Danielle opened her eyes as she felt something cold wrapped around her waist, and something tough wrapped around her neck; making it hard for her to breathe! Panicking she looked around her and saw she was standing in the gallows, the trap underneath her; the door for broken hopes, promises dreams and darkness that awaits for her, she was confused how she got there or why she was there, the only thing she was guilty of was being Danielle Turner. The thing she wanted to change countless times, yet she was still standing at the age of twenty two, something she had not thought of doing but it seems she had conquered her fears for now with the help from her friends. Thinking of her friends she looked up and saw the area was quiet, no beat of the drum was sounded, no official man calling out her conviction, no crowd, yet she felt a pair of eyes upon her; making a chill travel down her spine.
Suddenly the quietness and the stillness of the area wakened by the sound of a person walking up the stairs and walking towards her; making her chill travel down even further. She dared herself to stare at the Monster who now stood a few steps away before walking around her; his eyes upon her body.
"What do you want? Saying your final goodbyes? I thought you weren't the person to say goodbye or have a heart." Danielle spat, fighting her fear.
"You know very well now Danielle that I do have a heart, as many times I confessed my love but you still threw my words back into my face as if I am nothing." Beckett replied coldly. "The rope does not suit you around that pretty neck of yours, but the necklace you wear does." He stopped in front of her, and reached a hand out to the lower neck of Danielle, there his fingers travelled down to where her locket laid. He smiled as he looked to see Danielle's eyes and saw anger but deep down fear. While lifting it up, he quickly stated: "You still fear me."
Danielle glared at him, that was the only thing she could do, she was powerless compared to him, she was locked in shackles and was in a hangman's noose, facing her fate, which society pushed her to.
"At least I'm not a coward." She stated angrily. "Yes I may fear you, but there are much more fearful things than you and there are not, its what people see you as is somewhat important as they are your family, friends, workers, the important people in life I guess. It can take just years to make a friendship, to make a family and build trust with each other, but one tiny second it all can be lost. One tiny second, that is what the sort of world we live in. People judge, people's words burn us and make cuts into us but you know what, I say fuck them! We don't need them, who does? People are different, hence the word individual, otherwise the world would be boring as an adult mind. Your right Beckett, there are lines in life, yet there isn't just one road to lead, everyone can walk down one but the roads are not made out of stone but sand, they can change their roads many times, change their paths they walk down, either for the good or for the bad, but who knows? Who has the right to judge? If you believe in God than him, but to people who don't than I see none."
She glared as Beckett still stared in her eyes. It seemed a few seconds past before he moved. He stared at the locket which as now in his fingertips, his thumb stroking the gold case.
"Are you still afraid of people's thoughts Danielle?" He asked breaking the cold silence. He dropped the locket and started to walk closely around her, his eyes glued to her body, yet she kept her eyes on him, making her anger known. "The thing that made you hurt yourself and drown into darkness. Words of hate cut deep into your skin and surrounded your neck like a noose; suffocating you. One moment of weakness Danielle and you told me what you felt...well not all as I know you are still hiding your love." He stopped behind her, his breath rolled her her back as he stood so close, he added in a whisper: "I can help you. I can free you from the gallows, erase the black marks against your name and keep you far away from harm."
"Why don't you just keep your sick games to yourself!" Danielle outburst in anger. "Why don't you just get out of my life! Go and ask Miss Grange for her hand, she would do anything to marry you because I will never..."
"You don't understand how much you need me in your life Danielle." He said cutting her off. "You try and hide it all but you know its true."
"No...I rather die!" Danielle said trying to stop him from poisoning her with words, trying to make her doubt and choose. To make her see he is good when he is like a snake, coiling into her life.
"Power it is what all want." Beckett stated before walking away from Danielle. "No shame in that Danielle, none at all. It is how one uses their power, to either work or go against the world, the power controls all, power conquers all and power gains all." He stopped at the lever, he slowly wrapped his hands around it but before pulling it he looked back at Danielle and added: "Death you rather choose than to feel love and safety? I thought you were smart but I guess love blinds us all."
Danielle watched with horror as the monster pulled the lever quickly before she could have the last word. She closed her eyes, saying goodbye to the world in her mind. Feeling ground beneath her, she opened her eyes confused on where she was. Was this hell, or was she dreaming? Daring her to look around it, she recognised she was on a ship, but not an ordinary ship; it was the Pearl. However it looked like her but she looked tatty, her wood old and splinted; worn and torn. She was surrounded by darkness, she was unsure where she was but Danielle walked to the middle of the main deck; curiosity hitting her. It seemed the Pearl had been in a bloody battle, she had took many hits from cannon balls, something they didn't sign up for but ended to be in one, some lost, some won.
Looking around her confused, something caught Danielle's attention and she looked down. Her eyes grew big full of fear, worry and confusion as they they landed on the deep liquid of blood, a stream of blood flowed towards her; making her walk backwards. She looked up and followed where it came from and she let out a gasp as there near by she saw a pile of dead men and one woman, focusing on them she quickly recognised them. The crew, her friends, the one she considered as a family; the one she never had, were piled on top of each other, all killed in the same way, no remorse was shown by the killer, no thought of who was going to grieve over them all.
Jack, Gibbs, Marty, Cotton, Pintel, Elizabeth, William all laid stiffly upon the Pearl's deck, plain expression stayed on their pale faces. Nothing told the world about their history nor what they were feeling or what their thoughts were, what they put into the world and into their life. All of that was now hidden into the darkness and trapped within its owner, people could only guess, and Danielle could be the one who be the closest.
Hearing a gunshot Danielle lifted her head from the pile of her now dead friends and watched in horror as Ragetti fell down the stairs and landed heavily on his front; his arms in front of him, the plain expression stared back at Danielle, telling her the worse news. She shook her head a few times, not wanting to believe what was happening, to disbelieve the horrific scene, but all felt real.
Letting out a gasp she was hung upside down in the air as the Kracken held her by her ankle. She fought it, trying to push the tentacle off her ankle though she knew it was no good. However she stopped as she saw two people standing and watching below her.
"Two sides of life Danielle, this is what you chosen, and this is what fate you have ended up with." Beckett said coldly. "Shame really, I saw so much potential in you, I would have liked you on my side, we could have been a good team, me and you, you and I. However Jack got to you before me, filled your mind with ideas, hopes and dreams of illusions. Now you can see where illusions get you; dead, six feet under Danielle, is that what you consider freedom? It doesn't matter now, the pirate world is going to end quickly now, without your help. Business is business; power is what you wanted but it seem love had blinded you."
Danielle stared at him with fear, but before she could anything she was pulled under the water. She fought and fought with the Kracken but nothing came any good. As her lungs were being filled with salt water, her mind went back onto the pile of dead family and her love, picking one side, they had truly chosen their fate; one they didn't intend to have. Darkness filled her quickly like the water inside her, death was truly horrible, many she knew had gone and now it was her turn...
"Danni!" She heard Charlie's voice fill her mind. "Where are you?"
She wanted to open her mouth. She wanted to scream. She wanted to escape the fate.
"Danni, I need you!" She heard him say. "Danni...I love you."
"Danielle!" She heard a voice call her, full of concern. "Danielle!"
Danielle's eyes sprang open, she felt her chest rising up and down heavily; as she stopped breathing. She lifted her gaze and saw the monster lying next to her and felt his arm wrapped around her lower back. It seemed her head had been on his shoulder. With anger she raised her hand and was about to hit him but he was too quick and grabbed her wrist and held it beside her head along with her left.
"Get off me!" She said angrily, as he leaned above her.
"Not until you calmed down." He stated calmly. "You had a nightmare."
"Like you care..."
"You calm?" He asked cutting her off.
She let out a sigh before replying: "Yes."
He stared at her with disbelief, knowing she was lying. He kept his hold on her, knowing she would attack him if he let go. "Tell me about it."
"It's nothing, so you can let me go." She stated angrily.
"If it is nothing, then its a huge nothing as you twisted a lot as if you were fighting to escape your dream and you woke up terrified; all telling me you had a nightmare. Now tell me about it."
"Why so you can use it against me or make it real?"
"Danielle..."
"Fine. Yes I did have a nightmare and I woke up from it. End of."
"What happened in your nightmare?" Beckett asked calmly before letting her go and laid back beside her.
"It isn't important." Danielle stated before trying to escape from the bed but she felt his arm snake around her waist and pulled her near him.
"But it is to you as you have the regularly, I am guessing."
Danielle lowered her gaze. She was confused. She was frustrated, yet she felt powerless and cold, she wanted to runaway, to get off the ship and runaway from everything and everyone. She knew she couldn't face Ragetti after this...how could she tell him about last night? He will surly hate her, he will want nothing to do with her no more, wish she was dead for real.
"Its different every night but it has the same people, Ragetti, you, Mercer, Charlie and myself. Nothing flows except at the end. Mercer kills Ragetti, I run away in fear then the scene changes to you...either corner me then I wake up before anything happens or I face you but I get caught by the Kracken and be lost in the waters forever. Then I hear Charlie calling me, wanting to know where I am and he seems lost and scared."
Silence followed Danielle's words. Something she hated and being in his hold, being so close to him. However there was a knock at the door breaking the silence and Mercer's voice followed.
"Sorry to interrupt sir, but the captain would like to talk to you; it seems urgent."
"Tell him I be fifteen minutes." Beckett ordered Mercer.
Hearing him going, Danielle stared confused at the monster. "Why are you delaying it?"
"Because I have more urgent things to deal with than to talk to the captain." Seeing Danielle's expression stayed the same he added: "By that I mean you."
"Me?"
"You are more important others that you realise."
"Last night that shouldn't have happened..."
"You can keep telling yourself that." Beckett stated plainly. "But the rest of you didn't tell me that."
Danielle frowned and tried to push him away but he was much stronger and brought her even closer to him. He lifted his right hand and lifted her chin; making her look into his eyes.
"You still fighting the truth but it will soon come out." He stated before lowering his hand to her neck, with his index finger he let it travelled down her neck and slowly he opened the top of her shirt to reveal her locket. He lifted the locket and opened it, his eyes landed on the family that was taken away from her. "You do look like your mother, but you have your father's personality. A great man he was and I see you inherited it, but don't be going down the same road as him, you are too smart to be wasting your time drinking and being locked in a cell. Weird how you don't know about your family and I hate mine, but I guess you adopted a family of your own."
Danielle quickly grabbed her locket back from his fingers, hating him for looking at it. She had not shown no one what was inside before, not even Ragetti. It was the only thing she had of them, to remember them by and remind her where she once belonged.
"I am only doing what is right Danielle." She heard him say, while grabbing her right arm and linked his fingers through hers. "Hurt was the thing I had not planned to bring upon you, but things got out of hand. All I wanted for you was safety, unbroken promises and love, if you only gave me a second chance..."
"You will never change." Danielle stated. "You can't even see that I don't love you."
Quickly Beckett let go of her hand and leaned over her, his face only inches away from hers. "As I said before Danielle, you are still hiding the truth but the truth will come out sooner or later. Its up to you if you tell it yourself or I, I leave you with that to think over."
Danielle stood in Theo's room; fully clothed. She stood before his mirror, a tin basin full of water, soap and a flannel laid beside it, she knew the world's supply of soap will not get rid of the dirtiness she felt as it stuck inside her. The memory, the feeling of guilt and anger all laid inside her. Nothing could make her more angry, more sick feeling and disgust with herself. Looking in the mirror, she saw how pale she looked as the feeling she felt tied together making her nightmare come real. She didn't mean for it to happen...to have anything of it to happen but she didn't try hard to stop it either. Quickly she looked down at the still water, hating her image. Hating to see herself, to look alive when she didn't know where Ragetti or the rest were, to now if they were alive or not, to feel guilt knowing they may be alive but on the run, unsure what they are doing and if they knew she was still alive. Would they come back for her, would they want her back, knowing the truth?
Grabbing the flannel and dunking it in the water one word came in mind 'traitor', that was the thing she saw herself. She slept with her enemy, the man who destroyed her life twice! The man who she and everyone hated, she was once powerful and could plan to destroy him but now...all that was gone.
Looking back up in the mirror she let out a gasp as she saw Theo standing in the mirror, staring at her. He was right, he told her not to show the monster her anger and fear as he knew what triggered her and how to trap her. That was the thing the monster done, yet she felt guilty, she fell into the trap.
"You ok Danni?" Theo asked.
"Y-yes better than last night." She lied.
"I heard the Governor has gone back to England, he isn't dead."
Danielle lowered her eyes, she knew the truth but she guessed Mercer and the monster told the men that Swann had gone back to England, to gain their trust and to keep as many men on their side; ready for any battle that may come their way. She turned around and opened her mouth to speak but she closed it as she didn't see Theo standing in the room. She looked around her and she let out a sigh; it was her imagination. He hadn't been there, yet guilt built inside her.
"I'm so sorry." She whispered as she turned back to the mirror. Many events had happened in her life, but now she was more confused than ever. Many people were gone, separated and she was confused on what to do. She needed to escape, but she knew it be hard to escape the ship but it be impossible to escape the monster and the memory of last night.
Looking into the mirror again anger filled her as Beckett's image shown. He had an evil smile on his face, pleasure in his cold eyes; showing her he enjoyed last night, to see her weakness, to know what triggered her and how to destroy her. With anger she pushed the basin off the desk and it landed with a crash on the floor, the water made its mark on the wood. She whirled around and sank to the floor, her back rested upon the desk.
Bringing her legs to her chin, her body shook as uncontrollably her tears escaped their cages. She tried to hold on to them but she was too tired to fight any longer, she was too weak. She was more powerless than she thought, did everyone see the old Danielle Turner or the one she used to hide away? The one with the past upon her shoulders, the one marked by many events and been suffocated by society; weak, was that what the monster saw, to think how easy she was to fall into a trap and be fooled? She was no longer any importance. Weak not strong. Defeated by the monster and society, the marks and words showed the world that on her body. Full of fear and anger, that is what her eyes told the world, no love, no joy nor happiness, things she forgot how to feel, things she used to dream of feeling but it seemed impossible. Each cut told the world what happened in her life, each knife, blade embedded into her skin, made her cry for help in the darkness she was surrounded by, she felt no love for herself because how could she? No one else loved her, she saw the doubt in people's false words of help, she truly believed she was alone, the society looked down upon her, it was everyone for themselves, you either be strong or be left. Once she was strong but no more, she got left behind, to feel alone and fear, to look over her shoulder and live in a nightmare.
She raised her hand to her neck and drew out her locket, her eyes stared at the small, gold case, small swirls was curved in it. She ran her thumb over it before opening. Her eyes landed on the two pictures of her parents and her as a baby. Had she brought shame upon their good name? Had she broken their image of their daughter, one they used to know before all was good? What would they say if they could see her now? Would they wrap their arms around her, would her mother brush her tears away; smiling her beautiful smile? Would her father tell her what he would do to the monster and say no one messes with his daughter and gets away with it? Or would they simply look down at her, can't even look at in her eyes no more; full of shame? Danielle didn't know. She wished she did, she wished she could be in her mothers arms again, to hear her father's voice and lay next to Ragetti. All the people she loved were taken away from her that she couldn't forgive or forget. She didn't know what to do. She wanted to fight, to be with Ragetti and Charlie again but knowing she had to live another moment, had to be near the monster, she would rather die. He had no right thinking he knew her. He didn't. No one knew her. She didn't. No one knows what is going inside another mind, what they are thinking or planning to do. No one knows how much a person can take. No one talks as they are scared. Danielle was scared.
Danielle stood in front of the door, in a dark room. Quickly the darkness was swatted away by candle light; letting dim light show her where she was. She saw she was in the monster's bedchambers, the place she didn't planned to be, but she didn't plan of anything of it to happen. She let her eyes looked around the room but feeling his eyes upon her she stared at him as he stood in front of her. He had taken off his wig, showing a mop of brown hair.
He took a step forward, and leaned in, letting his hands rest on the door behind her. With his right hand he turned the key, locking the door, he slowly looked at Danielle and whispered in her ear: "Don't want any more interruptions."
Danielle lowered her eyes guilt rising up inside her, but against her power she closed her eyes as she felt the monster's lips upon her neck, quickly they rose to her lips. She returned the gesture and let out a soft moan as he pushed her back against the door. She opened her eyes as she felt his hands slowly rising up her arms, making a chill travel down her spine.
Slowly breaking away, Beckett grabbed her hand and led to the bed. There he sat her down on the edge before making her lie back, allowing himself to get on top. He took of his coat and his belt, before kissing her again. Slowly he raised his hands to her hands and made her wrap her arms around his neck as he unbuttoned her shirt.
He stopped and rested his forehead against hers, a smile upon his face as he looked deep into Danielle's eyes. "This is how I wanted you for so long." He whispered and kissed her lips.
However Danielle unwrapped her arms and pushed him off her. She sat up, but he sat closely next to her. Her shirt hung loosely, she looked guilty in her lap, her fingers started to button her shirt but Beckett placed his hand on top of hers and lowered them.
"Stop running away from your feelings." He whispered. " Love grows and never stops." With his other hand he wrapped it around her waist, while the other one slowly lowered her sleeve; showing her naked shoulder. He slowly brushed his lips upon it. "With all my heart I love you. I wish you can see that. I only want to protect you."
Danielle shook her head and buried it in her hands. She wished she could erase the memory away, to forget everything she felt and what she thought last night. She never thought of those feelings before, not for the monster. Even her body went against her, telling him what she feared. She wished she was stronger than she was, she wished she was stronger so she could have fought him and not slept with him. Everything she fought for, believed and drove on was washed away in one night.
Danielle looked down and stared at Beckett. She felt a sharp, cold object pressed against her neck, which made her stop kissing.
"What is this Danielle?" He asked.
"A-a knife." She replied, neverously.
"I know what it is. I was asking why you have a knife strapped to your thigh?"
"I don't know..."
"You haven't thought your plan out through have you? You think I was stupid?"
"No...I..." She started but was cut off as he pushed her to the side and went back on top fo her; holding her arms against her head harshly, making her groan after throwing the knife away. She turned her head and saw it lying on the floor.
"Luckily through these past years, I have learnt your ways," Beckett stated. He leaned in and whispered into her ear: "I've accepted your difference. I shouldn't have let you go." He raised his head and stared back down at her. He raised on hand and his thumb drew the outline of her lips. "You stolen from me many things, my money, my slaves, my figures." He stopped and grabbed her wrists more tightly. "My love...there is no point fighting it any more. This shows me you do love me but the knife...well my feelings are true."
She forgot she had a knife strapped to her. She couldn't remember where she got it from, but she knew the reason why she had it. She wanted to kill the monster, after everything he done, he needed to pay with his life. She planned to kill him! She was going to revenge for everyone who had been killed by his words and actions, yet she forgot...by the power of his evilness and his twisting ways.
Danielle stared at her arm, seeing the cuts she had made. Each one telling her a story, some had faded, some was not but none was fresh. Staring at her hand she felt them shake, she felt her body shake and tears streaming down her face. The monster done this to her. Many events had filled her mind, making her forget how to feel anything but hate, fear and worry. Pain she felt, pain when the sharp blade cuts into her skin...she looked around and her eyes landed on Theo's sharp blade, the one he used for shaving. She stood up and picked it up from the desk. She stared at it. Anger she felt. Fear torn her apart. She saw nothing but blood and hurt. She was a monster herself. A traitor and weak. Nothing special but an old hero.
She raised the blade and rested it on her wrist, she had been clean for many weeks. She didn't want to break it but it was getting to her. She took a deep sigh and...
The door opened making her turn around. She stopped seeing Theo staring at her. She glanced to her wrist to him, feeling his look of sympathy. He took a step forward then another, slowly, unsure what to do.
"I...I'm sorry Theo." Danielle stated her voice broken, letting him hear her tears.
"Danni, its ok." He said holding his hand one, wanting to take the blade away from her, to take the pain away. "I'm here still..."
"I'm a bad person. Leave me be."
Before Danielle could cut herself Theo ran the short distance and grabbed the blade and threw it across the room. He quickly grabbed Danielle, stopping her from running for the blade, to stop her from hurting herself again. They both sank to the floor, and he held her close to his chest. He felt her body shake, against his as tears streamed down her face and onto his uniform. He wanted all her pain to go away. He wanted he to live again and not into the darkness. She was not a bad person. Everyone makes mistakes, people either learn and forgive or not. She was not a bad person; the monster was going to pay.
