Chapter 8
The time to return to Tortuga was upon us at last and the crew was eager to get back to the bars and slummy streets of the city. I stood at the rail and watched my reflection in the water. I noticed how my appearance had changed since I sneaked aboard that fateful night.
My once full skirt was now short and jagged from wear, my shirt was tattered, and my heels had been replaced with black pirate boots. My dark brown hair had grown longer and was beaded, thanks to Jack. I still wore the red bandana he had given me; I would never take it off. I couldn't shake the memories of what had happened just three short weeks ago. No matter what I did, the feeling of sorrow seeped back into my heart when I dreamed at night of the horrific events.
Suddenly, I saw another reflection in the water next to mine. It was Jack's. I had the impulse to hug him but I noticed how strange this emotion would seem out of the blue. He looked concerned as he turned to me.
"What's wrong, love?" he asked.
"I just…" I bit my lower lip and turned away so that he could not see the tears in my eyes.
He gently pulled me down onto the stairs and sat beside me. Then I felt him squeeze my knee affectionately and I burst out laughing. He looked taken aback by my outburst. Then he smiled deviously.
"Oh, so you're ticklish, are you?" he asked, still grinning.
"Don't you even think about it", I warned, putting both hands on my knees.
"Think about what?" he inquired, trying to sound innocent. I gave him a glare.
"I'm not, honestly", he said finally.
I let my guard down and as soon as I did, he grabbed both of my knees and squeezed. I cried out with laughter, kicking my legs in all directions. Then suddenly… I snorted. Both hands flew to my mouth in embarrassment. He just stared at me for a second before cracking up himself.
"LAND HO!" Marty cried excitedly.
Jack quickly jumped up and hurried to the rail so he could see. He smiled upon the island of Tortuga, his home away from home. Soon we were docked there and Jack led me down from the ship, bowing dramatically.
"M'lady", he said.
"Captain", I replied with a curtsey.
Together, we headed down the damp cobblestones of the city. Upon arrival at a nearby bar, Jack pulled me up to the counter and ordered us two mugs of rum. We sat down on stools side by side as the bartender slid the drinks to us. Jack grabbed his and took a long swig. I took a few sips and tried my best to be cheerful, after all, Jack was with me and we were fine. I smiled at him but he knew there was something wrong, I could see it in his dark brown eyes.
By the time I had drunk half of the rum in my mug, I was starting to feel a lot better. Then I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned and let out a stunned gasp.
"Chi-Chi!" I exclaimed, jumping from the stool to hug my dear friend. She hugged me back and Jack looked on in confusement.
"Jack, this is my friend Chi-Chi!" I explained my arm around her back. He waved a few fingers at her. She smiled at him brightly then leaned over to whisper in my ear: "Good job, Kelsey! He's gorgeous!"
I giggled and nodded, "I know, isn't he?"
Jack straightened up proudly as if he were sure of what we were talking about.
"So what are you doing in Tortuga?" I asked cheerfully.
Her expression grew more serious now.
"Things are bad in Port Royal", she said, "Pirates are raiding the place. They're all savage and dressed in black. They've all refused to leave. They plunder everything and kill anyone standing in their way. I came to look for you, to seek your help to put an end to this madness. You always seem so sure of yourself."
I gaped at her and then looked back at Jack who wore the same look on his face.
"Of course, we'll help, right Jack?" I said, looking to him hopefully.
He pondered this for a moment.
"You know how I love crazy adventures", he said, taking a long drink of his second mug.
"Wonderful!" Chi-Chi exclaimed, "So, we have quite a lot to catch up on."
"Indeed we do", I replied, motioning to an empty table nearby.
I told her about sneaking aboard the Pearl and then about falling into the water and being rescued by Jack. Then there was nothing left but to recount the battle. I explained the circumstances and how Jack had taught me how to handle a sword. Then I told her about Jack being stabbed.
"Davy Jones lunged at me and then Jack- he", my voice broke off and I propped my forehead on my hand as my eyes filled with tears.
"Kelsey, what's wrong? What happened?" she asked, laying a concerned hand on my shoulder.
"He stood in front of me and um," I choked back the sadness, "took the full blow of the sword." She gasped and raised a hand to her mouth.
I nodded and continued: "I screamed and I ran to him, tears were streaming down my face. But I- I told the others to take him to the captain's quarters. I sat on the bed beside him as he bled. He told me to look in the drawer beside the bed where I found this", I motioned to the bandana I wore, "He said that every good captain needs a bandana. I was his first mate but he didn't know how to tell me. He said that he loved me and I love him too and I tied one of my beads into his hair. Then he kissed me… and was…gone."
She comforted me as I wiped away tears that had begun to fall. I noticed her eyes were glassy as well.
"How did you get him back?" she asked.
I told her of crying over him all night, asking the favor from Calypso and Jack coming back to life. I told her that no matter what I did, I still had nightmares about that night.
"I can't believe what you've been through in these past months. And you truly do love him?"
"Aye," I replied, wiping away a final tear, "I'm drawn to him; I can't imagine life without him. I'm prepared to die for him." I watched Jack where he sat in all his beauty.
"Well I hope you're prepared to die for us in Port Royal", she said.
