I briskly walk back through town, people only glanced up for a moment to acknowledge my passing. They assumed I had an overnight show at Mary's. This assumption proved vital in my getaway. The shops and corridors became more sparse as I felt sand replace the dirt road underfoot. I narrowed my eyes, scanning the dark sea for the Black Pearl. 'No,' I thought, 'They're not so stupid as to make it visible to the British. Those bastards attack anything that moves.' The sand becomes softer and more malleable, slowing my gait. I keep close to town in case any soldiers happen to be patrolling the Eastside. I spot the pier and feel a pit in my stomach. 'No turning back now.'

I see two figures beneath the dock and hurry my gait, glancing behind me for any trace of followers. The pirates' faces came into view and so did a dingy bobbing against the crashing waves. "I haven't been followed. But Admiral Norrington saw us together, he knows you're a pirate." I tell Barbossa and motion for us to go. "Let's get this bloody boat moving." They both seem unnerved. Jack eyed me up and down. "Look at you, Love." He smiled "You are a pirate's sight for sore eyes." "Aye," chimed in Barbossa. I roll my eyes at the pair of them. "Shall we go?" "Aye," Jack snapped to attention, untying the dingy from the dock. "Do ye have it?" Barbossa inquired, referring to the map. "I do, but you're not getting it til I'm on that boat." He chuckled low. "My apologies, me Siren." I smile curtly and help situate the dingy in the water.

The waves splash my legs warmly and I breathe in the salty air, taking in a peace I hadn't known in years. The sea laps my skirt and Jack extends a hand to help me into the dingy. I take a seat next to Barbossa as they each grab an oar and begin rowing.

As we get further and further out to sea, there is still no ship of legends to be seen, and I begin feeling alarmed. "Can I be frank for a moment?" I ask. "Aye, Love." Jack nods. "What's on yer mind, Missy?" Barbossa inquires. "Well, as I don't see a ship anywhere in sight, I'm getting a feeling that maybe you two aren't who you say you are and could very well steal my map and toss me to a watery grave."

Jack laughs. "Is that so? Well, I hadn't thought of that Darlin' you've made me whole plan a lot easier, eh?" He shakes his head, smiling. "I remember you in nappies remember?" I chuckle, steadying my nerves. "Right. You look so different, but I knew there was something familiar about you." Jack blushed, nodding. "You were, and always will be unforgettable, Karina Lemaire." I blush looking to the ocean.

"So where'd you come up with Sparrow? "I ask at last. Jack stops rowing for a moment and rolls up his sleeve to reveal a faded tattoo of a sparrow in flight. "That," He began "is a tale for another time, Love." He winks and I nod, understanding he is implying the need for more privacy. "I'll hold you to it." I smile coyly and continue scanning the line between sea and sky for the Pearl. The water's calming rhythm and the exhaustion I feel from the night's events lull me close to sleep. I try concentrating on the stars above flickering with diamond-like shine, but even this proves futile in rousing my tired mind. "Best not be gettin' too comfortable, Miss Lemaire." Barbossa's words bring me out of a fog. "Feast yer eyes." I snap to attention and see Jack studying me, with an eager glimmer in his eye. "Take a look behind you, Darling." I swivel around, causing the dingy to rock from side to side in my haste. I am faced with a massive black vessel with tattered sales flapping confidently in the raucous wind. It gave a new meaning to the color 'black.' A torn flag unapologetically displaying a skull and crossbones flapped at the tip. This was the largest ship I could ever recall beholding. It had an air of freedom unlike the uniform ships of the British fleet that inhabited Port Royal. I began studying my new refuge from every angle, wondering what my parents would think at this change of fate. "You still believe you're in for a watery grave?" I whipped back toward Jack and shake my head, smiling. "The stories don't do it justice."