Pieces of a Pearl

Chapter 1: Falling Hearts


The sound of lightning cutting through the dark skies above drowned the shouts of the captain. Along with the pounding waves that beat against the wood of the ship, the storm rhapsody did not let commands be heard over its noise as the ship and its crew battled through a tempest at sea.

Back and forth, tousled about, pushed and pulled, the Black Pearl tried her best to keep control against the mighty sea and its allies, the rain and thunder. They all swayed across the decks, struggling to keep steady in their duties, Captain Jack Sparrow himself having difficulty being rooted to his stand at the helm.

Dark eyes scanned the scene before him, drops of furious rain blurring his vision as he fought to seek a certain pirate on his ship. Had she gotten to safety? It had been quite the while since he ordered her to retreat from the crow's nest. Under his breath, Jack Sparrow cursed her for being so damn stubborn yet the curse itself was disguised as a prayer; a prayer that she was nowhere near danger and somewhere where he could see her. After several glances around his fighting ship, Jack still could not find her and needed to know if someone else had caught sight of the lass.

"Gibbs!" Jack shouted above the roar of the sea, catching the second mate's attention and sent him scattering about to his captain.

"Aye, Cap'n!" Gibbs answered, holding steady with a death grip on a railing to keep from falling.

The communication was cut short for a moment as a large wave splashed against the wooden decks of the Pearl, almost dragging both Jack and Gibbs with it. But the men kept their positions and continued.

"Find Anamaria and tell her that I need those blasted riggings secured!" Gibbs wondered why Jack needed the riggings to be secured by the lass when the men had already done so…but nevertheless, he nodded and shouted an, "aye, aye!" and readied himself to let go of the railing and move out to the deck.

A strong turn of the wheel saved them from a godly wave that dared to pull the entire ship under its reign, Jack having a small smirk on his face. "C'mon love, don't be mad with me…" He muttered coolly, words directed to the lovely lady named The Sea. Had Jack no responsibilities, the crazy pirate would go against the waves itself; he would push through them, penetrate every blast of water, challenging the untamable with a grin on his countenance.

And yet, the smirk vanished as he heard Gibbs' voice above the others.

"ANAMARIA!"

Frantic eyes went to the figure of Gibbs who pointed at the –Jack paled at the realization – crow's nest. He looked over to the damned station he had sent Ana to and illuminated by the lightning, he caught sight of her at last.

And she was struggling; caught in a mess of ropes.

Eyes widened and fear took the shape of anger as Jack went to growl aloud, ready to shout her name but time would not allow it.

The moment he opened his mouth to speak, her body was set loose from the tangles. But fell.

Fell and fell.

Jack Sparrow watched helplessly as Anamaria fell from the nest and headed (like an angel without wings) towards the wooden floors.

He watched her fall…

and hit solid.


A/N: I do apologize for my absence; school has me chained to its damned walls with homework and projects. As I'm writing this note, I'm reading a 500 page novel due Monday. I'm on page 23 and it's 11:31 P.M. Besides those frustrating citations, I've decided to make PEICES OF PEARL into a little one-shot novel...like a collection of one-shots that pertain to a main plot. Oh well, I hope you enjoyed! And don't worry, I'm working on chapter three of BOTTLE OF MOMENTS. Happy Holidays everyone!

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but a huge crush on Jack Sparrow and a huge hate for Elizabeth Swann. Everything else is Disney's.