Chapter 14
News of the captain's dire state spread quickly through the crew, causing a general concern to be shown whenever his name was mentioned. Gibbs tried his best to run the ship smoothly as if nothing was wrong, but all noted the distinct lack of, well…Jack. Ana remained in Jack's cabin day and night, watching over him and barely resting herself.
The Black Pearl made good time by all standards, completing the trip from the waters off of Jamaica to Providence in roughly one and a half days. Through the duration of the voyage, Jack grew weaker, his pulse becoming more and more erratic. He would often tremble violently despite the warmth of the air and the blankets piled atop him. Chelsea kept a nearly constant watch over the pirate, except for the occasional rest—at Elizabeth's insistence.
The dark ship took in sail and dropped anchor in a small inlet off the island's coast, which Chelsea deemed nearest her acquaintance's abode. It was around four o'clock in the morning when they finally set port and Chelsea dashed across the deck to the captain's cabin. When she entered, the cabin was dark and Ana lay slumped on the bed next to Jack's barely breathing form. Chelsea stepped into the cabin, lighting a nearby lantern as she did so.
"Ana, wake up," Chelsea called softly, just loud enough to rouse the other from her light sleep.
Ana sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Wha' time is it?"
"Around four,"
"In th' mornin'?!"
"Yes." Chelsea answered shortly, walking over to the bed. "We've got to get him ashore."
"It can wait, can't it? Who's t' say yer friend can do anythin' fer him now?"
"Oh he can, I assure you. Besides, if we wait much longer, it could be too late." Chelsea answered, her voice hold a knowledgeable tone.
Ana sighed. "Alright, I'll go rose th' men."
Chelsea watched Ana get up and leave the cabin, the deprivation of sleep making her step sluggish. After Ana had left, Chelsea set about taking the blankets off Jack and piling them at the foot of the bed for later use. Not much later, Ana and a group of men entered the cabin, apparently tired but ready to help their captain ashore. The four bulky men carried between them a makeshift sling.
The largest and burliest man stepped forward, dropping his corner of the sling and then gently lifting Jack and placing him carefully on the sling. Chelsea brought the blankets over and arranged them on Jack's body, tucking them tightly around his sides to conserve the minimal body heat. After finishing her task, she straightened and nodded to the men, who silently carried the sling from the cabin, the two women following them.
Ana whistled and two men from the night watch soon joined the group to assist with lowering the rowboats. The group slipped into one of the small boats, then slowly were lowered by extra crewmembers Ana had called. Once the craft hit the water and shoved off from the ship, they made quick progress, the small boat's bow cutting through both water and fog.
The sling with Jack in it lay in the center of the boat and they moved the vessel slowly, doing their best to avoid splashing the cold seawater onto the unstable man.
The long boat soon drew up onshore, and the men carefully lifted the sling out, carrying it away from the water. After securing the small craft, Chelsea took the lead with Ana by her side and the men following. The group silently made their way through the port town, following the rutted dirt streets for awhile.
They would often pause at any given intersection, allowing Chelsea to take her time remembering the route to her acquaintance's lodging.
"You sure this is the way?" Ana questioned, to which Chelsea nodded, her mind intent on finding the correct path on the first try.
Chelsea eventually turned off onto a smaller path, leading up to a large, darkened house. The black silhouette of the building stood ominously atop a foothill, a sharp peak rising behind it. The mountain's point looked as though it were piercing the moon and the beams of pale light were the moon's blood, falling upon the dark structure.
The men, being the superstitious sailors they were, slowed down, looking very nervous about the whole endeavor. They eventually slowed to a stop, looking up at the large building with frightened expressions…especially when their gazes found the small graveyard to the side of the house.
"Ye sure this is th' place?" Ana asked Chelsea, trying to comfort the men by voicing the question their actions were defining.
Chelsea merely nodded before breaking into a jog up to the house's front door. The others continued at their measured pace, trying not to disrupt Jack anymore than they had to. Ana slowed to walk behind the men, hoping her presence would reassure them and keep them on track.
Once Chelsea reached the door, she knocked rather loudly, forming a pattern with the noise: knock, knock, knock…pause…knock, knock.
A few minutes later, after the others had joined her, a single light moved forward from within the house, warped by the dark drapes covering the windows. There was a scuffling sound inside that very much resembled claws on stone and then a snap as the bolt was released.
The men backed up a bit, but moved forward again as Ana snapped a threat to them. They stood in place after that, occasionally shuffling in nervous anticipation of what was to come.
"C'mon, open up!" Chelsea yelled at the door, placing her hands on her hips stubbornly.
To the others' amazement, the door swung open, but what greeted them was nothing of what they expected. The dim candlelight was just enough to illuminate the forms of two large dogs. The strange lighting cast an eerie glow on the animals, shedding light on the fact that their ears were pinned back, teeth bared, and hackles raised. Their eyes glowed dangerously and drool dripped from their jaws, splattering next to their large-clawed paws. Growls emanated from deep within the creatures' throats, warning the intruders away.
[a/n: Please review, I love to get feedback! And thanks to all who have/will review(ed).]