Chapter 2

"Nearly cut off me head, eh Mr. Turner?" he said with a chuckle.

"Jack!" Will exclaimed. It was all he could blurt out, and the blades dropped to the floor.

"Ay, no time to catch up, Will; we need a place to stay while these Portuguese blokes simultaneously search for us, Savvy?"

"How?—What?"

"It's a bit of an odd story…ehm…I'll explain later they're hunting' us down!"

"Yes…erm," Will pondered for a split-second, "you can hide in the cellar…trust me it's large enough for 2 families to fit in. Follow me." Will walked to the cellar and watched as each unique crew member followed. They were all the usual pirate-type: gruff, slightly smelling of corn meal. But now there was a new, less ferocious installment: a lovely, Spanish maiden.

She had a most intriguing face; she had bright, emerald-green eyes with the most peculiar golden flecks. Her skin was a smooth, milky-tanned tone, and her hair was a waterfall of thick, lush ebony. Will was mesmerized by her endless and exotic beauty. His thoughts were interrupted when Jack moved towards her, put his arm lovingly around her shoulders.

"Will, this is Esmeralda," he said. Esmeralda stretched her delicate hand out, motioning Will to kiss it.

"Such a pleasure to meet you," she said to Will; her accent was thick on her words.

"Pleasure to meet you, as well," Will held her hand up to his lips and greeted it. He must have been standing there for some time because he saw Elizabeth, whom he had sadly forgotten was there, approach them.

"Hello, Esmeralda," she began, her voice quavering with slight jealousy, "I'm Elizabeth, William's fiancé." She curtseyed and stretched her hand out to Jack, who charmingly kissed it and tipped his hat. Esmeralda didn't seem intimidated, nor had she been bothered by her lover's flirtatious actions towards Miss Swan. Then again, that's the life of a pirate and his maiden.

When the crew and the beautiful Esmeralda were safely in the cellar, Will was asked to see if any more corruptions had occurred outside. There had been no more, so Will and Elizabeth discussed their current battle to proclaim their love through marriage. They situated themselves in Will's bedroom so as not to be disturbed. They sat on the rickety bed, and the creaking was the only sound audible in the room. William started the conversation.

"I can wait for you," he said looking sincerely into her eyes.

"But how long?" she asked, "how long can you wait? You don't know my father anymore, he's different now. We can't get married."

"But you told me that he said you weren't old enough to know what's best for yourself. If that's the case then I will wait until he believes you are mature enough to make that decision. I will wait for you forever."

"No, Will, you don't understand. I--" she broke off, "I've made a decision." Will waited in suspense for the next thing she was going to say, but since she said nothing, he asked her.

"Well, dear, what is your decision?" Elizabeth broke down into tears.

"You don't know what it's like to live like this," she dried her eyes with her handkerchief, "I'm going to marry the commander of the navy." Will's heart sank into his lungs and he could not breathe. His surprise was warped into anger and he pounded the nearest table. It was certainly not the answer he sought.

"I thought you loved me, Elizabeth!" His voice was no longer calm and steady, but rather angry and booming, "I'm the love of your life! We're meant for each other!"

"Stop yelling, Will, you're frightening!"

"How can I stop yelling, Elizabeth, tell me and I will!"

"Because—because---"

"No! I'm nothing without you and now you're leaving me for another! Tell me, do you love him?"

"William…"

"Tell me!"

"Yes! Yes I do! I love you both! But can't you see? I must do this! I---"

"How could you be in love with him!? Does he touch your tender face when you cry?! Does he hold you when you are angry!? Does he---"

"William, I'm with his child!" When these words were uttered, all was silent; the bed no longer creaked, the wind stopped howling. All was silent. Then William's cries of frustration sliced the quietness. He couldn't contain himself. She harmed him in the worst way: betraying their oath of love to each other and bearing offspring of another. He was nauseated. With tears trickling down his cheeks he walked up to Elizabeth.

"Was it---", his voice quavered, "was that the o—only time?" Elizabeth was speechless and her eyes fell to the floorboards.

"William…"

"Stop it! Stop pretending you did not do anything wrong! Just tell me!"

"No, it wasn't," she said silently.

"What? Sorry I couldn't hear you," he said through clenched teeth.

"No, it wasn't the first time," she said a little louder.

"You—you mean…" he couldn't contain himself and he touched Elizabeth's face ever so softly, "I swore to myself I'd never strike a woman. But that's all changed." And with that he struck her across the face. Will, in devastation and sorrow, asked Elizabeth to leave his home and never return.

While he walked himself through the alleys and along the deserted streets, he thought not about Elizabeth, but about Esmeralda. Though he was disturbed by Elizabeth's confession, the stunning señorita was incredibly difficult to get out of his mind. He was hypnotized by her striking features and her voluptuous frame. He wished he could have her. He wished he could one day touch her seemingly soft skin. He wished he could hold her when she would cry.

Will knew this farfetched fantasy was impossible, what with Esmeralda being Jack's current lover, but it brought a smile to his face when he did fantasize…

When Will was calm, he walked home and heard a knocking on the cellar door.

"Hey Will," he heard Jack's silky voice call out, "we'll be needing some nourishment soon, if you can acquire some, lad."

"Y—yes Jack," his voice was still a tad shaky, "I'll get the food…erm…right." He staggered towards the kitchen. He felt v—very…dizzy…

Will finally woke and by then it was daytime. As his vision cleared up, he saw he was in Esmeralda's arms, and he was pleased.