Jack was waiting impatiently for the Flying Dutchman to come bursting out of the waters. He took a glance at his broken compass and snapped it closed again. He turned to go down to the brig to visit his new prisoner. He stumbled down the steps and looked into the cell where Araelya was being held. She was leaning against the back wall, her hat pushed down over her eyes. Jack cleared his throat to get her attention, but he was only answered with a soft snore. He cleared his throat louder and more aggressively, yet still there was only a snore. He huffed and yelled loudly to get her to awaken. When she still didn't wake, he opened the cell door and reached his hand out to shake her awake.

Underneath her hat, Araelya was smiling. As Jack's hand came closer to her, she moved quick as lightning. Seizing his wrist, she pulled him forward and into the wall, making sure she snatched the cell keys from him as she did so. His head collided with the wall, giving her enough time to dash out of the cell and lock it behind her. She laughed softly and twirled the keys around her finger. She still said nothing to him, but at the sound of approaching footsteps she hid in the shadows. The keys had fallen from her hands by accident, but when Mr. Gibbs came down the steps to see his captain locked up, she sneaked up the stairs.

Jack was yelling orders at Mr. Gibbs. Araelya ran out into the open and to the edge of the ship. She didn't know where she planned to go now that she was free of her cell. The hot sun beat down on her, the sea breeze blowing her hair. Then, there was a sudden disturbance in the sea. The waters were pushed aside as the legendary ghost ship surfaced: the Flying Dutchman. Araelya stumbled backward at the sight of the ship. She gazed upon it in awe. Its horrifying structure was rotting away, as was the crew aboard the ship. She had heard about this ship, but had never seen it in person. She was too stunned to move, and soon enough Jack was behind her, not trying to capture her, though.

As Araelya gazed upon the massive ship, she saw its captain facing towards them. His hair was tied back behind his head, his baggy clothes blowing in the wind. He had parts of the sea growing on the side of his face and arms. She wondered what it must be like to sail on a ship as great as the Flying Dutchman. A part of her envied the crew. She had always wanted to be apart of a crew, but it was obvious that no crew would ever except her or take her seriously. She was a child to most people and only a girl to the rest. She wanted to be seen as what she was; a pirate.

"Will," Jack exclaimed excitedly. "How nice of you to join us." The smile that Jack wore made Araelya uneasy. She had a feeling that she knew what Jack had planned and she didn't like it at all.

Araelya looked down at the hand that Jack had placed on her shoulder. His grip wasn't tight so she could easily run away from him, but she didn't know where to go.

She looked back to the Flying Dutchman. Stories of Captain Will Turner had been passed around, and he was a loyal man. Maybe he would help her and not turn her in?

Will looked at Araelya and then accusingly at Jack. "Who is this? What have you done?"

"What?" Jack asked as he strolled in front of Araelya to hide her from view. "No, 'Hi, Jack, how are you' or 'I'm doing fine'?"

"I'm not playing any games," Will looked unamused. "Who is she?"

Jack's smile faded away. He was doubting whether or not Will would go along with his plan. "We should discus things privately, William."

Araelya pushed Jack aside and faced him. "If I am the topic of discussion, then I demand to be present during it." She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Jack and Will.

Will shrugged, "I don't see a problem with that. Do you?" He looked kindly upon Araelya. She almost smiled at him even, but she pushed aside any joy that was in her for the moment. She didn't want anyone thinking she was weak or, by any means, kind.

Jack rolled his eyes but agreed to have her with them. Araelya, Jack, and Will were soon sitting at the table in a private room aboard the Flying Dutchman. The tensions were high in the room. Araelya let her eyes wonder around the rotting ship. Seaweed and barnacles clung to the walls. It smelled of dead fish, making Araelya scrunch her nose in disgust. She would be able to get used to things like this, though, if she ever became apart of the ship's crew.

"Tell me what is happening," Will demanded.

Jack took a big breath, getting ready to tell him all about Araelya and the money that she was worth. But, Araelya spoke first. "He kidnapped me."

Jack's head whipped around to look at her. "What?"

Will didn't seem fazed by what she had said. "Doesn't surprise me." He sounded bored. "But why was I needed here?"

"I need your help to escape him."

"You really think he will believe you?" Jack grinned at her and slammed down one of the 'Wanted' posters onto the table. "Now do you know her?"

Will leaned forward to see the poster. His head slowly raised to look at Araelya. "You're the one they've been looking for?"

"Worth 2,000 shillings, mate," Jack leaned back in his chair. The sly smile her wore gave Araelya chills.

"No," Will corrected, "the price has been raised. They are giving out more gold than your ship can hold to any man who returns her to the Royal Navy. Alive, too."

Jack choked when he heard this. He was curious as to what she had done that was so bad. "Our dear friend Alec Gwillim must really hate you, lass."

Araelya sighed and mumbled under her breath. "You have no idea."

"What is it you need from me?" Will looked skeptical of Jack. He wasn't sure he wanted to take part in ruining this kid's life.

"You will be given a quarter of the profit if you turn her in for us," Jack said, getting right to the point.

"Why can't you do this yourself?"

"Sadly, I'm just as hated as the girl," Jack said glancing at her every so often, almost to make sure she was still there and hadn't run away again. "You, however, are treasured by the Royal Navy. Though they might not exactly welcome you with open arms, they will hear you out." Jack was standing now and strolling around the cabin. "So, you give them the girl, and get some gold in the process. Savvy?"

Will thought for a long while. Araelya was getting anxious. She couldn't wait for his answer. She really needed him to be on her side. She looked at him with sad eyes, hoping to guilt him into helping her. She made herself look as innocent at she could, even though she had probably killed more men then Jack and Will combine.

"Deal."

As the words left Will's mouth, Araelya's stomach dropped. How could he do this? There wasn't a person in the world who was willing to help her. She couldn't give up.

"Or," she spoke up, "you could keep me as part of your crew. I can be useful, trust me." She needed to give him better options than Jack.

The two turned to her curiously. "I'm listening," Will said.

She thought fast and spoke with such false confidence that Will and Jack believed her. "You ever wonder why the bounty on me is so high?" Jack tried not to act interested, but it was easy to tell that he was curious about her. "I'm a menace to everyone because I'm the master criminal that everyone fears." She was exaggerating, but they didn't seem to notice. "I single handedly took out a chunk of the Royal Navy with a massive explosion. I've escaped over 50 prisons and avoided the gallows for 3 years. I can take care of myself and can be useful to you, I swear. It's easy for someone as small and slick as me to sneak around. Just imagine the money you could have if you recruited me." She paused and studied Will's expression. He was studying her closely through narrowed eyes. "I won't take any of the treasures I bring back. You can have it all for yourself. All that I ask is a place on your ship." She had many more stories of the crimes she had committed in the past, but she didn't have the time to tell of them all.

"Are you really going to believe a child?" Jack refused to look at her. He had partly seen what she was capable of back in the brig, but he didn't want Will to think she was of any use to him except to be turned in to Gwillim.

"They will kill me if you take me to them." Araelya was urging Will to side with her. "I was abandoned when I was five years old. The Royal Navy picked me up and I've been sold as a slave countless times. I always escape, but they've had it with me. No more selling me around. I am going to be killed for sure." Jack's expression softened. Remembering his past, he understood that people weren't cargo, and he suddenly felt empathy for Araelya. "Do you really want my blood on your hands?" Araelya was doing her best to guilt them into helping.

Araelya and Jack thought that Will would agree to help her, but he surprised them both. "I'm delivering you to the Royal Navy." That's all he said. No explanation or any kind of readable expression. He stood and exited the room in a swift movement.

The cabin was silent. Araelya stared at the table in utter astonishment and sadness. She swallowed down the urge to cry. She refused to show him that she was weak. It was over for her, that was for sure. The silence dragged on, then finally Jack spoke, "Araelya-"

"Don't," Araelya interrupted. "Nothing you say can make this any better." Jack actually looked sorry. "See you in hell," she said and stormed out of the cabin.

Araelya told Will that there was no need to lock her up, she didn't have anywhere to go. Jack went back to his ship and Araelya watched it sail away until it disappeared. She wanted to tell Jack one more thing. It was important too, but after he had hurt her and brought her to her doom, she never wanted to speak to him again. Araelya could've escaped if she really wanted to, but she was tired of fighting. She had been running away and fighting her entire life. She wanted it all to end. If no human would be her friend, then what was the point?

"Land!"

Araelya turned to see the small island that they would be making the exchange at. Will could not yet go on shore. He was the captain of the Flying Dutchman and the rules were that he was remain at sea for ten years. The crew would be taking her to shore to meet with Lord Gwillim. She was shoved into a small boat which was rowed to shore. Her hands were tied behind her back even though she showed no intention of escaping.

Ten crew members were about her when Lord Gwillim approached them with men flanking him as well. Araelya wanted to smack the smug smile off of his face.

"I knew we would find you eventually, Miss Araelya." His squeaky voice made the hairs on her arms stand straight. "Did you really think you could hide forever?"

"I hoped I could, yes."

He snickered and shook his head. "I honestly didn't think you were that stupid." He snapped his fingers and ten bags of gold was brought forth. The crew was anxious to get their hands on the money.

As they pushed Araelya towards Gwillim she started to panic. She had excepted her fate earlier, but now that it was near she was freaking out inside. She didn't want to be anywhere near this evil man. She slightly resisted against the crew. She looked around frantically for a way to escape. Tears threatened to spring from her eyes. Gwillim's men reached out to take her from the crew. She was in desperate need of help.

Suddenly, a coconut was launched out from the trees, hitting the man who had her arm. It hit him with such great force that blood spewed out of his head and he fell to the ground. Araelya didn't hesitate. She sprinted into the trees, her hands still bound behind her. She didn't question who had sent the coconut through the air, but she was grateful. She ran as fast as she could. She could hear shouts and footsteps behind her. She told herself not to stop. Run. Run. Run. Run.

She ran so fast that her lungs felt as if they were on fire. The ground became uneven and she tripped over a rogue tree root. Without her hands to catch her she fell face first onto the ground. Many cuts and bruises appeared on her face. She scrambled to her feet and could hear men coming up close behind her.

As she began to run again, a man about her age came flying through the trees. He almost knocked her over again, but he caught her elbow before she could completely loose her balance. He rammed her up against a tree and held a knife to her throat.

"We have to go," he said quickly, constantly looking behind his shoulder for any of the men. "I'm going to cut your hands free so you can run better. Don't fight me."

Araelya nodded and he released her. The moment her hands were free she spun on him and knocked him in the nose.

Araelya took off running, the man cursing behind her.

One of the the men of Lord Gwillim came into view. Araelya stopped and looked behind her, expecting to see the other man. She drew her eyebrows together when he wasn't there.

A hand from the tree to her right shot out at her. The hand of the man from before covered her mouth so she couldn't scream. He pulled her into a hollowed out tree with him, hiding from Lord Gwillim's men. She tried hitting him, but he held to knife to her throat.

"I don't care how much the bounty is for you, if you get me caught I will slit your throat," he said, his deep voice making his words more intimidating.

Araelya stopped struggling and stood still. She was aware of how close they were standing. She hoped he couldn't feel her heart beating our of her chest. She tried to forget that every part of him was touching her. She looked into his light brown eyes instead. They were pretty eyes, but what did she care.

"Who are you?" she asked.

He smiled. He had been waiting for her to ask. "I'm Lee." He held out his hand for her to shake. "Nice to meet you, Araelya."

She shook his hand, wanting to ask how he knew her name. However, the answer is obvious: everyone knows her.

Lee sticks his head out from their hiding spot. "The coast is clear. We need to get to the ship," he said.

"Ship?"

"The Cassiopeia is just off the shore. We are going to have to swim for it. You can do that, right?"

Araelya scoffs. "Of course I can."

She wanted to ask why he was helping her. He didn't want to turn her in to Gwillim, he was running from those men. So what was the point of saving a stranger when you didn't want to turn them in for a massive reward? She would ask him later, once she was off of this island of men hunting her down.

"Alright. Come on."

They took off running, Araelya at Lee's heels. A few men spotted them and shouted for the others to follow. They chased after them all the way to the shore. The sand sank under Araelya's boots. She ran into the water behind Lee. They swam until their muscles were sore. She saw the Cassiopeia and thought it was her freedom. Lee saved her, right?

At least Araelya believed he was saving her.