Chapter 10: Into the Wind

The brig was dark, smelly and dank. Jack had the leak repaired so it wasn't filled with ankle-deep water anymore but it was still uncomfortable. Will was standing in the corner of his cell, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, eyes darting back and forth trying to find a way to escape. He probably already figured that out as soon as the door to his cell was locked and was just trying to keep his mind preoccupied while he waited. His eyes met mine as I walked down the stairs. We looked at each other for a moment then I turned and sat on a barrel.

"So…" I began. "You made a deal with Sao Feng." Will didn't say anything.

"I had to." Will said softly.

"'Had to' is a strong phrase. I would use it in 'I hade to eat or else I would've died' not 'I had to betray my friends and possible risk their lives'.

"I get it." Will snapped. "I had my reasons."

"Yeah, and I get that. You want to help Bootstrap but you lost everyone's trust because of that stupid move."

"Wouldn't you do the same thing?" Will asked, eyes narrowed.

"Not if it meant the death of my best friend!" I stood up angrily. "I would rather forget some relative I barely knew than let my friend, who I've known and trusted for four years, die!" I stood in front of the cell, glaring at Will. He didn't say anything.

It was silent before I sighed and started laughing. "This is a déjà vu moment, isn't it?"

Will looked confused. "How so?"

"You in a cell, me free to roam the ship as I please and the only reason we're in this position is because of our stupid fathers." I laughed again. "Last time it was because Bootstrap gave you that coin and this time it's because Barbossa strapped Bootstrap to cannon and sent him to the bottom of the ocean. We should just blame all our problems on them."

Will smiled. "Yeah. That'll solve everything." he sighed. "What happened to us, Jason?"

I shrugged. "Life. Not even a normal one, at that. We just spent the last few days in the land of the dead. If that's normal then I'm the king of Britain."

"Remember the day we met?"

"Yeah. We literally ran into each other. Me running from the soldiers and you running to deliver metal-work to Governor Swann. You were furious at me for making you late. You were such a love-sick puppy back then."

Will laughed. "And now the only girl I have ever loved is on board a pirate ship."

"Again." I added.

"Again." Will agreed. "And there's a chance I'll never see her again."

"Don't think like that, William." I chided. "You'll see her again at Shipwreck Cove." Will gave me a sad look. I understood immediately. "Except that you won't be there because you'll have escaped before nightfall." he neither agreed nor denied it. I sighed and rubbed the back of my neck. "What are you planning to do? Jump off the ship and hope to be picked up?"

Will again said nothing. "Listen, Will, do what you have to to help Bootstrap but don't forget about the other important people. Say, for example, your fiancé." Will looked at the ground. "I talked to her. She thinks you don't love her anymore and I know that's not true. The fact you didn't tell her about what you were planning only helped confirm her suspicion."

"She didn't exactly tell me that she killed Jack." Will mumbled.

"So? Don't stoop to other people's levels; make them rise up to yours." I paused. "That was good. I should use that phrase more often. Anyway, the point that I'm trying to make is that you should've told me, at least. You're my best friend, Will. I would stand by you no matter what. Even if you're about to do something totally insane I'll either be there to back you up or stop you 'cause that's what friend's do. If you're burdened I will gladly help you carry it."

Will gave me a sad smile. "I know, Jason. Thank you but there's nothing you can do now. And if I told you what I'm planning…you would never forgive me."

The look I gave Will was a mixture of confusion, sadness, and anger. "Alright. Fine. Keep your secrets. Just don't do anything stupid, Turner. If you do, you'll have me to answer to." I walked up to the cell and stuck my arm through a hole. Will walked up to me and grasped my hand.

"Good luck, Jason."

"You too. I'll tell Elizabeth that you said hi."

Will smiled. "Thank you. For everything."

"And thank you." I smiled and let go of Will's hand then walked away. I paused at the top of the stairs, and looked at the set of keys hanging on the hook. It took a second for me to decide. I looked to make sure no one was around then took the cell key.

I calmly walked back down the stairs and stood in front of Will's cell. He looked extremely confused but when I held up the key he understood. I dropped the key, nodded at Will then walked up the stairs. I had no idea what Will was planning but I trusted him enough to at least know what he was doing.

The rest of the day was eventless. Dad and Jack barely even looked at each other so there were no arguments about who was captain. The crew was too busy with work to do any real gossiping. Marty kept griping about the money he owed me but that was normal.

Evening was the same as the day. It was only when the sun set that things got interesting. Marty and I were leaning against the railing talking. "You now owe me about seven shilling and a free remark at your height." I said cheerfully.

Marty frowned. "Can we not talk about this?"

"You know, I think you have a gambling problem. You should get some help for that."

"It's only a problem if I lose."

"And you have. Many a time."

Marty slammed his hands against the railing which startled me. "I'm going to sleep." Marty turned and walked away from the railing.

"What? Already?" I called after him.

"Yes. You coming?"

I shook my head. "Not tired."

"Suit yourself." Marty disappeared as he walked down the stairs. I stayed where I was. The night was fairly warm and cloudy. Cotton was at the helm, the only other person on deck. It was hard not to think about what Will was planning with all the quietness.

Something shrieked behind me and furry mass jumped onto my shoulder. I jumped back before I realized it was Lil'Jack. "Oh. It's you." the capuchin shook his head. "What are you doing out here?" obviously he didn't answer. "Where's Dad?" I already knew the answer to that. He and Jack were talking in the captain's cabin. So far I hadn't heard any yelling but the night was still young.

"Are Jack and Dad finally getting along?" I asked in disbelief. Lil'Jack jumped onto the railing in front of me. "Is that a yes?"

"Jason?" I whirled around and saw Gibbs standing at the top of the stairs.

"Yes?"

"Are you talking to the monkey?" right on queue Jack jumped on my shoulder again and began playing with my hair. I grabbed the monkey and held him in my arms. He gave me a disappointed look.

"Maybe. Possibly. Yes." I admitted. "He's the only one on this ship that really listens to me without making any stupid comebacks."

"Wow. He's like your exact opposite." Gibbs said in mock disbelief.

"My point exactly. Lil'Jack would never say that."

"That's because he can't talk, Jason."

I glared at the first mate. "Forget I said anything."

"Already have." Gibbs said then began walking towards the thin cloth that acted as a door for the captain's cabin. One of the results of the kraken attack. He moved the cloth aside and disappeared behind it.

It was quiet for a few minutes. "Wonder what they're talking about." I thought aloud. Lil'Jack made a strange cooing sound. "I didn't ask you." I said, looking down at the monkey. He looked up at me with round eyes. "My God, you're cute. That's not fair. No wonder Dad likes you more than me." Lil'Jack cooed again and hopped onto my shoulder.

Suddenly, Jack and Dad came running out of the captain and went up opposite stairs to the helm. Gibbs came running after them then stopped and threw his hands up in frustration. I gave him a confused look but he just shook his head and walked away.

I watched as Cotton was pushed away from the helm by Dad and Jack. They stood on opposite sides of the wheel. Dad slyly turned it a little bit to the starboard. Jack quietly turned it back to port. "Oh no." I groaned. "They're at it again."

Dad turned the wheel back to his side. Jack turned it to port. Dad looked angered and turned it back to the starboard. When Jack tried to turn it again Dad wouldn't let him. He had a firm grip on the wheel to keep from turning. Jack tried to match his strength and pulled with both hands on the wheel. "This is not going to end well." I muttered to myself.

Now Jack and Dad were both pulling on the wheel. Jack had both hands, one elbow and one foot on the pegs. Dad also had both hands on the pegs and one foot braced against the wheel's stand. He was actually in a position that if Jack jerked the wheel then…I never got to finish my thought. Jack jerked on the wheel and one of the pegs connected with Dad's groin. He immediately bent over and began mumbled curses. I was trying desperately not to laugh as I walked up the railing and stood in front of Dad.

"Are you okay?" I choked out, still not laughing.

"Fine." Dad groaned.

Jack and I made eye contact. That did it for me. I burst out laughing and Jack laughed quietly along with me. I had to use the railing for support or else I would've been rolling on the floor laughing my butt off. Lil'Jack jumped off because my shoulders were shaking so much.

"Shut up, Jason." Dad groaned.

"I can't." I managed to say. I laughed for a few more seconds then stood up straight and took a deep breath. "Okay. I think I'm good."

"You sure?" Dad asked. He stood up straight but his faced was still cringed in pain.

"Yeah."

"Jason, I've noticed that you tend to find pleasure in other people's pain." Jack said.

"Ooh!" I exclaimed. "There's a word, in German, for that. It means just that. What is it? I know this!" I tapped my forehead. "Sh-sha-shad-shad-schadenfreude! It's schadenfreude!"

"How could you possibly know that?" Dad asked.

"I met a German once. Nice man. Really big with a deep voice, but nice. Schadenfreude. I love that word. Ah, the German. Only they would have a word for that." I noticed that neither Dad nor Jack had let go of the wheel. "What are you two doing, anyway?"

"What does it look like?" Jack asked.

"It looks like you two are fighting over the ship like two seals would fight over a grape." I said.

"How would you know what that looks like?"

"I don't. I'm just guessing. If you don't like that analogy I could use another. I've got loads. Two children fighting over a toy, two drunkards fighting over the last bottle of rum, two drunkards fighting over a wench." Whack! Dad slapped the back of my head. "That wasn't very nice." I complained. He did it again. "Stop that!" I rubbed the back of my head.

"Stop sounding like a mewling quim."

"What's a mewling quim?"

"It's what ya sound like."

"Gee, that clears it up." I said sarcastically. Whack! "Stop it!" I walked over to Jack's side of the wheel.

"Cut the boy some slack, Hector." Jack said

"Ooh, quick questions." I said suddenly. Both Jack and Dad looked at me. "Can I steer the ship?"

"What?" the two captains said in unison.

"Can I take the helm? Just for an hour. Thirty minutes, even."

"Well…" Dad sounded considerate.

"Hector, you can't really be considering this." Jack voiced. "He's only…how old are you, Jason?"

"Fourteen. But I'll be fifteen next month."

"He's only fourteen. What if he steers us into a reef?"

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Jackcul."

Dad thought for a moment. "Alright."

"Really?" Jack and I asked in disbelief.

"Why not?"

"Whoo-hoo!" I exclaimed and shoved Jack out of the way so I could grab the wheel.

"No. Not whoo-hoo. Whoo-doomed." Jack said angrily.

"Whoo-doomed?" I asked.

"Whoo-doomed."

"Can it, Sparrow." Dad said. "If ye don't like it you can go away."

Jack glared at him then crossed his arms and leaned back on the railing. "Don't blame me if we get stuck."

Jack was mostly quiet after that. Both he and Dad stayed to supervise me as I steered. Cotton had quietly retreated down below deck after a while. I kind of felt bad for him since I had taken his job and all. Dad instructed me to do certain things every once in a while but most of the time no one spoke. It was nice. Steering the ship was awesome. I had total control of the ship and that feeling was just amazing.

After about an hour or two, Dad sent me off to bed. Lil'Jack joined me as I crawled into my hammock. As usual it took me awhile to fall asleep. Steering the ship helped keep my mind off of Will and Jones but in the silence it all came rushing back to me. After what seemed like forever, I fell into a fitful sleep.

Whoo-hoo! Got another chapter done! Whelp, feel free to review and yes schadenfreude is a real German word that roughly translates to 'finding pleasure in others misfortune'.

BTW the whoo-doomed thing was my friend's idea. And if you happen to know what the formal term for 'wheel stand' is then please tell me because I'm really curious.

Until next time!