CHAPTER 21: Trust No One…

John smiled down at Phoenix, and quickly wrapped a thin sheet around her naked form. He then lifted her up on his shoulder, and walked over to the window at the back of the cabin. He looked out, to see that his rowboat was still there. As he exited through the cabin with Phoenix on his broad shoulders, he chuckled to himself how easy this was. He knew that when he saw Jack go off from the ship somewhat annoyed, it most likely meant trouble in his perfect paradise… it was the opportune moment.

John placed Phoenix gently in the boat, and sat down. He then began to row off for his ship that was waiting in the dock, ready to set sail. John laughed evilly to himself, and continued to row his boat.

oooooooooo

Romeo and Angela were now nodding themselves to sleep as they sat playing their game about 20 minutes after Phoenix entered the cabin. They both stood a few moments later, and bid each other goodnight. Angela walked wearily down below deck to where her father had been resting, and Romeo decided to say goodnight to his mother before he retired. Romeo tried to open the door, but it was locked. He then knocked, knowing that his mother couldn't have fallen asleep that fast. He knocked again and again, until he became annoyed.

"Gibbs", Romeo shouted up to the man sitting playing cards with other members of the crew. "Yes master Sparrow?", Gibbs replied jovially. "I need the key to me father's cabin", Romeo said, making Gibbs' eyebrow go up with confusion. "Didn't yer mother just go in there?", Gibbs asked Romeo. Romeo merely shrugged and knocked on the door again. When there was no answer at the door, Gibbs then got up and walked over to the cabin door.

"That's strange…", Gibbs said, as he fished for the key from his many pockets. He finally found it and placed it in the door, turning it and unlocking it; Romeo then took the knob and turned, opening it. He thanked Gibbs and walked in, slowly looking around trying to find his mother. He took a lantern from off the desk near him, and went over to the bed, but she wasn't there. Gibbs saw what Romeo was doing, and looked more confused than ever. Didn't she just enter the cabin? Gibbs looked at the flask of rum in his hand, and cleared his throat, placing it away in his pant pocket.

"Gibbs, she's not in 'ere!", Romeo said worriedly. Gibbs looked around, and then his eyes went wide with a sort of shock as he looked at the open window at the back of the cabin. That window was never open… never. Gibbs walked slowly over to the window, and looked out. There was a rope leading down to the water, showing that someone had climbed down… or up, and that there was definitely a boat being held in place by it. Gibbs mumbled a curse, and quickly exited the cabin.

"Where's the captain?", Gibbs shouted to the crew members on deck. They all looked sceptically at each other and shrugged, not knowing where Jack had gone. Jacobs then walked over to Gibbs from where he was sitting by himself with a book. "I saw Jack leave the ship, but I didn't question it. Why do ye sound so worr---" Jacobs was cut off by Gibbs. "Phoenix is gone!", he said annoyed. Jacobs looked at Gibbs questioningly and opened his mouth, but stopped short when he heard a familiar voice ring out.

"She's a big girl, she's probably just gone fer a walk or somethin'…", Jack said from behind Gibbs. Gibbs and Jacobs both spun to look at him. Suddenly Romeo walked over and approached his father. "I saw mum go into the cabin, said she was goin' to sleep. Then I got tired, and tried to get in, but the door was locked, and when Gibbs opened it, she wasn't in there. But I saw 'er go! Not even 20 minutes ago!", Romeo said trying to make his father believe him. Jack looked at Gibbs worried, and Gibbs nodded at his silent question. Jack then quickly ran into his cabin, and looked around hastily. He then looked at the open window of the cabin, and hoped his thoughts on the matter were wrong.

When Jack approached the window, he saw the line leading into the water. He shouted a loud curse and turned around, trying to think. As he rushed to leave the cabin however, his eyes fell on his bed. The sheets were gone, and there was a small vial laying on the bed. He walked over very suspiciously, and picked up the small vial. He sniffed the vial and pulled his head away quickly as he cringed… it was liquid opium. The stuff could make you pass out in an instant, in the right dosage.

Jack thought about who would do this to her. He thought about his mother briefly, but then figured she would never go this far. Insulting was one thing, kidnapping, a whole different game. Then his thoughts fell upon a man lead by jealousy… John. Jack threw down the vial quickly, and rushed out of his cabin.

"Mates! I want ye all to go through town, look for anyone from John Sparrow's crew! Bring 'em back 'ere!", Jack shouted just as Phoenix's 3 lady-friends were coming up on deck. The 3 of them looked at Jack oddly, then wondered why the crew was rushing off. "Jack", Elizabeth said to him as she rushed up. "What's going on?", she asked.

Jack looked at the 3 women and pointed at Sarah and Laurie. "Yer comin' with me. Elizabeth, stay 'ere… and don't do anythin' stupid", he finished, turning around and rushing towards the gangplank. Elizabeth stood were she was with her mouth agape, and began mumbling about something as she headed below deck to Will's cabin. Sarah and Laurie looked at him as if he was crazy, then they rushed up. "Why do ye need us Sparrow? Where're we goin'?", Laurie asked with her arms crossed.

"Phoenix is gone, and I think John took 'er", Jack said flailing his arms around in Laurie's face. "What do you mean?", Sarah asked. Jack rolled his eyes annoyed as he bit the inside of his cheek. "He took 'er! And now, I want ye to help me find 'er, savvy?", Jack finished, looking between the two women as if he were talking to small children, who were hard of understanding.

"Jacobs! Come on with us mate", Jack said as he leaded them down the gangplank to the docks. Jacobs rushed down to catch up with them, and they walked hurriedly in the direction of Jack's brother's ship. "If that bastard touches a hair on 'er 'ead, I'll kill 'im me'self!", Jack said in rage as he finished walking and had begun to run in the direction of the ship.

Jack thought about what they had talked about earlier, and grimaced when he thought of something unimaginable. If anything were to happen to Phoenix… the last thing he said to her was "You're stayin' and that's final", a fucking order. He didn't even get to hug her after he hit her. Jack felt horrible. She was right after all… she did put up with a lot of the nonsense Jack had to put her through, and somehow never asked twice.

Once Jack's head cleared, and he fought back a tear at the thought of losing Phoenix forever, he approached where John's ship was docked. Once he saw what was in front of him however, his sword and pistol dropped from his hands, and his mouth went agape. The ship was gone… only proving that it was John. After all, John said that he would be staying for a while, but now as soon as Phoenix disappears, so does he? It was obvious.

Jacobs, Sarah and Laurie all stopped behind Jack panting from their run. "Why'd ye sto---", Laurie was about to ask when she was interrupted as she saw Jack fall to his knees and stare at the water in front of him. Jacobs was about to ask what was the matter when Sarah pointed something out to Laurie and him… John's ship. It was seen far off in the distant horizon, shrinking into the distance.

"It's not fair…", Jack breathed, as he clenched his jaw, and felt the warm liquid fall gently from his eyes. Jacobs put a hand on Jack's shoulder. "Jack, we can still catch him, if we leave now", Jacobs suggested, making Jack scoff at the thought. "How's that? Me crew out in the village lookin' fer John's crew…", Jack paused, and then sighed, "…we wouldn't be able to leave until dawn at the earliest", he finished, making Sarah and Laurie feel sorry for Jack.

"Want to know something ironic though", Jack said, making the 3 people look down at him. "I thought about it for a long while, and I was goin' to tell Phoenix that if she would stay on land for a while… I would stay with 'er", Jack finished, looking up at the stars in the night sky. Sarah's heart somewhat wretched as she heard Jack's statement. He was going to do that for Phoenix, and now she was gone… it truly wasn't fair.

"At least ye made the right decision Jack ol' man", Jacobs said, patting Jack's shoulder once more. Jack smirked and nodded. There was a short silence, and then Jack stood up. Jacobs stared airily for a moment, then grabbed a hold of Jack's shoulders, staring him in the eyes.

"Why don't we go to yer parents… See if yer mother 'as anythin' to do with this", Jacobs suggested with his epiphany. Jack studied Jacob's features for a moment, then nodded. He quickly picked his effects from the ground, and walked hastily in the direction of 'The Baron'.

oooooooooo

When the four pirates made their way to 'The Baron'. They could hear the voices on the deck become louder and clearer. Jack lead them quickly onto the gangplank and up on the deck, where there were many crew members getting lines ready, and tying down loose ends. Jack ignored the many people who were greeting him, and quickly barged into his parent's cabin.

Mary and Grant looked up sharply at Jack who stood in their doorway. Jack's chest was heaving, and it made Grant and Mary exchange confused looks. "Why! Answer me now mother! Why?", Jack shouted in rage at his mother. Mary opened her mouth and closed it again in confusion… then shrugged.

"Why what Jack?", Grant asked, wondering what was wrong with his son. Jack rolled his eyes and walked further into the room. He then looked his mother square in the eyes, and asked his question quite evilly. "Why did John take Phoenix… mother, dearest", Jack said sardonically. Grant the stood up out of his seat, and walked over to Jack.

"What do ye mean, John took Phoenix?", Grant asked, generally curious and somewhat worried. If John went to that kind of measure out of jealousy and brother-rivalry, Jack's idea of a solution would be death… with no mercy.

"John drugged 'er with liquid opium! And took 'er off me fucking ship! And I think ye know something about it!", Jack finished, pointing at his mother. Mary looked at Jack with wide eyes and her mouth agape… she really didn't know anything about any of this. "Jack, I can assure---", Mary begun, but Jack exploded back at her. "I know ye can fuckin' assure me! I don't want to be assured! I want me wife back!", Jack yelled.

As Jack stared into his mother's eyes, he could see the confusion, which made him feel bad, but her couldn't help it. Jack quickly turned around and put his hand on his forehead. How could he have let this happen? Why didn't he just tell her he would stay with her in the first place, without all this pointless arguing?

"Jack… son… is there anythin' we can do to 'elp?", Grant asked Jack's back. Jack slightly turned so he could see Grant out of the corner of his eye. "No", Jack responded to his father, and quietly left the cabin. Laurie, Sarah, and Jacob's were looking at Jack, not knowing what to say as they watched him lead them down the gangplank.

"Jack!", Sarah called up to him, "What now?", she asked, ready for a fight. Jack spoke as he continued to walk towards the 'Black Pearl'. Jack clenched his jaw at the idea, but it had to be done, "I'm leavin' Romeo and Raven with Phoenix's parent's. I need to find 'er, and there's no doubt there will be a fight", Jack finished. Sarah and Laurie looked at each other, hoping Phoenix was alright.

Jack thought about leaving Romeo and Raven both behind, and it somewhat hurt to think about it. However, this time, they would be together, and with their grandparents. Jack wouldn't risk their safety to go find John… he would never… he just hoped they would understand that.

oooooooooo

It was nearing sunrise, and Phoenix's head had begun to throb uncontrollably. She felt sore everywhere, and her sight wasn't anything to be proud of either. She felt something tight around her wrists and cringed. When she looked down she saw she was naked, and chained... to a bed. When her eyes focused more, she saw someone sitting in front her. She looked at John with horror as he smiled at her. He held a knife in his hand and he began playing with it in his palm.

John looked down at the long scar running down Phoenix's side, and sighed. "I left a beauty on ye, didn't I?", John said to Phoenix examining the scar… he had made. Phoenix said nothing out of fear, and continued to look at John with teary eyes. "I can safely say, ye'll never see me brother ever again", John said with an evil smirk. Phoenix let a few teas fall s she swiftly spit in John's face. John chuckled evilly as he wiped it away. He then took his knife and pressed it hard to Phoenix's throat, cutting it slightly, letting her blood run down the blade.

Phoenix tightened the muscles in her neck as she cringed at the pain. "Do ye know where I'm takin' ye?", John asked, knowing that Phoenix obviously had no clue. Phoenix said nothing, but held her eyes shut tightly. "I'm takin' ye to the America's… they'd pay a pretty penny for a slave like ye", John finished.

Phoenix's eyes shot open, and she attempted to push the blade away from her neck, but realized she was still locked to the bed. She began to cry harder as the thought sunk in of having everything taken away from her. "This is what ye get for breakin' me 'eart ye wench. Ye knew I loved ye, ye knew I damn well… and ye left anyways", John scoffed. He then pushed the blade to her skin harder and quickly released, getting off the bed gently.

"Jack…", Phoenix moaned out, wanting nothing more than to be with him. "Ye can call out for 'im all ye want, ye wench, it's not goin' to change anythin'. I can only imagine the suffering ye'll be put through", John said lastly, and laughed once more before exiting the cabin.

Phoenix writhed and wiggle, trying to unlock herself from the shackles, but it was no use. As she continued to scream and cry, they were being muffled by the sounds of the waves crashing up against the hull of the ship. Phoenix then began to pray, not knowing what else to do. She prayed for her children to grow up happily, and for them to be safe from harm, hoping they'd never have to go through what she was going through… and most importantly, she hoped they learned to trust no one.

"Jack… Jack… Jack…", Phoenix breathed through tears finally before slipping into unconsciousness from the mental anguish.