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Damned to the Depths

-Chapter Fourteen

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Some say there are answers in the stars, in the way the planets align. That strength and power and courage come from the strange phenomenon of the universe, the wide amount of space unlimited- others say the vast unknown of a deadly beauty calms in ways no man's touch can. For Anamaria, the saying was far from true…

Ana rested her forehead against the cool glass of the window watching the stars slowly appear in the dark sky, the small objects winking at her in return. She closed her eyes as a tear slid down her cheek leaving a trail. She pressed her hand onto the window pane watching it mark the dust as she drug her fingers down before finally stopping. A noise from behind jerked her back to reality and she turned to see Derrick standing there, a smirk upon his face.

"Trying to escape again?" he asked smugly.

She turned from him, hiding the anger in her eyes. She had learned quickly within the first few days of her captivity not to let her eyes show that particular emotion despite the fact that it coursed through her every vein. Derrick had his ways on incorporating fear into someone, he always had. As kids growing up, he achieved it with threatening words; the older he got, the more violent those ways became.

There wasn't a shred of fear in Ana greater than the hatred she felt for him. She loathed everything about him; the way he watched her with hungry eyes. The way he talked, stood, and breathed. The way he smirked when he thought he'd won. The first night upon reaching England, she had made the fatal mistake of retaliating against him, her hatred for him fueling her.

Ana wasn't exactly sure of what happened between the time she passed out and finally came to, her only memory of the event being the feeling of being helpless as she was pinned to the floor and forced to swallow a vile liquid. Ana remembered waking with the awful taste of the drug still heavy on her tongue as she realized the same taste of the drug she had sampled had been present in the rum Derrick had given her on the ship.

She slid farther from the man opposite the room of her, her course hair covering the anger on her face. She had lost track of how long she had been here and she sometimes found herself wondering when it would be over. The yearning to survive was strong, but at times, Ana found herself begging to a higher power that it end quickly; that she'd be set free. But it seemed Derrick had a tight grip and wouldn't be letting her go anytime soon.

Ana was vaguely aware that Derrick was addressing her, his tone condescending. But she kept her back to him, her eyes trained on the now dim stars in the cloudy sky. Her mind was on escaping, on running away, finding Jack and leaving all this behind her. A thin hand traveled downward only to stop on her stomach, a thread of worry setting in. It had been days since she had sensed any movement and the concern began to creep into her mind, a frown forming on her face.

Her thought was suddenly interrupted as she felt herself snatched back, an angry yell filling her ears. "Look at me when I'm talking to you, wench!"

Ana narrowed her eyes, "Go to hell."

Derrick's fury rocketed as he backhanded her; the sting on Ana's face fueling her anger even more as the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. She gingerly touched her lip and grimaced. "Next time, don't talk back to me," he warned taking a seat across from her. She drew her knees under her as she stared at the floor, her tongue pressed against the small cut on the inside of her lip.

"… you'll be dealt with tomorrow and I'll finally be rid of you." Ana's head snapped up as she caught the last of Derrick's statement. "How does that sound? Come dawn, I'll be rich and free from you."

Ana growled. "You won't get away with this," she informed. "Even if you do succeed in getting rid of me, Jack will find you and you can guarantee he won't let you get away."

Derrick laughed. "Oh poor pigeon. Haven't you heard? Captain Jack Sparrow and the Black Pearl were lost in a freak storm, just miles from England's coast. They found the remains of the ship and crew just yesterday morning. So you were saying…"

The dark skinned woman raised her chin in disbelief. "I don't believe that for one minute. Jack's been through worse and the Pearl is a strong ship and well capable of handling anything nature throws her way."

Derrick rose to his feet, a smile on his lips. "You just keep telling yourself that, and when your neck is stretched, then perhaps you'll believe. No need to worry, pigeon, you'll be reunited with your sorry excuse for a man soon enough," he laughed as he left the room, closing the door behind.

Anger pulsed through Ana at his words- his story. She refused to believe that Jack and the crew was gone. It just couldn't be true- Jack was tougher than that, the Pearl was tougher than that. Ana's fingers wrapped around the nearest thing she could find as she hurled it at the door, the dirty old vase shattering on impact. She nestled her head on her arms as she cried, her tears soaking her shirt.

She cried herself to sleep that night, the last shred of hope dying with the fading stars. She didn't care any more, she couldn't. Jack hadn't come for her- it had been too long. The deceit and belief that Jack was indeed dead tumbled through her mind; if he were alive, he'd have come after her by now. She was aware that there was no movement of the child she carried, the sense that maybe it ceased to live as well.

Ana had lost so much: her friends, her family, her husband, her lover, and their child. As dawn quickly approached, she woke, her face streaked with her tears and her heart heavy with burden. The only she had left to hope for, was a quick and painless death.

As the sun peeked in the horizon, the door to her room creaked open and she allowed herself to be led from the small house, her footsteps sluggish. Derrick walked beside her, his head held high at his victory. Ana sneered, wishing that she could wipe the smile from his face before she died. She cut her gaze out to the harbor; the sun glistening off the waters making it sparkle. Several ships were docked, their sails rippling in the gentle breeze. Her eyes searched for any sign of Jack and his ship, but her search was futile, the Pearl was no where to be seen.

They came to a stop, a gate blocking their path. A small bell jingled as Derrick rang it, the noise carrying up to the house. Ana picked her head up and glanced at the house; it was starched white with columns and a large porch, the house itself resting on a hill overlooking the harbor. If she had come on a nicer invitation, Ana might have even reveled at the beauty of the manor, but even with its beauty, the house posed a deadly threat.

The gate was opened from the inside by an older man- a butler Ana assumed from his looks. Derrick was ushered through as the others were told to wait, Ana among them. She sat heavily on the ground, her bound wrists resting on her knees, her chin resting on top of her hands. Her eyes remained on the harbor, the tears blinding her vision. Minutes later, Derrick re-emerged from the manor, a frown on his face.

"Don't tell me the ol' man refused t' go through wit' it?" someone asked as Derrick pushed past him.

Derrick scowled at him. "Of course not. Seems some business has come up the old loon has to tend to. We're to take her back to the house and wait there. He'll fetch her tomorrow."

"And what of our money?" another questioned.

"You'll get it upon delivery tomorrow," Derrick assured. "Now shut your traps and lets get going."

Ana was pulled to her feet, the rope rubbing her skin raw causing her to wince. Derrick was ahead of her, muttering the entire way. He ushered Ana back to her prison, leading her through the crowded streets of the small town. Halfway down the streets, shouts were heard through the town as several people parted to allow a short fellow to pass. He stumbled across the road up to Derrick where he fell to his knees, blood covering his shirt.

Derrick knelt beside him as the man collapsed, his eyes white with fear. "What happened to you, man?" Derrick asked as the man grasped for breath.

"Its Sparrow, sir," the man croaked. Ana's eyes went wide at the name as Derrick cursed. "He's here. Attacked us at the tavern, Manny is dead!"

Ana spun around, her breath catching in her throat as her eyes fell on the tattered black sails. The Black Pearl was in the harbor.

"You fool!" Derrick shouted as he rose to his feet and kicked the man roughly. "You led him right to us," he exclaimed. He grabbed Ana by the arm and began pulling her from the group as he ordered, "You three, comb the town. Find Sparrow and kill him! If you fail by mid-sun rise, don't bother coming back!"

He turned and stormed through the street, dragging Ana with him. She struggled, fighting to free herself. Jack had come; he was here! Ana's hope flickered at the thought of Jack being alive, at knowing that he had come after her just like he had promised.

Derrick tightened his grip, his nails biting into Ana's dark skin as he seethed, "Stop fighting Ana, you aren't going to get away."

Ana twisted in his grip as he drug her up the small path leading to the old house, her arms quickly becoming tired from the struggle. From behind them, in the streets of the town, came several shouts accompanied by gunfire as Ana and Derrick watched with horror as a building somewhere erupted into flames. Derrick's grip loosened and Ana soon found herself pulling free, her escape short lived. He grabbed her around the waist causing her to drop to her knees, a small flare of pain shooting up her legs.

Something jabbed in the middle of her back made her freeze as she heard the sound of a pistol being cocked, the barrel aimed between her shoulders. "Get up," Derrick ordered, standing up himself.

Ana slowly rose, her small form quivering as she was pushed toward the house. She arched her neck back to peer behind them, the roughness of Derrick's walk inhibiting her to do so. She was pushed inside harshly, the smell of must once again making her gag. She was ushered through the old kitchen toward a cellar door; the pistol still aimed at her back.

"You can't win, Derrick," Ana informed. "You've lost. Let me go."

Derrick scoffed. "And let all that money slip through my fingers? Not a chance."

Ana turned to look at him. "I can tell you where you can find more money and treasure than what my grandfather promised you."

"I'm not in the mood for treasure hunts, pigeon, so save it."

"Jack has money!" Ana blurted out.

Derrick stopped and looked at her. "Not enough," he answered giving her a push.

"How do you know?" Ana protested. "You don't know how wealthy Jack is. Let me go and I," she trailed off, wondering if she should promise him anything. "I promise to make sure you get your money. Jack will pay any price you ask, just let me go."

"Sounds tempting, but see, Jack won't hang you afterward like the old loon will," Derrick suggested. "Half the satisfaction is knowing that a short drop and sudden stop awaits you come morning."

Ana frowned. "And if my grandfather is lying? What if that inheritance is no longer there? It's been years since my father died and there has been no word from me. What if it's all gone, then what will you do?"

Derrick ignored the statement as he opened cellar door, "Get down there and shut-up."

The female pirate growled in response as she suddenly twisted catching him off guard, her hands reaching for the pistol. Derrick jerked back, the movement making him lose his footing on the steps as he tumbled backward, his hand grabbing Ana's arm at the last moment, a scream piercing the silence as they both disappeared through the door.

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Jack ran through the streets frantically, his eyes searching the numerous faces. He had seen her; he had seen Ana. She was gone before he could get to her, her and Derrick vanishing through the crowd. He had run into several hurdles along the way: mainly Derrick's goons. Along with Jack, were many of his crew, each taking on one of Derrick's until only one was left and he cowered before Jack as the pirate captain pointed his pistol to his forehead.

Scaring the information from the boy had proved easier than Jack had thought and he now fought his way through the town toward his destination and toward Ana. He rushed through the streets, his heart pounding in his throat hoping he had not been too late. Gibbs along with some others stayed in town in case Derrick tried to slip past Jack to the docks where the Pearl had secured the Belladonna and her crew.

As Jack finally broke through the crowded market place, he hurried down an isolated street, dilapidated houses it's only source of scenery. As he searched for the right house, he briefly saw two shadowed figures disappear into an old house, their scuffle being taken inside.

Ana! Jack raced up the walk, the sound of Ana's scream fueling him. As he burst through the open door the silence was broken by the quick firing of a pistol causing Jack's heart to stop. "Anamaria!"

Jack didn't waste another minute as he descended the stairs into a dimly lit cellar, the cool air filled with the smell of must. The pirate captain slowed his descent as his gaze fell on Derrick, the man's body lying at the end of the stairs twisted in an awkward position. He stopped, one hand holding the cocked pistol, his other on the hilt of his sword.

"Jack."

The sound chilled him to the bone as he turned to see Ana lying nearby, her dark eyes staring above her. Jack hurried to her side where he knelt, his tan face covered in worry.

Ana took a deep breath causing her to cough from the dust. "I was afraid you would get hurt or…"

Jack cut her off. "No, Ana, I'm alright. I'm fine."

Her bottom lip puckered up as tears welled in her eyes. "I'm so sorry Jack. I had to, I couldn't just let him get away, please don't be mad."

Leaning close, Jack brushed the hair from her face. "I'm not, Ana. I'm not. I'm just thankful that you're still alive and everythin' is over, we can go home now."

Ana gave him a small smile as she shifted, her hand pulling at the edge of her black jacket. Jack's face fell as he peered down at her, her once white shirt stained red.

"Oh god, Ana, you're bleedin'," Jack whispered as he pressed his hand to her side over the wound. She flinched at the touch, as she blinked back the tears.

"I'm sorry."

Jack shook his head. "Don't be. I'll get ye out of here and find a doctor and everythin' will be fine, you'll see. Just hang on Ana, you'll be alright."

Ana's pale lips turned up in a smile as she weakly squeezed Jack's hand. "I will be, soon enough. Remember all the fun we've had, Jack? All our moments."

"Don't talk like that," Jack soothed, his fingers trembling.

The tears fell from Ana's eyes as she whispered, "It took us so long to get it right."

Jack opened his mouth to hush her when another voice drew his attention. "But it's a shame it was so wrong, huh pigeon?"

Derrick sat up, a pistol in one hand, the other hand holding his leg, its angle clearly showing its broken state. His dark eyes peered across the room at Jack, a smile on his lips as he saw Ana's battered body lying close by. "I told you Sparrow, you wouldn't win. Now you get to die just like your whore. You'd like that, huh?"

Jack's face contorted in anger, his hand gripping the pistol tightly. "Put it down Derrick and I might consider killing you quickly."

Derrick laughed and waved the pistol a bit. "Are you gonna shoot me, Sparrow? If your aim is as bad as your taste in women, I have nothing to worry about."

"Shut up," Jack growled.

"Your wench is dead, Sparrow. I killed her," Derrick boasted. "Even without the money, I enjoyed watching her die. I enjoyed taking from you what mattered most."

"I said shut the hell up!" Jack roared, his fingers cocking his pistol once more.

Derrick tilted his head. "I'm going to enjoy watching you die now, Sparrow. To think of it- a Sparrow and a pigeon going down together, how romantic. Love, what do you fools know! A pirate and a whore- who'd have thou-" Derrick's voice trailed off, the sound of Jack's pistol echoing off the bare walls.

Jack saw Derrick's body jerk and strike the wall, a small hole in his chest quickly staining his shirt with blood. Jack dropped the pistol and turned back to Ana as he gathered her in his arms. Her eyes fluttered open as pain flashed across her face.

"Just hold on Ana," he urged. "Don't ye give up on me now, do ye hear? Remember, ye promised that ye wouldn't leave me and I won't let ye go. You're gonna pull through, just hang on."

Ana meekly smiled up at him, "Jack… I can't-"

"Hush now," Jack reassured. "We'll get ye out of here, back to the Pearl and get ye all fixed up. Just hold on a little bit longer, love."

He felt her body shudder beneath his, her fingers digging into the sleeves of his shirt. "Don't, Ana, no, hold on. I love ye too damn much to let ye go now! Do ye hear me? Ana? Ana!"

Jack held her closer, listening to her shallow gasps as she struggled to breathe. He wrapped his arms tighter around her as Ana's body relaxed and soon the only sound Jack could hear was the beating of his own heart.

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Author's Notes: This is the last chapter of 'Damned to the Depths,' and I hope you all enjoyed it. Now, there is a but to this ending. Depending on how well you all enjoyed this story and how the reviews go for it (and if you want it) I do have an alternate ending to this story in Epilogue form. Also, should you want, I have an insert (a one shot) of the time between this chapter and the Epilogue, but in order to get it, you must request it through your review. And I'll see what I can do, savvy?

It's been fun… but I gotta run!

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-J