Chapter title is taken from the song 'Man in the Box' by Alice in Chains.
Chapter Twelve:
He Who Tries Will Be Wasted
Strolling down the wooden steps that led to the loathsome brig, Captain Jack Sparrow called, "You sick of imprisonment, Lizzie? Just confess!" When there came no reply, he looked quizzically at the shoddy cage-like structure to find her lying unconscious. He turned with a shrug to head back when he heard the unmistakable sound of scraping steel. Pivoting to face the noise, Jack was greeted by a perfectly crafted sword, the blade pointed threateningly at his throat.
"Ah," he said, swallowing down hard and putting his hands up, as if surrendering. "Dear William. …So good to see you."
"You dirty, disgusting, bloody pirate," Will snarled, circling around Jack, his sword still pressed against his flesh.
"With all due respect, dear Captain Turner… you're not really a fine example of anti-piracy, are ya?" Jack smiled weakly, hoping to add some levity to the situation.
"You violated my wife, and now you've locked her up on this ship of yours!" Will accused, possessed by his own indignation. "Give me one good reason to spare your life!"
Jack shrugged, his weak grin clinging to any power it had against wavering. "Old time's sake, mate?"
"You're going to have to do better than that, Jack!" Will cried, and thrust the weapon forward. Ducking the stab just in time, Jack was avoided, and the sword had dug into the wood behind him.
Jack retrieved the weapon and made an aggressive swipe at Will, slashing open the front of his loose shirt. "Do not mess around with me, boy…"
"What's the most you can do, Jack? Stab me. I can't die; have you forgotten? You can't beat me."
"I beat the immortal Barbossa, did I not?"
Will glared at him challengingly. "And that wouldn't have been successful without my help."
Jack looked around nervously for any type of leverage and, finding none, plunged the sword into Will's chest, for no reason other than an opportunity to flee the scene. But as Jack was on his way out, Will transported himself onto the stair in front of him. "As I said," Will icily spat, removing the sword from his torso, "you can't beat me." He propelled the sharpened steel into Jack's direction; with a maladroit dodge, Jack tumbled down the steps, narrowly missing his death.
"Can't…. can't we talk this over, mate?" Jack pleaded, rolling around on the ship's floor to avoid more well-aimed blows.
"We're past the discussion stage, Jack!"
The captain of the Black Pearl jumped up to his feet and delivered a firm kick to Will's chest, sending the enraged man flying onto the steps behind him and buying Jack some time to distance himself. As he hid behind a bundle of decrepit barrels, Will sent the sword hurdling through the air, skimming over the notorious captain and knocking off Jack's tri-corner hat, in effect pinning it to the ship's wall.
This was certainly enough to stir Elizabeth from her sleep. "Jack?" she asked groggily.
"A little busy, love!" he cried, attempting to free the weapon.
Jerking her head to the other side, Elizabeth was overcome by surprise. "Will? What are you doing here?"
"I'm going to kill Jack!" he screamed, lurching forward in belligerent, blood-thirsty steps.
"No, Will! Please talk to me; I can explain all of this!"
"You'll get yours later!" he barked at his wife, grinning with violent hunger at the sight of Jack struggling to tear the sword from his ship.
"Listen to her, Will!" said Jack, genuinely frightened for his life. "Let her explain."
Instead of listening to anyone, Will sent his fist flying into Jack's stomach, causing him to keel over in pain. "Please, mate…" he sputtered through the agony.
Elizabeth had read the note Will had left her; it simply said, 'This isn't your fault. It's Jack's. He'll get what he deserves.' "Will, don't!" she begged. "This isn't just his doing, I'm to blame… more so than Jack! Deal with me first."
"Too late for that, Elizabeth," he said emotionlessly as he effortlessly retrieved the sword.
"Will, don't!"
This time, it was too late. The sword had already penetrated the flesh of Jack's chest, and the dark vicinity of the tragic scene was filled with sounds; the sound of the alerted crewmen trying to break through the barricaded door that led to the brig; the sound of Will panting in disbelief at what he'd done; the sound of Elizabeth screaming, ordering for a way out of the cage, cursing Will; the sound of Jack gasping for breath.
But it was the sound of Gibbs yelling "Aye, what be going on down there, Jack?" that brought Will to his senses.
"Jack… Jack, please stay with me!" Elizabeth wept, her hand outstretched through the bars of her cell. He wheezed, but reached his hand for hers in response.
Seeing the look in Jack's eyes as the light slowly faded from them, Will asked in astonishment, "You two… you two truly care for each other, don't you?"
"Yes," gasped Jack, that feeble grin still pasted onto his face.
Upon hearing his struggle to form words, the very thing at which he was so inhumanly gifted, Elizabeth broke down. "You can't leave me," she moaned. "Not you, too… come on, Jack, fight!"
"I'm afraid I've had me last stand, love," he managed to choke out, his eyes resisting the urge to remain open.
"Elizabeth," said Will, with a fearful look in his eyes. "Please forgive me."
She turned to her husband from behind bars, shooting him a cold stare. "Mr. Turner," she acknowledged formally. "Have you any method of reversing this?"
Will stared down at Jack, who was helplessly losing his well-lived life.
"Mr. Turner, we don't have much time, help him if you can!"
Coming out of his haze, Will announced, "We have to be aboard the Dutchman. I can take you both there…" After a brief search of Jack's trinkets, he found the keys to the cell and expeditiously freed Elizabeth. "Take my hand…"
"Will…"
"Trust me on this!"
"Will!" she repeated, this time pointing apprehensively at Jack.
He looked toward him, the captain's body now limp and devoid of any vigor. Will temporarily lost the ability to move in his crushing regret. Elizabeth knelt down beside Jack, the knees of her breeches becoming stained with blood. She clutched his wrist and firmly pressed down, desperately searching for any sign of life. "No, Jack…" she sobbed.
"We have to go to the Dutchman. Now!" pressed Will, his voice rising.
"You killed him, you selfish idiot!" Elizabeth screamed. "How could you do this? After all he's done for you?"
"If you want any hope of him returning, we must go to my ship, and go to her now!"
Sensing the urgency and genuine remorse in his tone, Elizabeth gently kissed Jack on his inert lips. "Goodbye, Captain Sparrow…" she muttered. Elizabeth rose slowly and tentatively gave her hand to Will, not taking her eyes off the deceased captain for one moment.
Inhaling deeply, Will mustered up enough energy to transport the three of them onto the Flying Dutchman.
