The Fiction Games

Chapter Thirteen - On the Edge

Hands seized Katniss from behind and pulled a knife to her throat. 

"Now, Elizabeth," said Jack Sparrow, gladdened, "It's not proper to treat guests like that, or wenches for that matter."

Katniss gritted her teeth. Somehow "wench" didn't appeal to her. Rick refused lower his pistol. Michonne's eyes darted from Jack to Elizabeth, configuring an angle to strike. The blade pressed on Katniss's neck menacingly.

"We'll lower our weapons if you do the same," Rick said calmly. "We don't want any trouble."

"That's absurd," the drunken slob chuckled, waving through the air as though the statement was smoke before him, "I believe you're trespassers on my ship."

"Our ship," Elizabeth hissed at Katniss's ear. 

"Indifferent," he brushed aside. "I'm sure finders shall keep what they find. That's how the saying goes, right?"

Katniss swallowed, and Elizabeth thrust the dagger close to her esophagus. 

"Let our friend go," Rick said, more authoritative. "We can compromise."

With a nod Jack willed his associate to release Katniss, but did not allow her to roam too far. She stood behind with aimed at Katniss's spine.

"Compromising is unnecessary," Jack said. "I won't ask you again to leave."

"Have you seen what's been chasing us?" blurted Michonne. "The dead have been risen from the grave."

"I'm afraid I was taking care of other urgent businesses," he retorted.

"Right below us," Rick Grimes spoke, "is a herd of flesh-eating humans. Walkers. One bite and its over. Their numbers are rising. Probably big enough to wreck your ship. If you don't set sail now the her will attract more."

Jack scratched his beard exaggeratedly, "I'd love to set a course on the open seas. But, seeing we're stuck here in the middle of a thicket, I believe there is nothing I can do. Perhaps draw the 'walkers' away from the ship. Sounds logical, don't you think?"

"Walkers don't work that way," Rick Grimes said. "They've seen you. They've smelled you. Sooner or later they'll come back for fresh meat."

"Figuratively, yes," Jack Sparrow smiled, showing rows of rotten, yellow teeth. "Your point is clear, but there is no wind. The ship is genuinely stuck on the edge of a waterfall. Furthermore, you don't look like crew members I would...enlist. Besides, we need at least a dozen men to haul a vessel like this. What can we..."

His eyes widened. 

"Up is down."

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 Percy couldn't thank Hermione's magical extension charm enough. She stuffed her whole arm inside the bag and brought out cooking utensils, frozen foods, and plates. She even mentioned packing a tent  that was big enough for the five of them.

"I'll start a fire," Hermione said diligently. 

While she conducted dinner, Percy pitched the tent with Katara. From the outside, he couldn't imagine squeezing five people inside. When he looked curious at the delicate canvas, a tarp supported by a tangle of sticks, Hermione laughed, as if he didn't understand the principles of magic (a topic he's had experienced countless of times in the past.) "Step inside, then." 

The interior silenced him, and Percy's eyes had a hard time adjusting to the vast compartments of the tent. There was a dining table, rolled up sleeping bags and throw pillows, and what seemed to be a lounging area with velvet furniture.