Tesco [8]
With his body restrained and unable to take action, Jack, and even Mary, who attempted to provide solace, found themselves in a helpless situation.
Jack's mind raced, contemplating the impending doom. This be it, me hearties. The end o' Captain Jack Thunder, notorious fer me thievin' ways and opportunistic nature. Perhaps I should've listened to them scalwarnin's from me scallywag mates, advisin' against reckless risks. But I placed me trust in me own wits and cunning escape plans.
He let out a weary sigh, closing his eyes. It be me own fault that she be meetin' her demise alongside me. And I held a fondness fer her, unlike them disloyal crew o' the past. I can only imagine the thoughts and curses runnin' through her mind, aye...
Meanwhile, Mary gazed at Jack, lost in his contemplation, and her own thoughts emerged. Oh, Captain, bear no blame fer this here outcome. 'Twas me own choice to join ye, and even if I be facin' me final moments here, it be the right decision. Ye brought laughter into me life, restorin' me faith in pirates and men. Ye always shared a hearty swig o' grog and led me to jolly taverns. 'Twas a grand adventure while it lasted, Cap'n.
BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM
The deafening sound of explosions shattered the uneasy silence, instantly jolting Jack and Mary from their internal reflections. They turned their attention towards the heart of the chaos.
Explosions erupted with a thunderous force, sending shockwaves through the air, one by one. Thick billows of black smoke engulfed the surroundings, clawing at the sky like tendrils of darkness. The acrid scent of burning timber and gunpowder permeated the air, stinging their nostrils.
The aftermath of the explosions left him dazed and disoriented, struggling to comprehend the extent of the devastation that surrounded him.
When his senses returned to some semblance of normalcy, Jack's mind whirled with confusion. What be happenin'? he thought.
Panic swept through the crowd like a contagious wave. People scattered in all directions, stumbling and trampling over one another in sheer desperation to escape the impending catastrophe. Cries of terror and anguish echoed through the chaos, blending with the crackling of flames and crumbling debris.
The once lively and vibrant village now lay in ruins. Houses were torn asunder, reduced to splintered remnants of their former existence. Fiery embers danced in the air, casting an eerie glow upon the devastated landscape.
Amidst the pandemonium, the guards stationed nearby, driven by a mix of duty and confusion, raced towards the source of the explosions. Determined to find the culprits responsible for this attack, they braved the chaos that unfolded before them.
Within the midst of the devastation, the only remnants of humanity were the pirates locked within the ominous execution device, the executioners cloaked in their dark attire, and the trembling navy man.
One of the executioners leaned in closer to Jack, whispering, "Lady Eleanor sends her regards."
A sudden realization dawned upon Jack, and a wry smile curled upon his lips. Eleanor, me dear, I be forever grateful.
The executioner swiftly unlocked the device and whispered, "When I give the signal, free yerself from the contraption and strike me across the face."
Jack noticed a similar exchange occurring between the other executioner and Mary. It seemed they shared the same plan. He observed a glimmer of hope and happiness illuminating Mary's expression.
"AAAA!" the executioner shouted, prompting both Jack and Mary to step out of the semi-circle and deliver a calculated blow to the executioners with their fists.
Although their strikes were restrained, mindful of their allies' assistance, the executioners fell to the ground, faking the impact as if it were a mighty blow.
This caught the attention of a trembling navy man near the wooden platform. He urgently shouted and called for guards from the fortress to aid in combating the fire.
Upon hearing his plea, the guards swiftly altered their course, hastening towards him to assist a higher-ranking navy personnel.
"Let's make a mad dash Mary," Jack exclaimed to Mary with his characteristic lunatic voice, brimming with twisted delight.
Mary initially smiled, but her expression quickly morphed. She turned to Jack and implored, "Captain, I know it be a hefty ask, but... can ye fend 'em off for a wee while? Buy me time to... ?"
Jack, still harboring a tinge of guilt, nodded and squarely faced the approaching guards. He deftly picked up a cutlass dropped by the executioner, albeit with limited hand mobility due to the cuffs. Fortunately, the cuffs were positioned in front, granting him some range of movement.
She seized the other cutlass and cautiously traversed the creaking wooden plank, her unwavering gaze fixed upon her helpless father, Tesco, who remained confined.
En route to him, she swiftly freed Rob, who gratefully expressed his thanks before leaping off the platform and commencing his escape.
Next, she liberated Mel, a man in his forties donning a black eyepatch adorned with a skull symbol. His short hair verged on full gray, mirroring the hue of his eyes.
Mel lowered his head in a respectful gesture, his voice tinged with a touch of formality as he addressed Mary. "I be thankin' ye kindly, Mary. The smartest move we have now be to make our escape as a united crew."
Mary nodded, pivoting to witness Jack fiercely clashing blades with the encroaching guards. The circle tightened around him, with an influx of additional guards rushing to join the fray.
She turned to Mel and commanded, "Go lend him a hand," before approaching Tesco and scrutinizing the execution contraption.
Her eyes fixated on the rope tethering the blade, a cold gaze exchanged with her immobilized father.