Feels like it's taken me nearly a week to get this chapter done! Maybe it wasn't that long, but it sure feels like it! Not sure if any of you saw this coming, but yes, our heroes are in for more trouble! Thank you for the reviews.
It was a sullen, heavily overcast noon on the 7th day out at sea since Captain Summers' death. Jack said that they were still a week and a half outside of reaching Port Royal, and that was with good weather and no bad luck involved. After that, his plan was to sail back toward England, vanquish each ship he knew of in Briggs' personal fleet, attracting attention to himself through the news of his attacks on the seas and meet Briggs face to face, which would consist in a bloody duel.
Will's arm still needed treatment, even after a week. But Thomas faithfully tended his friend's wound, the best he could with what little medical supplies they had. Will was grateful and Thomas said his arm should heal, though it was going to be a long time before that was complete.
"I can hardly believe it's really been a week." Kate murmured dismally, standing at the edge of the bow, looking down into her diary at the sketch she'd made of her father. She'd finished kitchen duty for the day and was taking some time to ponder. Thomas came up beside her. "It feels like only yesterday...and forever, all at one time." She again ran her hand over her collarbone as was her daily habit, expecting to feel the smooth little cowrie shell.
Thomas opened his mouth to speak, but he lost his nerve. He thought that now would be the best time to tell her his true, deeper feelings for her, but as he tried to find the words, his heart beat escalated and he panicked. Come on. You can do this! He told himself. All right. Here it goes! Squaring his shoulders and breathing deeply, he marched one bold step when he was rudely interrupted.
"Ship off starboard bow! A ship, Captain!" One of the men shouted from the crow's nest. Thomas and Kate both turned back and everyone crowded at the rail.
"Who is it?" Elizabeth asked.
"Hard to make out in all this fog." Anamaria sighed. Jack peeked through his telescope.
"Can't tell." He shook his head. "Man the cannons, and have arms at the ready, in case." He commanded. As the visiting ship came closer through the mists, Jack saw that it wasn't the only one! There were four other ships closing in on the Pearl, from all sides! "All hands to the mast!" He ordered urgently. "We've got company!" He pulled out his telescope again, trying to identify the flag the vessels were bearing. When he could finally distinguish the details, his hair stood on end. "D-." He cursed under his breath.
"Jack! Do ye realize? We're surrounded!" Gibbs was at his side in an instant.
"So it would seem, Gibbs." Jack said dryly.
"What do we do? And where did they come from?" Elizabeth spoke with concern.
"Isn't that...Briggs' flag they bear?" Anamaria added.
"Yes." Jack snarled. "Tommy!" He barked. Thomas rushed over to him. "Take Katie down into the hold, and do not let her up here for any reason without my say so. Make sure your bonny girl is safe, savvy?"
"Yes, Sir!" Thomas gulped. Katie was standing frozen at the rail. "Kate, come on." He told her, grabbing her arms. She stared off fearfully, as if she didn't hear him. "Kate. Let's go!" He told her more urgently, and pulled her away.
"To the guns!" Will shouted as the enemy ships moved in closer.
"Belay that!" Jack interjected. Everyone stared at him as if he was crazy.
"Jack, they're bearing down on us!" Gibbs protested.
"We're outnumbered, mate." Jack told him unhappily. "If we want to live to see another day, best not to go provoking 'em to blow us to kingdom come and no escape route."
"So, you're suggesting we just stay here like sittin' ducks, and let them roast our goose." Anamaria fumed.
"Nay, luv. We shall negotiate." Jack swayed carelessly. "Gibbs." He beckoned his good friend over. He shoved his compass into Gibbs' hands. "Ye might need this. Treat her with the utmost respect." Jack warned him in a whisper.
Down in the hatchway, Kate and Thomas hid under the large trap door, listening as they heard intruder boots and heavy footsteps above. "Kate, what's going on?" Thomas asked her. Kate couldn't look at him. A thousand hurtful and whirling thoughts and images were consuming her mind: of her wicked brother, his attacking her, her father's haunted manner and his broken countenance, Jack's words of what crimes Briggs had committed… "Who is Briggs?" Thomas asked again. "Kate?" He slightly shook her arm to get her attention, and she jumped. "Hey, hey! It's all right. It's just me." Thomas insisted.
"Thomas, we're really in trouble." Kate told him sadly. She looked petrified.
"So I gathered!" Thomas exclaimed. "Who is Briggs?" Kate winced hard, angry tears filling her eyes. She fisted her hands tightly.
"A slave dealer, and a traitor to England," She said venomously, "And...and...my brother."
"Wait. W-what?!" Thomas sputtered, blinking in astonishment. "What are you talking about?"
"He's the one who sent Father to be imprisoned on that horrid Cartwheel, and sent him to Bermuda, where he could not escape back to his home." Kate seethed.
"Why didn't you tell me this before?" Thomas cried.
"Why should I?" Kate retorted. "He's a scoundrel. His men killed my father! I want nothing to do with him, except to make him pay for what he did!"
"I don't blame you." Thomas squeezed her arm. He gulped hard. "Kate, I..." A loud thump above their heads startled them, as the trap door was thrown open and Briggs' green uniformed men clambered down the stairs with muskets as if they owned the place.
As Jack had said, the small crew of the Black Pearl was outnumbered. Soldiers and officers were posted at the every turn and corner on Jack's ship and around on their own vessels. The army was well armed with guns, swords, knives, and whips. The crew were roughly bound with their hands tied, all except Jack. He twitched his mustache and curled his lip as the captain of the fleet broadly swaggered his way on Jack's ship. Jack sulked sourly as he recognized his uninvited visitor. It was Briggs himself! "Master Briggs, to what do I owe this most unwanted visit aboard the Black Pearl?" Jack asked with narrowed eyes.
"Jack Sparrow..." Briggs slurred.
"Captain!" Anamaria, Will, Elizabeth, and Gibbs all snapped in unison. "Captain Jack Sparrow to you!"
"So sorry." Briggs shrugged. "Must have slipped my mind, what with the ugly conk on the head this dear young lady inflicted on me." He looked right at Elizabeth.
"Must have been a real beaut." Jack chortled.
"And I'd do it again, given the appropriate provocation!" Elizabeth hissed.
"That, Miss Swann, will be a little difficult without the use of your hands now, wouldn't it?" Briggs scoffed. "Anyone so much as declares 'parley' will be turned into shark chow before the day is out." Briggs warned the crew.
"If you'd be so kind as to state your business here, I'd be much obliged." Jack said impatiently. "I'd like to be on me way before dark. Got a rendezvous we're late for that I don't want to miss!"
"I wouldn't dream of detaining you." Briggs bowed in mockery.
"If you're here to take Summers, he's not on board!" Will growled. "He's gone."
Briggs chuckled smugly. "Come now, Mr. Turner. Do you really expect me to believe that? He's in Bermuda. There's no escape. Or...maybe that's not entirely true." He cocked his head slyly, slowly sidling next to Jack who fidgeted uncomfortably and bit his lip like a guilty child. "As I recall, a report has reached me of a most queer content. I have heard that Captain Summers managed to flee the island he was appointed on, and disappeared in the dead of night. On a ship with black sails. Now, who do you suppose that could've been, Captain Sparrow?"
Jack shrugged. "Beats me! I'd suppose that all sails look black in the black of night. Care for some rum, mate?"
"Oh, if only I could." Briggs sighed dramatically. "Is it true, Jack? Summers is really gone?"
"Dead as a door nail." Jack nodded. "And I've got a small armada of witnesses who will swear to that. A pity, isn't it?"
"Just how did he die, I'd like to know?" Briggs asked with cruel delight.
"Impaled. A bloody spear, thrust deep in his side. It was an awful mess." Jack answered lightly. "A real shame."
"Did he suffer much, I pray?"
Jack squinted darkly from the corners of his eyes. "More than enough." He whispered woefully. Briggs formed a wide, sadistic smile. He clapped his hands, strutting around like a peacock. He laughed boisterously. "What the bloody h- is so funny?" Jack snapped.
"Good work, Sparrow." Briggs smiled. "You've done me a great favor. Guess this is my lucky day after all. I'm only sorry I wasn't here to see it!"
Jack had tried to keep his cool like he usually did, but he was getting tired of the gruesome dirt-bag prancing around like the Prince of Wales. "What do you want, Briggs?" He asked cautiously.
"Just another little favor." Briggs replied nonchalantly. Three of his men came behind Jack and bound his hands. They held him by his shoulders. "Easy there, boys. This is Captain Jack Sparrow! Mustn't be too rough on him."
"You can't kill us all!" Will hollered at Briggs.
"I assure you, I have no such intentions, Mr. Turner." Briggs nodded. Then he pointed his sword at Jack's face. "Now then, Sparrow. I believe you have something that belongs to me. And you're going to hand it over with no questions asked. Savvy?" Jack gave him a most dirty look.
"'Fraid I must decline your nonnegotiable, relentless, most intrusive demand, mate." Jack said quietly. Briggs arched his eyebrows and nodded to one of his men, who kicked Jack hard in the stomach. He gasped and blinked from the sudden thud. "Are you usually accustomed...to supplying your men with...horseshoes on the bottom of their boots?" He asked lazily.
"Hmph." Briggs smirked. "So, tell me Sparrow. Where is it?"
"The 'it' as you call it, happens to be a 'she', mate." Jack corrected him.
"Where is she?"
"Haven't seen her." Jack replied quickly, rolling his shoulders in a shrug.
"Search the ship, men. She's here somewhere." Briggs ordered his officers. Everyone looked worriedly at the hatchway door. Briggs noticed their eye movements. "Below deck, men!" He commanded.
"She's no concern of yours!" Elizabeth growled at Briggs.
"If you lay a harmful finger on her, I swear..." Will threatened.
"You'll what, Mr. Turner?" Briggs asked. They heard a small cry from below deck, and a young man shouting angrily. They all grimaced. They knew that Kate and Thomas had been captured too. "Ahh, now that's what I like to hear." Briggs sighed smugly.
"You're despicable." Elizabeth hissed.
The officers returned from downstairs. Two of them had Thomas bound with his hands behind his back, and he had a small dribble of blood on his forehead. Another soldier was shoving Kate forward, gripping her from behind by the neck. He pushed her hard, so that she fell to her knees, hanging her head. Her hands were also bound from behind. Her tousled blonde hair covered her face and she was breathing hard from fright. Briggs stealthily marched toward her. Will and Elizabeth struggled against their captors but it was no use, not with their hands tied. Thomas was panting with worry.
Briggs stood over Kate, and jerked her head back, making her face him, holding her by her hair. She winced and whimpered, avoiding eye contact. He noticed the necklace was gone and he narrowed his eyes like a snake. Kate didn't say a word, but she was shivering, half from fear and the other half was from fury. "I've been looking for you." Briggs said huskily. "You've been a busy little bee, flying from one shoal to the next out at sea." He tightened his hold on her. "It's time to pay for your part in ruining my life." He slurred. Kate glared at him.
"No, don't! Please!" Thomas pleaded. "Leave her alone. You're not welcome on this ship."
"And who are you?" Briggs frowned at him. Thomas glared at him then glanced at Kate anxiously.
"Don't harm the crew. Or her, please! If you want a prisoner, you can have me." Thomas begged. "But please, let her go!" Kate shook her head at him.
Briggs noticed the exchange and cracked his knuckles. "This is just perfect. Even I didn't see that coming!" His smirk could not grow any wider. He strode over to Thomas. "You care for her...don't you?" He whispered snarkily, closely in his face.
"More than anything." Thomas replied firmly, keeping his eyes locked on Kate and not on this b- of a brother she had. Kate's face slightly lit up. Had he really said that?
"Throw this skinny whalebone down in the brig!" Briggs told his men.
"No!" Kate yelled. They gagged Thomas and lifting him off his feet, they threw him roughly down the stairs.
"Get off our ship, ye filthy sea slugs!" Anamaria scolded sharply.
"Button your lip, b-." Briggs sneered. He strode back over to the crew. "This one." He pointed at Will. "And that one." Then he pointed to Elizabeth. "I want these two taken prisoner aboard my ship. Bring them along."
"No!" Will protested, trying to get to Elizabeth and make these thugs get their hands off her.
"Oh, and we must not forget our distinguished host!" Briggs added. "Captain Sparrow, you're coming with us."
"Really?" Jack asked cooly. "Where are we going?"
"Someplace special, for my special guests." Briggs grinned evilly.
"No! You can't just take the ship's captain!" Gibbs shouted.
"Ye stupid jug-head!" Anamaria hollered at Briggs. "You'll not take Captain Jack Sparrow captive and go unpunished!"
"I don't suppose you'd care to drink on it and discuss terms?" Jack suggested.
"No can do. Sorry, Jack." Briggs shook his head.
"It was worth a try." Jack sighed.
"Sir, what shall we do with her?" One of the soldiers asked. Kate was still on her knees, with four soldiers pointing their muskets at her.
"Bring her. But you'll not mess up her pretty little face...til I say so." He chuckled darkly. The soldiers grabbed Kate by her arms and made her walk.
"Go easy on her there, mate. She's only a little girl!" Jack tried to sway him.
"Which makes it all the more fun. Don't you think?" Briggs snickered. "Relax, Sparrow. Don't look so put out. She'll be just fine. Just like the rest of you."
"I'm not too sure we have the same aligning definitions of just fine." Jack tried not to show how worried he really was.
"Don't worry, Jack. When this is all over, none of you will be wallowing uncomfortably anymore. That I can promise you."
Jack's crew hollered, threatened, swore, and yelled vehemently as one by one, Jack, Will, Elizabeth, and Kate were whisked onto Briggs' vessel the Vendetta. Briggs commanded his men to return to the other boats and set the Black Pearl adrift, with the entire crew still bound. "They'll run into a storm or some such other before too long." Briggs said with satisfaction.
Elizabeth, Will, Jack, and Kate were all tied next to each other at the mast. It was no use trying to break free. Briggs strode around grandly with that same sick smirk on his face. "Well, at last I have all four of you right where I want you." He announced. "You bloody troublemakers. You left a most depressing mark on me when you paid me that little visit. Not to mention the reports of disaster that have reached me of what you've done to my ships! Now it's time for judgement. And I can assure you, each of you will receive just what they deserve. You will be glad to know that I am no respecter of persons. You're my captives now. And...I shall not rest until I have desecrated each of you, one by one." He glared at Kate who looked away.
Elizabeth and Will were brought to Briggs' chambers to be interrogated, leaving Jack and Kate stuck together at the mast. She finally broke out with a cry of defeat. "Oh, this is all my fault!" Kate bit her lip.
"Don't talk, nonsense, luv." Jack interjected.
"You were right, Jack. Commodore was right. This was fool-hardy. I got us into this. It's no one's fault but my own." She would've wiped her nose and the small tears from her eyes, but that was out of the question.
"Katie, darlin', it's not your fault." Jack said kindly behind her back. "Just let that bear. Pirate's life, luv. Live and let live."
"What do you think they're going to do with us?"
"Exactly what they said they would." Jack sighed.
"Oh, that is so reassuring!" Kate retorted sarcastically.
"Bloody, brainless Briggs is not one to carry out empty threats, trust me. Whatever he's planning, it's sure to be a colorful punishment." Jack said.
A fate worse than death, more than likely! Kate shuddered. She hung her head, sniffling. "I'm sorry, Jack." She moaned.
"I'm not." He chuckled.
"H-how can you say that after all the trouble I've put us through?" She sputtered.
"No one can say it hasn't been thrillin'." Jack grinned.
"What? Don't tell me you're enjoying this!"
"Ye never feel more alive than when you're almost dead." Jack chuckled.
"You're insane, you know that?" Kate gaped.
"Not the most demeaning name I've ever been called, thank ye." Jack held his head up.
"How can you be joking at a time like this?" Kate was more than a little shocked.
"To fret over the dreadful and dreary picture we now find ourselves in, darling, means to lose our sense of cunning." Jack remarked, as if it was supposed to be obvious.
"Do you think...we'll get out of this?"
"Here's hoping, luv." Jack nodded.
"I don't see any way of getting out of this mess, unless we jump overboard!" Kate huffed.
"Ye know, you have yur old man's sense of humor." Jack teased fondly. Kate grew quiet. Thinking of her father made her feel all the more upset. She felt a dull ache in her chest and more tears clouded her vision as she gazed off at the sea. Beyond the mist was the Black Pearl, and on the Pearl was...Thomas!
Thomas! What he'd said back on the Pearl, that look of desperation to keep her out this, that look he'd given her, and he'd been willing to become Briggs' hostage in her place! He'd also tried to protect the crew. Noble wasn't strong enough word to describe that young man that Jack so relentlessly teased. That look he'd given her when Briggs had asked if he cared for Kate. He'd looked right at her and smiled confidently. And those words, he'd said them with such deliberation. There had been no reluctance in his voice when he'd said it. Kate let out a small gasp.
"You all right, luv?" Jack asked when he heard that, as they were tied opposite each other at the mast.
"He...could it be..." Kate rambled under her breath. And Thomas had been the one who she'd wanted to stay with her when she visited her dead father, and he had stayed by her side! She missed her dad so much, and wished to heaven and back that they could be together. But something different had been churning waters in her life since Thomas had come aboard. She just hadn't realized what it was...until maybe now.
They heard marching boots about. "Afternoon, gents." Jack greeted in a friendly voice. The soldiers ignored him and instead came to Kate and untied her from the mast but did not release her hands.
"What are you doing?" She asked nervously.
"Captain's orders." One of the officers replied. They were standing her in the middle of the deck, and now Jack could see her.
"Ahem! Pardon me." He spoke up. "Just what does the captain intend to do with the lass?"
"We were ordered to detain her." A soldier said. He took a scarf and suddenly wrapped it around Kate's eyes. She gasped and struggled. "Hold still!" The officer barked at her.
"What are you doing? Let me go!" She cried.
"If I may make a suggestion..." Jack tried to speak, to divert their attention.
"Make her hold still." The man grumbled to his partner. His partner slapped Kate, cutting her lip.
"Oui! None of that now!" Jack barked. Kate's shoulders slumped. She was blindfolded now and they put her back at the mast, securing her there again. She ran her tongue over her lip and could taste blood. "That was most uncalled for, gentlemen." Jack groaned. "Didn't yur mummy ever teach you that it's most frightful bad luck to strike a young lady?"
"You talk too much, Sparrow." The lieutenant grumbled. He raised a scarf to Jack's eyes too.
"Oui, now!" Jack squirmed. "We can talk about this. Can't we come to a more gentlemanly agreement?"
"Shut up, Sparrow." The lieutenant rolled his eyes as he blindfolded Jack. After that, the men stomped off.
"Sorry I couldn't skin 'em for ye, luv. Is it bad?" Jack spoke.
"No." Kate shook her head.
"I've always wondered what it would be like to be blind." Jack sighed nonchalantly. "Guess now I can scratch that off my to-do list."
"Did they cover your sight too?"
"Aye, that they did. Cheer up, luv. At least now we don't have to look at Briggs' ugly, sniveling, riving face." Jack smirked. Kate didn't answer.
Inside Briggs' office, Will and Elizabeth were still bound. The scoundrel sat at his desk calmly. "I shall have the both of you arrested for treason, and you shall enjoy a most retributive death." Briggs boasted.
"You're bluffing." Will tsked.
"We know that you are an international criminal to the British crown." Elizabeth said in a condescending tone. "You're the one who is wanted for treason. You wouldn't dare show your face to the authorities! Or else they would pepper you with questions as to how Will and I came into the picture, and what induced the provocative circumstances."
Briggs glared at her. She merely smirked. "You have a very sharp and quick tongue, Miss Swann." Briggs muttered. "I strongly urge you to keep it in check. Or things could get very ugly."
"You're afraid." Will declared with satisfaction. "Or you wouldn't be so desperate to hound us, and take the four of us as prisoners when you could've just as easily opened fire on the Black Pearl and sent her to the depths along with all on it. You want to make sure none of us come back to reciprocate you after 'death'."
"You want to insure yourself that we stay dead." Elizabeth added.
"Silence!" Briggs hollered, pounding on his desk. His face grew crimson and was glistening with sweat.
"Will was right. You can't kill us all. And one day your sins are going to catch up with you, and then you shall pay for your dastardly crimes." Elizabeth prodded harder. Briggs slapped her across the face.
"Hey!" Will fumed, struggling against his bonds and the men holding him back when he charged at Briggs. "Elizabeth, are you all right?"
"Y-yes." Elizabeth said in a small voice, though she glowered deathly daggers at Briggs.
"Bind their eyes and take them away." Briggs ordered his men. "I've heard more than enough! Oh, and Miss Swann? I won't be so friendly the next time you don't shut up."
"Stick it in your ear." Elizabeth retorted. She and Will were blindfolded, then led and secured back at the mast.
"Elizabeth? Will? Is that you?" Kate cried.
"Aye. It is." Elizabeth sighed.
"What happened?"
"We can't see right now. They covered our vision." Will bit his lip.
"Oh, not you too!"
"Afraid so."
"Elizabeth! Are you all right?" Kate asked sadly.
"What an inadequate question." Elizabeth huffed.
"I'm sorry, Elizabeth. I'm so sorry!"
"Kate, it's not your doing."
"This entire voyage was my crazy idea. You shouldn't have come!"
"We made the choice to come, of our own free will. Remember?" Will reminded Kate.
"But-"
"I don't suppose the bloody bloke was generous enough to bestow some rum on either the two of you, eh?" Jack interrupted. The three younger people all groaned with irritation. How could Jack be thinking of his precious rum at a time like this?
"Of course not." Elizabeth berated him.
"Oh." Jack grunted with disappointment. "A shame. A bottle of rum indeedy does sound most satisfying right about now."
Meanwhile, back on the Black Pearl, the crew had finally managed to free themselves of their bonds. Anamaria first pulled out Gibbs' knife from his pocket and used it to sever his ropes, then he returned the favor. Eventually Pintel, Ragetti, Cotton, Marty and the others were all able to rub their sore wrists and move about freely again. By now, the mist had thickened, and they could barely see in front of the ship. Gibbs and Anamaria instructed the men with their duties, while they searched for Thomas. Pintel and Ragetti brought him up the stairs, out cold. "Tommy! Tommy, lad, wake up." Gibbs lightly slapped the boy's face. He moaned and lolled his head from side to side. His eyes slowly fluttered open.
"He's comin' 'round." Pintel nodded. Thomas opened his eyes and groaned loudly.
"Ohh." He moaned. "Why does my head feel like it was massaged with an anchor?" He asked dizzily.
"The mutton-heads threw ye down like a holler log, they did." Pintel spoke up. "Must a hit yur noggin on the way down."
"Oh. That...makes sense." Thomas grunted. Gibbs took his handkerchief and dabbed at the small dribble of blood on Thomas' head.
"There, there, lad. You just take it easy, and we'll soon have ye back in ship shape." Gibbs told him kindly. Thomas's head shot up, his blue eyes flickered with fear. Despite his pounding head, he raced to the rail and gazed out anxiously into nothing but gray fog.
"Kate..." He breathed. "Kate!" He turned back to his friends. "Where's Will? Elizabeth?" Then he noticed that the ship's captain wasn't anywhere in sight. "What about Jack? What happened?!"
"Briggs took them." Anamaria spat. Thomas started panting with worry and tensely rubbed at his temples.
"We've got to find them! We have to save them!" He blurted out.
"We will, Tommy." Gibbs said confidently, touching his shoulder. "We'll get them back. In the mean time, Will, Elizabeth, and your pretty lass are in good hands. Jack's with them, and he'll look after them."
"Yeah, well..." Thomas rolled his eyes. "Call me skeptical, but Jack isn't exactly what I would call the warm and reassuring type. He hasn't exactly acted as if he even wants me here!"
"That's just the captain's way." Pintel said. "Don't like no one to know he's got a soft side."
"Aye. Don't want no one and to catch onto that." Ragetti agreed.
"Jack may be next to impossible to figure out, but he's not one to leave a fellow in need behind." Gibbs said. "Don't worry, Tommy. We'll get them back."
"You're sure?" Thomas gulped.
"Sure as I be of the wind and sea." Gibbs nodded, pulling out Jack's compass. Thomas paid no mind to the trinket, but once again peered out into the misty ocean. Somewhere out there were his friends, rather, his new, small, complex, thrown together family. And with them, was the girl he'd met during a 'rescue' raid, who was kind to him, and truly liked him for who he was, though he was a nameless pauper. The girl who he couldn't wait to speak to every morning when he woke up on this ship. She had to be all right! All Thomas could do was wait and pray.
And so, the four captives were left tied at the mast for two full days, blindfolded, thirsty, and unable to sleep, save Jack. Briggs finally just had them thrown in the brig. Elizabeth and Kate were in one cell, while the boys were in the other. It was scary, but at least they were together and it was a heck better than being stuck at the mast all day, unable to sit properly. However, they were chained to the walls in shackles. They could move around in their dreary cells, but they could not escape their chains.
It was near dinner time aboard the Vendetta, and all day no one had come by to give the prisoners food. All they got was a small bucket of water, but the soldiers wouldn't even so much as throw them scraps of crusty bread. "Keep this up, and in no time, we just might be thin enough to squeeze through these cell bars." Jack muttered sarcastically.
"I don't understand." Will grumbled. "Why hasn't he tortured us yet? Why is he just leaving us be?"
"I wouldn't call starving us to death off his mind." Elizabeth huffed from across her cell. Kate sat alone in the corner, mentally spaced out. It had been days since they'd been taken hostage, and they were slowly sailing to a grim fate. Where even were they?
"We're headed North." Jack announced, as if reading her thoughts.
"How do you know that?" Elizabeth asked.
"The smell. The smell of the sea." Jack replied. "I've traveled all over the world, luv. So I know the feel of familiar tides, and the aura in the air, and the precocious scent of before traveled places."
"Poor Father." Elizabeth murmured grimly. "He must be so worried. I told him in a letter sent to Port Royal that we should be home within two months. But that is not going to happen now."
"You must miss him." Kate stated quietly. Elizabeth looked at her thoughtfully. Kate must be thinking of her own father.
"I do." Elizabeth nodded. "I pray that he's not going to hysterics wondering where I am."
"Oh, Katie?" Jack whistled from across the room. "Ye happen to have the letters of parole on you?" Kate furrowed her brows.
"Yes..." She said slowly.
"Send them over here. If you'd be so kind." Jack threw her a winning smile.
"Why?" Kate and Elizabeth asked suspiciously.
"Please." Jack whined. Kate cautiously removed the pamphlet from her blouse and tossed it across to Jack and Will. Jack eagerly reached for it and flapped it open. "Much obliged, luv." Jack smirked. He folded the paper in half, then...ripped it to shreds!
"Jack!" Will's jaw dropped.
"What are you doing?!" Kate gasped, clutching the cell bars.
"Won't be needin this anymore." Jack replied calmly, tearing the papers up into tiny little pieces on the floor.
"What are you thinking?!" Kate sputtered. "If we get back to Port Royal, without those letters of release, they'll arrest you and you'll be hanged!"
"Story of my life, luv." Jack shrugged. "I escaped Norrington and the noose once, I can do it again."
"Uhh...you had a little help along the way. Remember?" Elizabeth interjected.
"Oh, of course." Jack grunted guiltily.
"So, you just used them as a get out of jail free card?" Kate glared at Jack. "This was your plan all along? You were never going to take us back home, were you?"
"Not entirely true." Jack replied casually.
"Of course he was going to return us home, Kate." Elizabeth said reassuringly.
"Aye." Will agreed. "The sooner he rids us off his ship, the better he likes it." Will said snarkily.
"Ugh." Jack cringed. "You really are a sour lot when it comes to gratitude."
"I did that to protect you, Jack!" Kate huffed. "Not just so you'd help me, but also so you wouldn't be stopped by the authorities if we ran into them."
"And a truly noble gesture it was, dear. But old Jack doesn't need protection from no one." Jack grinned cheesily. "Pirate's life, luv. Take what you can, give nothing back." Kate turned her back on him and stared at the wall, hugging her knees.
"Quite the charmer, aren't you?" Will whispered to Jack. Jack threw his head back with a smile. "You made her upset." Jack puffed his lip and gave his puppy dog eye look.
"That doesn't sound like me." He argued. "Does it?"
"Kate, are you all right?" Elizabeth asked as she scooted next to her friend. "I totally understand how vexing Jack can be, but aren't you overreacting a little?" Kate's shoulders sagged.
"I don't know, Elizabeth." She groaned, rubbing her face. "Everything's happening at once, and...I wish Dad was here." She closed her eyes. So, he never really appreciated my generosity to keep him safe till we got back? Well, I like that! Am I overreacting? I don't know. How should I know? Who can I really trust? I don't know anything anymore!
Jack was picking at his own brain, struggling to come up with some ingenious plan of escape off the Vendetta. But he was irate from hunger and thirst, they all were. So his normally hair-brained intellect was sailing slower than usual. Ordinarily, he would've suggested mutiny. But that was out of the question. He hadn't been able to frisk a key off any of the guards, neither Elizabeth nor Kate were wearing hair pins that they could use to pick the locks, and all of them didn't have the strength to put up an efficient fight against Briggs' army aboard the ship. They hadn't eaten for days and it was beginning to take its toll on them. They were trapped! It would seem that Jack Sparrow's luck had finally run out.
But he'd made a promise, to his good friend the late Captain Summers, to see that his daughter made it safely home. His friend had died on his watch. Jack wasn't about to let the same thing happen to Kate, or Will and Elizabeth!
"So, was this part of your plan?" Elizabeth vented at Jack. "We shall negotiate! That's what you said! Well, a fine job you've done of it, Captain Sparrow!"
"Oh, and I suppose it was also my fault that you couldn't keep your pretty mouth shut when the puffer fish interrogated you. No?" Jack retorted back.
"Elizabeth, Jack..." Will tried to interject. "We're all weak with hunger. But heaping blame on each other doesn't help our situation!"
"This is your fault!" Elizabeth snarled at Jack. Before he could let out a belligerent response, Kate slammed her chained hands hard against the wall, and braced herself against it, sobbing.
"Now see what you two have done?" Will scolded them. Kate shook with weeping. Elizabeth's face softened and she crawled over to her friend, soothingly rubbing her arm.
"Kate, I'm sorry." She apologized. Kate let out a growl and kicked at the wall to no avail. She clasped her head in her hands, crying sharply.
"This is all my fault!" She wailed.
"It's not, Kate..." Will tried to assure her.
"Yes, it IS!" Kate sobbed. "It is! Jack knew if anyone found out about my last name that we'd all be in danger. I doomed us all the moment we brought Dad aboard the Pearl! From then on, everyone knew who I was. I put us all in danger when I coerced you to come with me on this voyage. You've all nearly gotten killed...because of me! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" Kate cried. Elizabeth took her in her arms gently. Will didn't know what to say.
"Don't give yourself so much credit, luv." Jack spoke in a calmer tone, leaning against the bar of his cell. "These waters were troubled long before we dared upon this journey. And not one of us had to choose to come. We could've declined your request."
Will's head shot up. "He's right." He nodded slowly. "Kate, we didn't have to do this. But we did, because you're our friend, and we wanted to help you. That's what friends do."
"All I've done is cause trouble for you." Kate argued in a strangled voice. "Sometimes...I wish I'd never tried to find Father. Right now I wish I'd never seen him! At least he'd still be alive and we wouldn't be in this awful mess!" Elizabeth shook her head, and just kissed her friend's head.
"Katie..." Jack said in a low tone. "Look at me." She didn't obey him. "Look at me, luv." Jack said in a firmer tone. She slowly raised her red eyes to him. "Katie, it's...not...your...fault." He said slowly and emphatically, locking with her eyes the whole time. Kate didn't argue, nor did she say thank you. All she could do was cry.
A half hour later, they felt the ship come to a halt. A door from the outside burst open and the officers clambered down the stairs into the brig with their muskets. Briggs himself appeared. None of the prisoners rose to pay him homage. "Greetings, friends." Briggs sneered. "Beautiful day isn't it?"
"It would be, if you weren't included." Will and Elizabeth said together.
"Ohhh, wrong thing to say." Briggs shook his finger at them. "We have a short excursion to make ashore. After that, we head for one place: Whitecap Bay."
Jack, Will, Elizabeth, and Kate shuddered at the mention of the location. So, he was going to make sure they died a horrible death! "Ahh, I see you've heard of it." Briggs smiled in delight.
"More of fabled imaginations, really." Jack tried to appear unfazed by all this.
"Nay, Sparrow. Not so." Briggs narrowed his eyes. "But before we head out to said breakers, we have some urgent business to attend to in this place. Officers, take Miss Swann." He ordered them. That was when Kate, Elizabeth, Jack, and Will all jumped to their feet! The cell door was unlocked and Elizabeth's chains from the wall were severed from the wall, but she was still bound. She tried kicking at the men and biting them, but they were stronger and dodged her attempts to defend herself.
"Elizabeth..." Will and Kate breathed frantically.
"Just what do you intend to do with Lizzie?" Jack asked, feeling more than a little worried himself.
"I told you." Briggs huffed. "Each of you will suffer and die exactly the way that you deserve. Starting with Miss Swann, seeing as she's such a vexing flea in my ear. Bring her."
"No!" Kate begged. She raced to her friend and held to her arm with all her might. "I won't let them do this!" One of the soldiers slapped Kate and shoved her backwards. Being weak from lack of food, she easily fell back to the floor.
"Let her go!" Will snarled at the men. "Get your hands off her. Now!" The officers ignored him and began to lead Elizabeth up the stairs.
"Briggs, can't we negotiate about this?" Jack pleaded.
"That is out of the question." Briggs shrugged. "Oh, don't worry, Mr. Turner. It's painless. But not exactly peaceful. Good day, gentlemen." He tipped his hat and followed his men.
"No!" Will, Jack, and Kate hollered. "Bring her back, ye bloody b-s!" Jack howled.
"This isn't happening..." Kate began to breathe heavily.
"ELIZABETH!" Will cried out in despair and fury, shaking his cell door with all his strength, which wasn't much.
"Nothing to fret over, Miss Swann." Briggs boasted as he followed his small brigade. Elizabeth said nothing but glared venomous daggers at him. "I think we've found just the right way to shut you up, once and for all!"
