Elizabeth walked along the streets, gazing into the shop windows that were illuminated by the faint light of candles. It was rather quiet for this time of evening, but she rather enjoyed the silence. Every now and then she'd pass someone by, and her heart gave a little jolt when she recognized them. They didn't seem to remember her though, so she kept her mouth shut and kept walking.

As she grew closer to the mansion, she noticed there were more people about. More and more faces she recognized; friends and acquaintances she'd left behind not but a few months ago. She realized that she had entered the part of town reserved for the wealthy and noble as she began to take in what they were wearing. All the old finery that she had grown so used to over the years, apart from the corsets of course. She highly doubted anyone could get used to those.

Soon she began to notice the looks they were giving her. Dark and merciless glares, silent demands that she retreat back to where she belonged. But this was where she belonged. Only dressed the way she was, in a tattered black gown with her long dirty hair down and no shoes on her worn feet, she certainly didn't look the part. Anyone that didn't know her would have never guessed that she had once been the fair-skinned and red-lipped daughter of the governor. Her skin was still indeed rather white, but the thick layer of dirt that had gathered on it over the weeks hid its true pale color from view.

Elizabeth suddenly felt a little afraid of all the people she thought she knew. They looked so intimidating, threatening. Before, they had bowed their heads in respect whenever she passed. They had smiled and complimented her beauty. But now, when she stood beneath them, they looked at her with disgust and hatred. How foolish she had been all those years, immune from any and all judgment. No, that was not true; she had still been judged, but never so harshly. She had lived in her own little world, with everything brought to her on a silver platter. Everyone admired her, everyone respected her. But now as she thought about it, did they really love her, or did they only love her money?

She sighed and kept her head down as she brushed past the nobles. They never said a word, but she could feel their eyes boring into her, following her every move. She didn't look back, she just kept going.

She felt so horrible. All this time, the commoners had been looked down upon, judged immediately by their clothes and their homes, not by their true character. Will. Her breath caught in her throat and she swallowed hard. Will. He had been the blacksmith's apprentice; he had lived practically as low as possible. But she had never noticed. He had only been her best friend, her retreat from the rest of the world. He was her everything. The others had seen him only as a commoner; dirty, poor, worthless. They had never looked inside to see who he truly was; they had formed their opinions on only the outside. And they had shied away from any contact with him and the rest of those less fortunate. But not her. She knew everyone, and knew them each by who they were on the inside. She knew their hearts, their thoughts, and their wildest dreams. And she had never stopped going to them, no matter how many times she was told to stay away. She had hoped that maybe, if she set the example, the others, the nobles, would follow. But seeing them now, glaring at her with utter resentment, it seemed they had not changed at all.

Elizabeth sighed and continued for the mansion gates. Once she had reached them, she peered through the metal bars at her extravagant home. Or at least what she hoped was still her home. As she had thought, she had been gone long enough for someone to have snatched Port Royal from her grasp. But the thought was too saddening, and so she pushed it aside and refused to believe it until it was proven true.

Pulling the gate back, she slipped through the opening and stepped onto the long winding driveway. The gravel was rough against her feet, but she ignored it. As she grew closer, the mansion grew larger and larger, overwhelming her momentarily. Already she had forgotten the absolute luxury she had once lived in, and having it suddenly surround her again came as a slight shock. She had grown used to sleeping on a worn cot in a small wooden room with one window that allowed her to see the beautiful ocean. Living on the Black Pearl was so different than her old life, but she loved it. It was an adventure. But she was ready to settle down and slip back into the comfort of her plush aristocratic days. They were where she truly belonged.

Finally reaching the mahogany wooden doors leading into the foyer, Elizabeth pulled on one to find that they were locked. She scowled. Locked out of her own home. Thankfully though, she knew another way in. With a sly and devilish grin, she made her way to the back garden. She tilted her head back and looked up at her balcony that she had spent so many nights on. When she was unable to sleep, she'd wander outside to gaze at the stars and the glistening ocean. Never in her life did she lock her balcony doors shut, just in case the night called to her. Right now she dearly hoped that no one had come along and closed them, for they were her only way in.

Elizabeth bit her lower lip as she warily gazed at the trellis growing up the wall. She had climbed it many times throughout the years, whenever she had the urge to wander about late at night. She knew she'd be able to climb it again. But she rather doubted that she'd be able to do it one-handed. She sighed and glanced down at the chest still clutched under her arm. She would rather die than leave it behind, but she needed to get up to her room. Closing her eyes, she brought the metal up to her ear and listened as Will's comforting heartbeat assured her that he would be safe. As long as she had the key, no one could open the chest.

She carefully placed it under the very tree that she had spent many hours under, sleeping in Will's arms. She quickly turned away before more memories could overtake her, and gazed up again at the vine-covered trellis. Firmly placing one foot on the lowest hold she could find, she lifted herself up and began climbing.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her, followed by a harsh voice. "Come down at once! You're trespassing on government property, Miss."

Startled, Elizabeth almost lost her grip, but she managed to keep her footing. She glanced over her shoulder to see a guard of the Royal Navy glaring up at her, his bayonet grasped tightly in his hands.

Because she was utterly foolish, and because she always preferred the daring and adventurous, she continued to climb, ignoring the guard's demand and her heart pounding in her chest. As expected, she soon heard the guard's voice again, and he sounder angrier, if possible.

"Oi! Miss, I ordered you to come down! You don't have permission to be here!"

Choosing once again to irrationally disregard his command, she reached up again. She was determined to feel the cool tile of the balcony floor against her feet, and she wasn't going to let anyone stop her.

Elizabeth gasped as she felt herself being pulled down. She glanced down again to find that the guard had grabbed her ankle and was forcing her off the trellis.

"No!" she yelled indignantly. "Let go of me!"

She tried to shake him off, but his grip only tightened. She reached up for the next hold and attempted to pull herself further up, but it was no use and she knew continuing to struggle could only hurt her. As she moved her foot downward to begin the descent, the wooden hold beneath it snapped. She screamed as she lost her grip and fell to the ground. Thankfully, she had only fallen about eight feet, but it still was painful.

As she moved to a sitting position, her head started throbbing terribly. She groaned and brought her hand up to rub her forehead, but it was quickly snatched by the guard. He grabbed her other hand as well and bound them together behind her back. She shot him a murderous glare, and he simply shrugged.

"Sorry Miss," he said, sounding none too sorry at all. "It's my job, and you were trespassing."

Elizabeth scowled and shot him another glare. She wouldn't bother trying to tell him that this was in fact her home; he would never believe her.

"How dare you," she spat. "Release me at once!"

He grinned evilly. "Of course Miss. I'll let you go, as soon as you've had a word with my superior. I'm sure he'll be delighted to see you."

She yelled angrily as she was forced to her feet and led away from the mansion. She continued to shout and struggle until the guard promptly slapped her across the face. She gasped and froze, only moving when he pushed her forward a minute later. She nearly lost her balance and fell, being unable to use her arms for stability.

The guard laughed as he watched her struggle to keep upright, but eventually gripped her by the shoulder and stopped her clumsy flailing. She glared at him and raised her chin a bit in a desperate attempt to keep what little amount of pride she had left. He just laughed again and shook his head.

"You're definitely something, Missy. You got a name?"

"Of course I have a name," she scoffed.

"Well then, what is it?"

She glared at him. "Not your concern." She had decided not to reveal her identity until the opportune moment.

He returned her glare and gave her a slight push that again almost caused her to fall. "Keep moving," he said gruffly.

"As you wish," she mumbled bitterly.

They walked in silence for about ten minutes, Elizabeth all the while wondering who she would soon be facing. Since Beckett had been killed, and James as well, she doubted it would be anyone she knew. But then again, you never really know.

The guard sighed, startling her a little, for he had suddenly broken the silence. She glanced up at him to see him staring up at the sky where the stars had grown brighter over the past hour. She gazed up at them as well and almost lost herself in their marvelous splendor and beauty. So calming and soothing they were, they could always relax her no matter what the situation was. Just like…

Elizabeth gasped and froze in her tracks as realization dawned on her. Her eyes grew wide with horror and she let out a small scream.

She had left the chest behind.

(A/N:) Oh noes!!! She forgot the chest! Gah! That's not good...

I have WAY too much time...if this is all I do...just write pointless stories for hours...lol...oh well, I love it! Writing helps me through the long boring school day - Please tell me what you think! I love hearing your ideas or suggestions...as well as the occasional praise...lol. just kidding. I really don't care what you say, I just like reviews. :) Thanks, and expect the next chapter in a few days.

Oh, and I want to give a HUGE thanks to Arquenniel for being my awesome editor. You rock missy! Keep writing. And on a random note, Happy Leap Day everyone!!! February 29!!! Yay XD