the man who the sea dog feared

They encircled each other as if captured by Time, the thief of the universe.

With each new step, the floorboards under their feet creaked and ricocheted. Each swell continued to bathe the wood in saltwater, ale, and rum. As the ship swayed, dense foam slid from stem to stern. The adversary, a living meal - and the ocean, his boiling cauldron. Melting into the soles of their boots, the odor of each step filling the candle-lit air.

The buccaneers in the background fixated on their foolish comrade, waiting for their dinner. If you listen closely, you can hear them chant:

feed the fish! feed the fish! feed the fish!

Our graceless couressor staggered forward, confident.

His mistake.

For there it was,an opening.Our corsair wasted no time.

A trenched, gelatin fissure flowed across the man’s heart.Drifting and rippling in opposing directions, the moonlit, crimson-filled channels rolled into each other like honey - forming a letter. Our buccaneer shot one last glance at his adversary,then lifelessly fell on the deck.

The visceral scent of oxidized flesh and blood triggered the victor’s crew to drool - foaming at the mouth they chanted:

feed the fish! feed the fish! feed the fish!

A singular shot ran across the bow, echoing into the packs’ skulls. A scarred, calloused hand was raised. His silver voice mesmerized the night sky and found its hiding spot in the shadows.

“Avast.”

And, like good dogs, they sat: silently, one at a time.

He hunkered down, meeting their eye level. They waited, eyeing him eagerly as he looked into himself. Taking a heavy sip of rum, he rose and gave them the signal.His mongrels darted to the fallen body, ripping, tearing, swallowing whole. As they finished their dinner, the pirate spoke a command towards the stars.

“Strike sails,” he knocked back another large swig, “Weigh anchor.”

In unison, his wolves howled into the night.

“Aye aye, Captain Hook.”

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-A.D.