The Marana Lark Series: Book Two

The Curse

You've got to read the first one before you read this one. Very dramatic. Rated for violence. It takes place a year after the first one.

Introduction

Marana Lark and Jack Sparrow were sailing to Port Royal. Marana's friend, Bella, had gotten married to her childhood friend, Jacob Smith, and had given birth to a baby girl. Marana and Jack had to go see her.

Jack and Marana arrived in Port Royal four weeks after the baby was born.

Chapter One: A Dying Mother

Marana and Jack stood on the threshold of the Smith house. Marana nervously knocked on the door. When it opened, she saw Jacob, looking tired. He gave her a one-armed hug before leading them inside.

Jacob led them up a flight of stairs and into a small bedroom. Bella was lying on the bed with her eyes screwed shut. Her beautiful tanned skin had gone pale, and her silky brown hair was stringy and wet. Marana looked at Jacob. "What happened?"

He responded, "She's very ill. She had trouble with the baby. The baby's fine, but she may be dying."

"No!" shouted Marana, hugging her friend again. Jacob tried to comfort her. "I spoke to a doctor yesterday, and he said to keep her as comfortable as possible." Marana knelt at the side of the bed and touched Bella's face. She grasped Bella's hand, I was warm. Bella was burning with fever. Jacob took Bella's other hand. Jack knelt next to Marana and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. She asked Jacob, 'Are you sure there's nothing we can do for her?" Jacob nodded.

Marana stood up and said, "Jack, we should probably get back to the Pearl. Goodbye, Jacob." As they were about to leave, Jacob said, "We're coming with you. Bella loves the Pearl. Maybe she'll feel better. You carry her down to the ship. I'll be right back. I'll meet you there." Jack carried Bella down to the Pearl. When he got on, Marana brought her into one of the smaller cabins. She set her on the bed and wrapped her up in blankets. She went back out and saw Jacob approaching. "Weigh anchor!" shouted Jack. Jacob climbed on and said to Marana, "I left the baby with my mother. She'll take care of her. Don't worry, Marana. I'll take care of Bella."

The ship moved out of the harbor. Jack sat on the stairs, with Marana on his lap. They didn't talk at all. They were just thinking. Jack was thinking about Marana. Marana was thinking about how Bella was going to survive.

She decided to go see Bella. When she got to the cabin, Bella was awake and breathing. Marana hugged her and said, "I'm so glad you're awake! I thought you were going to die!" Bella's face was blank, and still pale. "I am going to die, Marana. I'm too weak. I have no strength left." Marana's eyes were swimming with tears, which dripped down her face and onto the cabin floor. She choked, "No, you can't die. You just can't die, Bella."

Bella's response was as blank as her face. "Yes, I can die, Marana Lark. I have served my purpose. I helped you rescue Jack. I got shot in the arm, and Jacob saved me. And then I gave birth to my daughter. I have done enough."

Marana cried into her friend's shoulder. Bella summoned the strength to hug her friend back. She gave Marana a gentle kiss on her cheek and let go. She fell back against the pillows. Jacob said, "She's not dead, yet. She's been delirious lately, if she's awake at all. All we can do is hope and pray. You and Bella are both very dear to me, Marana. Go get John and Jordan and Abigail. They'll want to say goodbye to her."

Marana left the cabin. She walked past Jack quickly, and with her head turned, so he wouldn't see her tears. She found the three newest additions to the crew and said, "Bella's sick. She's dying, and she wants you three to be there with her, to say goodbye." Abigail, John, and Jordan stopped what they were doing. Abby stared at her blankly. "Whatever do you mean? What are you talking about?" Marana explained to them how she and Jack had brought her onto the ship and how she was staying in one of the cabins, and how she had said that she was dying. As she choked out the last words, Abby hugged her. The four of them went back to see Bella. Marana couldn't bear to go back in there. She went back to the stairs and sat next to Jack. He asked, "What's wrong, Marana?"

She hugged him and cried into his shoulders. "Bella's going to die, Jack." He tried his best to comfort her. When she stopped crying, he stood up and kissed her forehead. "Marana, love, I know you are strong, and you can get through this. I know how much Bella meant to you. And I am grateful to her for helping you that night you got me out of prison. If she does die, I hope she's in no pain."

Marana suddenly loved Jack more than ever. "Thank you, Jack. Your words really mean a lot to me. If Bella does die, I will still love her as I always have, and I will keep her in my heart forever." She gave Jack a passionate kiss and whispered, "I love you."

Jack replied, "I love you, too." and kissed her back.