So now you are finally going to know about Cutler Beckett's past. I know this is a very short chapter but I think it is an important one and hopefully the next one won't be too far behind.
Since my father was murdered I had not been able to feel happiness. But recently I had been feeling it more and more. I didn't feel empty anymore. For the first time in ten years I had people who I could call friends. I looked over at Harry who was sitting next to me helping to fix some old ropes. "Harry." He looked up from what he was doing.
"Yes Sam," he said and then looked down at his rope quickly and back up at me. "Oh no, I've done it wrong haven't I?" I shook my head.
"No, no. You are doing brilliantly. I just wanted to ask...was your brother always so cruel?" That question had been on my mind for a while now and it had got to a point where I just needed to know. Harry sighed.
"Honesty, no. He used to be really kind and happy. I know you may not believe it, but it's true." His eyes we're distant as if remembering a time long ago.
"So what happened?" I adjusted my sitting position on the barrel I was on so that I was facing Harry.
"He was married." Harry explained. "To a beautiful woman whom he loved deeply."
"Really," I tried to picture Cutler Beckett in a relationship. "I didn't think he was a marrying sort."
"Well, he was with Eloise for two years. They were so happy." Harry sighed again.
"What happened?" I asked.
"Well they were crossing the Indian ocean and their ship was boarded by pirates and she was murdered." Harry finished on the rope he was fixing and passed it to me to check he had done it right. I put down my rope and examined his.
"So that explains why he hates pirates. I passed back the rope. "This rope is good, well done." he nodded a thank you and picked up the next one.
"Yes it destroyed him and he swore to kill or brand every pirate he met. He wanted me to join him but I was quite young and defiantly didn't want to kill of mame anybody." Harry looked sad.
"I think you did the right thing." I felt a sudden and unexpected wave of empathy for Cutler Beckett. I never imagined this thought would even cross my mind but I actually understood how he must have been feeling. After all, he had lost a loved one at the expense of a pirate just as I had. The difference is that he went too far. I only want to avenge Blackbeard and prevent him from killing any other innocent people.
"I know I did but he never forgave me for disagreeing with him and you know the rest. Years spent not the streets, unable to get a job and the need to steal food in order to survive." I saw a tear escape Harry's eye again. It struck me just how often that happened and it made me feel more sympathy for him, I knew what it was like. "I don't suppose you would understand what it feels like to be homeless."
"Actually, I do understand." my voice faltered slightly as I remembered the long cold nights in the rain and the days of starvation. Harry's face showed a new expression.
"You lived like that?" I nodded.
"For ten years" Harry's eyes widened and I put down my rope. I could tell this was my time to tell someone. "When I was born, my mother died." I paused to inhale a deep breath. "My father took care of me by himself at sea."
"Wow, that's good isn't it." Harry commented. I nodded as several tears ran down my cheeks.
"We had a great relationship, me and him; I thought I was the happiest person in the world. Free to roam the seas as we wanted." I looked down at my fingers that wouldn't stay still and interlocked them.
"So what happened?" Harry's voice was steady and inviting. I knew I could trust him. I wiped one of my eyes on my sleeve.
"When I was 16 our ship was attacked by the Queen Anne's Revenge." I paused to see if Harry recognised the name but he didn't seem to so I elaborated.
"Blackbeard's ship. He sunk the ship and murdered my father. I was lucky to escape. I think I was the only survivor. Like you, I had nothing and no one. But on the night of the attack I swore to myself that I would find Blackbeard and kill him, not only to avenge my father's death but to protect other people from suffering the same fate. So I taught myself to handle a sword. I hate him so much for ruining my happiness. Is that wrong?" Tears began to stream down my face but I felt better now that someone finally knew. "All I have left of my mother's is the amulet I was given at birth." I pulled it out from under my clothing to show Harry. "And all I have left of my father is memories and the music we wrote together that I play on my guitar sometimes." I wiped my eyes again and looked at Harry.
"It seems we have had very similar experiences then." He muttered. I nodded. "Is there anything else you want to tell me?" I thought about the question for a second before nodding. I then looked around me to see if there was anybody else around and when I saw there was nobody I raised my hand slowly and pulled off my hat. My hair fell down over my shoulders once again and Harry gasped. I shook my head slightly to sort my hair and put it back up safely inside the hat. Concealing my identity once more.
"Harry say something please." It took a few seconds but soon he managed to come out with one tiny word.
"Oh." I have him a look signifying for him to elaborate on that one word. "That was unexpected." I sighed. "I mean, I understand why you had to do this. There is no way you would have been accepted into the crew if Jack had known."
"Oh thank you so much for understanding." I breathed. "By the way my real name is Clara Adams." Harry smiled.
"Well Clara, I am glad that our paths have crossed. I have never had a friend I can rely on in the way I can on you, not even before my problems with Cutler." I smiled back.
"I'm glad that me being female doesn't affect how you think of me like it would for a lot of men." I picked up my rope again and finished the last bit of work on it. "It's time for dinner. I wonder what the chef has cooked up for us all." I stated. Harry laughed and we wandered of towards the mess hall. I could feel a huge weight off my shoulders and I had Harry to thank for it.