Chapter 29:

I waited for a while, just staring at the door, unsure if I was able to move on my own, knowing Jack probably saw me and knew I was here now. Over our time apart, all I had seen behind my eyes was Jack standing on that dock, planning on going after the Pearl, glorious and hell-bent. I took a breath, shoving myself off the bed and gripping the cabin door. I saw most of the crew sleeping and saw Jack wasn't in his bunk, smiling a bit. Perhaps I could catch him alone to talk…maybe.

I peeked out and was shocked at the music and table and the whole setting was romantic and beautiful. I was awe-struck, he planned on this, knowing I would come looking for him. I went back down, glancing in a mirror to fix my mane of hair and wipe dirt off my face. I was heading back when I heard Jack's voice, "Hola…Come. Little drink?" I smiled, but was a bit confused how he knew it was me coming up…until I heard another voice. "Wine, music, candlelight…I think we've traveled down this road before, Jack." I froze, the voice belonged to Angelica…with Jack!

"Yes, we have. I remember it well. Winding, twisting, and turning, gyrating, writhing…incessant writhing. Do you recall St. Dominique?" I gritted my teeth, it was unbelievable…well actually, knowing Jack, it was totally believable. I just couldn't believe he was trying to get with her…with me here! I pulled my gun, I would show him how bad I can be when I'm scorn. They continued talking as I inched my way closer, "La Martinique. I tried to kill you in St. Dominique." "Either or." "Hardly appropriate for a First Mate." "Was I the first? I've often wondered."

I looked up, seeing Angelica leaning against the railing, with Jack right up on her. "You can be so charming when you want something, Jack. The trick is finding out what." the music changed and I paused, they didn't seem so romantic anymore. "The truth, then, is it? Blackbeard has served his purpose. You and I can go to the fountain together, where we shall bathe one another in equal shares of fame. And other assorted debaucheries." I hissed under my breath, he was still attempting to get with her, after she called him on his bullshit.

I looked up through the railings and saw they had moved and were dancing as they spoke. "And I tell you the Ritual of the Fountain." "Yes. The Profane Ritual." he spun her to the ground and he started down as she spoke, "Can I trust you Jack? I need you on my side." "Oh my dearest Angelica, you and I are as thick as thieves, love. Tell me the rules." "Water…from the Fountain of Youth." she shoved him over and got on top of her as she continued. "A shimmering tear of a mermaid…the Silver Chalices of Ponce de Leon… with these items…"

"Yes." I heard Jack groan out and Angelica sat up on him. "With these items, you may take all the years of life from another, Jack." I was too caught up into the information about the fountain, I hadn't moved from my spot, if they got up, they might see me. "You know what that means? We cannot go alone, you and I. The Ritual requires a victim." "That is unfortunate." "Yes, it is." I thought they were about to get up, but instead they lowered themselves back down. "I find my desire for the Fountain greatly lessened." "But there is something on board you do want." I blinked, did Angelica know about Jack and my history?

They both got up, Angelica motioned Jack to follow him, I ducked down, sitting on a step. They had history together…and apparently Jack still had feelings for her. I heard their footsteps disappear, I knew I was alone now, I sighed and rubbed my eyes, not realizing that I was tearing up. "WHITECAP BAY!" I was scared by the shout of the Quartermaster signaling everyone that we had arrived. I shot down the stairs and into Angelica's Cabin, taking my bed and lying there.

"All hands on deck! Set to the longboats!" I heard Blackbeard order and sighed, how could I look at Jack or Angelica now? What would I do now, I mean, Jack would see me any moment and I didn't know what say to him, after all this time. Angelica appeared, telling me to come on and hurry up. I nodded, my eyes just staring into hers. "I'm coming, go on." I snapped, I didn't mean to, but it came out and she paused, but didn't wait around. When I finally got into a boat, I saw Jack was already ahead and almost to shore. Crewmen were already unloading a bunch of nets and spending them out.

Once the nets were set, I watched as several of our crew were loaded into a boat and sent out into the sea again. A burst of light showed up from the tower and began to shine around until settling on the boat. I could hear them begin to sing quietly, then get louder, the cove echoing their song. We all just stood there, waiting and waiting, it seemed to be taking forever, but I wasn't sure why the boat of men were needed. After what seemed to be hours, the singing was almost gone, when I saw them hop up and begin to have a talk with each other before heading toward the edge of the boat.

A minute passed and I heard a female voice, singing the same song as the men were. The mermaids must have arrived and were appearing to the crewmembers. Suddenly it was like a flip got switched, there was screeching and splashing, the boat was rocking. A mermaid rocket herself into the air, grabbing a man and taking him down into the depths. They continued to attack, pulling at the men, trying to get them out of the boat and into the water. "They need help!" I heard a crewmember on land shout, but Blackbeard told us to hold our position. The mermaids tore the boat apart, forcing the men into the water for easier prey.

"Light 'em up! Muster your courage! Drive 'em to shore!" they began to throw barrels into the water from the boats behind the one being attacked, driving the mermaid toward us on the beach. "Nets into the water! Quickly!" Angelica ordered, I glanced up and saw Jack watching with horror on his face. The mermaids flipped the boat holding the crew with the bombs, blowing it up. Blackbeard controlled the Queen Ann's Revenge to us and began to blow out the greek fire at the mermaids, refusing to give up on his mission and let the mermaids get away.

They were all waiting, standing in waist deep water, hoping to survive and complete their mission and catch the mermaid they need. Within a few seconds, seaweed shot out of the water and dragging the men into the water. "Retreat all to land! For your lives!" Jack shouted, coming toward us all, I stepped to the side, blocking his view of me behind a boulder. "Retreat I say!" "Cowards! Back into the water! There be no refuge on land! On my word!" he shot in the water in front of a man, making everyone pause and decide to either die by gunshot or risk death by mermaids.

I saw a shitload of Mermaids heading directly for us, we were totally outnumbered. They attacked the dock, dragging it down, I saw Angelica fall down and rushed over to help her, as much as I didn't know what to think of her and Jack. I was too late as Jack took her hand and went to pull her up, I stopped and watched. A seaweed whip grabbed her boot and ripped her hand from Jack. He quickly got up and sliced it, freeing her and telling her to come on. He took off running toward the tower, a plan in his mind already, dodging the mermaids as they attacked from under the docks.

I looked up after a moment to see Jack jump from the tower, just in time for it to burst into a huge fireball. He landed into the water and I rushed toward him, I wouldn't lose him to the mermaids before I had to chance to talk to him again. The mermaids seemed to escape, but the crew said that they had caught one. It turned out to be a crewmember, angering Blackbeard. It turned out that the Holy man had managed to trap one, giving Blackbeard the chance to continue his quest. We all loaded back into the boats and headed back to the ship. I watched Jack climb in beside Angelica, giving her his trademark smile and I felt rage building inside me.