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I continued to follow Jack as we made our way down the crowded streets. We passed women, obviously harlots, some brushing up against Jack and inviting him for a visit, but mostly they would stand their ground and glare at me.

He was obviously in very popular demand. Looking up at him, I could see why. One wouldn't call him handsome… beautiful was more the word. He didn't have hard, masculine features like most men; his were softer. But yet, his soft complexion had been callused with years of sea-fare, causing him to appear even more masculine than your average man. He was exotic. No doubt about it, very rare. And very in demand.

Coming to a stop in front of the town's motel, I glanced up at him in question. With no answer to my inquiry, he turned and swaggered into the bar.

He was getting a drink? That's what he had been in a hurry for? I quickly caught up to him, and gripped his arm. I had to be careful to stick close to him. Now especially. The bar was filled with swine, greedy with a lustful hunger that I had no intentions, nor desires to help quench.

He walked up to the bartender.

"I'd like a room," He spoke confidently, leaning his elbow against the counter.

Wait… Jack wanted a room? I released his arm, turning to stare at him with a look of utter disbelief.

The bartender glanced from Jack to me, then smiled knowingly.

"Here ya' go mate." He reached under the counter to retrieve a set of keys. "Room thirteen… one o' the best." He winked at me; I scowled furiously. What was going on? Surely this Captain wasn't thinking that I…. No… No, he had saved me from that very thing!

Jack tossed him a few shillings and led me to the staircase.

"Excuse me," I abruptly came to a stop and glared up at him, "but would you be so kind as to tell me what it is you are doing, exactly?"

"We aint leavin' till the morning. So unless you're wantin' to go back to your previous sleeping arrangements," he paused, letting that option soak in, "we'll be spendin' the night here. Savvy?"

"But there's just one set of keys! I want my own room," I demanded. How much he thought I owed him for saving my life, I wasn't sure now.

He sighed. "'Ave you got any money, then? I just spent the last of mine," he nodded to the bartender that we had visited.

I glanced nervously from the bartender, to Jack, and to the top of the stairs.

"Your more than welcome to rent yer own… and I'm sure there's quite a few men here willin' to lend ya some money… on exchange," he winked; causing me to grimace in horror at the mere thought. "But honestly, there's no reason to. I'm the one who saved your life, not threatened it. Remember?"

"Fine," I huffed, snatching the keys from his hand as I marched past him and on up the stairway.

Stopping in front of the door with the number '13' engraved upon it, I slid the grimy key into the lock, and pushed the door open.

"The best room?" I quoted in disgust.

"Pretty nice, aye?" He beamed, pushing past me.

I slowly stepped into the room. There was a bed. That was it. Just a bed. One. And not a big, roomy bed, mind you, one double bed. Comfortably fitting one person, but could technically hold two.

Jack plopped onto the mattress, causing the springs to screech loudly. He took off his hat, boots, and jacket before looking to me, still stationed in the doorway.

"Well, get comfy, Love. We'll be needin' to set out early tomorrow… and I've still got to inform you on a few minor details."

I scanned the room for some place else to 'get comfy', but it was completely barren. The filthy walls, which at one time were white, were now a yellow shade with brown smudges running across. The wood planked floors had scratches and scuffs spread athwart, only covered by the build up of dust that had accumulated in the corners.

I looked back to Jack. He patted the corner next to him, then slid all the way to the other side.

"I swear, on pain of death" he placed his hand over his heart, "I won't touch ya."

I studied him for a moment before turning, and hesitantly closing the door. I felt guilty now for believing that he had any other intentions in taking this room. He had saved me after all.

Crossing the room, I took note of the bed. The iron frame looked as if it had taken a drop from the top of that very hotel. The sheets, which had been half-heartedly pulled up, were wrinkled and had obviously been used already. There was only one pillow, lying in a sad lump at the top of the mattress.

"Fancy accommodations," I noted sarcastically.

"It'll do," he glanced around the room as if he had just noticed the poor furnishings.

I rested back onto the bed, leaning my back against the contaminated wall.

"So what are the minor details?" I yawned. My eyes were heavy.

"Right," he paused, suddenly finding fascination with his ring, "details…"

I glanced up at him. What was the matter?

"Well… ah… ye see, this is how it is…" he cleared his throat and turned to me, suddenly very business-like, "I'm the captain of this ship, see, the Black Pearl," he paused, waiting for a reaction. I had figured he was a pirate, his attire had revealed as much, but was taken slightly aback when I heard the name of his ship. Not that I had heard anything of him, personally, but the ship's reputation wasn't necessarily one of joy and happiness.

I remained still though, waiting to hear the remainder of his story. "Well," he continued, "'bout a week ago, our ship was taken over by another crew. Captain Mackay's. Brutal man, he is… killed 'em… marooned some, but killed the rest…" his expression became distant, "all of us... 'cept me. I made him a bargain. Told him I knew where the Island of Azul was. Ya ever hear of that island?"

I shook my head again.

"Supposed to have the biggest lumpsum of gold in one place… not that anyone has proof to know for sure…" he rubbed his chin while studying the floor, "I had been told the approximate whereabouts once. A woman- Miss Anne Beasley- she said she'd been there when she was a child. I met her here, in Tortuga. So I told Mackay about her… said that if he dropped me off here that I'd find her and give him the location in exchange for me ship back. But…" he shook his head solemnly, "I just found out this evening… Miss Beasley took ill last spring. Passed away."

"Oh Jack, I'm so sorry-"

"Eh, don't bother. I didn't care for her much anyway… she just had some information I needed."

"Well…" I thought, slightly perplexed at his lack of emotion, "You could just leave. Not tell Mackay."

"And what? Leave the Pearl under his command? I think not, young missy!" He sat up straighter, appalled at my insinuation. Obviously, his sentiment wasn't totally absent. "Besides," he added, "Mackay has his men all over this town… said that if I'm not on board his deck first thing in the morning with Beasley, he would send word out to his men to bring me back… dead or alive."

"So… what are you saying?" A feeling of dread was hovering within me. I wasn't going with him after all. In the morning, he would go his way, and I would go mine. Both of which were uncertain.I should have known it was too good to be true.

"So… I think we should be goin' to sleep now… Miss Beasley," he spoke as he pulled down the rumpled sheets, turning to me as he did so, a sly grin spread across his tanned face.

I stared back at him. Miss Beasley? No, no, no. He had saved my life, true enough, but I was not about to risk it again. I started to shake my head, but as he slid under the sheets and blew out the glow from the candle, he gazed back at me.

"You gave me your word. I saved your life, you'll save mine… we'll be square. Savvy?" The moon flickered off his eyes, hypnotizing me. As I scooted back to the headboard, I knew that I was no longer free to make this decision. I had to do what was right. If I refused to help, he would be killed. If I agreed, it was possible neither of us would survive... but my consciounse would be clear. My mind traveled back to earlier in the alley. I could be dead right now. If not dead… wishing I were.

I sighed, knowing what I had to do.

"If I get the pillow," I bartered.

Grinning, he tossed it to me.

"We have an accord," his stare was intense, and his voice was just a whisper. I looked away, suddenly self conscious.

Even with the pillow and the exhausting events from earlier, it would be a while before I found sleep. Why was it I was doing this for him? I could easily leave.

As the moonlight danced across our feet, two sets of bulges positioned under the sheets, I pondered this question. My mind finally starting to drift away, still without answer, as the stars began dissapearing, making way for the sun.