Eyes to See the World - Version 2

By: Raven in Red

Jenae, a young blind woman, joins Will and Jack in pursuit of the Black Pearl. JackOC, set during COTBP. Rewritten version of my original story, less Mary-Sueish and slightly different storyline.

Chapter One: A Pirate

As a young girl, it had always been my dream to meet a pirate. I was always running around and playing Pirate Adventure with my little brothers.

All that changed in one day. I was twelve years old.

It was like any normal spring afternoon. My brothers and I were playing in the woods when I tripped and hit my head. I had a terrible headache, and everything started to swirl. I became dizzy and fainted. When my mother managed to wake me up the next day, all I could see was gray. After a few minutes, I could see some very faint outlines, but I had to face the truth: I was blind.

Now I am nineteen. My name is Jenae Elena Godfrey.

I woke up early one morning before the rest of my family. Mother, Samuel, and Lucas always slept in. Father went to work early. With nothing to do, I carefully crossed the room and opened my window. I sat on the little stool beside it and sighed happily as the breeze played with my long auburn hair. I could hear every bird that sang in the morning sunshine. I could smell the flowers right below my windowsill. Even without my eyesight, the world was still a beautiful place.

Later that day, my father took me to visit my friend Will. He was one of Port Royal's best blacksmiths, and I had known him since my childhood. After my father left to go home, I carefully opened the door to Will's shop and stepped inside. I immediately heard the pounding of his hammer as it came in contact with the anvil. Simply from the sounds, I could tell that he was making a new sword. After a little while, I heard him put the hammer down and walk over to me.

"Jenae, what a wonderful surprise!" He greeted me with a warm hug. He was slightly sweaty, but it didn't bother me.

"Hello, Will," I replied happily.

"How are you?" He asked kindly as he continued working on his sword.

Over the pounds of his hammer, I replied, "I'm very good, thank you. And how is my good friend?"

I could almost feel him smiling. "Good," I heard the happiness in his voice. He rummaged around, obviously looking for something important. He sighed angrily. "I think I've lost one of my chisels. I'm going to go get another one. Would you mind waiting a few minutes?"

"No, not at all," I said. He ran from the shop and down the street towards the general store. I clasped my hands together and paced the shop. Suddenly, I heard the door open. "Will?" I called out.

"Who's Will?" A different voice reached my ears. I became suspicious.

"Who are you?" I folded my arms. I heard the sound of clinking chains, so the man must have been in handcuffs.

"I am no one of your concern, love," he replied. Then I heard him rummaging around over by Will's tool rack. I boldly stood in front of him.

"What are you doing here? You are in my friend's shop, and I do not believe you have any right to be here," My voice was strong.

When he didn't answer, I grabbed his right arm and shoved the sleeve out of the way. After feeling past the handcuff on his wrist, I came across a raised patch of skin shaped like a P. Dropping his arm, I said in fear, "You're a pirate."

"Why, thank you for pointing that out, love," he said sarcastically.

"You'd better get out of here," I said threateningly. He stepped up to me and placed his hands on my shoulders.

"Or else what? What is a helpless young woman like you going to do to a pirate like me?"

"Ugh, get away!" I screamed and shoved his arms from my shoulders while backing up several steps.

"Wait…" he said, coming towards me again. For each step he took towards me, I took another step back. "You're…blind."

"Why, thank you for pointing that out!" I imitated him. He laughed and kept advancing on me.

"Why don't you just let me go about my business? I'll be gone before you know it, and this encounter will be our little secret," the last few words were in a whisper, and he was so close that I could smell the rum on his breath.

I took a sharp intake of air. "Alright. But you'd better be gone before Will gets back." Without an answer, he went to one of the anvils. I stood off to the side as he banged a hammer on his shackles, obviously trying to break them. I winced back in fright when I heard Will's donkey whine in pain. I heard gears turning, and the crunching sound of breaking metal. He was free, and the thought scared me a little. Suddenly, I heard the door open. Will ran up to me.

"Jenae, are you alright? What happened?" he asked with fear in his voice.

I replied in terror, "Will, there's a pirate in here! He was in handcuffs…but he got free!" I pulled him towards me by his lapels. "Will…he's in here!"

Will hugged me close to him. "Shh, shh, Jenae, it's alright. I'll deal with him." Then, after a couple moments of searching, he said, "Right where I left you." He was probably gesturing towards Mr. Brown, his boss. Then he walked over to the anvil. "Not where I left you." That's when I remembered the hammer. All of a sudden, I heard a slap.

"You're the one they're hunting…the one that Jenae saw in here…the pirate."

"Ahh, Jenae, that's such a beautiful name," the man answered.

"Shut up!" I boldly walked up and slapped him.

"The lass is bold, I see," he said in a tone that sounded like admiration.

"Jenae, stand back," Will ordered. I obeyed and took several steps back.

"You seem somewhat familiar. Have I threatened you before?" the man asked.

"I make a point of avoiding familiarity with pirates," Will said plainly.

"Ah, well then it would be a shame to put a black mark on your record, so, if you'll excuse me…"

I heard Will grab one of the many swords down from the wall.

"Do you think this wise, boy?" The stranger asked. "Crossing blades with a pirate?"

Will said boldly, "You threatened Miss Swann, and you scared Jenae."

The man slowly scraped his sword against Will's. "Only a little," he said devilishly. The next thing I knew, the two were fighting. With every clang of their swords, I felt a twinge of fear. I prayed that Will wouldn't get hurt. After a few moments, the man stated, "You know what you're doing. I'll give you that. Excellent form…but how's your footwork? If I step here," there were a few sword clangs as the two moved around. "Very good…and now I step again." By listening carefully to their footsteps, I could tell that they had switched places. After one more tap, he said with a flourish, "Ta!" He ran up to the back door. With a grunt, Will threw his sword at the door, jamming it in the lock.

After trying and failing to pull the sword out, the pirate said in a mocking manner, "That is a wonderful trick, except, once again, you are between me and my way out. And now…" he drew his sword. "You have no weapon." At that, Will yanked an unfinished sword out of the fire. For some reason, the donkey started moving again. As they fought over by the gear system, the pirate shouted, "Who makes all these?" He was obviously referring to the swords Will kept on racks all over the shops.

"I do!" Will answered proudly. "And I practice with them…three hours a day!"

As the two came away from the gears, the man said, "You need to find yourself a girl, mate!" After fighting a little more, he added, "Or…perhaps the reason you practice three hours a day is that you've already found one, and are otherwise incapable of wooing said strumpet. You're not a eunuch, are you?"

"I practice three hours a day so that, when I meet a pirate, I can kill it!" Will shouted back. Somehow, the two managed to end up in the rafters. When they came back down, I felt myself being showered with sand. When the sword clanging stopped, I brushed myself off and stood at Will's side. "You cheated!" Will accused.

"Pirate," the man answered. People were banging at the door and shouting. "Move away!" he ordered.

"No," I said boldly.

"Please move!" he said urgently.

"No!" Will shouted. "I cannot just step aside and let you escape!" I heard the man cock a pistol.

"This shot is not meant for you." Suddenly, I heard the sound of breaking glass, and the man fell to the ground. The door burst open and a group of soldiers came into the shop.

"Excellent work, Mr. Brown!" I recognized the voice of Commodore James Norrington. "You've assisted in the capture of a dangerous fugitive."

"Just doing my civic duty, sir," Mr. Brown answered.

"Well, I trust you will always remember this as the day that Captain Jack Sparrow almost escaped. Take him away." Norrington commanded. The soldiers lifted him up and carried him out of the shop. Once the soldiers had left and Mr. Brown had gone upstairs, Will pulled me into a hug.

"Are you alright?" I asked in fear.

Will rubbed my back. "I'm fine. I'm just glad that wicked pirate is gone now."

"Me too," I replied, letting go of him. My breath was coming out in short gasps, almost as if I was shivering.

"Jenae?"

"Y-yes?"

"Are you alright?" Will rested his hands on my shoulders.

I shook my head. "I was so scared!"

Will hugged me again. "Maybe you should stay here tonight. You can take the spare room next to mine."

"Thank you," I whispered back, happy to be in the safety of my friend's arms.