Raine: I can't go into details like that...yuck! And the dress, it was supposed to be a new dress for every night kinda thing....PotC has no influence over my writing any more....I think...:)
I_love_Morphy: Hehe...Don't we all?!
Night Music: OOOOHHH! You gave me the best idea for this chapter! Thanks!
Chapter 19
"Zandra? Luv are ya awake? I brought ya some breakfast." Silver called out as he knocked on her door.
"I'm awake. Come in." Her voice was shaky. He opened the door. A small gasp escaped his lips.
"What 'appened luv?" The room had be torn up almost beyond recognition. The vanity was laying in a corner, broken into what seemed a remainder of slivers, and the mirror wasn't there. As he stepped inside the room he realized it was all over the floor, shattered in a million pieces. He could see the plywood closet door had several dents in it from fists and kicks. The bed was in disarray with Zandra sitting atop it, arms around her legs, her chin resting on her knees, eyes swollen, and tearstained cheeks.
"I got a bit angry last night that's all."
"A bit?" He surveyed the room again, then raised an eyebrow. She flinched.
"Alright a lot angry."
"At 'ho and/or what?"
"Drake."
"I 'ave a feelin' dat it's not just 'cause yer 'ere eh? Sumptin else idn't"
"Um yeah. There's something else."
"Do ye mind tellin' me what?"
She lowered her forehead to touch her knees.
"Hetriedtotouchme." She spoke low and fast.
"What's that luv? Me ears ain't what dey used ta be."
"He tried to touch me where I'd rather not be touched." She whispered as an involuntary shudder ran through her. Silver felt rage seep into his very soul. This was Jimbo's lass, and she should be saved just fer him. What was that boy thinking? It was against the code to do such a thing! The little vermin! The lowlife smelly little vermin! He gritted his teeth to keep from running out there and slamming a metal fist down the man's throat. Instead he awkwardly gathered the weeping girl into his arms.
"There, there lass. 'S alright. 'S alright. No one can 'urt ye so long as old Silver's 'oldin ye. Easy lass. That's a good girl. Now ye eat 'dis 'ere food an' get dressed. I'll be back in later." He stood and went to the door. It was time he did something he should've done long ago. It was time to go find Jimbo.
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That evening Silver knocked on her door again with her dinner.
"It's just me luv. I've got me famous bontabeast stew." He opened her door, and nonchalantly slipped into the room. He noticed the pieces of glass had been swept into a pile with the vanity, the bed was made, and Zandra had put on the dress she came in, a long, black skirt and red top. Her hair was combed and put up in a lose chignon, a few prodigal stands framed her face. There were no traces of tears, but her eyes still held that haunted look.
"Eat up lass." He said a little loudly, then softly, "Pack up some blankets and yer clothes in dis bag. I'll be back around midnight ta get ya."
"Why?"
"I'm gonna bring ya back where ye belong." Her eyes filled up with tears.
"Oh Silver..."
"Hush luv. I'll be back at midnight."
"But what about the night watch?"
"Yer lookin' at 'im." And with that he left.
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Jim stared at the pile of papers in front of him. There was no way they would ever catch up with that ship. One of the crew members had noticed the name and when Jim had looked it up in the archives that had come with the ship. The ship was the Picaroon, an infamous pirate ship that had mysteriously vanished a few years previous. How was ever going to find her? His thoughts were interrupted by a timid knock on the door.
"Come in." The door opened and the red headed cabin boy stepped into the room, followed by the little Alissa. Jim's eyes softened as he looked on the them.
"How can I help you two?"
"Captain," James started, " we was wondering when Zandra was gonna' get back. She's been gone for a awfully looong time."
Jim quickly looked down at the desk. How could he tell such young ones what had happened to her?
"No one tell uth," whispered Alissa, "we mith her."
Jim gnawed on his lip as he blinked back the flood of tears. He hoped that he could take their reaction to the words he was about to say.
"You guys, come here." The two came behind his desk. Jim stood them directly in front of him, so they could see right into his eyes.
"I'm not going to lie to you. You're people to and you deserve to be told the truth." He started, more to remind himself than the kids. "You know Zandra's been missing for a pretty long time right? Well, the truth is, she was kidnapped by pirates." He took a deep breath to steady his voice. "And I...I don't know when she's coming back, or...or if she'll ever come back....We're doing everything, but...." He trailed off, not being able to stand the looks that crossed both of their faces. James just stared, as if unable to come to recognition of what he'd just been told. It couldn't be true! Zandra was coming back! She had to! She was the only person who'd ever told him she loved him! She couldn't not come back! It was just a joke. Any minute Zandra would walk into the room and ask who wanted to come play, but she didn't. Instead The Captain, the man he wanted to be just like when he grew up was crying, one little tear fell from his eye. It was then that it hit him, Zandra was gone and might not come back. He felt tears flood his eyes. He fell to his knees crying softly. Jim noticed this and knelt beside him, wrapping his arms around him a vain attempt to comfort him. Jim looked up at Alissa and immediately looked down, the confusion and fear in the small girl's face made his heart ache. He pulled her onto his lap with James, focusing on comforting the two children as only Zandra could do.
