CHAPTER 3
"Let go of the maintop sail! Thar be a storm a-commin'!"
Edward Buckingham, the Black Pearl's bo'sun yelled to the crew. They all scattered into different directions, heaving to.
Julia walked up on deck, just in time to see the ships topmost upper sail get unraveled. It blew in the wind as did her black hair. She couldn't put her hair back up in a bun, her being seasick and all. She spent most of her days watching Will and Erica duel or she slept. Often, Julia wished she were Erica.
"s'cuse me Miss Marigold, ye best get down below deck if yer not wanting to be thrown overboard," said Jack walking up to her and tilting his hat down as a product of respect. A smile spread across his face and Julia blushed. She nodded and left the crew to their work.
As she walked down the thin hallway, she gave Erica a quick smile.
Erica smirked back and walked up on deck, where she wasn't supposed to be. "'Ello, Captain," she greeted Jack.
"Hello."
"What's going on?," Erica looked down the deck to the bow and saw the whole crew scurry this was and that. "I felt a jolt, below deck." Her gaze was directed back to Jack and the wind blew through her brown hair.
He didn't answer her, because he was steering the helm, looking down at his compass. Erica looked down at Jack's hand holding the black box. She didn't quite know what it was, so she walked over and stood behind him, looking over his shoulder.
"Eh…Captain?," he looked up from his compass and looked over at her. His face was all confused like saying it's own words, 'when did you get here?'
"huh?," Jack asked.
Her eyes darted from the compass to his face, "Yer compass ain't working." His eyebrow raised and Erica added, "I mean, it ain't turning north."
Jack rolled his eyes and said back to her, in the same confused tone as the lass standing next to him, "It ain't turning north, because we ain't trying to go north."
"You know what I mean!," Erica growled.
A laugh escaped his lips and handed over the compass into her smooth tan hands. Spinning it a little, she noticed that it wouldn't go north. "You knew?"
"O'Course I knew. It's mine, idn't it?," Jack snatched the black box away from her and cocked his head as if it was some form of an interesting banana slug.
"Would you care to tell me how you came by such an interesting item?"
"Sure, mate," Jack let go of the helm and lead her to the bow. As he left, Mr. Cotton took over the steering.
As Erica and Jack walked, one hand rested on her shoulder and the other did these odd drunken movements. "I'm an heir to an ancient sailor. Forgot his name, but I am. Yes I am," it sounded as though he was talking to himself. But turns out he wasn't. He glanced at Erica and continued, "Me dad gave it to me, just before I became Captain of the Black Pearl."
"Oh, fascinating," Erica said sarcastically.
Jack gave her a mean glare and took his hand off her shoulder where he grabbed onto a rope hanging from a sail. The sail came tumbling down and almost hit Erica in the head, but she didn't flinch, she just kept her eyes staring up at the sheet of black.
"Best get down below. Storm's-a-coming," he yelled over the wind howling.
Erica yelled back to him as she moved the side-way mast over the dark blue water, "I'm a pirate. I can stay aboard here, also I know how to manage a ship. So I could be of use to you."
She saw his eye twitch and heard him growl, "Fine, but do as I order."
Grabbing onto a spare piece of rope on the ground, Erica tied it around her waist and then to the bottom of the mast. She saw Gibbs and Anamaria do the same.
The wind blew through Anamaria's black hair. Her brown eyes squinted as she looked in the direction of the wind. Water splashed onto the deck and everyone looked so soaked in only a matter of mere seconds.
Erica's vision got blurred by the rain, the water making her eyelashes hang deep into her eyes. A couple of blinks and they were gone.
"Alright. Is everyone tied in? Good? Good. Best be, because it's gonna be a bumpy ride," Jack yelled from the helm up at the wheel and gave a small smile, before the a wave hit the deck and flopped everyone over onto their backs.
Water filled Erica's lungs as she gasped for air. It hit as a surprise as did the enormous gust of wind after she got back to her feet.
Waiting to see what were the orders, she watched as the crew got to tugging at ropes and climbing them. She got up to the chained rope and started to climb. Getting half way to the top, Erica pulled out her dagger and cut one rope, sending a sail to come tumbling down. A rope whizzed by and Erica reached for it, Grasping it and being lunged into the air, landing on an upper mast.
She landed on her feet, as Anamaria gave her a smile and climbing into the lookout box. Another rope went by and down went Erica getting stuck in mid air by the rope that was still tied around her waist.
It pulled all the air out of her lungs once again and she just floated there, her hands flailing and her legs kicking.
The dagger was still grasped in her hand and Erica sliced above the hanging rope and started to hurl down to the deck.
Praying for a soft landing, Erica landed smack-daddy onto the hard wood. Her face pressed against the cold oak. Another wave landed on her and she jumped alive feeling the cold pierce her like a thousand knives.
Thunder and lightning flashed behind her and she looked back. It wasn't that terrifying to her. It was quite beautiful. The pouring rain, the crashing waves, the rumbling sound of cloud against cloud in the sky and then, the grand finale, a crack of electricity lighting up the dark sky.
Erica spun around after hearing a horrible screech. There, she saw Cotton's bird falling, falling, falling down to Davy Jones locker. A gasp escaped Erica's lips and she ran, pulling off the excess rope from her waist to the birds rescue. As she ran, Erica saw Gibbs sprawled on the side of the ship, looking exceptionally sick.
Her hand grabbed onto the collar of his shirt and she hoisted him up to his feet, yelling to him, "Gibbs! Look lively!"
Erica flew past him and he stared in her direction to see the flying woman pirate grab onto a dangling rope after gathering much speed. Over the water, she swung. One hand outstretched to catch the falling bird.
Wet feathers were caught in her palm and Erica swung back on deck, landing on her rear. The bird clutched tightly in her hand, close to her.
"aaawwwwkkk! Wind in yer sails aawwwkkk!," it screeched and Erica flinched from the high pitched scream.
Cotton came running up to her and she quickly handed him the bird. It continued screeching, then stopped after hearing Jack's voice.
"Drop Canvas!," he bellowed.
Anamaria, still at the top of the ship, threw down a rope to Erica and slid down it. Where the two of them pulled the rope, making the top sail fall to it's rightful place.
The ship gave a jolt and Erica toppled to the side. There, she laid, staring up at the grey sky and the warm rain dripping into her eyes.
Anamaria's cocoa hand came into view and Erica's hand grasped onto her wrist. She hoisted her up and patted her on the shoulder, "Nice job." A smile spread across her lips.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Erica walked down the wooden steps, going onto her sleeping quarters. It was a long day, and the whole crew was congratulating her on her heroic efforts. To make up for Cotton's lost tongue, she saved his bird. Even though it was the most annoying bird anyone could ever want, she saved it. The wind must've blown his wings all into an odd angle.
The steps leading to the grand dining room creaked with pressure. Erica's footing on the dark wood was slow and steady. She was like she was almost in a bored walk, but her mind was on her deed of the day. Even the floorboards seemed to be "huzzah-ing" for her.
Letting out a small smile, Erica was greeted by her two running companions. Julia looked spectacular as always, even with her face all in a worried position. Will, too was dazzling. He was beaming at Erica. Never had a man giving her the impression that they were impressed.
"Erica!," exclaimed Julia, taking Erica's hands in her own. "We just heard about what happened. Oh, you were so brave." In an instant, Julia was squeezing the air out of Erica's body from a rather tight armed hug.
Erica placed her hand on Julia's shoulder and patted it, letting out a hearty laugh. She gave Will a "wow" look and wiggled out of Julia's grasp.
"It was nothing," Erica closed her eyes and swatted her hand in front of her like a nonchalant way. Julia put her hands on her hips and gave her a rather pursed lipped looking smile. "Ok, maybe it was brave, but I was only making up for…you know"
"The tongue cutting," Will nodded.
Erica shrugged and nodded her head also, "Yeah, you could call it that."
Just then, light tapping could be heard from behind Erica. A creak of floorboards and they all turned around to see the intruder. It was only Jack. Erica rolled her eyes and turned back to Will as Julia, on the other hand, smiled at Jack, flirtingly and gave him a fingered wave.
He gave her a gentlemen smile and stated loudly after a false cough, "Erica," She spun around to look him properly in the eye. A bored, grim expression on her face, Jack continued, "You did a good job out there. Can't wait to see what will happen when my next plan comes into picture." Another smile, and he walked away. The thuds of his boots hitting the floor, fading away, away, away.
"Wow," Julia said with a smug looking shrug, "Looks like the Captain liked you work."
Erica's mouth was slightly hanging open, and she was zoning off into space. Her eyes staring in between Will and Julia. "Erica?," Will asked, his brow furrowed and a frown on his face. He tried to move his face into her seeing range, but she kept looking away.
"It was all a set up! All of it!," Erica burst out with flames of anger. Her words burned anyone she happened to say them to all of a sudden. The acid in them, made their tongues go bitter. Spinning around on her heel, Erica muttered curses and names not suitable to be understood by royal ears to hear. "A test to see how good I really am. A test!"
Julia and Will exchanged worried glances and scurried off. Dealing with an angry Erica was not the best thing to do. You'd most likely end up with a gun pointed and cocked at your head while a dagger rested on your throat.
Gaining speed with her angry walking, Erica rested at the Captain's quarters door. Not knowing if Jack was in there or not, she placed her hand on the knob and twisted.
Click
It was locked.
Pulling out her gun with quick swiftness, Erica shot a bullet at the brass knob. Smoke billowed out of the keyhole and Erica watched in anger. One step back. Two steps back. Three steps back. WAM! The door burst open with a kick from Erica's powerful leg. Some bits of the wooden chestnut door went flying in a different direction.
No one was there.
Erica cursed and walked in, putting her flintlock back into it's leather holder. 'Should I wait? Or should I find him?' Erica thought evilly. 'Wait'
She caressed her hand upon the wooden desk next to the gigantic window. And as her hand rolled over many papers, Erica's head swiveled over her soft fingers.
Maps.
Every single piece of paper was a map. Some had naught but one thing on it, besides the many miles of ocean. Others had hundreds of little islands with many cities on them. There was one map that kept drawing Erica's eye back to it. It looked like a skull island. Rather big. None of the pieces of the head fit together. The jaw was separate from the skull. The skull was missing a little chunk from the top. Down on the bottom of the map said 3 words in neatly handwritten cursive. Isle de Muerta. Erica translated: Island of dead person.
'Odd,' thought Erica.
There was a grand scarlet chair behind her, and she plopped down into it, as if knowing it was there. She sighed and got herself comfortable. The feet propped onto the Captain's very cluttered desk.
An inspection of the room was needed. Everywhere you went, it was a good idea to get a thorough inspection of the very small, very big details.
There was a bed in the corner, covered with blue and red material, a gigantic chest in the corner, and many bookcases. The chest was a dark color with golden locks. It was beautiful and looked of great weight. Debating with herself, Erica thought to go open the chest or explore his many books. 'Books'
Erica slowly hoisted herself out of the very comfortable chair and wandered over to the books. 'Choosing education over treasure, no what's wrong with me?'
Her finger rubbing over many of the spines, she read off the names: Poetry one can never forget 'Poet, wow' The entire anatomy of the human body 'mm, scientist' Treasure Island. "This Jack Sparrow, he's a very peculiar man," Erica said aloud.
Footsteps outside of the door got Erica her mind back. She looked around a bit then scurried over to the big comfy chair. Resting herself in it, she once again propped her feet on his desk, waiting for that person just outside the room to be surprised by her intrusion.
"Let go of the maintop sail! Thar be a storm a-commin'!"
Edward Buckingham, the Black Pearl's bo'sun yelled to the crew. They all scattered into different directions, heaving to.
Julia walked up on deck, just in time to see the ships topmost upper sail get unraveled. It blew in the wind as did her black hair. She couldn't put her hair back up in a bun, her being seasick and all. She spent most of her days watching Will and Erica duel or she slept. Often, Julia wished she were Erica.
"s'cuse me Miss Marigold, ye best get down below deck if yer not wanting to be thrown overboard," said Jack walking up to her and tilting his hat down as a product of respect. A smile spread across his face and Julia blushed. She nodded and left the crew to their work.
As she walked down the thin hallway, she gave Erica a quick smile.
Erica smirked back and walked up on deck, where she wasn't supposed to be. "'Ello, Captain," she greeted Jack.
"Hello."
"What's going on?," Erica looked down the deck to the bow and saw the whole crew scurry this was and that. "I felt a jolt, below deck." Her gaze was directed back to Jack and the wind blew through her brown hair.
He didn't answer her, because he was steering the helm, looking down at his compass. Erica looked down at Jack's hand holding the black box. She didn't quite know what it was, so she walked over and stood behind him, looking over his shoulder.
"Eh…Captain?," he looked up from his compass and looked over at her. His face was all confused like saying it's own words, 'when did you get here?'
"huh?," Jack asked.
Her eyes darted from the compass to his face, "Yer compass ain't working." His eyebrow raised and Erica added, "I mean, it ain't turning north."
Jack rolled his eyes and said back to her, in the same confused tone as the lass standing next to him, "It ain't turning north, because we ain't trying to go north."
"You know what I mean!," Erica growled.
A laugh escaped his lips and handed over the compass into her smooth tan hands. Spinning it a little, she noticed that it wouldn't go north. "You knew?"
"O'Course I knew. It's mine, idn't it?," Jack snatched the black box away from her and cocked his head as if it was some form of an interesting banana slug.
"Would you care to tell me how you came by such an interesting item?"
"Sure, mate," Jack let go of the helm and lead her to the bow. As he left, Mr. Cotton took over the steering.
As Erica and Jack walked, one hand rested on her shoulder and the other did these odd drunken movements. "I'm an heir to an ancient sailor. Forgot his name, but I am. Yes I am," it sounded as though he was talking to himself. But turns out he wasn't. He glanced at Erica and continued, "Me dad gave it to me, just before I became Captain of the Black Pearl."
"Oh, fascinating," Erica said sarcastically.
Jack gave her a mean glare and took his hand off her shoulder where he grabbed onto a rope hanging from a sail. The sail came tumbling down and almost hit Erica in the head, but she didn't flinch, she just kept her eyes staring up at the sheet of black.
"Best get down below. Storm's-a-coming," he yelled over the wind howling.
Erica yelled back to him as she moved the side-way mast over the dark blue water, "I'm a pirate. I can stay aboard here, also I know how to manage a ship. So I could be of use to you."
She saw his eye twitch and heard him growl, "Fine, but do as I order."
Grabbing onto a spare piece of rope on the ground, Erica tied it around her waist and then to the bottom of the mast. She saw Gibbs and Anamaria do the same.
The wind blew through Anamaria's black hair. Her brown eyes squinted as she looked in the direction of the wind. Water splashed onto the deck and everyone looked so soaked in only a matter of mere seconds.
Erica's vision got blurred by the rain, the water making her eyelashes hang deep into her eyes. A couple of blinks and they were gone.
"Alright. Is everyone tied in? Good? Good. Best be, because it's gonna be a bumpy ride," Jack yelled from the helm up at the wheel and gave a small smile, before the a wave hit the deck and flopped everyone over onto their backs.
Water filled Erica's lungs as she gasped for air. It hit as a surprise as did the enormous gust of wind after she got back to her feet.
Waiting to see what were the orders, she watched as the crew got to tugging at ropes and climbing them. She got up to the chained rope and started to climb. Getting half way to the top, Erica pulled out her dagger and cut one rope, sending a sail to come tumbling down. A rope whizzed by and Erica reached for it, Grasping it and being lunged into the air, landing on an upper mast.
She landed on her feet, as Anamaria gave her a smile and climbing into the lookout box. Another rope went by and down went Erica getting stuck in mid air by the rope that was still tied around her waist.
It pulled all the air out of her lungs once again and she just floated there, her hands flailing and her legs kicking.
The dagger was still grasped in her hand and Erica sliced above the hanging rope and started to hurl down to the deck.
Praying for a soft landing, Erica landed smack-daddy onto the hard wood. Her face pressed against the cold oak. Another wave landed on her and she jumped alive feeling the cold pierce her like a thousand knives.
Thunder and lightning flashed behind her and she looked back. It wasn't that terrifying to her. It was quite beautiful. The pouring rain, the crashing waves, the rumbling sound of cloud against cloud in the sky and then, the grand finale, a crack of electricity lighting up the dark sky.
Erica spun around after hearing a horrible screech. There, she saw Cotton's bird falling, falling, falling down to Davy Jones locker. A gasp escaped Erica's lips and she ran, pulling off the excess rope from her waist to the birds rescue. As she ran, Erica saw Gibbs sprawled on the side of the ship, looking exceptionally sick.
Her hand grabbed onto the collar of his shirt and she hoisted him up to his feet, yelling to him, "Gibbs! Look lively!"
Erica flew past him and he stared in her direction to see the flying woman pirate grab onto a dangling rope after gathering much speed. Over the water, she swung. One hand outstretched to catch the falling bird.
Wet feathers were caught in her palm and Erica swung back on deck, landing on her rear. The bird clutched tightly in her hand, close to her.
"aaawwwwkkk! Wind in yer sails aawwwkkk!," it screeched and Erica flinched from the high pitched scream.
Cotton came running up to her and she quickly handed him the bird. It continued screeching, then stopped after hearing Jack's voice.
"Drop Canvas!," he bellowed.
Anamaria, still at the top of the ship, threw down a rope to Erica and slid down it. Where the two of them pulled the rope, making the top sail fall to it's rightful place.
The ship gave a jolt and Erica toppled to the side. There, she laid, staring up at the grey sky and the warm rain dripping into her eyes.
Anamaria's cocoa hand came into view and Erica's hand grasped onto her wrist. She hoisted her up and patted her on the shoulder, "Nice job." A smile spread across her lips.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Erica walked down the wooden steps, going onto her sleeping quarters. It was a long day, and the whole crew was congratulating her on her heroic efforts. To make up for Cotton's lost tongue, she saved his bird. Even though it was the most annoying bird anyone could ever want, she saved it. The wind must've blown his wings all into an odd angle.
The steps leading to the grand dining room creaked with pressure. Erica's footing on the dark wood was slow and steady. She was like she was almost in a bored walk, but her mind was on her deed of the day. Even the floorboards seemed to be "huzzah-ing" for her.
Letting out a small smile, Erica was greeted by her two running companions. Julia looked spectacular as always, even with her face all in a worried position. Will, too was dazzling. He was beaming at Erica. Never had a man giving her the impression that they were impressed.
"Erica!," exclaimed Julia, taking Erica's hands in her own. "We just heard about what happened. Oh, you were so brave." In an instant, Julia was squeezing the air out of Erica's body from a rather tight armed hug.
Erica placed her hand on Julia's shoulder and patted it, letting out a hearty laugh. She gave Will a "wow" look and wiggled out of Julia's grasp.
"It was nothing," Erica closed her eyes and swatted her hand in front of her like a nonchalant way. Julia put her hands on her hips and gave her a rather pursed lipped looking smile. "Ok, maybe it was brave, but I was only making up for…you know"
"The tongue cutting," Will nodded.
Erica shrugged and nodded her head also, "Yeah, you could call it that."
Just then, light tapping could be heard from behind Erica. A creak of floorboards and they all turned around to see the intruder. It was only Jack. Erica rolled her eyes and turned back to Will as Julia, on the other hand, smiled at Jack, flirtingly and gave him a fingered wave.
He gave her a gentlemen smile and stated loudly after a false cough, "Erica," She spun around to look him properly in the eye. A bored, grim expression on her face, Jack continued, "You did a good job out there. Can't wait to see what will happen when my next plan comes into picture." Another smile, and he walked away. The thuds of his boots hitting the floor, fading away, away, away.
"Wow," Julia said with a smug looking shrug, "Looks like the Captain liked you work."
Erica's mouth was slightly hanging open, and she was zoning off into space. Her eyes staring in between Will and Julia. "Erica?," Will asked, his brow furrowed and a frown on his face. He tried to move his face into her seeing range, but she kept looking away.
"It was all a set up! All of it!," Erica burst out with flames of anger. Her words burned anyone she happened to say them to all of a sudden. The acid in them, made their tongues go bitter. Spinning around on her heel, Erica muttered curses and names not suitable to be understood by royal ears to hear. "A test to see how good I really am. A test!"
Julia and Will exchanged worried glances and scurried off. Dealing with an angry Erica was not the best thing to do. You'd most likely end up with a gun pointed and cocked at your head while a dagger rested on your throat.
Gaining speed with her angry walking, Erica rested at the Captain's quarters door. Not knowing if Jack was in there or not, she placed her hand on the knob and twisted.
Click
It was locked.
Pulling out her gun with quick swiftness, Erica shot a bullet at the brass knob. Smoke billowed out of the keyhole and Erica watched in anger. One step back. Two steps back. Three steps back. WAM! The door burst open with a kick from Erica's powerful leg. Some bits of the wooden chestnut door went flying in a different direction.
No one was there.
Erica cursed and walked in, putting her flintlock back into it's leather holder. 'Should I wait? Or should I find him?' Erica thought evilly. 'Wait'
She caressed her hand upon the wooden desk next to the gigantic window. And as her hand rolled over many papers, Erica's head swiveled over her soft fingers.
Maps.
Every single piece of paper was a map. Some had naught but one thing on it, besides the many miles of ocean. Others had hundreds of little islands with many cities on them. There was one map that kept drawing Erica's eye back to it. It looked like a skull island. Rather big. None of the pieces of the head fit together. The jaw was separate from the skull. The skull was missing a little chunk from the top. Down on the bottom of the map said 3 words in neatly handwritten cursive. Isle de Muerta. Erica translated: Island of dead person.
'Odd,' thought Erica.
There was a grand scarlet chair behind her, and she plopped down into it, as if knowing it was there. She sighed and got herself comfortable. The feet propped onto the Captain's very cluttered desk.
An inspection of the room was needed. Everywhere you went, it was a good idea to get a thorough inspection of the very small, very big details.
There was a bed in the corner, covered with blue and red material, a gigantic chest in the corner, and many bookcases. The chest was a dark color with golden locks. It was beautiful and looked of great weight. Debating with herself, Erica thought to go open the chest or explore his many books. 'Books'
Erica slowly hoisted herself out of the very comfortable chair and wandered over to the books. 'Choosing education over treasure, no what's wrong with me?'
Her finger rubbing over many of the spines, she read off the names: Poetry one can never forget 'Poet, wow' The entire anatomy of the human body 'mm, scientist' Treasure Island. "This Jack Sparrow, he's a very peculiar man," Erica said aloud.
Footsteps outside of the door got Erica her mind back. She looked around a bit then scurried over to the big comfy chair. Resting herself in it, she once again propped her feet on his desk, waiting for that person just outside the room to be surprised by her intrusion.