Hermione struggled in keeping the man up onto the log as she looked forward at the sound of churning water to see they were quickly advancing on the end of the river. It just stopped? Her eyes widened in panic when it donned on her that it was another waterfall.
Another waterfall waited behind them, pulling them to it. Hermione began to desperately paddle opposite the flow of the river, as if it would help either way.
After what felt like forever, she finally accepted the fact that there was no avoiding the water's edge. She clung to the unconscious man beside her, knowing that when they hit the bottom, he wouldn't be able to swim himself back up. She soon felt the sudden pull towards the edge, like the peak of a roller coaster. She found herself squeezing the man as if her life depended on it as they disconnected from the water, plummeting through the air. A rather large body of water awaited them at the bottom, and she braced herself for impact.
They hit the water with such a force, the man slipped out of her strong grip, and she looked up to see millions of tiny bubbles, of which she instinctively followed to the surface.
She gasped when the cold water became chilly air. She bobbed on the surface as the waves crashed down nearby her. Then, Hermione remembered the man. Her eyes scanned the area, she spun in the water, looking around. He wasn't there.
Gathering one quick gasp, she forced herself to dive back under, where she saw the man floating towards the bottom. He was being inspected by the curious surrounding fish, all nipping at the dread locks that fanned about him.
She kicked downward with her feet, seeing the fish disperse as she wrapped her arm around his waist, pulling him up with her.
She reached the surface, paddling with her exhausted arms toward the river bank, coughing and sputtering along the way.
Hermione arrived at the sandy bank that faded into jungle, and she collapsed onto the solid ground, thankful to be alive. Her eyes reluctantly wandered to the man who lay face down beside her.
She flipped him over with one arm, and pressed two fingers in the skin just below his jaw to feel for a pulse. Ever so faintly, there was one. Now all she had to do was wait for him to wake up. She breathed out a sigh of relief and closed her eyes, glad that was all over.
The man opened his eyes, sitting up and immediately looking around to an unfamiliar surrounding. He furrowed his eye brows, squinting up at the tall waterfall. He jumped upon looking to his right and seeing a girl lying beside him.
He began to recall his memory, remembering the other waterfall, the girl and the jaguar, but nothing more. Judging by the vibrant yellow skies, he realized he must have been unconscious for hours. He leaned over, making sure she was okay by pressing his ear into her chest to feel a heartbeat. When he felt her chest rise and fall along with a steady heartbeat, he leaned back to examine their location.
He tried to fight the urge to look at her again, but he couldn't help it. Turning his head, he noticed how her curly brown hair lay beautifully around her head, her face soft and relaxed. He touched her cheek, wondering what it felt like. She smiled at his touch, making his stomach become light as he continued to study this mysterious and beautiful girl. For an odd, unexplained reason, he felt drawn to her. This was something he hadn't experienced before, thus he wasn't sure how to handle it.
She began to stir, but Jack was too entranced to move. She blinked open her eyes, screaming and scooted back upon seeing his face so close to hers.
"Give you a fright, darlin?" He asked, grinning at the girl.
"Just a little." She said, voice shaky. She didn't turn her gaze from him, not trusting him entirely.
"That was a close one." He wrung out the bandana he wore.
"You're telling me..."She agreed, looking down at the ground and trying to comprehend everything that was going on.
"Wha's your name, doll?" The man asked, head tilted to the side, his elbows resting on his knees.
"What's it to you?" She snapped, not so willing to trust this man who was most obviously a pirate. At the same time, he appeared to be young for a pirate, still around four or five years older than herself.
"Odd name..." The man mused. "Well, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Whatsit." He held out his hand, presenting her with a charming smile.
"I'm not shaking your hand." She said, trying to conceal a smile, "Merlin knows where it's been."
He shrugged, agreeing with her point. "Say, what are you doing out here anywho?"
"That is none of your concern."
"Is too! Well, I did save your life. You might as well explain to me why it needed saving in the first place."
"And I saved yours! Doesn't that count for something? Besides, I don't trust you."
"Have I given ye any reason not to trust me, luv?" He asked, looking over exaggeratedly hurt, holding his fist over his heart.
"You're a pirate! That's all enough reason!" She said, shaking with her sudden courage to scorn a pirate.
"You're not very well experienced with graditude, are you?" He shot back, only slightly offended.
"I don't need your help." She snapped, not wanting to be thought of as a damsel in distress. She could have been able to handle it herself.
"Aye, that's why you were hanging above certain death due to a certain predatorious beasty with absolutely no chance of escape." He tilted his head, eyes focused with a toothy grin.
"You don't know what I'm capable of. Now I thank you for your efforts, but they're no longer required." She stood up, adjusting her damp dress so that it wouldn't cling to her.
He stood up and walked to her, leaning forward, "Now, where do you think you're going?"
"Away from you obviously." She told him without turning to face him. She proceeded into the forest, throwing her hair back over her shoulder for effect.
"Now, luv, why would anyone want to leave the exciting presence of Captain Jack Sparrow?" He jumped through the tangle of trees, now jogging to catch up to her.
She pushed through the low hanging branches, letting one go at just the opportune moment to slap him in the face.
"Because. You are a pirate. And therefore untrustworthy."
He tilted his head, trying to figure out this strange girl. He wasn't accustomed to a woman's rejection. Usually they would do anything to get near him. And now, just to his luck, the one he wanted more than any other had absolutely no interest in him whatsoever.
"Untrustworthy? Darlin, what 'ave I done to not earn your trust? Captain Jack always makes a point to be an honest man... When it comes to women... Most women?" He seemed unsure. "Besides, where have you to go?"
"Does it matter? Why don't you just go along your jolly way, do you not have anywhere better to be? Anyone else to annoy? Now, if you'll excuse me I am going to find my camp." She lifted her chin up defiantly and continued forward.
Jack had stopped, smug grin in place that he finally got some information about this strange girl, "So that's what your doing, eh? Finding your camp?"
"Would you not just LEAVE ME ALONE?!" She spun around, her volume causing nearby birds to flock away.
"Well that sounds boring, doesn't it?" He asked, walking ahead of her then stopping.
She sighed, trying to calm down her anger, fists clenched.
She now had the opportunity to examine her savior. He had very tan skin, dreadlocks and beads for hair, a goatee with two braided beards and a red bandana. Definitely not the guard she thought he was at first.
"Allow me to introduce myself, lovie, *I* am you notorious Captain Jack Sparrow, you've probably heard of me. Recently dubbed Pirate Lord of the Caribbean, captain of the infamous Black Pearl, but you can call me Jack." He smiled to her.
"I figured after the however so many times you called yourself Jack Sparrow." She noticed he was incredibly arrogant.
"I believe the word you're looking for is 'Captain', but once again doll, you may call me Jack. It's a privalage not given to most, so consider yourself honored." He complemented himself with a dramatic bow.
"Oh yes, I consider myself honored." She said sarcastically, "And you should be honored to stand in my mere presence. You don't seem to understand my level of importance and my role in society." She darted, her sarcasm prevalent, considering to use magic as her means to rid of him.
"You wouldn't happen to be a Lady of the Court, would you?" He asked, hoping she wasn't. If that were the case she could really get him into trouble.
"I think it's in your best interest if you keep your mingling nostrils out of other people's business." She gave him a fierce look when he laughed to himself slightly.
She knew he was going to ask where she came from, or what she was doing out the, but he couldn't know she was there with the Navy, he was a pirate. They were probably after him, and she didn't want him to leave , her after finding out. Something about him, something she couldn't quite place, called him to her and her to him.
"What were you doing out there? By the waterfall I mean." He asked, trying to get to know this girl he seemed drawn to. "Wait. Let me guess... You're out hunting?" He asked, she shook her head no. "You don't seem like you are the hunting type, anyway. Umm bird watching?" He asked, she giggled silently, and shook her head again.
"Exploring?" He asked.
"You just won't give up will you?" She asked, now clearly annoyed.
"I'm going to take that as a yes. Well I travel the world. I've been almost everywhere you can imagine." She gave him a quizzical look, causing him to get defensive. "It's true, luv. I've seen all the way from Singapore to London."
"I'm from London."
"Aha!" He yelled, holding up his index finger, glad to learn something new about her, even if it were this little. "Perhaps we've crossed paths before luv, just didn't know it."
"How unfortunate..." She said while in thought. There was absolutely no way they'd met before, considering her past was approximately three centuries ahead.
"Ya know, If you wanted somewhere to go, you don't have to, it's just an idea, but you can come with me. I have a ship, a crew. Always out on an adventure, ya know." He started chopping away at the foliage blocking their path, even though she was ahead of him and having no trouble proceeding.
"Oh really?" She asked, sarcasm returning, "I would be thrilled!"
"Lovely!" Jack stated, believing her tone. "In case you're wondering how I found you, I was looking for my crew, we got separated a few hours ago, when I came across you walking around in the jungle by your lonesome. I hadn't a clue why you were, so I thought I'd stay hidden. I'd been following you for a while, just curious to where you were going."
"Go away." She smiled to him, trying a different outlet.
"I can tell you're going to be a handful," He grinned. "I'll always have something to do then, eh?"
They both simultaneously looked down at the telltale squashy sound of mud. It seems they had wandered into a swamp with their pointless banter.
"Oh joy!" She said with sarcasm, stomping her foot in the mud which resulted in it splattering everywhere.
"The sun is setting, it's getting dark..." He began announced.
"Thank you for the low-down on the weather report, captain obvious." She commented, now trying to get on his nerves since nothing else seemed to be working.
"How do you manage to confuse Sparrow with Obvious?" He asked, clearly not understanding the twenty first century joke. She rolled her eyes at his unintentionally silly behavior.
"I wonder how much further it is till we meet the beach. Hopefully my crew hasn't left without us!" He continued ahead through the muck and to a dry log in the middle of the swamp.
"Not bad..." Jack observed, referring to the swamp. She raised an eyebrow quizzically.
"Well, I'm not saying I'd like to have a summer home here, but the trees are quite lovely..." He commented, still scanning the treetops of hanging moss. Their branches gracefully intertwined with one another.
The mud bubbled and churned, dragon flies, gnats and other insects of the sort buzzed around.
They stood on the log, Jack leaned over and grabbed a stick. She watched him curiously as he started to paddle the log like a gondola.
"Is it just me or did the log just-" The log they were standing on started to rumble, and raise out of the swamp. At Hermione's end of the log, a scaly tail rose up, and at Jack's side, a diamond shape head formed. "I don't think this is a log!" Jack said, Hermione grabbing onto his arm for stability.
The creature beneath them turned into a twenty foot long, five foot wide crocodile.
"Run." He responded, grabbing her hand and jumping down from the crocodile. It thrashed and turned to face them, almost running towards them. Hermione saw other Crocodiles surrounding them, all even bigger than the one before.
One snagged her dress with it's teeth, causing her to almost fall forward into the mud, but Jack caught her in the air. They both scanned the area for possible escapes, but they were completely surrounded by the monstrous reptiles.
