me a chance to tell you to leave. As well as promised me a small but fair percentage of the treasure. I didn't fully believe him of course, but I was more than cooperative regardless. Since I let him search my bag and they took my gun, they didn't really see me as a threat. I found that beauty of a letter later on as I was exploring one of the towns with Rafe and Nadine." I answered.
"Really now? He offered you a spot on his little team? How generous of him." Sam scoffs.
"Sam, you know I didn't really have a choice either way right? I was his hostage. It was either, "play nice and we'll let you roam freely", or be beaten and tied up the entire time." I raised an eyebrow. "Besides, all they found were my lighter and cigs, my polaroid camera, and my pictures. That's why they didn't take my satchel, I had nothing of value to them."
At this, Sam nods, looking a tad bit guilty once again.
"Now's not the time to feel bad. We need a plan to get away from Rafe. Preferably before the fucking truck stops." I told him.
"First, I need to figure out where the damn treasure is, so we know where to go." Sam lets out a frustrated grunt.
I grab Sam by the chin and make him look out the small window on the side of the truck. We're fairly close to New Devon and Avery's mansion, but there's a very mysterious and ominous cave in the distance that caught my attention earlier.
"Well, if I had to guess where a giant ship might possibly be hiding, I'd put my money on that creepy and huge looking cavern near us, near New Devon." I guessed.
Sam's face lit up like a Christmas tree as he finally catches on.
"Jesus Christ, Theresa! You're brilliant!" Sam laughed.
Sam grabs the back of my head and pulls me in for another kiss. This time, I melt into it and wrap my arm around his shoulders. I gently ease him back and let out a laugh.
"Not brilliant, just observant." I joked.
"Baby, you're more than just observant and don't you deny it." Sam winks.
"Ow! Fuck off, man!" I snapped at the mercenary behind me.
"Now now, Theresa. Let's just be civil here, okay?" Rafe mutters dryly.
I glare at the Shoreline soldiers behind me as I grow agitated. I can't even enjoy the sights of New Devon!
And I could see Anne Bonny's fucking mansion in the distance! Forgive me for being excited over my favorite pirate of all time that isn't Avery!
"I'll be civil when this asshole don' manhandle me. I can fucking walk! An' can you undo these damn binds? It's hardly necessary!" I grumbled.
"Dear, your inner Boston is coming out." Sam hissed at me.
Oh shaddup...
Rafe sighs and moves over to me with a knife in hand. For a minute, I seriously think he's about to stab me, but I'm completely thrown by surprise when he actually cuts the rope binding my wrists together.
"Rafe. What are you doing?" Nadine glares at him.
"Well out of the two of them, I trust Theresa to keep her word. You won't run, will you, Tara?" Rafe raised a questioning eyebrow.
"Unlike you Rafe, I haven't been a backstabbing bitch. I've actually cooperated with you the entire time before you beat me with the end of your gun- -"
Rafe lets out a laugh before smacking his hand onto my freshly injured shoulder. I let out a sharp cry and clench my teeth together as I resist the urge to tear up from the pain.
"Why Tara, you're absolutely right! Would you find it in your heart to forgive little ol' me?" Rafe smirks. "Perhaps if you're a good little obedient dog, I'll cut you a deal. I'll even let you continue to take pictures so long as you remain focused on the task at hand. Does that sound good?"
Biting back my words of hatred for Raphael Adler, I give him a small but curt nod. Rafe's eyes flicker to Sam as he leans in towards me and presses a kiss to my cheek. Sam looks ready to beat the absolute shit out of Rafe, but with Nadine and Shoreline with us, he knows to let it go for now. As we walk to the entrance of Avery's abode, I grab my polaroid and take a picture or two of the view of New Devon before getting a picture of Avery's mansion. I examine my picture of New Devon, before nearly doing a double take at the image. In the far distance at the entryway, I see two small specks of what appeared to be statues, but when you look closely...
HOLY FUCK IT'S NATHAN AND ELENA!
"What is it?" Rafe narrows his eyes at me.
I can't help but be giddy and thrilled, that Nathan wasn't dead and was on his way here. I couldn't help but be thankful to Elena and Sully for not giving up on us. Thinking quickly, I put the picture away but run over to Rafe and give him a huge hug. Rafe, along with everyone else, are completely puzzled by my actions.
"Rafe! It's fucking Anne Bonny's mansion! And I have it on film!" I grinned at him.
I have to make it convincing right?
Rafe snorts before gently easing me off of him.
"Move it inside, Walker. You can geek out later." Rafe rolls his eyes.
Stepping inside Avery's mansion, we find ourselves in complete awe at the elegant interior and design that went into Avery's mansion.
"This is beautiful." I smiled.
"Focus, sweetheart." Sam chuckles.
Soon enough, we begin exploring the area, which takes a good fifteen minutes before I stop in front a large set of doors. I push my way through as Rafe and the other Shoreline soldiers are occupied and find myself inside of a large study. It looks absolutely beautiful and I can't help but take it in. This must have been an office of sorts for Avery, as well as a library of some kind. I made my way over to the large desk sat near the windows and move over. There, I find a letter addressed from Thomas Tew and find myself captivated as I read it.
On behalf of Lord Avery,
I invite you to my manor at sundown tomorrow.
The time has come to abandon our animosities,
And reunite under the banner of God and Liberty.
Signed,
Thomas Tew
Tew...interesting...he was like...Avery's right hand man, right? But what was...no fucking way.
I turn over the letter, and find more scribbled on the back, another message from Tew to Avery.
Henry,
Just as we have discussed, I have begun to take initiative.
I went to the liberty to invite the other founders to my manor.
At sundown tomorrow, all of the founders of Libertalia will be gathered together,
For one last toast.
At that moment, is when we strike. And then, the glory shall all be ours.
Signed,
Thomas Tew
With the other pirates of Libertalia dealt with, surely the tension between the other pirate captains arose when they realized they had to deal with each other as they attempt to figure out how they split the treasure. Avery and Tew must have realized this and began plotting their demise. Which I'm sure is when they came to their final conclusion. Get rid of everyone else, and the sole possession of the treasure would go right down to just two men: Avery and Tew.
Holy fucking shit. So what, they just...Avery and Tew killed the other founders? How would they have done so quietly? Poison? Or am I just overthinking this entire scenario- -
I pocket the letter into the secret pocket within my satchel when I hear footsteps, just as Rafe and Nadine make their way inside.
I think I just answered my own question...Okay, so Avery and Tew were the last two pirates standing from that point on. So what happened next?
"Oh there you are, Theresa. I was beginning to wonder if you tried running." Rafe jokes. "But then I realized how much you love Sam to do that. Despite everything he's done to you."
I quickly snapped out of it and regain my composure.
"Yeah. What can I say? I'm attracted to assholes." I retorted.
At this, Rafe let's out a chuckle when he realizes I'm also referring to him.
"You know, I was so tempted to torture Sam by letting him know how painful it was for you when he was gone, that you came to me like a bitch in heat." Rafe teased.
Oh he wants to fucking play that game? Fucking fine.
I give Rafe a small and heated glare, but as I lean against Avery's desk in a very sensual manner, I give Rafe a wink as a smirk forms on my face.
"You act like you never had any fun, you know, taking advantage of the fact that my lover died. You sure seemed to enjoy yourself and jumped at the chance, you know, when I came to you in tears that one fateful night." I teased.
When Nadine looks between Rafe and I in curiosity as well as amusement, Rafe looks annoyed and even becomes flustered. The angered flush spreading across his cheeks suggests as much.
"Don't flatter yourself, Rafe, sweetheart. We had our fun, don't get me wrong." I continued. "Grieving and even hate sex are a turn on sometimes."
"Y- -you...you little- -" Rafe growls.
Finally, Nadine intervenes as she folds her arms and gives me a pointed look before speaking up.
"Rafe. Calm down. She's just trying to get under your skin and you're playing right into it." Nadine told him.
He started it.
"Okay, okay. I admit it's kind of cute when you get all flustered, but if you play nice, I will." I offered.
Rafe lets out a deep sigh and gives me a nod after realizing my point.
"Sorry. I'll admit that I was a bit...unprofessional." Rafe spits out.
"A bit." I smirked. "But it's fine. All in the past, yeah?"
Rafe regains his composure and straightens up as he runs a hand through his hair to brush his hair back.
"So...did you find anything in here?" Rafe asked.
"I was looking when you came in. I think this was Avery's private study. I wasn't aware that he was such a...scholar. Although his elaborate tests were way too thought out to suggest anything less." I explained.
"Get Drake in here. Now. We're losing daylight." Nadine barks into her walkie talkie.
"Yes, ma'am." Someone replies.
"So Theresa, where do you think the treasure is? Because I won't lie, I've heard reports that a certain Drake is alive and prowling around with that damn old man and reporter." Rafe glared at me. "And they're on their way here."
For the sake of acting surprised, I put a hand over my mouth and let out a small gasp of surprise as I glance at them with wide eyes. Nadine looks at me suspiciously, but Rafe seems to be buying into it. I wipe at my eyes for more dramatic effect.
"I thought you had bad news for a moment." I muttered.
"Don't test me." Rafe growls lowly.
My smile fades away instantly when I know that Rafe and Nadine aren't playing around. I wait patiently at Avery's desk as Sam is practically dragged in and thrown at my feet not even a minute later. I help Sam up to his feet and grow nervous as Shoreline comes in and shuts the door before they begin barricading the door behind us.
"Get to work. Both of you." Rafe demanded.
"And don't bother trying to stall for time. If we see Nathan Drake, we will kill at least one of you." Nadine threatens.
"I thought we had somethin' special Nadine." I feigned a look of hurt.
Nadine chuckles but teases her hand on her weapon.
"Sorry, darling. You know how this goes." Nadine responds.
With that being said, I look around the room and inspect the area with Sam as Rafe and Nadine wait impatiently.
"Tara. You notice these strange marks in the floor? It's like an indentation or somethin'." Sam calls out for me.
I walk over and realize that these are meant to be makeshift stairs, it's a secret passageway.
"No shit." I muttered softly. "It's a secret passageway."
"So...there has to be a mechanism to open it right?" Sam smirked.
"Alright." I nodded. "So...I'll go look around."
"Make it quick." Rafe grumbled.
"You could help if you wanted to." I retorted.
"I could, but it's not my life on the line is it?" Rafe chuckled dryly.
I roll my eyes at Rafe and scoff lightly under my breath.
Typical rich motherfucker...asshole.
I look around for what might be used as lever or button. We all pause as we hear Sam light up a cigarette with his favorite lighter.
"Really?" Nadine raised an eyebrow.
"It helps me think." Sam supplied.
I walk by a globe near Avery's desk and inspect it.
This looks like something used to open up a passageway. There's some heavy usage on this thing, from Avery no doubt. Now...where's the button?
I spin the globe lightly.
"This isn't the time to look for a vacation getaway, Theresa. Get to work." Rafe snapped.
"I am working, dipshit." I snapped.
Libertalia would have the most meaning. The island where it is perhaps? It's either that or Scotland...
I search for the island just out of Madagascar, and smirk when I see light outlines of a button, almost barely noticeable.
I need to leave a clue for Nathan. Since Nathan or Elena are close by, Sam and I need to leave a trail for them.
I hissed lightly as I grab at my shoulder, pressing down on my wound as I gather a small amount of blood on my thumb.
"Your shoulder okay?" Sam asked me worriedly.
I nod lightly before moving to press the button on the globe. Everyone tenses up as they hear the whirling of some type of mechanism at work. Rafe looks incredibly pleased when he sees the stairs reveal themselves before us right behind Avery's desk.
"Well well. Nice job, Theresa." Rafe said.
When the Shoreline soldiers aim their weapons at us threateningly, Sam and I let out a sigh as we begin to move until we're in front of Rafe and Nadine. I purposely bump into Sam as he's lighting another cigarette, and he drops his lighter right next to the stairs.
"Seriously, Tara?" Sam sighed annoyedly.
I grab Sam's arm and keep him from picking it up. When Rafe and Nadine give us a small glare, I grow nervous.
"I'll buy you another lighter. Let's get going." I merely told him.
I look forward and loop my arm through Sam's as I force him to walk with me down the stairs. I give him a small wink from the corner of my eye and he lets out a small gasp as he finally catches on with what I'm trying to do. He can't help but give me a small smirk as he then follows me willingly. As soon as we make it to the bottom of the stairs with Rafe, Nadine, and the other Shoreline soldiers behind us, there's a lever that we pull on that closes up the stairs behind us and opens up gates to our front.
No turning back now.
The walk through these dark tunnels is almost ominous and even scary. For some reason, I'm reminded of El Dorado and the curse, and feel myself on edge as I wait for ghost or zombie pirates.
"What's got you so on edge, doll face?" Sam's questions.
"I'm just having a huge sense of dejavu right now." I grimaced.
"Just um...focus on me okay? I'm sure we're getting close. This will all be over soon." Sam assures me.
"Such a gentleman, trying to reassure his woman that everything will be okay." Rafe chuckled darkly.
So he confirmed he's gonna basically kill us...or one of us at least.
We say nothing as we walk into another part of the cave. Aside from the flashlights, Sam's dimly lit cigarette is the only thing helping us see. I pause when we get to a small room and smell something funny in the air.
"Sam...?" I mutter worriedly.
"Yeah, baby?" He responds.
Out of the corner of my eye I see barrels in the room, along with some horrific things like mummies and skeletons scattered about. Then, one of the mummies hanging from the walls sparks as a fuse is lit up.
"SAM PUT OUT YOUR CIGARETTE!" I screamed.
Sam's eyes widened when he realizes what I'm referring to, and he stomps it on the ground before grabbing my hand and running as fast as we can. Everyone else shouts in surprise and fear as one spark sets off the entire room. Quickly, everyone looks for cover or begins running after us.