What Followed by Pirateer

Chapter 16

The dirtiest and shabbiest shop Elizabeth could have ever imagined appeared before them and she realized, after having stared at it for several moments lost in a dumbfounded state, that this was the place where they were about to purchase the food and drink she (and the entire crew) would have to live from for the next day, weeks, months.

"You…you're not serious, are you, Jack?"

"Never been more so." He staggered towards the door and cautiously pulled it open.

"Then I'll have to starve.", she mumbled, trailing after him. "There's no way I am eating anything coming from this…place."

"You already did, Luv."

"Stop calling me 'Luv' ", Elizabeth hissed.

"You already did, lad.", Jack corrected himself. "On my ship."

"That was bought here?", Elizabeth gasped, remembering the delicious salt meat she had enjoyed only yesterday evening.

"Certainly. Was is not to your likin'?", Jack whispered.

"That's…", she began and then suddenly paused. "Why are you whispering?"

"I don't want to disturb her."

"Who's she?"

"His wife."

"Who's he?"

"Her husband.", he whispered with a finality to his voice which made it inescapably clear no further discussion on this topic was desired. Then he turned around, continuing to look for him, her or it, depending on who (or what) owned the 'shop'.

'Gaargh!', Elizabeth screamed inwardly, mimicking a strangling gesture towards Jack, who was busy examining a tiny wooden barrel lying on the mucky counter.

"JACK, M'BOY!!!"

Elizabeth jumped and spun around.

Pounding down a dirty, rotting flight of stairs, which seemed about to collapse any moment now, came a man so huge and bulky Elizabeth did not know where to look first. His fists were the size of rum-barrels and his head seemed to be attached to his enormous torso without even caring whether there was a neck to hold it or not.

But Elizabeth had no time to inspect the massive gentleman any further, because as soon as he had reached Jack, a deafening, high and nearly intolerable scream, which sounded anything but human, disturbed the Captain's reunion with his favourite butcher,

An expression of blank horror deformed Jack's face.

She was awake.

TBC

AN: Please dont hit me for letting you wait so long!