Aboard the Blackheart

     Abigail blinked once, twice, but the scene before her remained the same; the dark puddle beneath the assailant growing by the second. She brought her eyes back up to her Captain's, they were intense. Almost as if they were trying to see through her, or inside her very soul. The gaze was unsettling. Dipping down on one knee, the young pirate began to clean her sword on the early morning dew that covered the grass.



I’ve killed in the defense of myself and the crew, but never on land, never like this. Always with the risk carefully calculated, never impulsively. She thought to herself, still trying to come to grips with the intense hatred that had claimed her in that moment. When she'd come upon the scene, an unfamilar feeling had risen in her chest. Panic, laced with something overwhelming. Alec’s frantic footsteps could be heard before he rounded the corner.  Abigail stood, taking in Blackhearts unnervingly calm demeanor.



“Wha-?...” Alec stopped short, wide eyes glued to the fallen corpse.



“Where is Constance?” Matius asked her tone arctic, eyes trained on Alec.



“I sent her in the back.. Matius, I had no-” Was all he had time to get out before Blackheart in one lightening fast motion drew her sword, spun on her heel and slammed him against the wall of the low establishment with her elbow and forearm. She pressed her sword dangerously against his throat. His eyes were wide with surprise as all color drained from his face.



“You listen to me you incompetent fool” She began slowly. Her face darkening, tone sinister.  “When we fled father, I trusted you with everything, when I was successful I made you rich beyond measure, and put you in charge. Yet here you are gambling with our standing, my life, her life” She threw an exasperated gesture Abigail’s way. “For a piece of tail by some fucking strumpet in a back alley? You are no brother of mine; if it were not for blood I would kill you where you stand. Dispose of that while we bring the carriage around.” Abigail stood stock still, while Matius released him to fall to one knee gasping and coughing in a fit.



Brother??  Abigail starred at Alec’s retreating back as he strode quickly to the wood line, dead man over his shoulder like a sack of grain.  

And what of this father she had fled? I know so little about you.. Abigail thought to herself walking quickly to keep up with her Captain’s aggravated gait. 



            The ride back to the Blackheart had been a quiet one. Abigail stole glances at Blackheart periodically, but her body language was tense and distracted.



Is she cross with me for acting so impulsively? The small pirate wondered to herself as the came aboard the Blackheart.



“Go to my quarters, do not take any detours. You’ll find me quite unwilling to be tested tonight miss Ward.” Matius said severely, looking down at her in a way that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand involuntarily. As she made her way there she passed many members of the crew who were making haste to the deck.

 

We must be departing in a hurry. She thought sarcastically to herself. Upon reaching the Captain’s quarters, Abby poured a lowball of something labeled “Scotch” for Matius in hopes that it would quell whatever storm she sensed was brewing within her. The thought she pushed so far from her consciousness finally breaking through.



What happened to me tonight? I have always been so calm about the dispatch of my adversary, I lost control. Unable to restrain, think, do anything but rip his life uncerimoniously away from him.



She stood, considering this a moment. Never in her time had she ever formed a bond, a real bond with anyone and that was why she was able to be so objective and logical in regard to those around her. The thought of Matius, the only thing but piracy that had given her a sense of purpose in the world  sauntering casually away from her nearly brought her to her knees. She shook her head, as if trying to awake from some sort of unwelcome daydream.



Dear Poseidon help me.. I think I need her.



Just then, the door opened unceremoniously. The Captain strode quickly into the room, claiming in with all of her heady, daunting glory. Eyes completely consuming Abigail as she did so, they were luminous, ardent even with intent.



“Matius I didn’t mean-” The Captain silenced her, crushing her lips against the shorter girl’s in such a physically consuming way that she thought for a moment her chest may explode into shrapnel.