1. The Long Night

Piracy. Every child's dream, every adult's nightmare. And the ultimate thievery of my time. It was a big problem for colonial ports and no matter how much they tried, the Royal Navy almost never succeeded at finding all of the pirates in a crew. And if they were caught, they were hanged at the gallows and put on display, warning other pirates of what their ill fated future would be. And the greatest pirates among them could get away with every crime they committed, which included stealing, impersonation, hijacking, and much more. And even though pirates loved jewels and gems, their most possessive treasure was gold Doubloons and silver Pieces of Eight.

My father was Jon Winding. He was one of the most infamous pirates known in the Caribbean. But his biggest flaw was his thirst for treasury. And he wanted it badly. He married my mother, Jacqueline Françoise, and retired from being a pirate when my twin sister and I were born. But his thirst for treasure didn't stop there. He had named my sister Ruby Emerald Winding and my mother named me Meray Ann Winding. But, one short week later, my mother died of pneumonia and my father was devastated. He was a former buccaneer, left alone with two infant girls. So, he did what any other man would do at this time. Raise us? No, not my father. He handed us over to his best mate's wife, Mrs. Sparrow, and left with their father to set out for treasure.

When I was a teenager, Jack Sparrow was my one true love. Although I had lived with him for my whole life, I still loved him with all my heart. But, the worst day of my life had come. I was betrothed to a wealthy man named Arnold Wiln, who later became the city's governor. But at our wedding, I didn't see Jack anywhere. I looked out into the horizon, seeing a small ship sail into the setting sun. Jack was following in his father's footsteps, and became a pirate. I never heard from him again after that dreaded day. After a week of being married, a pirate raid happened. I hid, not letting the pirates take me. And instead of taking me, they took my sister's and my foster mother's lives. I wept for what felt like decades. Everything I loved...everything I wanted...gone. The pirates had killed my dreams, my love, and my sister.

About then, I hated pirates. I never wanted to see another pirate as long as I lived. I guess I would rather be miserable and married than be on a wild, fun adventure. Even though, every now and then I would look out my window, seeing myself behind the wheel of a big, beautiful ship, yelling out orders to my crew. Then, I would catch myself and remind me that they made my life miserable. I'd stop looking out to the sea, and look down on the city my husband and I owned.

"Honey?" Arnold's voice asked from behind me, startling me at first. I stood up and turned to him, looking into his electric blue eyes.

"Please Arnold. I'm Meray...Call me Meray." I sighed. I never had any feelings for Arnold. Although he thought I was the most beautiful and fairest thing that roamed this Earth. And he'd always tell me, 'You're the only key to my heart.' Or something sappy like that.

"Well, we've been married for ten years now...and...Meray, I want to have a son to carry out my responsibility if Governor." He said, his voice wavering. He had asked me this many times, and I would always say the same thing.

"When I fall in love." I simply stated.

"Meray! I will not take this anymore! You've ignored my love too long! You are going to bear my child!" He demanded, grabbing my wrist and dragging me into another room. I wiggled and squirmed, kicked and punched. But his grip wouldn't loosen.

"No! Stop! No!" I yelled, my eyes burning. I held my tears, trying to get free of the hug he was forcing me into. "Stop!" I felt the tears stream down my face and past my lips. "Stop..." I whispered, looking him in the eyes. His hard, stone-like expression softened.

"I-I...Oh god..." He let go of me, turning his back to me and cupping his hands over his face. "I'm so sorry Meray..." He sobbed. I put my hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort him. He put his hands down, turning and looking at me straight in my eyes. "Why don't you love me? I gave you everything you've ever wanted." He asked.

"Arnold...I just don't like you in that way. I've told you many times..." I sighed.

"Then why did you marry me? Why did you commit to a long term relationship if you didn't even like one bit?!" He questioned as the stone-like expression came back to his face. He looked me in the eyes and my legs went weak. Arnold was very handsome, but I could never love him.

"Arnold..." I sighed.

"Why do you stay here? I am not keeping you here. You may leave at anytime. So why do you stay with the one you do not love?" He questioned.

"Because this is my home. Where would I go? I would be dead on the street, that's where." I argued. "My whole family might as well be dead." I yelled, turning my back to him. He had called my name a few times, but I ignored him. My eyes burned from holding back the tears that long to escape.

When I entered the room, a maid was laying out a very beautiful and expensive dress. She smiled and laid it on a chair, getting out my nightgown.

"What's the occasion?" I asked, coming into my room.

"Oh, the King is coming! You and your husband shall meet him. You have to look fancy for his majesty." She said. I nodded and changed into my nightgown, and got into bed as the maid put the heating iron under my sheets. When she left, I stare out the window, looking into the moonlit horizon. It was so beautiful. But then, a tear roll of my cheek. Where would I go? The only way I were to survive out of this house, was to commit a crime. And that was just not me. I could never follow the path my father and Jack had taken...or could I?

I sat up in my bed, looking about. The light that shed into my room had faded, so I got up and went over to my desk, writing a simple letter. It read:

Dear Arnold,

I have left to start my career in sailing. Please remember me as a friend. I could not stand this living anymore. I have left my ring, symbolizing the end of our relationship. Very Sincerely,

Meray Winding

I took off my wedding ring, setting it on the letter. I then check the letter for errors, and scurry out into the hall, sneaking slowly past bedrooms. I slowly open Arnold's door, gradually walking past his sleeping body. I changed into a pair of brown knickers and a white shirt that was loose enough to hid the fact of me having breasts. But I halted on the black boots. I would not want to make much noise, now would I? So I carry the boots, slipping out the door once more. Walking down the stairs, I snag a tri-sided hat, tucking my long black hair up into it. I finally got to the door, and I opened it bit by bit, embracing the cool midnight's air. Stepping onto the cold stone, a shiver went up my back.

I put on the boots, walking out into the night. An energetic feeling pumped throughout my body as I smelt the salty air that I was approaching. But what I thought would be a trading ship, hold pirates. I approach one, who looked like the captain and asked,

"Excuse me, but is this your ship?" I asked in a more manly voice. The man looked at me oddly, swaying a bit.

"Yes and why would it matter to a rich man like you?" He slurred. He was either drunk, or just...an alcoholic.

"Well, I was wondering if I could get a job as one of your crew members." I scoffed. The captain rubbed his chin, a look of though spread across his face.

"Well, cane you hold a sword?" He asked.

"Like any other man."

"Right, but can you fight?" He smiled, handing me a sword. I gulped. I have had secret swordsmanship lessons from a local blacksmith's son in the past, but this was different.

"Yes. I can..." I said more confidentially. I took the sword and got in a stance. He scoffed and turned, pointing his sword towards me. We embraced in a duel when I swung for his left and he swung towards my right. We swung at each other constantly, stopping each other from stabbing the other.

"Good, your good..." He huffed. "But not good enough." He quickly swung at my arm, slashing my shirt and making my arm ooze with blood. I dropped the sword and clench my arm.

"Damn you..." I cursed.

"Welcome aboard." He laughed. I snarled and wrapped a bandage around my arm that was handed to me by a pirate who stood next to me.

"May I ask of your name, Captain?" I ask, snarling.

"Captain Jack Sparrow." He said proudly, putting his sword away. The name took my breathe away. This was indeed Jack, my former childhood love.

End of Chapter One