Chapter 10: Backstabbing

As Juliet's condition became dire, James grew stronger by the hour. One morning he was well enough to walk about the deck. As he clambered up to the main deck, assisted by Will, Elizabeth, and Bootstrap, James's legs were like jelly, but that did not discourage the boy.

"It feels lovely to have my legs again," James sighed with ease, "And the air never smelt as sweet."

"I am glad to see you on your feet again, James," Elizabeth said with a smile.

"I knew you'd be on your feet soon," Bootstrap said knowingly, "Brave boy."

"My father is right. You are a strong lad, indeed," Will commented.

"Thank you, all of you," James said humbly, "I would not have found the strength without you."

"That is very kind," Will said.

"Are we close to finding William?" James inquired.

Will handed James the note. "This was found drifting in a bottle. It's in Guin's hand."

James read the letter to himself and his eyes widened. "Ponce de Leon?"

"I know it sounds foolish, James," Elizabeth said, rationalizing the note.

"Guin wrote it and I know she speaks the truth," Will declared.

"Begging your pardon, but Guin is a pirate. How do your know for certain?" James asked doubtfully.

"Guin and I have been friends since we were born. And she has children to think of and, dare I say it, Jack. She would not tell a false tale," Will explained.

"I'm sorry for being so bold, Will," James apologized, "Every day, I worry more and more about William and Juliet."

"You don't need to apologize," Will said gently, "We are all desperate to save William and Juliet. We will save them. I never make a promise I don't keep."

"He's right, you know," Elizabeth agreed with a smile.

"I do," James said with a faint smile, "I shall retire now."

Will, Elizabeth, and Bootstrap accompanied James back down below decks to rest. From the quarterdeck Barbossa and Lucia watched intently.

"Can we carry out the plan now?" Lucia asked eagerly.

"As Cap'n Sparrow says, it's best to wait for the opportune moment," Barbossa said sagaciously.

"When's that?" Lucia asked impatiently.

"Wait until sunset," Barbossa said, his gold teeth shining.

By sunset, Will, Elizabeth, and Bootstrap watched as James lay on his hammock.

"How long until we find them?" James asked.

"We're close," Will reassured him.

"It won't be long before William and Juliet are safe again," Elizabeth declared.

At ease, James fell into sleep.

"Will, are you certain we can trust King?" Bootstrap asked dubiously.

"No, but we have no choice," Will said glumly.

"I cannot trust him," Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth headed out of the cabin with Will in pursuit.

"Elizabeth, do you really believe I want this?" Will asked, "We're caught in King's trap."

"And so will Jack and Guin if we don't do something," Elizabeth countered.

"I know you don't trust King," Will said, faltering.

"I don't know who to trust anymore," Elizabeth sighed gloomily, "If you are willing to betray our friends, how can I trust you?"

"If it means saving our boy, then you can't," Will replied.

Elizabeth gazed at Will long and hard. Her heart broke to hear him say such words. You can't trust me. It was a phrase that poisoned Elizabeth's ears and she wished it were not true. However, there was no uncertainty in Will's voice. He was determined to save William, even if it meant betraying Jack. Elizabeth could not bear that price. Without another word, she and Will climbed upstairs to the main deck. Suddenly, just as Will stepped foot on the deck, the butt of a pistol collided with his head!

"Will!" Elizabeth gasped.

Before Elizabeth could reach Will, she was snatched by King's sailors, as was Will. Both of them were held at gunpoint and bound tightly.

Elizabeth struggled against their hold. "Why are you turning on us? We haven't done wrong!"

"What's going on? Release us!" Will growled, fighting his captors, "Release us!"

"Who did this?" Elizabeth demanded.

"I'm afraid that was our doing, Mrs. Turner," Barbossa said slyly, stepping before his captives. "You'd be surprised how persuasive we can be."

"Barbossa, you conniving cur!" Will shouted, "Why?"

"Don't dare blame us!" Barbossa said angrily, "I was playing fair the whole time."

"When did that change?" Elizabeth asked furiously.

"I happened to overhear your little heart-to-heart, Mrs. Turner," Lucia said with scorn, "You should've thought twice before selling out to King."

"But he'll kill you, too, you thickhead!" Will argued.

"We will turn Jack over to King and we will live. You will not be so fortunate, Turner!" Barbossa fired back.

"How can you betray us like this?" Will demanded, "You won't get away with it!"

"Apologies not given, Mr. Turner!" Lucia snarled, "But I will not have my life in your hands when you cannot be trusted. My life is in my own hands."

"If my son and goddaughter die because of you, I'll kill you myself!" Will threatened.

"You should know better than to make threats you can't keep, Turner," Lucia said condescendingly.

With the wave of her hand, a cloth was tied over Will's mouth.

"What are you going to do with us?" Elizabeth asked, "Let the boy go, please."

"Aye, the boy shall go free, along with Bootstrap," Barbossa declared.

"Bring them!" Lucia commanded.

The officers stormed below decks and emerged with Bootstrap and James. Quickly, the officers bound Bootstrap and James.

"You said you'd release them!" Elizabeth shrieked.

"They will be released off the plank," Lucia told her, "As will you."

"Did I miss something?" Bootstrap asked, puzzled.

"Other than Barbossa scheming to betray us, no," Elizabeth replied flatly.

"I thought we were through all this?" Bootstrap groaned.

"So sorry to maroon you again, Bootstrap," Barbossa said unctuously.

"Ah, at least I'm not strapped to a cannon. I thank you for that," Bootstrap said, rolling his eyes.

"You're welcome," Lucia replied, grinning wickedly.

"Gents, prepare the plank!" Barbossa laughed.

A pair of officers then extended a plank from the starboard side of the ship.

Barbossa turned to Will and unsheathed his sword. "After you, Mr. Turner."

Lucia pressed her sword to Will's throat. "Off you go, Mr. Whelp."

Because he could not speak, Will flashed his eyes and glared razor-sharp daggers at Barbossa and Lucia.

"I wouldn't be afraid. You can be the leaders of that little island out there, at least for a while," Barbossa laughed.

"Walk the plank, whelp!" Lucia shouted.

Will glared at Barbossa and Lucia once more, and softened his gaze at Elizabeth. Barbossa and Lucia rolled their eyes.

"If you won't walk the plank, then you'll fall!" Lucia exclaimed, stomping on the plank.

Will lost his balance and tumbled off the plank, splashing into the sea below. He emerged from the water, struggling to breathe and free himself from his bonds. Elizabeth, Bootstrap, and James grimaced as they watched Will fall from the plank.

"Mrs. Whelp is next!" Lucia said giddily.

Elizabeth spat as she stepped onto the plank. "You will regret this. I will make sure you do."

"Very well," Barbossa cackled.

Elizabeth scanned the sea below. Suddenly, she felt a prick of cold steel and plummeted to the waters below with Will.

"Bring Bootstrap and the boy!" Barbossa called.

Bootstrap and James were shoved forward and forced onto the plank at sword point.

"Again, no hard feelings," Barbossa said unctuously.

"None taken," Bootstrap groaned.

"You poxy cur!" James spat.

With a giddy laugh, Barbossa and Lucia shoved Bootstrap and James off the plank to the waters below with Will and Elizabeth.

"That's the second time that man has left me for dead!" Bootstrap grunted.

"The island. We have to swim for it," Elizabeth said.

Pulling Will along, Elizabeth, James, and Bootstrap swam as fast and hard as they could to a nearby island. All of them were panting heavily. Hastily, Elizabeth removed the cloth from Will's mouth and untied his hands. Will immediately turned to spit out water.

"That's the second time that man double crossed me!" Will said indignantly.

"What do we do now?" James asked.

"What is there to do?" Bootstrap asked dimly, "We've lost our ship and now our chance with King. We're stuck here."

"What?" James asked incredulously, "You mean we're giving up?"

"In case you didn't notice, young lad, we're stuck on this island for God knows how long and there's no one coming to rescue us," Bootstrap said pessimistically.

"But I didn't come all this way to lose my friend now!" James protested.

"He's right," Will agreed, "We didn't come this far to lose William and Juliet now."

"There must be something we can do," Elizabeth said pensively.

"You might as well accept it. We're going to be stuck here for a while," Bootstrap said grimly.

Bootstrap headed for the beach on the island and James followed, leaving Will and Elizabeth together.

"This is just brilliant," Will groaned to himself, "That two-timing Barbossa and his plot! I should've known not to bring him!"

"You should've known not to trust King with our boy's life!" Elizabeth replied hotly.

"Elizabeth," Will said, faltering.

"You got us into this mess when you trusted that wretch," Elizabeth said with passion, "Now we're paying the consequences."

"Elizabeth, please," Will pleaded.

Elizabeth spoke no more and gazed in Will's dark eyes. She saw the plain guilt in Will's eyes and the hurt. She knew she had gone to far as to blame him. He was, after all, her husband. The man she loved. Unable to make up for her accusation, Elizabeth ran from Will to the beach.

"What have I done?" Elizabeth whispered.