Chapter 7 – The Contract


Her hands flew from her face as she turned to see where the voice had originated. Her stomach flipped and fell. A familiar face, but one she had hoped never to see again.

"Jack Sparrow!"

He spread his arms and grinned. "None other."

He swaggered towards her, a bit intoxicated.

"I thought we met before… Mei, is it?"

The night air was cool, but that was not why a shiver crawled up her back.

"What ye be doing her, luv?"

He stepped closer, until she could see the light of the moon on the waves reflected in his eyes. A strange calm enveloped her. He was handsome in the soft light.

"I think I may have missed my ship."

The words left her mouth before she could think.

"Your ship? You mean to tell me that you actually had somewhere to be?" he teased. "Where were ye going?"

She dropped her head, as her senses made no attempt to seal her lips. "Port of Larat…" She was tired.

"Really, luv?" There was a mild surprise hidden in his voice.

She looked up, and he looked out towards the ocean.

"Because it just so happens… that I am passing by that port. You could come aboard my ship."

She stared into his face, while he ignored her and gazed out on the moonlit ocean.

"Please, Captain, I am not in the mood for false promises."

"That wasn't a promise, my dear. It was an invitation." His voice was low, but she heard every word perfectly.

She clutched her hands to her chest, where she felt a small light of hope and a small smile begin to tug at her lips.

"For a small fee, of course."

Her mouth dropped. "I beg your pardon? A small fee? I thought it was an invitation!"

"Well, you didn't think you were going to get a free ride, now, did you? Yes, you're cute, luv, but not that cute. At least 10 gold, I think that's fair."

Her stomach and all her hopes dropped. How much would the tavern have paid her for her almost 10 minutes of work? She doubted it would be enough.

"Wha- But how? I don't-" she had trouble making sentences, she was so unprepared to what he had said. This was her second chance; she was so close, just to have the pirate that offered the chance to her snatch it away.

"Well, luv?" he said, crossing his arms.

"I- I don't have the money," she said dejectedly and truly. She hung her head and picked at her nails.

He was still for a moment. His eyes glanced towards her for a moment, then back to the sea. "Okay, then." He held out his arms and bowed before turning away from her and walking down the pier. "Goodbye, luv." He had not taken ten steps when he heard,

"Wait!"

He stopped in tracks, but didn't turn to face her. A grin began to pull across his lips.

Her soft voice rang out again against the ocean's crashing waves. "Let's make a deal."