Slipping Away
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the words. No characters but the little girl Elizabeth and her father belong to me... I just own the basic plot. Okay? No copyright infractions intended.
Author's Note: I felt like righting this because I was watching Corpse Bride, which has a character voiced by Johnny Depp, who played CAPTAIN! Jack Sparrow. It has nothing to do with Corpse Bride, though, so don't ask. Please review afterward and an early thank you!
The regular rhythmic creak of the rocking chair echoed through the empty house. The floorboards groaned under the chair, and, on a rare occasion would kick up extreme amounts of dust. The windows were blacked out by thick, blackout curtains, moth eaten and rotting. A hushed light filtered through, illuminating an old decrepit grandfather clock, at which the occupant of the chair was staring.
The old man wheezed slightly, coughing away some dust. His grimy, well-worn clothes flooded him like a tent, making him appear much smaller than he already was. He was waiting; waiting for the clock to strike three. He pulled his hand up to his face, tracing the wrinkles and folds of his skin. He was thinking deeply about the past... when he was young, healthy, and handsome... When he had all of his dreams, and, if he did not have it already, he would chase it. Freedom.
The chime of the clock sung three, and he looked expectantly at the door to the room, straightening himself up for what was to come. Precious minutes of his dwindling life ticked away, and he began to slump forward in disappointment. His grandson was always punctual.
With a burst, the grand doors slammed open, rattling the walls and making the man gasp for a breath, clutching his chest. A little girl came running into his room, looking around frantically for her great grandfather. Her gaze skimmed over him twice, but on her third scan of the room, her eyes rested excitedly on him. She squealed happily, jumping on his lap and flinging her arms around his neck joyfully. "Oh, great papa! Papa said he'd bring me to you yesterday, but he had business, so he took my today!" she said, obviously under the impression he didn't already know that and had waited a whole day. "Are you going to tell me a story again, great papa? I want to hear!"
He chuckled for the first time in weeks. "Oh, do you? Well, I must have a word with your Papa firstly. Where is he?"
"She glanced around behind herself, a puzzled look creeping onto her face. "I don't know. He said he'd be right in..."
"And I kept my promise, Lizzy! I just had to secure out carriage with Mister Evans."
Elizabeth and the old man smiled together at him, and he came forward, stretching out his hand to give the old man a thick envelope. "Grandfather, I thought you might be interested in these papers I found. I sure have; it's all I've been thinking of all week!"
The man leaned forward, placing Elizabeth on the floor. He opened his arms to his grandson, who cam forward and hugged him warmly. "Now, I thought I told you that since you are a man, you may call me Will?"
"No, I can't. It's too strange; I've called you that since... since before I can remember! I don't think I could ever part from the memories it holds... the stories you tell of your youth! Half of them totally fabricated!" he laughed, clapping Will's back, and adding quietly, "Met Jack Sparrow indeed..." Will seemed to hear, though, and his expression hardened.
"If they are fabricated, then why do you believe them? Why did you name your daughter Elizabeth, and your unborn child Jack? I have told you time and again, I would never lie to you. Every story I have told is true, and if you don't believe me, than I can tell you the most truthful of all! The only story I have never told a soul..."
Elizabeth squealed again, jumping onto Will's vacant lap. "Tell me! Tell me and papa!"
"Well, it all began with a beautiful girl... the Governor's daughter. Her name was Elizabeth..."
