The Spirits of the Horizon:

Chapter 1: A Pirate's Return

"He's here! He's really here!"

Eden quickly gathered the skirts of her dress as she rushed along the wet lands of her hometown, Ginnia. Mud and rain water from the other night had covered the grass and dirt roads. Today however, the sun was shining and the wind was warm, rolling off the ocean. Small waves danced onto the beach, only to retreat and take another stride up onto the sand. A big ship made its way from the eastern horizon.

The flaming ember sun rose slowly above the waters, casting rays into the awakening sky. The waters sparkled vividly. The last thunderclouds were in the western horizon. Eden took a mental note to stop on the small bluff tonight to watch those colors fade into nothingness. But right now, she had a ship to meet.

Crowds already gathered near the harbors. News had spread through out the small town that the Black Pearl was Captian Jack Sparrow's once again. 'Captain Jack Sparrow what a handsome man,' Eden thought to herself as she watched the ship dock. The rays of the sun rose, making it almost difficult to see the faces of the many wandering figures on the boat. But as a tall, man stepped to the railing, casting a shadow onto Eden, she knew it was him.

Jack smiled. Now, that was a rare sight for her. She's never seen him so happy since that incident ten years ago that made him want to drown himself in rum and at one point, almost jumped off the bluff.

"Ahoy lads!" Jack shouted, "The Black Pearl is finally back!"

A great cheer errupted throughout the air, Eden's voice joining. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she brushed them away with a soft hand. For many years, since Jack left, she was worried that he was going to die. But she prayed and prayed that he'd survive his past. And it looks like he has. But, did he find what he was looking for? He must have, he was sure smiling.

Everyone began to help the crew unload. Eden watched Jack as he walked about the ship, tying the sails up. His motions, his facial expressions showed no happiness. What was wrong with him? He got the Black Pearl back, what more was he looking for?

Jack usually was a very jolly man, but he never told his deep secrets. No one knew even if he did have any deep secrets. Whatever they were, they were no one else's business except his.

Eden walked up onto the ship as everyone else carried some of the cargo back onto land. The crew had been washed away in the wave of townsmen. They were headed for the pub.

However, Jack stayed on the boat. He sat on the rope ladder, facing the horizon as the sun got higher, showering her rays upon the earth. He was silent.

Only the sound of Eden's feet was heard. Eden knew Jack could hear her, but he didn't stir. She stopped beside him.

"Good to be back isn't it." Eden said. Jack broke his trance and stared at her.

"Mmm?" He squinted. "You look familiar, have I talked to you before?"

At first Eden was taken aback, but she knew that it had been a very long journey for him and it's been a long time since they saw eachother.

"It's me, Eden." She said.

Jack scanned her face. "Eden!" He said, lifting up his hands. "What a pleasant surprise! Haven't seen you since last sail. You've grown beautiful, love."

'Love?' Those words almost melted Eden. 'He think's I'm beautiful!' Her heart began to beat rapidly. No one has called her beautiful except for her parents.

"Why thank you." Eden quickly responed. She felt the heat rise to her cheeks and was sure of it that she was blushing.

"What brings you here love?" Jack asked, "Thought you'd be in the pub with the others."

"I don't drink." Eden replied, 'And stop calling me love before I melt into puddle' She said to herself.

"Ahh," Jack replied, "I might need one soon."

An awkward silence filled the air. Eden pulled her gaze away from his eyes and scanned the sky which was cyan. Gulls began to squawk in the midst.

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

The question seemed to have surprised Jack. His eyes grew big and black. He seemed to withdraw into himself. A wall rose up. He didn't answer.

"Are you okay?"

Still he didn't answer.

Instead, Jack got up and walked away. He stopped and looked back at Eden. He opened his mouth but shut it just as quickly. Without a word he walked off the ship.

Eden was left, embarrassed and upset.

'How does she know I'm trying to find something?' Jack muttered to himself after he left Eden behind. 'Why can't everyone just leave that part alone.'

Captain Jack Sparrow walked past the pub. Today was the only day it was open early. They were celebrating early too. But Jack all of a sudden felt that celebration wasn't the thing he wanted. He needed to be alone.

A small forest stood to the south of the small town. Jack knew an old place where he could be by himself and think things through. He prayed that nobody else knew about it.

Questions began to fill his head as he entered the dark forest. Ferns and tropical flowers dotted the floor under the shadows of the tall spruce trees. Birds sang in the air and other creatures ran across the paths like squirrels and chipmunks.

Turning down a path here and there and off into the wild brush, Jack came to a small pond that had was surrounded by smooth boulders. A small waterfall spilled over the ledge of a rock that jutted out of a crocked wall. The wall rose up eight feel where trees slept. Vines crept down wards towards the blue waters.

Jack slipped off his boots and waded towards a sitting rock that stood alone in the water. The pond was ten feet in diameter and four feet deep. Setting himself down onto the rock, Jack crossed his arms over his chest and frowned.

"I'll never find what I'm looking for." He mumbled aloud.

His face then fell blank. Why was he getting mad? Maybe she was just asking him if the Black Pearl was all he was searching for.

"Jessie..." Jack whispered. He lowered his gaze on the falling water and towards the reflection of his dirty face. His eyes were dark and big. Jack tried to smile and laugh but nothing came out.

"Hee Hee" A whisper filled the air.

Jack looked up to see a small girl standing underneath the waterfall. She wore a small white dress and her black hair dangled down past her shoulders. With a frightful look, and full of surprise, Jack tumbled backwards into the water. He scrambled up to his feet and noticed that the little girl was gone.

"Huh?" he said, making a face.

"You're looking for her aren't you..."

Jack spun on his heel and pulled out his revolver. A lady dressed in a dark cloak stood on the edge of the pond. Her face was covered in shadow. Her long black hair simliar to the small child's flowed down her shoulder from out of the hood.

"What did you say?" Jack said slowly.

"You're looking for HER aren't you...?" The lady repeated. "It's been ten years since she was lost at sea."

Jack was stunned. How did this lady know what happened?

"Who are you?" Jack asked.

"That is for you to find out." The lady said. "But she is still alive."

"What?!" Jack asked. His heart began to beat fast. "Where is she?"

"Where you left her, in the horizon."

Jack lowered his gun and stood in thought. He gazed down towards the water. "I've been trying to get there, but I can't find it." He looked back up to see that the lady was gone. "Love?" Jack looked around, making a face. "Where the hell did you just go?"

The eerie silence was broken by Eden's voice. She was calling out to him, so was Mr. Gibbs.

"The horizon I will find." Jack said to himself. "But I must go alone."