A.N.

Just a short oneshot…nothing much…still reviews are cherished, flames however are used to pop my popcorn, YAY! (Since I don't really like popcorn, no flames thanks!)

Anyhoo, I obviously don't own POTC or the wonderful characters, otherwise I wouldn't have only a computer and a keyboard in my name now would I? Think guys!

Without further ado, on with the story!

From Bad to Worse

part 1 – Shock and Horror

Red Rock

Will could focus on nothing but the dishevelled man standing before him, the raw emotions displayed in his eyes contrasting the barnacles and other sea creatures that hung off his face.

The man bent over and picked up a whip, twisted and cruel, with small bits of wire, steels and broken shells intertwined into the long split ends. Laughs and jeers split the palpable tension, as the surrounding pirates took pleasure from the pain both men were feeling.

Will steeled himself for the upcoming pain, his shirt torn off his back and his muscles quivering in the dim light and fog. Gathering his emotions Bootstrap reared the whip, curving it evilly in the air, and with a whistle brought it down onto Will's back. Some of the strands of the whip curled around Wills sides to attack the tender skin of his stomach and chest. Will fought to keep the cry of pain from escaping his defences as blood dripped down his back, becoming running rivers of red carving their way around his body.

The whip came down again. Will was engulfed in a second firing pain, shooting around his torso and making him weak at the knees, more blood joined the streams running down his back. As the pain worsened Will felt like somebody was pushing red hot swords through his back again and again.

Luckily for Will, the next three lashes rushed by in a blur of physical and emotional pain, a haze of jeering and beatings. After the lashings had been endured the rest of the pirates rushed in and began to kick and hit any skin they could find.

Even though the lashings had long since passed, Will's hands were untied and he was still harassed, however eventually the last of the pirates gave up their game and returned to work. Lying in a bruised, bloody ball on the deck Will was forced to his feet and taken to the brig.

Fighting consciousness Will examined his dim, dull surroundings. Metal bars, dimly lit corridors and dusty damp floors greeted him. Spying someone in the shadows he weakly called for them to come out. A shadow fell over him.

His father sighed and kneeled on the ground to try and do his best for Will, wiping off most of the blood and treating the worst of his wounds. He then broke the silence.

"I'm sorry"

Those two little words conveyed so much. Sorry for leaving him at such a young age, sorry for the time he had growing up being the 'bastard boy' without a papa, sorry for the doubts in Wills mind, sorry for the beating. Silence overtook them. Breaking the monotony Bootstrap tried to explain himself.

"Bo-son, he is a master at causing pain with the whip, digging it into the bone and lashing the stomach and chest powerfully, I was trying to help you…" he trailed off.

Will weakly nodded his head, "Thank-you then father" he replied with the politeness of agreeing about the weather. "Will, please…"

For a while Will thought. "I do understand."

Bootstrap smiled and took his sons hand, "Thank-you."

Just then pirates came down the stairs, drunk and singing noisily. Bootstrap disappeared ambiguously back into the shadows and watched. The pirates continued down the corridor and Bootstrap snuck back out. "Goodbye son, I've gotta get back to work."

Weakly Will nodded.

Then the pain and darkness overtook him.

Write down your thoughts oh great reviewers….then hit that little purple button!

I really shoulda gone into theatre!