We both shot up to our feet and bolted out the door. I was out first, thankful to be away from Jack. However, it was night, and a storm was taking place. The wind blew harshly, shaking the boat side to side roughly. Across the way, I saw a ship that made me stop in my tracks instantly.
The Dutchman. In all it's wrecked and tarnished glory. Will and Gibbs were standing at the railing, Jack moved around me to stand with them. I joined them.
I felt a hand go around my wrist. Will asked into my ear so the wind could hide his voice, "He didn't do anything to do you, did he? He's the lad who would do that to a lady as yourself!"
I gave him a small grin. "Jack Sparrow's not a stupid man. Crazy, yes, but not stupid."
He gave a smile back before looking to the boat once again."That's the Dutchman? She doesn't look like much."
"Neither do you," Jack replied. "Do not underestimate her." I saw him elbow Gibbs in the ribs.
Gibbs agreed. "Musta run afoul of the reef."
I looked over at Will. "So, what's yer plan then?"
"I row over, search the ship until I find Jack's bloody key."
"And if there are crewman?"
"I cut down anyone in my path." He told me simply.
Jack clapped his hands together. "I like it. Simple, easy to remember."
Ragetti gestured to the rowboat that he finished readying. "Yer chariot awake you, sire!"
Jack clapped his hand over my mouth. "Oy! If you do happen to get captured, just say Jack Sparrow sent you to settle his debt. Might save yer life!"
"PHHHMMMMPHHHHH!!!!!" I yelled against his hand. Will looked to Gibbs who shrugged, nonchalantly. Will then went down the ropeladder and into the row boat.
Jack ordered. "Douse the lamps." Once Will was out on the water rowing, Jack's hand dropped to his side. I spun around and attempted to punch him in the face before blocking my hand.
"It's suicide! He'll be killed!" I snarled at him quietly as could so it would stay between the two of us. He took my hand and ducked down so we were unheard.
"No, Davey Jones won't touch him if he's there for a purpose!" He growled at me under his breath. I cringed at the smell of rum on his breath.
"You're a fool, Jack Sparrow. When will you learn that Davey Jones never once gave up what was his?!" I snapped, standing.
He jerked me back down to his height by my arm, roughly. "You call me a fool and yet you didn't bother to see that we're crouching for a reason?" He gestured to the crew who were sprawled out and crouching as we were.
"…And now we wait." I murmured to him.
He nodded. "Aye."
So, we did waited. And waited. And waited. Soon, the storm receded and the rocking stopped, but the wind stayed. I looked to Jack expectantly, hoping for an answer. He stood up slowly, but pressed my shoulder.
"Stay down." He ordered me gently. The rest of the crew stood as he took out his spyglass. He looked inside right as Davey Jones materialized right in front of him.
Jack stood in front of me protectively. The rest his men appeared and grabbed Jack's men. My own hand went to my lips to keep from screaming. Jack blocked my father from my view as he gave a surprised, "Oh!"
I managed to gasp, "Father!" Seeing him as squid faced as he was, still horrified me. He left my mother, to become…this?!
He ignored me and continued to Jack. He took a step forward only to have Jack and me step back. "You have a debt to pay. You've been Caption of the Black Pearl for thirteen years. That was our agreement if you left Mala," He looked over at me. "Don't think I don't see you hiding behind him, Mala!" Fear coursed down my spine.
"Technically, I was only captain for two years, then I was viciously mutinied upon." Jack told him. Fear made his voice firm; And odd trait for Jack.
"Then you were a poor captain, but a captain nonetheless! Have you not introduced yerself all these years as captain Jack Sparrow?!" He strutted a little bit to emphasize. His crew of dimwits cackled at that.
"You've got payment! One soul to serve on yer ship! He's already there!" Jack told him. I slapped his arm.
"Jack!"
"Sorry, Luv. Had to do it!" He murmured to me before turning back to my father.
Father seemed to be offended. "One soul is not equal to another!" He snapped.
"Aha! So we've established my proposal is sound in principle, now we're just haggling over price!" Jack's voice lightened a tiny bit at this.
Father paused for a moment and gave Jack an odd look of confusion. "Price?"
Jack tensed up. I knew he had struck gold so I straightened up and asked. "How many souls do you think he's worth, Father?"
There was a collective gasp from both groups. Father growled angerly and yelled, "Shut up! The lot of ya!" He turned back to Jack. "One hundred souls. One day."
"One day?!" I moved out from behind Jack to confront him myself. "That's impossible. You know he can't do it! He can barely do anything as it is!"
"Hey!"
"Hush!" I ordered him. "Davey Jones, please give him more time! Please!" I pleaded him, knowing that although he had no heart, he still had some moral decency.
We matched our identical blue-grey eyes, sizing each other up. Father then snarled evilly. "Fine, Jack Sparrow, I forgive your debt…" The crew cheered. "If you give Mala back to me."
Jack looked to me, standing between them. I looked to him, gave him a sad smile and nodded, telling him that it was alright to do it. He grabbed my hand and pulled me behind him.
"No deal. I need her help gettin' those one hundred souls. Just me back the boy and we'll get started right off!" I started to back away before one of my father's cronies with a hammerhead shark's face caught me and grabbed my collar roughly. Father threw him a filthy glare, making him let go immeaditly.
"I keep the boy!" He told Jack. I almost gasped but couldn't find my voice. Father continued, disappointed I didn't react. "A good faith payment. That leaves you ninety nine more to go!
Jack seemed disappointed by this. "Have you not met Will Turner? He's noble, heroic, terrific soprano, worth at least four, maybe three and a half? And did I mention, he's in love? With a girl." He began to circle him, knowing that he was hitting a nerve. Father looked to me with sad eyes. " Due to be married. Betrothed. Dividing him from her and her from him would only be half a cruel as actually allowing them to be joined in holy matrimony. Eh?"
Father snapped out it, "I keep the boy, ninety-nine souls." He started to leave only to turn around and ask him one last question. "But I wonder, Sparrow. Can you live with this? Can you condemn an an innocent man, a friend, to a lifetime of servitude in your name while you roam free?"
Jack looked remorsefull for a moment before his eyes met mine. He grinned evilly before looking up at Davey Jones. "Yep, I'm good with it. Shall we seal it in blood, er, ink?" He looked at the tenticles skeptically.
Father snatched his hand. Jack gave a startled, "Ah!" in disgust as his hand was covered in slime. He retracted it to see the spot start to disappear from his palm.
"Three days." He told Jack. He, and his crew disappeared off the side of the ship. I nearly collapsed in relief only to see Ragetti do it for me. Pintel gave a couple of whimpers, trying to shake the fear off.
Jack turned to Gibbs. "Mr. Gibbs, I feel sullied and unusual."
"Just how do you intend to harvest these ninety nine souls in three days?" I demanded. He gave me an evil grin before snaking his arms around my shoulders. I shrugged him off.
"Fortunately, he was mum as to the condition in which these souls need be."
Gibbs, in happiness and realization, then said. "Ah, Tortuga!"
"Tortuga!"