Chapter 3, coming right up. Not much to say about this chapter, really, except that Will's plan to hopefully spook the crew is from a suggestion by cazcatharsis over on beforethebeard.

Chapter 3

Hadras watched the boy as he slept. He was supposed to simply bring the boy some food and water, but he wanted to observe him for a moment. Watching the boy, as he slept, curled against the wall, his coat covering him, you'd never believe that he'd managed to escape the brig once already.

But that was the point, Hadras supposed. The boy did not look very special, but the Captain swore that he had potential. That was why the Captain was focused on keeping the boy.

And the boy, apparently, was just as focused on getting away. Though not now.

Right now, the lad was simply sleeping, apparently exhausted.

Hadras wondered about that, but decided it wasn't important. The boy shifted, but didn't wake. Hadras frowned. The boy had shifted enough so that his face was visible. He looked a mess, though that wasn't surprising. He also looked very young. Hadras frowned. He'd have thought that someone that so interested the Captain would be older.

Hadras shook his head. He coughed to wake the boy up.

Will opened his eyes. He'd fallen asleep after being returned to the cell. He wasn't surprised, really. He'd been operating on very little sleep since he'd been arrested in Port Royal. He blinked and rolled over. What had woken him up? "Sorry t' wake ye, lad." He looked over at the crewman, the one with the shell on his head.

"It's not a problem. I probably slept enough, anyway." He blinked. "Which one are you?" He asked.

"I'm Hadras, lad."

"Ah. One of the ones who found the empty cell." Will responded.

Hadras laughed. "Gave us all a shock, let me tell you. But really, we should have expected it."

Will smirked. "Yes," He said. "I'm not one to give up."

"Aye," Hadras said. "Oh- Captain wants to make sure you get this." He held out a small wrapped bundle and a water skin.

Will took them through the bars and frowned. "Fresh water?" He asked, surprised

"Aye. We don't have much fresh water, but for three days, you'll be fine with what we do have. The food's not much, either. We only eat when we feel like it."

Will unwrapped the bundle. Hardtack and jerky. "This is better then I expected, to be honest," He said.

"Not expectin' anything?"

"No. The last group of cursed pirates that held me prisoner didn't bother feed me."

"Last group?" Hadras asked. "You've dealt with curses before?"

Will eyed him. "What do you know about the curse that was on the former crew of the Black Pearl?"

"Enough," Hadras said. "You had t' deal with them?"

Will nodded. He pulled out a piece of jerky and broke off the end. He was hungry. "How long have I been on board?" He asked.

"Nearly a day, lad," Hadras said. "I'll come back t' talk after my shift. You'll still be here when I come down later?"

"I make no promises," Will said. Hadras just laughed as he left. Will smiled. Hadras seemed decent enough, though he thought Will had been joking. His smile faded.

Will considered the situation. He was right back where he started. On the other hand, he wasn't guarded, and he could easily pick the lock again, or get out some other way. And this time, he had water, some food and had gotten some rest.

He shrugged on his coat, slung the water skin over his shoulder, and placed the parcel of food in the pocket of his coat.

He grinned. The crew was probably not expecting another escape, now that they'd had time to relax.

Will considered his options. He could pick the lock again… or he could make it look like he just walked straight through the bars.

He grinned and lifted the door off the hinges. Carefully, he set the door next to the cell itself and stepped out. He eyed the hinges for a moment, and decided that it could be done, and would cost him very little time.

Within a few moments, he had the door back on its hinges and he was on his way to freedom.

Hopefully, this time, he'd make it away.

Will followed the path that led out on deck, hoping that it would be quiet enough that he could just slip away unnoticed. He'd almost managed it last time, after all.

He turned the corner and had to duck down quickly or the crewmen with the starfish would have seen him.

Will sighed as the crewman moved away. He was starting to get annoyed with that crewman.

Well, he was more annoyed and angry at Captains Jones and Sparrow, really.

The crewman was just doing his job. Will shook his head. Why was that crewman so familiar? And why did his mind want to make excuses for the crewman?

Will sighed. It was something to ponder once he had escaped. And hopefully, nothing he'd ever know for sure.

Will stole up the stairs and then to the stern, where he knew there were a few boats. He made quick work of getting the boat ready to go. This time, no one came on deck to say that he had escaped.

He grinned slightly and lowered the boat partially down. He was about to climb in when someone grabbed him. Will shouted and tried to pull free. He was only partially successful- he got one arm free. "Prisoner Escaping!" His captor yelled.

Will half turned and buried his fist in his captor's gut- or where his gut had once been.

The crewman released him in a hurry, and he scrambled for the boat. He had to get down before any one else got here. He was grabbed and pulled back.

"Stop fighting, lad," Someone- a new voice- said.

Will cursed under his breath, but he stopped struggling.

He heard the Captain approaching. "Did you not learn the lesson last time, boy? You won't escape."

Will scowled. "I still have two days, Captain Jones. It's not over yet."

The Captain stepped over and grabbed his chin with his more or less human hand. He forced Will to look right at him. Will glared. "You will be a part of this crew, boy," the Captain growled.

Will jerked his head loose. "I'm not yet. Captain." He snarled. His tone made the title seem like an insult.

He heard several of the nearby crew muttering. "Maccus!" The Captain yelled. "Take him back to the brig. Make sure he's guarded. I don't want him escaping again."

"Aye, Captain."

Will was led back to the brig, where his guards stopped short. "Clanker, stay with the boy. I'll get the Captain."

Will smirked and leaned against a relatively clean patch of wall. This should be fun.

Soon, he heard Maccus and Captain Jones returning. He didn't move. "I'm telling you, Maccus, 'tis impossible. He won't gain any of our abilities until after he's a part of the crew. There is some normal explanation for it." The Captain was saying as they entered the pathway. He studied the brig for a moment. "Even if it appears not," he finished ruefully.

Will shifted slightly, which caught the Captain's attention. "So, lad, how'd you do it this time?"

Will smirked. "I escaped. I'm not going to tell you how," He said.

The Captain snarled and the next thing Will knew, he was being pushed against the wall. He struggled, trying to get Jones' claw away from his neck. "Do not test me, boy!" The Captain snarled.

Will gasped for air.

His vision started to gray, and then he was let go. He slumped down, and Maccus and Clanker picked him up and pushed him into the cell.

He stumbled and allowed himself to sink to his knees as he tried to recover. Finally, he stood up and faced his captor. The Captain was furious- enough so that even Will could tell. But he just turned to his crew. "Make sure he is guarded at all times." He ordered, placing a heavy emphasis on the last part of his order.

Heh. Will and Bootstrap have another almost meeting… how long can I keep that up?

And Will really shouldn't have angered the Captain.

Thanks to everyone who's been reading and giving me ideas for this story. Hope you all enjoyed this part!