I stared across the bleak black ocean and watched the angry waters tear at the wrecked boat a couple hundred feet away. It was broken in half against the rocks and its sails hung in tatters. That was the ship we were seeking? I had been on the Flying Dutchman before, and that didn't look anything like it.
"That's the Flying Dutchman?" Will asked, seeming to voice my own thoughts. "Doesn't seem like much."
"Don't underestimate her." My father said, trembling a little. Was that shake from too much rum, or fear?
"Jack, if you are wrong, I will tear you apart." Will assured my father, malice filling his voice.
"So, what's the plan?" I asked, leaning my head towards Will, taking Will's mind off my father. "I'm coming with you, and you are not saying anything about it. I have a personal score to settle with Davy Jones."
"You're a fourteen year old girl! You can't go on board!" Father complained.
"Make me, Captain Jack Sparrow." I snarled back to him, raising an eyebrow and leaning forward a little as a challenge.
"The plan is that I am going to go on board and search the ship until I find your bloody key." Will replied. "And I will cut down anything in my path."
"Nice plan." My father said, walking forward a little with his famous swagger. "It's simple and easy to remember."
I climbed down the railings into the longboat that awaited Will and I on the churning sea. I took the lantern Will extended to me and watched as he stepped in. My black braid whipped in the wind and I secured my shirt with a hand. I wore traditional men's clothes: a puffy linen shirt, loose canvas pants with a scabbard and sword, and leather boots. The only difference was my shirt was held together at the back with a thin leather thong. I had kept it like that for five years, since people seemed to like tearing open the back of my shirt. I grabbed one of the oars and began to row. Will followed suit. As we left the Black Pearl, my father called, "If you do get captured, just say that Jack Sparrow sent you to settle his debt. It might save your life!"
"Thanks, Dad." I replied. I watched as the Pearl's lights began to wink out. Will and I were on our own against the devils of the never-ending Caribbean Sea.
"What kind of score do you have to settle with Davy Jones?" Will asked as he tugged at one of the oars.
I applied an equal amount of effort to the oar I was holding and replied, "I'll tell you another time, when you actually need to know. One thing that you do need to know right now, though, is that I plan to take the Flying Dutchman apart plank by plank."
I actually meant to as well. Will rolled his eyes at my teenage confidence. "Alianara Sparrow, you are the strangest girl I have ever met, but there is no one else I would like to have by my side on the Flying Dutchman."
"Just don't tell Elizabeth, ok?" I said, worried about her jealous reaction.
"She'll understand." Will assured me calmly. I dug my fingernails into the wood, trusting Will's judgment. I trembled as I stared at the wreck. I had been on the Flying Dutchman before but it hadn't looked like this. The longboat crashed against the barnacle covered wood with a thunk. I leapt into the wreck with Will following closely after. Everyone on board seemed to either be dead, dying or hiding from something. Will carried the only light that penetrated the darkness: a lantern with its flickering yellow flame. I turned and realized again that the Black Pearl had put of all of its lights.
"Let's see if we can find that bloody key my father needs so bad." I hissed. "This place is creeping me out."
Will nodded. My hand wrapped tightly around the hilt of my sword and he did the same, then He ran over to a man tugging a rope for the sails.
"It's no good, mate. You've run aground." Will told him. The guy's hands were bloody and mangled. I turned away, trying desperately not to scream.
"No. There's something under us. Foul smell, big teeth…" The man shuddered and went back to pulling his rope.
"Kraken." I snarled, watching the deck in worry. All of a sudden, the deck was rocked violently and I fell over. I leapt back to my feet just in time to see the sea churn and the real Flying Dutchman rose eerily from the depths.
"Oh. My. Bugger." I hissed, trembling. My mouth almost fell open in fear. "We are in big trouble."