Chapter 10

Taking a quick glance around me, I quickly and quietly knock on the door. After a few moments of silence, I start getting anxious.

What if she's not there? What will I do? I can't wait for her to return. Will I be forced to stay in Port Royal?

Thankfully, the door opens an inch. A single eye looks through the crack before the door swings completely open.

"Oh, my poor dear! Come in, come in!" Mrs. Pirren says, gathering me in her arms and pulling me into her home.

The house is warm and the scent of freshly baked raisin loafs can be smelled.

"How are you, dear? Are you holding up all right?"

I nod, and blink back a couple tears at the thought of the past couple days.

Why do the tears have to come on now? I ask myself Why now, when I need to be strong?

"I'm all right." I tell the round soft woman as she gives me another hug. "I am actually hear to ask for a favor."

Her ears suddenly perked up, Mrs. Pirren shows me to the living room, makes me sit and takes a seat across from me. "What do you need?" She asks, "I will do anything within my power to help."

I sigh, relieved, knowing that she means everything she says.

"Do you remember around a week and a half ago, when you came to our house for a fitting of the ball gown?" I start, and Mrs. Pirren nods, "We were chatting and you happened to mention a trip you were taking to visit your sister in a small town a few days trip from here."

"Yes, Delilah's husband is very sick and he might pass away. He is very old and it wouldn't surprise anyone if he did. She needs someone to help her and if he does go, I'll bring her back here. She doesn't have any children and she is very secluded so she won't have anyone to miss."

"Yes, well, I need you to pretend that I'm going with you. You're leaving to night right?" I ask and when she nods, looking somewhat confused, I continue, "Well, from now till then, try to find any opportunity to tell people that I am accompanying you."

"Listen, Anna. I not trying to pry but what will you do about your father?"

"Leave that to me." I reply with a smile.

"Annalee, does this have anything to do with the fact that Elizabeth has gone missing?"

My grin disappears and I glance around nervously, "Of course not, Mrs. Pirren." I say with a short laugh.

"Anna." She chides.

"Fine," I say, hoping that I am doing the right thing even though I promised Thomas I wouldn't give Mrs. Pirren any details at all. "I, with a couple friends, am going after her."

I stare at the older women, waiting for the shocked expression and protests …which don't come.

"I'm not surprised." She says putting down her cracker, and my jaw drops.

"W-Wh-What?" I sputter.

"I said that I wasn't surprised."

"I heard you the first time but I don't understand."

Mrs. Pirren puts down her cracker, folds her hands and looks into my eyes.

"Anna, you are a strong, young woman, unafraid of anything, and dastardly loyal to those you love. It would shock me if you didn't try to go after Elizabeth."

"So you will help?" I ask her, anxious.

"Of course!" She replies, "Just promise me one thing, Anna."

"Anything."

"Be careful, and don't talk to pirates."

"There is no chance of that." I say mildly sarcastic but she doesn't seem to catch on.

We both get to our feet and she walks me to the door.

"Anna," She says before I turn to leave. "Don't worry, one day it will be better. I know that that sounds a little vague and not really helpful but it is true. No matter what happens with Elizabeth, you will get over it and you will continue with your life. The world will not end."

I give Mrs. Pirren a hug, and turn, walking away.

"Father." I call softly as I enter the house.

Father appears from his den accompanied by Commodore Norrington.

"Oh, Anna, where have you been all day? I've been trying to find you."

"I've been with Mrs. Pirren." I say.

"Things just seem to get worse and worse." Father says, wiping a handkerchief across his forehead, looking completely washed out and exhausted.

"What do you mean?" I ask, anxious to hear the news.

James Norrington is the one to answer my question, "Will Turner, the blacksmith and the pirate, Jack Sparrow have stolen a ship and taken off. "

Relieved at hearing the news that I already know, I sigh, "I heard. It's all over town."

The conversation sort of drifts off at this point and I take the opportunity to ask Father the all-important question.

"Father, I have a request to make of you."

I take a seat in a hallway chair and Father takes the chair across from it.

"What is it, Anna? Nothing serious I hope."

"As you must know, Mrs. Pirren is leaving this evening to visit her sister, whose husband is very ill. I think it would be a good and wise decision for me, and you, that I would go with her. I could get a break from everything going on here; I am so exhausted, and you could be reassured that I would be safe and always being watched."

"Anna, don't be ridiculous."Father replies and my heart sinks.

"But Father," I protest, "I have already spoken with Mrs. Pirren and she is willing to let me accompany her."

"If I may, sir," Norrington cuts in, "What Annalee is proposing is one of her better ideas and it is apparent that she put much thought and planning into is. If she were to go, you could properly place all your efforts into finding Elizabeth and bringing her home without having to worry about someone else."

I look up at the Commodore, shocked that he has taken my side.

I give the Commodore a quick smile for his efforts and turn my attention back to Father.

"When you put it that way, it makes more sense. You are permitted to go, Annalee, and stay with Mrs. Pirren until Elizabeth is back in Port Royal. But know that this is a onetime thing. Ordinarily, it would be forbidden for you to travel with so little time to prepare and without any servants. Also, please let me know when you are leaving."

I get to my feet and give Father a hug, "Thank you Father," I say. "

Father gives me a small, tired smile and starts talking with the Commodore about assigning more ships to the search of Elizabeth while I quickly walk up the stairs to my bed chamber on the second floor.

I quickly pack a small bag filled with some necessities including an extra pair of undergarments, a hair brush, and a small notebook and quill with a small, very well made, leather sack of ink. The last item I pack is the small picture of my mother that I keep on my vanity table.

I also quickly change out of my nightgown which Father strangely didn't notice. He must have been so overwhelmed with everything that has been happening.

I slip of the gown and quickly go to the wardrobe. I, out of habit, quickly glance around before pressing on the bottom right corner of the back wall of the wardrobe.

The whole thing creeks a little before the back opens up, sending a cloud of dust flying into the air.

When the dust settles back down, the contents of the false back are revealed. From hooks and hangers, my mother's old clothing hangs. On the bottom, dozens of little knick knacks, such as old pins, rings, boxes, and decorations, lie.

Lizzie and I haven't opened this since we first came to Port Royal around eight years ago. We promised that we'd only open it at the right time. I swallow back a lump that had formed in my throat and pick out what I will bring with me.

I quickly pull out a plain brown flowy skirt, a creme blouse with bishop sleeves, a large brown belt, a crochet shawl, a thick, a wool shawl, and a handful of black ribbons for my hair.

I change into the skirt and shirt, putting both shawls and all but one ribbon into my bag, before tying my hair back with the thin piece of fabric.

I pick up my cape from where I dropped it and put my soiled nightgown on the bed.

I grab my bag and exit into the hallway, slipping on my cape.

I quickly make my way down stairs and to the front door, hearing Father and the Commodore back in the den, having a heated discussion.

Before exiting however, I quickly take out my writing tools from my bag.

Dear Father,

I was going to let you know when I was leaving in person, but I didn't want to disturb you and Commodore Norrington.

I again thank you for letting me accompany Mrs. Pirren.

I pray that my sister is soon found.

I love you and will miss you.

Annalee

I place the note on the side table where Father is sure to notice it and walk through the front door.

I pull the hood of my cape up and tie the bag to my shoulders as I walk to the gate and enter the town.

"Jack? Thomas?" I call as I pick my way into the cave. "Hello?"

No one responds and I soon find the reason why.

Jack is fast asleep on his chair and Thomas is nowhere in sight.

"." I say in a sing-song voice.

When all he does is grunt, I decide to take it to the next level.

I stand alongside his chair and lean in close to his ear.

"JACK! FOOD!"

Jack jumps up with a yell and nearly falls off his chair, drool dripping from his mouth and his hair sticking up on all sides.

I can't help laughing at the sight and Jack scowls.

His eyes narrow and he looks at me with pure disgust as I try to calm my laughter.

"Stop laughing and tell me where the food is!"

I erupt in another round of laughter.

Jack doesn't say anything but gives me the evil eye as someone runs in.

"I heard Jack yell. Is everything all right?" Thomas asks, breathing hard from running.

"No." I say, catching my breath, "I just woke Jack up."

Thomas finally looks at Jack and smiles, "Nice hair." He says.

"Did everything work out?"He asks, turning back to me.

"Yes," I reply, "It couldn't have gone better."

"So we are good to leave?"

"I guess so. Is there anything you want me to bring to the boat from here?" I ask.

"No." Thomas replies, "While you were gone, I went through all of Jack's things and everything I thought we'd need, I have already stored in the boat."

Thomas and I both head for the exit.

"Hey! What about me?" Jack calls, obviously angry and annoyed at being forgotten.

Thomas laughs at his forgetfulness and returns to pick Jack up.

He carries Jack's thin frame bridal style, with his passenger grumbling all the way about the stupidity of marriage traditions.

We walk around the bend to where the boat is "docked" and Thomas gently places Jack on a makeshift bed of blankets and furs on the bottom of the boat.

Thomas climbs in and helps me in afterwards.

He pulls up the anchor and shows me how to unfurl the sails.

At once, the wind fills the sail, and we start going straight out to sea instead of past Port Royal and directly to Tortuga. This way, there is less chance of being spotted or stopped.

I sit close to the front of the boat and reach as far down as possible without falling out and trail my fingers in the waves as we rush by. The wind blows my tied back hair out of my face as I take a deep breath of the salty air.

We are finally on our way.