Chapter 10

I banged my fists on the door until they ached. I dropped down to the floor helplessly. Then suddenly, I heard a familiar voice outside the door.

"Kelsey?"

"Yes...Sarah?"

"It's me", the voice replied.

It was Sarah, one of my old friends. I was delighted to hear friendly words.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, pushing my ear against the door.

"My ill mother and I are living here while my father is at sea as a privateer," she replied, "So, did you really become a pirate?"

"Yea", I replied, sighing, "and I fell in love…"

"Oh", she said, her voice was muffled by the thick wooden door.

"I'm going to escape", I told her finally.

"How?" she asked, "The windows are barred!"

"Barred? How long have they been barred?"

"Since you left the last time", she replied a bit accusingly.

"Oh, I see. I guess I'll have to think of some other way out then."

Suddenly I heard a tapping from my balcony. I stared at it for a moment before hurrying over and opening the doors. This didn't really help because thick iron bars separated me from the rest of the world. There I saw Jack in front of me, wincing as he pulled a thorn out of his hand.

"Hi", he greeted with a half smile.

"Did you- did you climb up the vines?" I asked in shock.

"Aye", he replied, "If I had known there were thorns, I would have picked an alternate route."

"Sss, ahh", I grimaced as he held up his blood-spotted hands.

He approached the bars and examined them.

"Half barrel hinges…" he observed, "Perhaps if you get the proper leverage on them, they might pull up."

"It's worth a shot", I said and picked up a chair from in front of my vanity.

"Put the legs underneath like that", he instructed.

I did as he said.

"Now pull."

I tried. I tried with all my might but the bars did not budge.

"I can't", I admitted.

"Yes you can, try again!"

I used all my force in one last try but the bars didn't move. The chair's legs broke instead. I growled and tossed the useless chair to the ground.

"They won't move, Jack, its hopeless!"

He thought and thought but his expression stayed firm and didn't show any signs of new ideas.

"This place is a fortress!" I cried, exasperated.

"Is there no way you can get out through the door?"

"The door is solid wood. Locked solid wood, I can't just use leverage on that."

"Well, I guess we'll be docked here for the night", he said with a sigh.

"Jack, you can't stay here", I warned, "My father has threatened to turn you in to the royal navy. You'll be hanged if you stay."

He felt his neck nervously, "I don't fancy a rope necklace anytime soon."

"You'll just have to go search for the king of the dark pirates by yourself until I find a way out of here."

"You mean leave without you?" he asked, wrapping his hands around the bars.

"As much as it pains me, I fear there is no other way, Jack," I said sadly.

"Aye", he agreed after a few moments of uncertain silence.

"Will you miss me?" I asked, looking deeply into his eyes.

"Like the sun misses the dawn as it hides beneath the night sky", he replied.

Obviously, he was very deep during times of crisis, much like me.

He unhooked his compass from his belt and pushed it into my hand.

"When you finally do escape", he said, "Just follow the arrow to find me."

"I will."

My dad's loud voice from downstairs reminded me that we didn't have much time to chat.

"You must go now", I urged franticly.

"Be strong", he said before kissing me through the bars.

"I promise", I whispered after it was over. He backed away and climbed over the balcony, disappearing down the vines.

Holding the compass against my heart, I dropped down onto my bed, blinking away hot tears. I would not cry. I was strong, I promised. After a few minutes, I could hear the low droll of my parents talking downstairs. I pressed my ear against the wall closest to the staircase. Their conversation floated up to me clearly as if I were meant to hear it.

"Governor Swann is having a get together at his house this Saturday and he has asked us to attend", my father explained.

"Really? Well, I'd love to go", my mother replied happily.

"Good", he said, "We'll have to be there by 5:00 in the evening."

"I'll write it down so I won't forget then", I heard my mom say.

Perfect, I thought, perfect! I hurried to the door and called Sarah's name. I had to call it five times before I heard her footsteps approaching the door.

"What is it?" she asked, "I was nearly asleep!"

"Well never mind that!" I exclaimed, "I thought of a way for me to escape!"

"At 9:30 at night?" she asked groggily.

"No, I made my escape plans for Saturday", I replied, "See, my parents are going to a party at Governor Swann's house at 5:00 on Saturday. That'll give you time to sneak into my dad's office and get the skeleton key!"

"Then I unlock the door and you get away to be a pirate," she added bitterly.

"Well you know, I could use a little company on my voyage," I said.

"That's great, my dad's coming home tomorrow and my mom is getting better so I won't be needed too terribly! I love adventures!" she said excitedly.

I laughed a little at her sudden enthusiasm.

"Then it's a date", I replied jokingly.

"See you then", she said as she padded off back to her bedroom.

I flopped down on the bed, this time in a feeling of accomplishment. I had an escape plan that was foolproof. I couldn't think of anything to go wrong. But then it hit me…how would I sail away from Port Royal with no ship? I pondered this before coming up with the only solution I could think of. Sarah and I would have to disguise ourselves as the dark pirates in order to gain passage onto their ship. Once there, Chi-Chi could help us pressgang a few of the remaining dark pirates into helping us find Jack and the Pearl. My parents had taken in Chi-Chi as well so they could contact her parents who we well knew were visiting relatives miles away. Yes it would have to work. As dangerous as it seemed, it was the only possible way out.