A.N.: Don't own Potc…obviously and the song thing- not mine. Owned by Disney…

Thanks for yer reviews people- they help motivate me…thanks

And now to chapter seven- eh?

Chapter eight will come out a bit later.

Note: I'm sorry if anyone feels this fic feels like a mary-sueish fic, which I was totally unaware of. Comments on improvements and revision are highly appreciated.

Please note that note.

Chapter VII

Absentmindly I ran my dry fingers against the smooth hourglass necklace.

I was so scared.

I knew I should have kept my flaming tongue to myself. Provoking the bully was not such a good idea after all.

But Richard appeared just as the bully slapped me cold across the face.

I staggered backwards clutching my stinging cheek, afraid to let him see the tears in my eyes.

Richard ran up to him- punched the towering bully, "Don't touch my sister"

Grabbing my hand, a defiant look on his dark stormy eyes, Richard led me away.

I was still crying, ashamed and outraged with soaked humiliation. My pride injured and my cheek was still hot in pain.

"Hush Jessica" he had whispered, "Don't make me go back there and beat the living hell out of that bastard"

"I can take" I breathed through my hard cries, "care- of…myself"

Hugging me tightly he shook his head, "Of course- but you know…I'll always take care of you…even-even when we grow old as adults"

My tears vanished, I let out a small smile, "I'll be stronger- I won't need your help"

Richard thoughtfully spoke, his young face grinning, "I'm going to protect you- even if you won't be needing it"

A warm glow lighted my heart, "T-thanks"

"Now tell me that bully- that oaf's name again?"

That was when we were no older than nine and eleven years.

It was long ago- yet that memory resurfaced, flashing before me in vivid form.

A sickening nauseous rock slowly tilted the room, my bed sliding sideways.

"He's fine" I breathed in reassurance, "Richard- he's safe"

I stood up from my bed, and looked out a small window hole, it was dark- the waves violent and the wind howling.

It was funny how the weather and my mood were so like in such ways.

I walked over to the door, my hand resting on its knob.

Afraid that it would be locked, I gave a hesitant twist- and with relief the door opened creakily.

"Anna Maria" I quietly approached the woman, who took generous swigs of rum.

"What" the woman snapped and she saw me, "Oh- its you- care for a drink?" she held up her mug.

I shook my head and declined, "No thank you"

"You've been sleeping for fourteen hours at least" she paused, "We had to check that you were still breathing- just in case you were not dead"

I blushed and with an effort to hide my burning cheeks I coughed, "So where's Jack?"

"The Cap'n? Ah- he's right above us- still out on the upper deck" she sipped on her alcohol

Anna Maria stood, laying her mug bare on the table, "Well now my patrolling hours are over- the rest of em are asleep- why don't you go up and entertain the captain?"

"E-entertain?"

"He seemed a bit stiff and not his usual self lately"

"Was it cause of the incident where you abandoned your captain by accident?"

She winked, "That's possible"

"I am not a jester to entertain anyone- especially a pirate"

"Watch what you say" she warned "You're in a ship that's filled with pirates- under the sail and command of pirates- watch yourself or you'll be walking down the plank"

I couldn't look at her burning eyes.

She then let a warm smile pass her strict face, "Well to bed I am, you could keep yourself busy by wandering in this ship- just don't touch something that looks dangerous"

She turned around and entered through the nearest door, leaving me alone in the rocking- creaking ship.

Well now Jessica, my mind wondered, what to do?

I briefly closed my eyes, gritting my teeth.

The executioner laid the noose over my neck, the audience watching me with hatred or sympathy.

I did not care.

Father who was drowning in grief did not come to witness his only son being hanged…perhaps in embarrassment or in true sadness.

The world became a blur.

I did not want to die.

I did not want to die.

The man gave a slight signal to the executioner, "May God have pity on your soul"

May God know justice.

I was not guilty.

Almost in slow motion the floor was released, the rope around my neck tightening.

As long as Jessica remained alive…

All was well.

A brief smile- the last smile escaped my lips.

A white brilliant light flashed before my eyes, I could hear a painful snap behind my back.

I couldn't see

Hear

Taste

Feel-

Alas, Richard Sullivan dangled hung from his neck at the gallows. The audience appreciatively threw left over food at the dead figure.

But up in the front, the executioner couldn't gaze away at the young man's open eyes and the small smile that was forever etched on his youthful face.

A small chill ran up his spine,

Yes, may God have pity on his soul.