Chapter Three: No Survivors?


In the governor's household, Francesca sat in her bedroom, staring out the window for any signs of the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow. She heard a knock at the front door echo through the house. "Yes, Commodore Norrington, come in," the Governor replied, "any further news of Jack Sparrow?"

"Yes, fortunately. He has been captured and thrown in prison. I will see to it personally that he hangs when the very first rays of sunlight hit the gallows."

"Excellent, Commodore. Come, let us take a walk and discuss more important matters."

As soon as the door had closed, Francesca opened her window. She had stolen some rope from the docks that day and hidden them in the bottom bureau drawer. She got it out silently and was about to tie it to her bedpost when Elizabeth knocked on her door. Francesca quickly put the rope between the mattresses and got in the bed. Elizabeth knocked again. "Francesca?"

Then, she entered the room. Francesca was pretending to be asleep. "You heard my knock, you little–"

"Ask away, big sister," Francesca said, bolting upright in her bed. Elizabeth sat down.

"What business did you have defending Mr. Sparrow?"

"What business do you have asking me of my intentions?"

"I didn't ask of your intentions."

"No, but that's what you were thinking," she said to Elizabeth with a grin.

Elizabeth looked at Francesca quickly. "Fine, then- what are your intentions concerning that scoundrel?"

"I intend to join forces with that extremely gorgeous scoundrel and help him commandeer a ship. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

"If you ever so much as think about being part of his crew, I'll–"

"–Tell father? Oh, well then- I'll have to tell him about your William."

Elizabeth stared down at her fearfully, "You wouldn't dare."

"Wouldn't I?" Francesca smirked.

Slamming the door behind her, Elizabeth left the room in a huff. Francesca quickly went to work, tying the rope to her headboard and sliding it out the window. She slid down and ran as fast as she could across the town to the prison. As she was nearing the prison, cannon fire sounded, and the streets were soon filled with invading pirates. Picking up speed, she ran into the prison, just as a cannon had broken through one of the walls.

She descended the steps, peering in. "No guards..?" she said, walking past the cells.

'I know that voice...' Jack thought, looking out of his cell. Then, he called out in surprise, smiling broadly. "It's you! 'Ello love, what are you doing here?"

"I've come to free you, of course," Francesca smiled, running over to his cell.

"Quite persistent, aren't you? ...Francesca- am I right? What an odd thing that is..."

"And what is so odd about my name?" she said.

Jack looked up at her, "An Italian name for an English girl?"

"Well if it was English, I wouldn't much like to be called Frances."

"I see what you mean... Well that is a lovely name, Francesca. And I should be very grateful if you would get the key and let me out, but I'm afraid the key is gone. Bloody dog..."

"Well I'll have to..." but she heard someone at the prison doors.

"Go- hide– NOW! Out of sight!" Jack said.

Francesca hid in the corner of the room.

Twigg looked around, followed by another pirate, "This ain't the armory."

"Well well well. Look what we have here, Twigg– Captain Jack Sparrow," said the second pirate, spitting on the ground.

"Last time I saw you, you were all alone on a godforsaken island, shrinking into the distance. His fortunes aren't improved much," laughed Twigg.

"Worry about your own fortunes, gentlemen. The deepest circle of Hell is reserved for betrayers and mutineers," Jack replied. The other pirate grabbed his throat, revealing a skeletal arm in the moonlight. Francesca gasped.

The two pirates turned to see her. "Yours, Sparrow?" Twigg sneered, grabbing her. She struggled to get free.

"Let her go, Twigg!" Jack yelled.

"Struck a nerve, did 'e?" the second pirate laughed, "Old Sparrow here's got a soft spot for... What's your name then, milady?"

"Kiss my--"

"Ah ah ah... now... that's no way for a lady to speak, is it, Twigg?"

"No, not at all..." Twigg said, taking out his dagger.

"I SAID LET HER GO!!!" Jack yelled in a dangerous tone, trying to reach Twigg through the bars. He threw the dog bone at Twigg. He dodged, laughing at the thought.

"Poor little Sparrow stuck in his cell. What are you going to do about it?" Twigg taunted.

"Come on, let's go." said the pirate to Twigg. He released Francesca and turned away with the other pirate.

"Filthy traitors!" Francesca yelled at them as they walked to the steps.

The pirate turned to Twigg, then to Francesca. He took out his pistol.

"NO!" Jack yelled, eyes wide.

The pirate ignored Jack, turning his pistol and striking her with the opposite end. She fell to the ground near Jack's cell. The two pirates left the prison cell.

"Francesca- oh no..." He tried to reach her. "Bloody pirates..."

Beyond the prison, battle still raged on, but within the past few minutes, half of Port Royal had been destroyed, dozens had been killed, and two had been knocked unconscious.

Will lay on the ground, sprawled out where the pirate had knocked him out. Elizabeth had been taken by the pirates to the black pearl, and the governor was locked in Norrington's office for safety.

As the battle ended and the pirates returned to the Pearl, Norrington finally realized the absence of Elizabeth and Francesca. The governor was livid to find the rope hanging out of Francesca's window. "How could she do this?!" he yelled.

"We will find them, Governor. I am sure of it."

The Governor Swann nodded, "I put my trust in you, Commodore- and I know you will not fail to find my daughters."

"I will find at least one of your daughters tonight," Norrington said.

"How?"

"Remember when I had first caught Jack Sparrow at the docks, and your daughter argued with everyone within five miles to set Sparrow free?"

"Do not review the past, Commodore- tell me where my daughter is!"

He paused, then replied, "I can already take a guess at where your darling Francesca escaped to."