Chapter XXI : "Destination"

A FEW LONG HOURS LATER

My time had set. The door opened slowly, Francis' silhouette drawing itself in the dark.

"We're near, Charissiana…"

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With a solid grip around my arm, Francis controlled my every move, forcing me to reach the deck in his company. I had a terrible impression about his sudden madness ; the flame of excitement burning in his dark brown eyes. My aunt France, who followed behind us, could only watch my demise, fearing one objection to it all would only worsen Francis' impulsive mood.

Seeing the mountains of La-Petite-Gouave at the horizon, I let myself being carried on, one step at a time. I didn't resist. There was nothing worth it anymore.

"You took me this far… It better be there" he threaten.

I suddenly felt myself being pulled back. He held me tightly against him, looking with me at the horizon.

"For all the things you've went through, you did give in pretty quickly… I could guess you're already feed up with life…"

He paused for a second, looking at me emotionless. He was keen to any of my reactions. I didn't blink, I couldn't cry. Fact is ; I almost forgot how to breath. I did nothing. Francis sighed.

"It would be unfair to leave this world right away… Unless I did show you all my appreciation once and for all…"

He took out his flintlock (gun) and pointed it at me. Like a puppet, I stood still, not even bothering to flinch at the fear that tried to take over me again. I almost omitted the idea that he was once responsible for my first death. He sent me to hell, ready to take responsibility of the second death he was ready to bestow on me.

Finger on the trigger, he was about to fire a bullet through my head.

"It's quite a shame you make this rather easy for me…"

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Jack fell asleep, his hands longing between the prison's metal bars. The crew stood still, most of them eyes closed out of boredom, others lost in the thought of death.

Jack was forced to wake up, one of the pirates alerting him without compassion, almost slapping him awake.

" er..hmm.. what?" Jack grumbled.

He opened his eyes, seeing clearer in a matter of seconds. A few men slowly woke up at their turn, suddenly curious.

Alexandre was standing in front of Jack.

"Are you a Sparrow ?" the kid asked.

Jack smiled.

"Depends what you want with me… Still in for a little trade ?"

Alexandre shook his head :

"She said you called her Charity..."

Her name brought interest to the captain.

"Is she still alive?" he asked

"…Not for very long" Alexandre responded on a low toned voice, not sadden nor bodered by that fact.

"Then what do you want from me ? I'm obviously locked inside, as you can see..."

Gibbs and the others were following the full conversation. The kid obviously wasn't here to chat. Jack only made his way swiftly to the point.

"Will you save her…?" Alexandre asked

Jack thought for a second. Of course he wanted to help Charissiana, but his desires didn't match with reality. …Unless… Vortigan would take care of things the way he always did.

"Only if you free me… Do we have a bargain ?"

The lad nodded.

"Settled then…" Jack concluded.

Alexandre took the golden pin and started playing carefully with the lock.

Jack looked at him, pretty amazed.

"Tell me… what are they doing up there ?"

"Going to grandmother's grave…" he responded after a moment of silence, focused on the lock.

Jack got up. He turned around.

"She decided to reveal the gold, Jack ?" Gibbs asked.

The captain smiled. The boy revealed a fact about the girl Jack only now apprehended : Charissiana didn't have the gold. She never had it, for it wasn't quite stolen by her husband's veil schemes. Francis and Charissiana were playing cat and mouse on each other since the begging. She was probably sincere, her first reason to live being the solving of her husband's true murderer. However, finding her husband alive was the downfall of it all.

"It would seem that way" Jack responded to Gibbs.

Jack went in the back. Gibbs caught up to him.

"What do'ya possibly wanna do, Jack ? Vortigan's men won't let us a chance. We're dead before we know it!"

Jack smiled briefly before frowning. He didn't respond. Gibbs was getting a little ticked off.

"Tell me you're doing this for the money and that it ain't for the girl…"

Jack turned around. The expression on his face was obvious

"What's life without the gold and the women, Mr.Gibbs ?"

Gibbs startled at Jack

"I knew it ! We gonna really die cuz of her !" he shouted.

"I've taking up my chances with a cheap death…" Jack replied "… this one pays…"

"Bloody 'pirate'…" Gibbs muttered after a moment of nervous silence.

Jack smiled, a new flame burning him up inside.

"Rather 'captain', if you please."

Suddenly, a small tremor could be felt under their feet. Jack frowned and gave a second glance at Gibbs, waiting for the man to state the obvious.

"The ship's lowering her paste… We anchorin' Jack…" Gibbs said.

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A/N : Sorry for the short and sucky chapter. I'll make up for the next one, I promise !!! See this chapter as a prelude for the big finale !! ;) There are 2 or 3 chapters left for the story, depending on the changes I want to make... Please stick with me till the end, ok ?