this one is kinda longer...and revised
CHAPTER 8
Jack had been more drunk than this…at one point…before. Captain Sparrow could tough it out. He just…h-had…had to…g-get up. Groaning, he rolled back over. Nope. Not happening. With great force, he pushed his eyes open. His world was spinning. Sparrow moaned as he sat up. Throwing his feet over the side of his bed, he next attempted to stand.
Standing vertically yet wobbly, Captain Jack began taking steps. He was unable to walk without stumbling. Catching himself on the table, the drunken captain tried to stable himself. He flashed his golden teeth in a crooked smile as he reached for his bottle of rum. The pirate lifted the bottle to his lips. Nothing came out. Pulling it away from his mouth, Jack watched a few drops of rum fall to the floor. His smile faded as he placed the empty bottle back down. "Why is the rum always gone?" he muttered to himself.
His hand naturally reached for his hat. Once the hat was securely placed on his head, Jack, rickety, made his way out of his cabin. The smell of the salty sea seemed to stable him. The sun was setting in the sky, throwing different colors into view. The rays reflected on the ocean's surface. As he turned to find himself more rum by going below, a strong pain hit his gut. Once more. Someone was punching him. "That bloody whore with her equally bloody voodoo doll! When I get my hands on her –" Oof! Another wrenching hit.
Jack ran to the railing. The vomit spewed out. "Never in my life have I ever gotten sick on board!" Again he puked. Angelica had a way of tampering with his life in more ways than he would admit.
"You okay, captain?" Gibbs said from behind.
"Find Angelica," Jack ordered just before more of what was contained in his stomach emerged.
"Aye, sir." Gibbs left.
The colors in the sky began to dull the farther the sun disappeared on the horizon. The harsh glare on the ocean lessened. Water lapped the edges of the Pearl. Port Royal could be seen in the distance.
A hand rubbed up and down his back. Slowly turning his head, Jack saw Angelica's face looking at him questioningly. "You sent Mr. Gibbs for me, captain?"
Jack glowered at her. Turning his head to face the ocean, he threw up. Angelica's small hand patted his upper back. Looking him in the eye, she could see a mixture of anger and aguish. By turning his torso, Jack effectively forced her hand to fall. He stuck his hand out, "Give it to me," he croaked, throat sore from emptying his stomach overboard. He could trust no one with the doll except for himself.
"Give you what, Jack?" she asked ever so innocently.
"You know –" his shout ended. His hand flew to his neck. Captain Sparrow began to clear his throat. In a hoarse voice, he whispered, "The doll; Angelica, give it to me."
The sun was now down, the moon up. The light that now reflected on the ocean's surface was from the moon, not quite as harsh on the eyes, yet throwing an eerie feeling into the night air. A slight breeze ruffled Angelica's hair. Jack could not stay mad at her forever, and he knew it. Sighing in surrender, his hand dropped back to the rail of his beloved ship. "Just…just…" he stopped.
"Never again," Angelica declared, throwing her hands up in forfeit.
Gibbs walked up to them. "Sorry to disrupt, Jack, but this isn't a very…pirate friendly port if you know what I mean. Maybe we best hurry?"
Jack nodded. "Angelica and I will go ashore. You wait here with my ship." His view was not as blurry or unstable as it had been; the sea had that effect on him. It cleared his mind; it always had.
Jack and Angelica climbed into the lowered longboat to make their way to the dock of Port Royal. The sound of waves splashing around them and onto the dinghy was enough to calm the duo's jittery nerves.
"Now, where will we find this Martin fellow?" Jack asked.
"Matthews," the woman corrected.
Jack shrugged. "Either way." Their bodies worked in unity as they rowed the boat. He only wished there wasn't so much danger waiting for them ashore. He wished there could be more time he could spend with her.
"He can be found in the tavern. If not, he is the blacksmith in town and could be found there."
"Blacksmith?"
"Yes. Why?"
"No reason." Jack's mind fluttered to Will…then to Elizabeth. Guilt overcame him. Elizabeth had not ever crossed his mind when he promised to lead Death to Will. Was Elizabeth going back to Port Royal after Will left? Jack paused in thought. No, no, Elizabeth had nothing left there. With her father dead and her husband at sea..but it is the only home she knows other than England. Captain Sparrow tore his mind from the turmoil inside when he saw Angelica's worried look. "What?"
"How big is the price for your head here?" she asked quietly. "Is that what's causing that look?" She pointed at his face.
"No," he said quickly.
"Then what's it about? What has you troubled?"
"Death."
Angelica's face slightly paled. "Death? You were telling me the truth? I thought you were just drunk and making up things."
"I have never actually been that drunk."
Her face became serious. "Do you know what this mean? Death in human form? Roaming the earth?"
"I do. I got that spiel already."
"Who is she after?"
"A man named William Turner, captain of the Flying Dutchman." Skepticism flooded her beautiful face. Jack answered the question that was written in her expression. "Davy Jones died at the hand of William Turner." Then he quoted what he had heard so very long ago, "If Jones be slain, he who slays him must take his place. Captain. Forever."
"What does she want with him?"
"He died just after he pierced the heart of Davy Jones. The man was dead, but he came back. She wants what she had."
"And you know that…for sure? It's not one of your 'I know where the Fountain of Youth is' crap, is it?"
"Yes, I know for sure," he said, offended. Things like this is why he left her those many years ago. Well, that and other things. Angelica stared blankly. Jack added quietly, "Death doesn't like to be cheated."
Their tiny boat hit the dock. "We must hurry," Angelica whispered.
The boots of the pirates echoed through the soundless night as they entered the town of Port Royal. "Gibbs wasn't lying," Jack commented, pointing to the gallows and the pirate warnings, "This is not a pirate friendly place, love."
The two continued toward the tavern, no words passing between them. The streets were dimly lit. Running as fast and quiet as they could, the couple made their way through the port city. Angelica slowed and grabbed Jack's arm, pulling him into an alley. Voices emerged in the silence as feet clopped toward them.
"Commodore says we have to keep a watchful eye if there are any disturbances," one said.
"This is our night off. What is he so uptight about?" the other answered.
"No official word yet, but it's rumored that a pirate ship is wading out in the water. They say it's identical to the one so many moons ago," the first man replied.
From their hiding place, Jack and Angelica could see the two British soldiers walking passed.
"I don't care what that man says…" his voice trailed off into the distance.
Jack looked to Angelica, "Where did you say Michael could be found again?"
"Matthews," she corrected. Jack shot her a warning look. She cleared her throat and continued, "Either in the tavern or in the blacksmith's –" she stopped short as more men in red coats went passed. Nodding her head, she signaled for them to keep moving. The pirates advanced farther into the alley.
Death sat in the corner of her lonely cell. Tossing Jack's compass into the air, she watched the clouds move around the full moon. The tiny hole in the boat had allowed her to watch as Jack and Angelica made their way to shore. Now it served as only a peephole to the outside world.
She should've listened to me, Death thought. A smirk came to her lips as she thought back on her conversation with Angelica.
The ship sat still. She knew that they were anchored and would remain anchored until the two returned from their failure.
As they reached the end of the alley, Angelica froze. A man stood over a brutally wounded British soldier. The uninjured man was obviously drunk, swaying back and forth. "We must be close to the tavern," Jack said to her. With slow movement, he drew his sword. Using the hilt, the witty captain struck the man with great force on the back of the head. The unconscious man collapsed. They turned and saw the tavern just ahead. When Jack reached for the handle, the cheerful music ceased. Shivers ran down Angelica's spine. Jack's hand froze. Gunshots were heard. Turning with his mouth open but unable to speak, Jack chose to leave. Hiding behind the buildings, the pair headed for the blacksmith's shop.
With the ringing of the gunfire still in their ears, they found what they were looking for. Drawing their swords, Jack and Angelica pushed the door open. Silently, they stepped inside.
A man stood sifting the coals on the fire. Jack nodded, and they crept behind the unknowing man. Jack covered the man's mouth and placed his sword on his neck. Angelica walked into his eyesight and pushed the point of her sword onto his chest.
"Make a sound and this sword will be through your heart," Angelica warned. Once the man silently agreed, Jack released his hand. "Matthews?" she questioned.
The man laughed. "Matthews? There hasn't been a Matthews in Port Royal for years. He died ages ago. When he was buried, his son took over. He pillaged through here and found what he swore was a map. No one's seen or heard of him since."
"Map?" Jack asked excitedly.
"Yeah, if one could call it that. It was cryptic. It would take years just to read it, many more to actually find what it was supposedly led to. I think he went on a fool's errand."
Captain Sparrow hung his head. Angelica watched as the blacksmith's eyes widened in realization. "You two are from the ship out there, aren't you? You're pirates," he said in disgust.
The pair of pirates sheathed their swords and ran. Opening the door, the two took a right. With Angelica in front, Jack could keep an eye on her.
"She knew," Angelica said over her shoulder.
"What? Who knew? And what did they know?" Jack answered.
"Death knew. She said that when we fail I should tell you this statement: 'Death knows all about those who have died.' She knew Matthews was dead."
She waited for a response. All she heard was a grunt, then a thump. She peered over her shoulder as Jack was hauled to his feet by soldiers. They clamped his wrists in irons. Angelica never slowed.
New-found adrenaline bursting through her veins, Angelica sprinted to the dock. Finding the small dinghy they had traveled on, she hopped in. Rowing with all of her might, Angelica inched her way to the Black Pearl. Within minutes, the tiny boat hit the large ship. Dropping the paddles into the dinghy, Angelica scrambled on board.
Death laughed to herself as Angelica frantically board the Pearl. "Hurry, Angelica, hurry," she mocked. Steps banged against the wooden deck above her. The rattling of keys broke through the thoughts raging in Death's mind.
The pounding of Angelica's feet as she half-jogged grew louder and louder. She stopped in front of Death, her face solemn. "I need your help," Angelica said quickly yet grudgingly.
"And I need you to trust me," Death laughed. She looked to the keys held in Angelica's hand. "You need me, so let me out."
Angelica released her fury. "How do I know you won't kill me?! Like you did to all of those innocent men! Like you did to my father!" Tears stung the back of Angelica's eyes.
Death hopped to her feet. "Now we're getting somewhere!" She approached the bars. "Two reasons I shall not kill you. First, I do not want you…yet. Second, if I kill you, Jack will refuse to give me what I want." Death motioned to het lock. "Go on; let me out."
Swallowing her pride, Angelica shoved the key into the lock and turned it. The door creaked open as Death stepped out. She looked Angelica in the eyes. "Well, let's go then. Jack needs our help, does he not?"
The two women ran up the stairs. Once they reached the top, Angelica turned and stopped Death by her shoulders. Looking at the man that Jack had injured severely, she said, "You help him first."
Death sank to her knee beside him. She began to speak, "You're throat is slit. I can't help you now. But I can end your pain. I can see that you're in a lot of it." The man shook; sweat poured down his face. She paused. "I'm going to claim you now." She pulled a knife out of her boot and stabbed his heart.
Angelica climbed into the longboat, followed by Death. They quickly began to row for land. "If he's in the prison, you realize that we'll have to claim some men, right?" Death asked.
"We?" Angelica answered.
"Well…me."
"When you took than man's life," Angelica said, pointing to the boat in referring to what had just happened, "what did you mean when you said that you would 'end his pain?'"
"Sometimes, Angelica, death is the only way to end the pain…the hurt. Sometimes, it is, indeed, the kindest thing to do." Angelica stared in awe. "I kill them because there is typically no struggle. They've already lost the will to live."
Their boat rested against the dock of Port Royal. "If this ends badly, what do I call you? I can't refer to you as 'Death.'"
"Badly?" she laughed. "It won't; therefore it doesn't matter." She paused then offered, "The crew calls me Ms. Smith, but you'll have no need of a name for me." She smiled slyly. "I won't let it end badly."
With the not-so-subtle abrupt end, Angelica assumed that it would be best if she hushed. The steady pounding of their steps as they walked was the only thing preventing a long, empty silence between them. Avoiding the soldiers and ignoring the suspicious looks of the town's residents, the two women stormed toward the prison. Issues evaded them until they reached their destination. Soldiers guarded the door.
One reached his hand out and stepped in front of them. "Sorry, ladies," he said, "but no one is permitted passed this point." He smiled and dropped his hand. "We have a very dangerous man locked away in there. We," he motioned to his buddy, "would hate to see two beautiful women such as yourselves to be hurt."
His friend stepped beside him. "We're off duty in just a few minutes." He was openly gazing at their bodies. "If you'd like, we could take you both to the tavern for a night of fun."
Death watched as Angelica's face turned to that of indignation. Before she could form a reply, Death hit her arm and took a step toward the man who had offered them a drink. Wrapping her arms around the soldier's neck, she pulled him close. Death softly placed her lips against his, but she did not begin to take his life from him. When she pulled away, she saw the other British soldier ogling Angelica's form.
Moving her hands to either side of his face, she forced him to look at his friend. Shifting her lips to his ear, she whispered, "I'd love to." She forced her hands hard to the left. A crack sounded through the silence. Holding up his limp body, Death grabbed the hilt of his sword. As she allowed his body to collapse, she held tight to the weapon. It was unsheathed as he fell. Sword drawn, she turned to the other man who was incapable of pulling his eyes away from Angelica in time to see the sword. It pierced his heart.
"But not with either you," Death said.
Dragging the dead men behind them, Death and Angelica entered the prison fortress. The door closed after them. The place was dimly lit by the torches. The women advanced as silently as possible.
"…and really bad eggs. Drink up, me hearties! Yo ho!" They heard. "Ugh!" the voice groaned. A slap hit the concrete floor.
Death shook her head. "Sparrow."
Angelica stopped her. "Speaking of Sparrow," she said, "tell me what happened."
"I shouldn't speak of that," Death replied and began to walk.
Angelica grabbed her arm. "Tell me what happened." Death just stared at her. "That man in there is the man I love. Tell me what happened." Angelica grew angry.
Death smirked. "I can't because I shouldn't do those type things to mortals…"
Jealousy burned in Angelica's heart. What type things? What did they do? "He's right up there." Upon Death's words, Angelica went in that direction.
"Tsk tsk, Jack," Angelica mocked. "What have you done now?"
"Angelica!" Jack rejoiced. "I thought you would have left me!"
"Tempting."
"I'm already scheduled for the gallows. I have until sun up."
"Then let's get a move on."
"You have the key?"
"Got it," Death called.
Jack looked to her when she came into view. Then he spoke to Angelica through gritted teeth, "You brought her?"
"Yes, and she couldn't have done it without me," Death said while unlocking the cell.
The trio left the prison and headed for the Black Pearl. They had a man to track down and find.
i'm gonna ask again. Please review:)
