Chapter 11: Tia Dalma Part 2

My head was rippling with pain as I tried to move but something was heavy on me. I opened my eyes and saw the ceiling of Will's quarters, I blinked, how long did I sleep? I had a strange dream we were attacked by my father's crewmen, coming for me. I tried to move again, and was met with a slight groan by Will as he stirred from his slumber. "Amaya?!" he was shocked and jumped off me as he had fallen asleep against me, flipping his chair over.

I sat up, but regretted it as my entire body felt unbelievably heavy, as if I was made of lead. I groaned and turned myself so I could sit up properly on the couch. "Are you alright?" I asked Will as he got up and his eyes just searched me up and down, as if for wounds. "I'm fine. What's hurting you?" he asked and tenderly took my hands, as if I was made of glass. I went to shrug, but it was too much work against the protesting of my body. I decided to just talk, it wasn't that difficult, my throat was a bit dry but that was it. "Will, I'm fine. I did have a strange dream, but that's it." his eyes realized something and he gave me fingers a gentle squeeze.

"Amaya, you don't remember?" I cocked my head to the side and it was painful, but it was becoming more of an ache instead of intense now. "What?" I asked and he pressed his hand against my side, making me wince. I looked around and saw the bandage wrapped tightly around my body, I looked at Will and he nodded, apparently my dream wasn't a dream at all. "Amaya, how did you do what you did?" I thought about it, the power surging through me and into the staff, knocking out many of the men. "I have no idea…honestly." I said and realized my hands were shaking.

"You passed out a minute after it happened…and have been asleep for 3 days." my eyes widened, how on earth could I sleep for that long? What did I do? How? I was reeling the questions in my head as Will left to speak with his father. He paused at the door and looked back at me. "I'm truly happy that you are alright. You had me worried." his tone was soft, I could still hear worry in it. He closed the door and I laid down again, feeling drained still and sore. Mort appeared above me and chattered at me. 'That looks fun.' he followed my suit and lounged back on the armrest of the couch.

"Mort, did you see what I did?" I asked him and his eyes told me he did. 'Dangerous, you know? I hid below, it was powerful.' I nodded and stared at the ceiling, it seemed powerful enough to drain me this much and knock me out for 3 days straight. I wasn't bothered for a few hours as I relaxed and tested my strength as I slowly began to move around, Mort chittering away on the couch. I was leaning against the table, gripping hard as I tried to continue walking. But I was feeling weak in my legs when the door opened and Will saw me. "Amaya, what are you doing? You need rest."

He rushed over and took my hand, quickly lifting me off my feet and taking me to the bed. He laid me down and I tried to give him a small smile, but his frown stopped me. Worry was making his forehead crease as he scolded me, "Do not push yourself, you'll never get better." I pursed my lips at him and rolled my eyes. "I'm not a doll, you know. I'm able to take care of myself." he snorted and sat beside me, tucking the covers around me tight so I couldn't move easily. "Well, for now at least, let me take care of you."

His words made my breath catch in my throat as I went to retort, his eyes soft as he looked down at me. "So what happened after I passed out?" I asked and he nodded, explaining that the crew retreated after my power knocked them out or stunned them. We got away as they were still recovering and sailed back to Tia Dalma's. "We are near her home, ready to go ashore as soon as you are better. Until then you are to remain in this bed and rest. That's an order." I chuckled at his authority, it didn't reach his eyes.

I agreed, deciding that I would be no help if I couldn't fight again, Will was right, I needed to rest. He left me again, letting me have privacy as he kept guard in case my father's ship came after us again. "Mort, can you get my father's journal for me, please?" he grabbed it and hopped over to me, chittering. 'Boring…I'm going to explore.' I giggled and he climbed out the window as I flipped the journal open.

I smiled at my father's handwriting, it was so familiar, like my own. I read his words to myself, his travels around the world until I saw the words begin to blur, the paper had been wet and then dried. I squinted my eyes, trying to make out what it was saying. "The triangle is coming up soon and this storm has appeared from nowhere. The crew wants to turn back but I feel like I can't. I need to continue on and see what lies behind this mystical place that can make ships vanish without a trace."

I turned the page, the words getting even harder to read. "The storm has thrown us off course, we are being sucked down into a whirlpool. I fear my own stubbornness has led us all to our doom and I will never get to see my family again. My girls, my loving wife, they could be lost to me forever. I will never forgive myself for not seeing the danger of this triangle." the words became too hard to read as I sighed and rubbed my head, a headache forming.

I flipped 'til I found more words that I could read properly. "Today I finally figured out that I somehow have been transported back in time, centuries it seems. Pirates roam the seas, taking what they want and the killing is so easy to them, it is very different than our time. I was attacked again today and had to port at a small island, for some reason the ship didn't follow even though I would have been easy pickings."

I turned the next page, his writing getting calmer as he wrote now. "This island is uninhabited it seems, I have fashioned some weapons from the bamboo trees and had begun to make a home for now. It seems I am stuck here for the time being. I must survive. I need to get through this so that I can make it home to my family. Amaya must be worried, she is very much like myself. I pray they are safe and well. It's hard knowing that the chances of seeing them again is slim, I almost want to give up. However I know that Amaya will never give up on me, so I can't give up on myself."

I wiped a tear away, wanting him to be curse-free so that he could hold me, knowing that he found his way to me again. I looked at the next page, but it was only two sentences. "Last night I had a dream, telling me to leave everything behind from my world, including the journal. It was Amaya in my dream, telling me, I believe in my daughter and so I will hide everything away in my chest, maybe she will come for me." I flipped through, but there was not another word, that was when he left the journal and the curse overtook him. I let sleep take me again, feeling worried and more drained than before as my father's words swirled through my mind.

I was being shaken awake and saw Bootstrap standing above me, "Amaya, wake up. Will has sent me to get you. Tia Dalma is at the edge of the water, waiting for you." I sat up too fast and my head lolled a bit before I shook myself free of the covers and followed him. My legs were still a bit wobbly, but I made do as we entered the deck and I could see a couple figures on the beach.

"I'm coming with you." I turned and saw Will strapping his sword to his belt. "I thought you couldn't step foot on land for another 10 years." he smiled but looked out toward Tia Dalma. "That's right, but as long as I'm in the boat, I'm not on land. A small loophole." I grinned, he would be one to find a way to stay near me for my protection and his peace of mind. I climbed in after him, taking his open hand for assistance. We sat beside each other as his father rowed the boat. It wasn't awkward, it was nice and normal feeling.

In no time we were nearing the beach and I saw Tia Dalma smiling at me, her eyes knowing something already. I hopped out before the boat hit land, allowing Will to remain nearby with his father. "Amaya, how good of you to meet me in your condition." she embraced me as the other woman beside her handed me a cup. "Drink, it will help." I did as she asked and the bitter drink was hard to get down, but I did it, trusting in her. "I have it." I said as I handed the cup back and Tia nodded. "I know it. You are relentless. It is good trait to have."

She sat down with her feet barely getting touched by the tide, I joined her and my eyes found Will, sitting in the boat, watching us closely. "That'd be hurtful to your father." her words were quiet, I almost didn't hear her as she was watching the water. "What do you mean?" her eyes found mine and I knew that she could see right through me, knowing my feelings for Will. "How will it hurt him?" "Choices, Amaya. Never easy, but ultimately must be made."

"Tia Dalma! I have a request of you." we turned and looked at Will, who was now standing, raising his voice so we were able to hear. "I know what you want. However, I cannot help you. The job you have can only be passed along, but with that, you will pass with it, forever." I realized that he must want to be able to come on land when he wants. "Is there nothing you can do?" he called, his tone already sounding defeated. She smiled and stood up, walking out into the water where he was waiting in the boat.

"William Turner, I still see a touch of destiny inside you. You have been of good service to me as a guider of the souls. I could be of help…for a price." "Whatever you ask. I will do it." he said instantly, I felt a lurch in my stomach as Tia's smile deepen and she leaned over to him. She whispered into his ear and his eyes searched for me until he froze completely. His eyes bore into mine as Tia leaned back down, giving him a moment to decide.

"Tia Dalma, please…" "Make your choice." her words were curt now, she stared at him until he sighed and nodded. "I agree. To help Amaya." she tilted her head to him and walked back to me. "It's done. Come ashore William." Will slowly got out of the boat and walked over to us, pausing right at the edge of the water. His eyes found mine and I beckoned him to come on, he took a deep breath. "Amaya, no matter what happens, remember…" he paused and bit his lip, glancing at Tia. "What is it Will?" "Just remember how I feel about you, deep down." and with that he took his steps out of the water and onto land.