Ok first off I'm SOOOO sorry it's taken me so long to update but I've been crazy busy lately, way too much work etc.
If anyone still bothers reading this I'll be very much surprised. Anyways, hope its enjoyed..
*********
The rowboats cast out, oars cutting through the murky water that seemed thick as stew, beneath the straining arms of
Barbossa's men. Jade sat at the front of one of the boats, clutching her knees to her chest as she watched the cavernous
opening to the Minotaur tunnels coming closer. A craggy hole in the mountain that stretched into the very water, to the
unsuspecting eye it could easily have been thought to be a large cave. It was the most prominent way in, the most
well-known. Of course there were more entrances in and exits out, but not ones that were widely acknowledged.
Barbossa's knowledge of the caves could only stretch so far, and only those who had been trapped once before inside those
tunnels and were fortunate enough to find a way out, were aware of any other exit. Such people, that in the blinding
darkness could seek out an exit, were few and far between. "Ye better be sure that Jack's in these tunnels darlin'.
I've no intention of winding up lost inside the Long Dark." said Barbossa from his vantage point in the rowing boat
ahead, his gaze fixed firmly towards the swallowing blackness within the cave's toothy mouth. Jade bit down on a vicious
smirk, her heart pounding with an all too familiar adrenaline. "Don't you worry yourself Love. I know he's in there."
she replied as they were drawn into the encompassing dark of the cave.
The clicking of stones behind her, followed by the sharp flare of light that illuminated the bare few metres in front of
the boat signified the lighting of the torches Jade had advised them to bring. Far easier to find yourself in this
blackness with a little bit of sight, if only that. The first thing she had noticed, and was sure all of the rest of
them had noticed, was the overpowering, dense silence that was only punctuated by the occasional drip of water down rock
faces. The silence was almost as disconcerting as the dark. It made the dark bigger, vaster, even more lonely. She
grimly thought on how easy it would be to get lost inside this place, even if she did know aspects of the map on Rita's
body. The water glimmered dully in the flickering flames, rippling as the oars ploughed through it, and if she peered
hard enough into the murky grey gloom she could see the walls of glistening rock stretching up for what seemed like
forever into the blackness above their heads. She grasped the torch out of Ragetti's hand and held it up at the front of
the boat, lighting the way they were going as they rowed on. Squinting her eyes up to defeat the darkness, she
leant forward. "We hit dry land in about twelve feet." she informed Barbossa's boat, turning to light them in flickering
yellow. He nodded and the boats were slowly beached before the crew got out and pulled them ashore. Assembling the food
and naturally alcohol that they had brought with them, the crew set about making themselves comfortable. "And now what
lass?" asked Barbossa dryly, slinging a possessive, heavy arm around her shoulders. Jade found the smile that had kept
her alive so often before and bestowed it upon him. "Now we wait. This is the only exit large enough for boats to get
through. If Jack wants out, he'll have to come through us."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Alright then my lovely ladies, are we ready to depart?"
Jack blinked in surprise as Rita span him sharply round and began murmuring incomprehensibly, delineating her long fingers
around his head and shoulders. Leaning cautiously sideways whilst warily keeping an eye on her, he whispered out of the
corner of his mouth "D'you happen to know what she's doing Syla?" The wind-browned woman with wild white hair and shrewd
eyes shrugged and grinned. "It's a charm Cap'n Sparrow. Keepin' you safe from the gold's curse." Jack frowned slightly
but allowed Rita to continue. They had rowed out to a tiny beach on the opposite side of the island where the Minotaur
Tunnels were situated, barely large enough for them to moor the boats on. Supposedly through the thick foliage to their
left, there was an entrance. Jack was not keen on trusting anyone's words but his own, but it appeared that in this he
would have to follow Rita blindly, perhaps even literally, into the Long Dark. The three of them had snuck away from the
Pearl whilst the others were all eating, an impressive feat considering how difficult it was to sneak when you were
attempting to take an extremely heavy Aztec chest with you. None of the crew were aware of Jack's role as the bait for
Barbossa, and he had no wish for any of them to attempt some idiotic heroics on his part. Idiotic heroics were his forte,
and even then only if he thought he could get something out of it. "How are we going to know if this little charm of
yours has worked then?" he inquired, flashing an insolent grin at Rita as she finished. Turning coolly, she fished a
coin from the Aztec chest and threw it at him. He caught it on reflex before yelping in surprise as she jabbed him in
the arm with her dagger. A small prick of blood welted up on his dirty shirt, blossoming out across the material. "You
still bleed. I'd say it worked." she replied blithely before turning to Syla to perform the same charm. Jack found the
thought of Jade as always stirring in the back of his mind and quickly subdued it by thinking of the task at hand. The
focus was the plan. And then the gold.
"Jack!"
Jack pirouetted round only to blink in surprise at the sight of Will, Anamaria, Elizabeth and Gibbs all heading towards
the beach in one of the rowboats. Will leapt out of the boat into the ankle-deep water before they were even moored and
ran over to him. "What are you doing?!" he exclaimed, panting for breath. "More importantly lad what are you doing? I
thought I said everyone was to stay aboard the Pearl did I not?" replied Jack glibly, fixing Will with his most black,
incriminating stare. "But you didn't say that you were going to try and sneak off into the Minotaur tunnels! What are
you up to?" said Will, refusing to be deterred. The others had all now clambered out of the boat and were lining up
behind him in an accusatory line. "I'm taking care of my side of the bargain for that gold lad. And why the Hell did
you bring those two, this is no place for women." Glancing round he caught the stony glances of Rita and Syla before
wincing. "No offence ladies." he said charmingly, giving a swiftly apologetic bow. "You're not going in there without
me." Will said defiantly, squaring up to Jack, awaiting the proud pirate's objections. Jack simply raised his eyebrows
and grinned incongruously "I didn't know you were such a sentimental sort Will. You trying to protect your old mate
Jack?" Will looked uncomfortable, avoiding Jack's gaze as his smile broadened. "Well I'm touched Will. Truly, my heart
blossoms. But that doesn't change the fact that you're going to tootle off back to the ship with these three and leave
me to get on with what I'm doing." Gibbs at this point intervened "It'll be safer for yeh if yeh let us come Cap'n.
Whatever it is you're up to, yeh'll have more support. And you need people to carry the chest." he commented, eyes
nervously shifting from Will to Jack, before giving Jack an encouraging grin. Anamaria and Elizabeth broke into similar
hopefully grins as Jack deliberated this over in his head, giving them sullen glares all the while. "Fine. Just follow
the plan and don't mess up." he said, receiving a general sigh of relief as they then scurried to organise themselves
around the chest. "What's the plan?" inquired Will as he was spun and 'charmed' by Rita. "Very simple plan mate. Don't
get lost."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The dark was like a cloak. No a shroud, to cover up the dead. It was stealthy and thick and numbing and it sank down
into your bones.
Jade shook her head to try and whip out the morbid, fearful whispers that thrummed low inside her mind. A damp cold had
crept in as the night had, a clinging, possessive chill against her flesh. She could only presume the others were near,
close by. So long as they weren't lost. The possibility of this going wrong, held so firmly in check at the perameters
of her mind, now attempted to bring itself into focus. It would work. It would HAVE to work. She would make it work.
There was never any other option.
A gentle, breathy whistle, barely louder than a gust of wind, echoed through one of the passages nearby. Jade's head
shot round before she managed to control herself, and she slowly stood. The crew had settled themselves around makeshift
fires, drinking to warm themselves up from the cold. "And where d'yeh think you're goin' lass?" inquired Barbossa lazily,
lifting a curious eyebrow. "To get more firewood. Sure to be some marooned ships around here somewhere." Jade said, her
voice the image of false pretense in light-hearted tone. Snatching up an unlit torch and darting it into one of the fires
she headed out towards the passage, measuring the steps as she separated herself.
One...
His eyes were in her back like a knife.
Two...
Others were turning to watch her go now.
Three...
They had to know they had to realise, they must have heard it.
Once swallowed up by the black in the cave she shot faster forward, eagerness driving her, relief causing a great sagging
relaxation. Peering vainly into the dark, she lifted the torch higher to see...
A hand brushed her arm and she leapt back, swinging the torch round as a weapon, muscles tense as steel wires that snapped
to stronger friction as she stopped her arm from descending. Jack had staggered back against the wall as the flames had
come round to meet him and was now staring at her with aghast disbelief. "I think you singed my bloody moustache! You
trying to kill me??" he exclaimed in a harsh whisper which she immediately tried to hush down, motioning for him to be
quiet. "What in Hell's name are you doing here? You're meant to be guarding the chest!" she hissed, lowering the torch
so they were not so noticeable. "It's being taken care of." he said dismissively, placing his hands together placatingly
when she scowled. "Syla's doing the rounds of Barbossa's lovelies out there. I presume they've got men patrolling,
getting up for the uhhhh... call of nature?" he continued. "Yes, they're all trying to get to sleep. It should be easy.
Now all we need is for you to make an appearance so they go chasing you into the tunnels. Rita will be with you, you
won't get lost." "You're damn right I won't! This isn't my idea of the ideal place to set up home luv." he declared,
swiping a finger down the moist rock to prove his point. Jade grinned, feeling a swell of affection at his utter inability
to take anything seriously. Jack must have noticed her change in expression because his own smile broadened, his gaze
becoming more sly as he crept an arm round her waist. "No way Jack, now's not the time." she said sharply, wriggling out
of his grip and slapping his hand off. He took the rebuff without comment, petulantly stroking his slapped hand. "I
have to get back." she said finally. He nodded slowly, smiling slightly in such a disconcerting way that it was making
it difficult for her to leave. Sighing and fixing him with a scowl of mock annoyance, she locked an arm around the back
of his neck, dragging him forward for a swift hot kiss before turning and heading off again, chuckling to herself at the
surprised grin that had fallen across his face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If anyone still bothers reading this I'll be very much surprised. Anyways, hope its enjoyed..
*********
The rowboats cast out, oars cutting through the murky water that seemed thick as stew, beneath the straining arms of
Barbossa's men. Jade sat at the front of one of the boats, clutching her knees to her chest as she watched the cavernous
opening to the Minotaur tunnels coming closer. A craggy hole in the mountain that stretched into the very water, to the
unsuspecting eye it could easily have been thought to be a large cave. It was the most prominent way in, the most
well-known. Of course there were more entrances in and exits out, but not ones that were widely acknowledged.
Barbossa's knowledge of the caves could only stretch so far, and only those who had been trapped once before inside those
tunnels and were fortunate enough to find a way out, were aware of any other exit. Such people, that in the blinding
darkness could seek out an exit, were few and far between. "Ye better be sure that Jack's in these tunnels darlin'.
I've no intention of winding up lost inside the Long Dark." said Barbossa from his vantage point in the rowing boat
ahead, his gaze fixed firmly towards the swallowing blackness within the cave's toothy mouth. Jade bit down on a vicious
smirk, her heart pounding with an all too familiar adrenaline. "Don't you worry yourself Love. I know he's in there."
she replied as they were drawn into the encompassing dark of the cave.
The clicking of stones behind her, followed by the sharp flare of light that illuminated the bare few metres in front of
the boat signified the lighting of the torches Jade had advised them to bring. Far easier to find yourself in this
blackness with a little bit of sight, if only that. The first thing she had noticed, and was sure all of the rest of
them had noticed, was the overpowering, dense silence that was only punctuated by the occasional drip of water down rock
faces. The silence was almost as disconcerting as the dark. It made the dark bigger, vaster, even more lonely. She
grimly thought on how easy it would be to get lost inside this place, even if she did know aspects of the map on Rita's
body. The water glimmered dully in the flickering flames, rippling as the oars ploughed through it, and if she peered
hard enough into the murky grey gloom she could see the walls of glistening rock stretching up for what seemed like
forever into the blackness above their heads. She grasped the torch out of Ragetti's hand and held it up at the front of
the boat, lighting the way they were going as they rowed on. Squinting her eyes up to defeat the darkness, she
leant forward. "We hit dry land in about twelve feet." she informed Barbossa's boat, turning to light them in flickering
yellow. He nodded and the boats were slowly beached before the crew got out and pulled them ashore. Assembling the food
and naturally alcohol that they had brought with them, the crew set about making themselves comfortable. "And now what
lass?" asked Barbossa dryly, slinging a possessive, heavy arm around her shoulders. Jade found the smile that had kept
her alive so often before and bestowed it upon him. "Now we wait. This is the only exit large enough for boats to get
through. If Jack wants out, he'll have to come through us."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Alright then my lovely ladies, are we ready to depart?"
Jack blinked in surprise as Rita span him sharply round and began murmuring incomprehensibly, delineating her long fingers
around his head and shoulders. Leaning cautiously sideways whilst warily keeping an eye on her, he whispered out of the
corner of his mouth "D'you happen to know what she's doing Syla?" The wind-browned woman with wild white hair and shrewd
eyes shrugged and grinned. "It's a charm Cap'n Sparrow. Keepin' you safe from the gold's curse." Jack frowned slightly
but allowed Rita to continue. They had rowed out to a tiny beach on the opposite side of the island where the Minotaur
Tunnels were situated, barely large enough for them to moor the boats on. Supposedly through the thick foliage to their
left, there was an entrance. Jack was not keen on trusting anyone's words but his own, but it appeared that in this he
would have to follow Rita blindly, perhaps even literally, into the Long Dark. The three of them had snuck away from the
Pearl whilst the others were all eating, an impressive feat considering how difficult it was to sneak when you were
attempting to take an extremely heavy Aztec chest with you. None of the crew were aware of Jack's role as the bait for
Barbossa, and he had no wish for any of them to attempt some idiotic heroics on his part. Idiotic heroics were his forte,
and even then only if he thought he could get something out of it. "How are we going to know if this little charm of
yours has worked then?" he inquired, flashing an insolent grin at Rita as she finished. Turning coolly, she fished a
coin from the Aztec chest and threw it at him. He caught it on reflex before yelping in surprise as she jabbed him in
the arm with her dagger. A small prick of blood welted up on his dirty shirt, blossoming out across the material. "You
still bleed. I'd say it worked." she replied blithely before turning to Syla to perform the same charm. Jack found the
thought of Jade as always stirring in the back of his mind and quickly subdued it by thinking of the task at hand. The
focus was the plan. And then the gold.
"Jack!"
Jack pirouetted round only to blink in surprise at the sight of Will, Anamaria, Elizabeth and Gibbs all heading towards
the beach in one of the rowboats. Will leapt out of the boat into the ankle-deep water before they were even moored and
ran over to him. "What are you doing?!" he exclaimed, panting for breath. "More importantly lad what are you doing? I
thought I said everyone was to stay aboard the Pearl did I not?" replied Jack glibly, fixing Will with his most black,
incriminating stare. "But you didn't say that you were going to try and sneak off into the Minotaur tunnels! What are
you up to?" said Will, refusing to be deterred. The others had all now clambered out of the boat and were lining up
behind him in an accusatory line. "I'm taking care of my side of the bargain for that gold lad. And why the Hell did
you bring those two, this is no place for women." Glancing round he caught the stony glances of Rita and Syla before
wincing. "No offence ladies." he said charmingly, giving a swiftly apologetic bow. "You're not going in there without
me." Will said defiantly, squaring up to Jack, awaiting the proud pirate's objections. Jack simply raised his eyebrows
and grinned incongruously "I didn't know you were such a sentimental sort Will. You trying to protect your old mate
Jack?" Will looked uncomfortable, avoiding Jack's gaze as his smile broadened. "Well I'm touched Will. Truly, my heart
blossoms. But that doesn't change the fact that you're going to tootle off back to the ship with these three and leave
me to get on with what I'm doing." Gibbs at this point intervened "It'll be safer for yeh if yeh let us come Cap'n.
Whatever it is you're up to, yeh'll have more support. And you need people to carry the chest." he commented, eyes
nervously shifting from Will to Jack, before giving Jack an encouraging grin. Anamaria and Elizabeth broke into similar
hopefully grins as Jack deliberated this over in his head, giving them sullen glares all the while. "Fine. Just follow
the plan and don't mess up." he said, receiving a general sigh of relief as they then scurried to organise themselves
around the chest. "What's the plan?" inquired Will as he was spun and 'charmed' by Rita. "Very simple plan mate. Don't
get lost."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The dark was like a cloak. No a shroud, to cover up the dead. It was stealthy and thick and numbing and it sank down
into your bones.
Jade shook her head to try and whip out the morbid, fearful whispers that thrummed low inside her mind. A damp cold had
crept in as the night had, a clinging, possessive chill against her flesh. She could only presume the others were near,
close by. So long as they weren't lost. The possibility of this going wrong, held so firmly in check at the perameters
of her mind, now attempted to bring itself into focus. It would work. It would HAVE to work. She would make it work.
There was never any other option.
A gentle, breathy whistle, barely louder than a gust of wind, echoed through one of the passages nearby. Jade's head
shot round before she managed to control herself, and she slowly stood. The crew had settled themselves around makeshift
fires, drinking to warm themselves up from the cold. "And where d'yeh think you're goin' lass?" inquired Barbossa lazily,
lifting a curious eyebrow. "To get more firewood. Sure to be some marooned ships around here somewhere." Jade said, her
voice the image of false pretense in light-hearted tone. Snatching up an unlit torch and darting it into one of the fires
she headed out towards the passage, measuring the steps as she separated herself.
One...
His eyes were in her back like a knife.
Two...
Others were turning to watch her go now.
Three...
They had to know they had to realise, they must have heard it.
Once swallowed up by the black in the cave she shot faster forward, eagerness driving her, relief causing a great sagging
relaxation. Peering vainly into the dark, she lifted the torch higher to see...
A hand brushed her arm and she leapt back, swinging the torch round as a weapon, muscles tense as steel wires that snapped
to stronger friction as she stopped her arm from descending. Jack had staggered back against the wall as the flames had
come round to meet him and was now staring at her with aghast disbelief. "I think you singed my bloody moustache! You
trying to kill me??" he exclaimed in a harsh whisper which she immediately tried to hush down, motioning for him to be
quiet. "What in Hell's name are you doing here? You're meant to be guarding the chest!" she hissed, lowering the torch
so they were not so noticeable. "It's being taken care of." he said dismissively, placing his hands together placatingly
when she scowled. "Syla's doing the rounds of Barbossa's lovelies out there. I presume they've got men patrolling,
getting up for the uhhhh... call of nature?" he continued. "Yes, they're all trying to get to sleep. It should be easy.
Now all we need is for you to make an appearance so they go chasing you into the tunnels. Rita will be with you, you
won't get lost." "You're damn right I won't! This isn't my idea of the ideal place to set up home luv." he declared,
swiping a finger down the moist rock to prove his point. Jade grinned, feeling a swell of affection at his utter inability
to take anything seriously. Jack must have noticed her change in expression because his own smile broadened, his gaze
becoming more sly as he crept an arm round her waist. "No way Jack, now's not the time." she said sharply, wriggling out
of his grip and slapping his hand off. He took the rebuff without comment, petulantly stroking his slapped hand. "I
have to get back." she said finally. He nodded slowly, smiling slightly in such a disconcerting way that it was making
it difficult for her to leave. Sighing and fixing him with a scowl of mock annoyance, she locked an arm around the back
of his neck, dragging him forward for a swift hot kiss before turning and heading off again, chuckling to herself at the
surprised grin that had fallen across his face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~