Here we are, sixth chapter! Yay! By the way, you may notice although I'm using Sally as our story-teller, we still get some scenes where she's not present... That's because I think it's better to read a story where you can join in on the action, rather than having it explained by one of the characters... Well, read on, and please review!
***
BIG TROUBLES ON A SMALL ISLAND
Hermann Hearst was keeping his master, the duke Watson, company up on deck as their ship, the Faithful, sailed into the bay. The duke was in a terrible mood.
"Nothing," he muttered, staring at the port they were approaching. "Nothing. Three bloody days, and still we got nothing but a dead body."
"Most of these creatures care more about each other than the law, sir," Hermann said humbly. "It's such a misfortune that this Lily was no exception. Who was she, anyways?"
"I don't know," the duke replied. "Nor do I want to know. She was just another sacrifice along our journey, my dear Hermann. And there has been plenty more like her in the past, and will be in the future. Don't you worry about that girl, you should rather be worrying about finding some information regarding Sparrow and Sally Goldee."
"Sir?"
"When we dock, I want you to go into town and speak with the natives on this island. There are a lot of the Law here. A lot of my breed," he added with a smile. "But you, as my footman, can go about unnoticed. Hopefully they won't take you for a member of the Law, and they will tell you what they know. Make some enquires, see what you can find out."
"Yes, sir," Hermann nodded, trying hard to hide the pride he felt. The duke was asking him to do an important piece of work this time, not just to clean up after the Law, like he usually did. Hermann was the spokesman, he who explained why things had turned out as they had to the people whenever the Law - or the Tinys, as they were frequently called - made a mistake.
"We'll be in soon," the duke said. "Better prepare yourself, Hermann. Take off those nice clothes, find some of those belonging to the servants. You may not be wearing a Law outfit, but you look good enough for them to suspect something. Go about the people like one of their kind, Hermann," he grinned.
"Yes, sir, I will, sir," Hermann said with enthusiasm, and went off.
"Wait," the duke said, and made Hermann stop. "Remember to bring the girl," he finished.
Hermann's face went pale. "The girl?"
"Lily. Bring her into town, hide her somewhere."
Hermann didn't say anything, just stood there, shocked. The duke wanted him to bring the dead girl? The corpse?
"We can't have her lying around on the Faithful, Hermann, it's not very hygienic! Bring her and hide her well in a back alley or something. Go off now."
With heavy steps, Hermann went down below deck and into the dreaded cabin which held the body of Lily Virginia McCarth. Seeing her pale, dead face made shivers go down his spine. Hermann was an honest and hardworking man, prepared to do a lot for the Law. His biggest dream above all was to become one of them. To be named a lord, perhaps. And for that, he had to work.
But he had never mentally prepared himself for having to deal with this. It was a dead woman, lying on the floor in front of him. A whore, sure enough, but still a dead woman. Hermann Hearst hated seeing dead people, it freaked him out. This was no exception.
Oh, if he only had chosen to stay behind in London, becoming an honest sailor. No, Hermann wanted to become someone important, someone they'd remember. He wanted to be one of the Law. But for that, he had to do a lot of hard work. For years now he'd been excusing the Laws mishaps, he was a good talker. But he was NOT good at dealing with dead bodies.
Shaking and twisted with fear, sweat dripping from his forehead and hands, he slowly stepped over and picked the dead Lily up. Feeling her cold body made him completely terrified. It even felt cold through her dress.
Hermann had to focus all his will power on not vomiting. Do the job, Hermann, do the job, he kept telling himself as he carried Lily out of the cabin. First, he'd thought of putting her in a bag, or wrapping some cloth around her to hide her from the public, but then he changed his mind. In a town like this, dead bodies was common. Although the Law roamed the streets, they had no interest in the everyday, local crimes. The Law only went for the bigger deals.
So Hermann decided to carry Lily into town just as she was. If anybody happened to ask, he'd just tell them Lily was a traitor, or a pirate. Yeah, that'd work. Hermann wanted to get rid of her body as quickly as possible, and now that he was good on his way he figured there was no point in doing this properly. Why cover her up? He didn't have to do that. Why hide her? He didn't have to do that either. In this town, he thought, they just wouldn't care. Nobody here even knew Lily, why would they care?
Continiously convincing himself, Hermann brought Lily quickly through several streets in town, and then into one of the discreet alleys. He found an area that seemed filthy and lawless, and put Lily's body casually down at the side of the brick road. Who would care, he thought, and took off again with a satisfied smile on his face.
No one would ever know, right?
Right?
***
I hurried through the streets, trying to make myself invisible in my movements, blending in like any other islander. I realized it was a bit unfortunate that I only had one set of clothes with me, the one dark green dress I was wearing and the boots. If a description of me was sent out to all the Tinys in the Caribbean, a description including me wearing this dress, I would be easy to spot.
I probably had to get myself another dress, and quickly, too. I'd also decided to cut my hair. It would make me look a bit boyish, but rather that than being caught by the Tinys.
It was getting late in the afternoon, and it would seem as though the islanders were leaving the streets. Probably they were heading home for supper, or something of the sort. I was more visuable now, and more vulnerable as either a crewmember from the Pearl or a Tiny could easily spot me.
I decided I'd be better off in some of the back alleys of this town, instead of the big streets. As I took off to leave the town's center, I spotted a man who looked awfully familiar.
Who was he? I stopped for a moment to see, and he seemed to be recognizing me as well, which proved my suspicion. I knew his face, but I couldn't recall from where. I thought he could have been one of the Tinys I'd seen, but it couldn't be, for the man was dressed like a shabby working class man. I finally decided he had to be a man who'd visited one of the pubs I'd worked in. Or maybe he even was one of Jack's crew, who knew.
I got on my way, and within few minutes I'd gotten away from the center and into the more discreet, dark areas of the town. I had never been here before, and had no idea what sort of area I wandered into. But I've delt with a lot of communities, and I've been around. I know what I'm capable of, and what to look out for. I was going to be all right, I thought.
But I was wrong. Because I hadn't prepared for something like that very thing which I encountered in one of the small alleys.
There were few people about in this alley, but I could clearly see one. It was a woman, lying outside what looked like an abandoned house by the street. I feared she was a rape victim - I'd seen a lot of them in my days.
I approached her body, hoping that she was still alive, and that I could help her in some fashion. As I got close enough, I could do nothing but shriek in terror.
The woman there in the streets, abandoned and alone, was my dear Lily.
It was Lily!
I felt I stopped breathing, and my feet failed me, I fell to my knees beside her. Lily! It was Lily. My dear Lily, who'd been so caring and friendly to me when I'd first come to Warren island. She'd done so much for me, she was such a close friend, always so full of life...
Yet now, she was lying stiff and pale in front of me. There was no question, she was definitely dead. And I was sure I knew who'd killed her: The Tinys. It had to be. They'd after all taken her aboard their ship. And killed her.
Was it a warning?
Had they put her there, out in the open, to warn me of what was to come if I didn't let them capture me?
How could they have? Jack was so sure they hadn't followed us to this island, he insisted they didn't know where we were. Apparently, he was wrong. They knew I was here, and now they'd warned me.
Wait. That didn't make sense.
If they knew I was here, they would have found me by now. I'd seen a lot of Tinys in the streets, and they didn't seem to be searching for anyone in particular. This town was small enough for them to have found me if they'd really been looking. They couldn't know I was here. Maybe Lily was just dumped here accidentically. Maybe the Tinys who'd caught her had come to this island by a sheer coincidence.
They didn't know I was here. I was safe, at least for now.
There was other things to worry about. I felt the guilt sneaking up on me, I couldn't help it. Lily was dead. Looking at her emotionless, white face, I had to ask myself if I could have prevented it from happening.
And I knew the answer: Yes. Yes, I could.
Hadn't I told Lily about Jack, or the Tinys for that matter, she wouldn't have followed me the night Jack took me away from The Cursed Villain. She would have been safe back on Warren. Maybe she could have gone to Tortuga one day, like she'd dreamed of.
But I'd made sure that would never happen. I'd caused Lily's death.
But I wasn't stupid. I knew it wasn't all my fault. The roots of this tragedy was the Tinys searching the seas for me and George Goldee. And their ruthless way of doing it had caused Lily her life.
Well, I wouldn't have it. I'd make sure they would have to pay for this deed. I would make them suffer. I would make them scream of pain. I'd make them beg for their merciful death...
***
Jack walked quickly through the streets of the town, trying his best to act natural. It was a quiet night, but there was no chance of knowing when a Tiny or an islander would turn up and glance suspiciously at him.
He knew he was taking a big risk, going back. It had been easy blending into the big crowds by day, but now the night was close, and a Tiny could easily see him for what he was: The pirate Captain Jack Sparrow.
And he wouldn't have gone back out into town, hadn't it been for that little discovery back on the Pearl: Sally Goldee had taken a run for it. She'd beaten Anamaria over the head and gone off.
Stupid girl, Jack thought as he walked through the streets. She just didn't realize how big this was. Jack knew the Tinys better than she did. If they got their hands on her, she'd experience nothing less than a living nightmare.
Jack already suspected what had happened to Sally's friend, the one who'd been taken aboard the Tinys's ship. She'd probably been raped and beaten beyond sanity, and she was lucky if she was even still alive.
As Jack entered a new street, he suddenly spotted a man a few meters away. He was about to run off, but the man's pistol was already in focus, and Jack realized he did best in staying where he was.
As the man was approaching, Jack recognized him as the little servant of the Tinys: The young Hermann Hearst, the son of a wealthy Britishman who'd faced some financial difficulties some seven years ago, and who'd convinced his son to make the family name an honorable one again. Hermann, stupid as he was, had decided to work his way through butt-licking the Tinys in order to become one himself.
Now he was facing Jack, holding a pistol, and wearing a very unusual outfit for a man of his sort... "Stay where you are, Sparrow," he said with a silent voice.
"Ah, Hermann Hearst," Jack said with a grin. "I remember you. Ya're the little spokesman, aren't ya? Whenever the Tinys get blood on their hands, you're there to clean it up? Pleasure to see you again, mate."
"I am not your 'mate'," Hermann said. "And don't ever use the term 'Tiny' again. It's against the law."
"What should I call them, then?" Jack asked.
"They are the Law, Sparrow," Hermann said cooly. "Now raise your hands, and kindly come with me. We are off to the Faithful. If I don't get a title for this...!" he added with pride. This had to be his lucky day. He'd gotten his hands on Captain Sparrow!
"Now now, lets not get unfriendly," Jack said, smiling. "We both know you're not the killin' kind, Hermann."
"I'm so lucky," Hermann said with an evil grin. "By a sheer coincidence, we end up on the same island! Duke Watson will be very pleased indeed."
"Watson's here?" Jack asked.
"On the Faithful," Hermann replied. "Now move it. Raise those hands, Sparrow."
"Listen, I love this game every bit as much as you do, Hearst," Jack said. "But I'm actually in a hurry here. I'm looking for an old friend."
"Ah, the 'old friend'!" Hermann said, laughing. "I take it you are referring to Sally Goldee? I know she's here, Sparrow, so don't you try to hide it! I saw her!"
"You did?" Jack said, getting more worried by the minute. What if they'd already caught Sally?
"That's right!" Hermann said, the pride practically glowing off his ugly face. "I saw her just a few minutes earlier, she took off into one of the smaller alleys. I lost her, though, so now I was on my way back to the Faithful to inform that she was on this island. But when I bring back you as well...! I'll be a lord by the end of this month!"
Jack easily spotted Hermann Hearst's one weakness at this point: His pride. His vanity. His desire for respect and wealth. All right, so that was a lot more than one weakness, but all the better.
Luckily, the Tinys hadn't caught Sally yet. There was still hope. Now, if only Jack could find a way to take advantage of Hermann's vanity, so that he could get away before being brought to the Faithful, there was still the chance of finding Sally and getting her away with the Pearl before the Tinys would get to them both...
***
Right..Reviews, I'd love some!
***
BIG TROUBLES ON A SMALL ISLAND
Hermann Hearst was keeping his master, the duke Watson, company up on deck as their ship, the Faithful, sailed into the bay. The duke was in a terrible mood.
"Nothing," he muttered, staring at the port they were approaching. "Nothing. Three bloody days, and still we got nothing but a dead body."
"Most of these creatures care more about each other than the law, sir," Hermann said humbly. "It's such a misfortune that this Lily was no exception. Who was she, anyways?"
"I don't know," the duke replied. "Nor do I want to know. She was just another sacrifice along our journey, my dear Hermann. And there has been plenty more like her in the past, and will be in the future. Don't you worry about that girl, you should rather be worrying about finding some information regarding Sparrow and Sally Goldee."
"Sir?"
"When we dock, I want you to go into town and speak with the natives on this island. There are a lot of the Law here. A lot of my breed," he added with a smile. "But you, as my footman, can go about unnoticed. Hopefully they won't take you for a member of the Law, and they will tell you what they know. Make some enquires, see what you can find out."
"Yes, sir," Hermann nodded, trying hard to hide the pride he felt. The duke was asking him to do an important piece of work this time, not just to clean up after the Law, like he usually did. Hermann was the spokesman, he who explained why things had turned out as they had to the people whenever the Law - or the Tinys, as they were frequently called - made a mistake.
"We'll be in soon," the duke said. "Better prepare yourself, Hermann. Take off those nice clothes, find some of those belonging to the servants. You may not be wearing a Law outfit, but you look good enough for them to suspect something. Go about the people like one of their kind, Hermann," he grinned.
"Yes, sir, I will, sir," Hermann said with enthusiasm, and went off.
"Wait," the duke said, and made Hermann stop. "Remember to bring the girl," he finished.
Hermann's face went pale. "The girl?"
"Lily. Bring her into town, hide her somewhere."
Hermann didn't say anything, just stood there, shocked. The duke wanted him to bring the dead girl? The corpse?
"We can't have her lying around on the Faithful, Hermann, it's not very hygienic! Bring her and hide her well in a back alley or something. Go off now."
With heavy steps, Hermann went down below deck and into the dreaded cabin which held the body of Lily Virginia McCarth. Seeing her pale, dead face made shivers go down his spine. Hermann was an honest and hardworking man, prepared to do a lot for the Law. His biggest dream above all was to become one of them. To be named a lord, perhaps. And for that, he had to work.
But he had never mentally prepared himself for having to deal with this. It was a dead woman, lying on the floor in front of him. A whore, sure enough, but still a dead woman. Hermann Hearst hated seeing dead people, it freaked him out. This was no exception.
Oh, if he only had chosen to stay behind in London, becoming an honest sailor. No, Hermann wanted to become someone important, someone they'd remember. He wanted to be one of the Law. But for that, he had to do a lot of hard work. For years now he'd been excusing the Laws mishaps, he was a good talker. But he was NOT good at dealing with dead bodies.
Shaking and twisted with fear, sweat dripping from his forehead and hands, he slowly stepped over and picked the dead Lily up. Feeling her cold body made him completely terrified. It even felt cold through her dress.
Hermann had to focus all his will power on not vomiting. Do the job, Hermann, do the job, he kept telling himself as he carried Lily out of the cabin. First, he'd thought of putting her in a bag, or wrapping some cloth around her to hide her from the public, but then he changed his mind. In a town like this, dead bodies was common. Although the Law roamed the streets, they had no interest in the everyday, local crimes. The Law only went for the bigger deals.
So Hermann decided to carry Lily into town just as she was. If anybody happened to ask, he'd just tell them Lily was a traitor, or a pirate. Yeah, that'd work. Hermann wanted to get rid of her body as quickly as possible, and now that he was good on his way he figured there was no point in doing this properly. Why cover her up? He didn't have to do that. Why hide her? He didn't have to do that either. In this town, he thought, they just wouldn't care. Nobody here even knew Lily, why would they care?
Continiously convincing himself, Hermann brought Lily quickly through several streets in town, and then into one of the discreet alleys. He found an area that seemed filthy and lawless, and put Lily's body casually down at the side of the brick road. Who would care, he thought, and took off again with a satisfied smile on his face.
No one would ever know, right?
Right?
***
I hurried through the streets, trying to make myself invisible in my movements, blending in like any other islander. I realized it was a bit unfortunate that I only had one set of clothes with me, the one dark green dress I was wearing and the boots. If a description of me was sent out to all the Tinys in the Caribbean, a description including me wearing this dress, I would be easy to spot.
I probably had to get myself another dress, and quickly, too. I'd also decided to cut my hair. It would make me look a bit boyish, but rather that than being caught by the Tinys.
It was getting late in the afternoon, and it would seem as though the islanders were leaving the streets. Probably they were heading home for supper, or something of the sort. I was more visuable now, and more vulnerable as either a crewmember from the Pearl or a Tiny could easily spot me.
I decided I'd be better off in some of the back alleys of this town, instead of the big streets. As I took off to leave the town's center, I spotted a man who looked awfully familiar.
Who was he? I stopped for a moment to see, and he seemed to be recognizing me as well, which proved my suspicion. I knew his face, but I couldn't recall from where. I thought he could have been one of the Tinys I'd seen, but it couldn't be, for the man was dressed like a shabby working class man. I finally decided he had to be a man who'd visited one of the pubs I'd worked in. Or maybe he even was one of Jack's crew, who knew.
I got on my way, and within few minutes I'd gotten away from the center and into the more discreet, dark areas of the town. I had never been here before, and had no idea what sort of area I wandered into. But I've delt with a lot of communities, and I've been around. I know what I'm capable of, and what to look out for. I was going to be all right, I thought.
But I was wrong. Because I hadn't prepared for something like that very thing which I encountered in one of the small alleys.
There were few people about in this alley, but I could clearly see one. It was a woman, lying outside what looked like an abandoned house by the street. I feared she was a rape victim - I'd seen a lot of them in my days.
I approached her body, hoping that she was still alive, and that I could help her in some fashion. As I got close enough, I could do nothing but shriek in terror.
The woman there in the streets, abandoned and alone, was my dear Lily.
It was Lily!
I felt I stopped breathing, and my feet failed me, I fell to my knees beside her. Lily! It was Lily. My dear Lily, who'd been so caring and friendly to me when I'd first come to Warren island. She'd done so much for me, she was such a close friend, always so full of life...
Yet now, she was lying stiff and pale in front of me. There was no question, she was definitely dead. And I was sure I knew who'd killed her: The Tinys. It had to be. They'd after all taken her aboard their ship. And killed her.
Was it a warning?
Had they put her there, out in the open, to warn me of what was to come if I didn't let them capture me?
How could they have? Jack was so sure they hadn't followed us to this island, he insisted they didn't know where we were. Apparently, he was wrong. They knew I was here, and now they'd warned me.
Wait. That didn't make sense.
If they knew I was here, they would have found me by now. I'd seen a lot of Tinys in the streets, and they didn't seem to be searching for anyone in particular. This town was small enough for them to have found me if they'd really been looking. They couldn't know I was here. Maybe Lily was just dumped here accidentically. Maybe the Tinys who'd caught her had come to this island by a sheer coincidence.
They didn't know I was here. I was safe, at least for now.
There was other things to worry about. I felt the guilt sneaking up on me, I couldn't help it. Lily was dead. Looking at her emotionless, white face, I had to ask myself if I could have prevented it from happening.
And I knew the answer: Yes. Yes, I could.
Hadn't I told Lily about Jack, or the Tinys for that matter, she wouldn't have followed me the night Jack took me away from The Cursed Villain. She would have been safe back on Warren. Maybe she could have gone to Tortuga one day, like she'd dreamed of.
But I'd made sure that would never happen. I'd caused Lily's death.
But I wasn't stupid. I knew it wasn't all my fault. The roots of this tragedy was the Tinys searching the seas for me and George Goldee. And their ruthless way of doing it had caused Lily her life.
Well, I wouldn't have it. I'd make sure they would have to pay for this deed. I would make them suffer. I would make them scream of pain. I'd make them beg for their merciful death...
***
Jack walked quickly through the streets of the town, trying his best to act natural. It was a quiet night, but there was no chance of knowing when a Tiny or an islander would turn up and glance suspiciously at him.
He knew he was taking a big risk, going back. It had been easy blending into the big crowds by day, but now the night was close, and a Tiny could easily see him for what he was: The pirate Captain Jack Sparrow.
And he wouldn't have gone back out into town, hadn't it been for that little discovery back on the Pearl: Sally Goldee had taken a run for it. She'd beaten Anamaria over the head and gone off.
Stupid girl, Jack thought as he walked through the streets. She just didn't realize how big this was. Jack knew the Tinys better than she did. If they got their hands on her, she'd experience nothing less than a living nightmare.
Jack already suspected what had happened to Sally's friend, the one who'd been taken aboard the Tinys's ship. She'd probably been raped and beaten beyond sanity, and she was lucky if she was even still alive.
As Jack entered a new street, he suddenly spotted a man a few meters away. He was about to run off, but the man's pistol was already in focus, and Jack realized he did best in staying where he was.
As the man was approaching, Jack recognized him as the little servant of the Tinys: The young Hermann Hearst, the son of a wealthy Britishman who'd faced some financial difficulties some seven years ago, and who'd convinced his son to make the family name an honorable one again. Hermann, stupid as he was, had decided to work his way through butt-licking the Tinys in order to become one himself.
Now he was facing Jack, holding a pistol, and wearing a very unusual outfit for a man of his sort... "Stay where you are, Sparrow," he said with a silent voice.
"Ah, Hermann Hearst," Jack said with a grin. "I remember you. Ya're the little spokesman, aren't ya? Whenever the Tinys get blood on their hands, you're there to clean it up? Pleasure to see you again, mate."
"I am not your 'mate'," Hermann said. "And don't ever use the term 'Tiny' again. It's against the law."
"What should I call them, then?" Jack asked.
"They are the Law, Sparrow," Hermann said cooly. "Now raise your hands, and kindly come with me. We are off to the Faithful. If I don't get a title for this...!" he added with pride. This had to be his lucky day. He'd gotten his hands on Captain Sparrow!
"Now now, lets not get unfriendly," Jack said, smiling. "We both know you're not the killin' kind, Hermann."
"I'm so lucky," Hermann said with an evil grin. "By a sheer coincidence, we end up on the same island! Duke Watson will be very pleased indeed."
"Watson's here?" Jack asked.
"On the Faithful," Hermann replied. "Now move it. Raise those hands, Sparrow."
"Listen, I love this game every bit as much as you do, Hearst," Jack said. "But I'm actually in a hurry here. I'm looking for an old friend."
"Ah, the 'old friend'!" Hermann said, laughing. "I take it you are referring to Sally Goldee? I know she's here, Sparrow, so don't you try to hide it! I saw her!"
"You did?" Jack said, getting more worried by the minute. What if they'd already caught Sally?
"That's right!" Hermann said, the pride practically glowing off his ugly face. "I saw her just a few minutes earlier, she took off into one of the smaller alleys. I lost her, though, so now I was on my way back to the Faithful to inform that she was on this island. But when I bring back you as well...! I'll be a lord by the end of this month!"
Jack easily spotted Hermann Hearst's one weakness at this point: His pride. His vanity. His desire for respect and wealth. All right, so that was a lot more than one weakness, but all the better.
Luckily, the Tinys hadn't caught Sally yet. There was still hope. Now, if only Jack could find a way to take advantage of Hermann's vanity, so that he could get away before being brought to the Faithful, there was still the chance of finding Sally and getting her away with the Pearl before the Tinys would get to them both...
***
Right..Reviews, I'd love some!