A/N: I'm still alive! And this story should be done in the next chapter or two, which I have all planned out in my head, so no need to worry about me pulling another disappearing act. Things got a bit crazy: my boyfriend and I broke up 3 weeks ago, but it had been sort of coming for about 2 weeks. Then teachers (mostly English and Spanish─ stupid languages) decided we needed LOTS of homework ALL the time. But enough of me; I've made you guys wait waaay too long. So on that note, here's the story!

Chapter 8: Jagged Edge

When Abby awoke, she looked around. Nothing had changed, but now she was stiff and sore, and her eyes hurt from all the crying she had done earlier. Her clothes were filthy and torn in some places. With no concept of time deep inside the cave, she had no way of knowing how long she had been there. It could be a new day for all she knew.

Looking around the cave, Abby shivered. Terrified, she hoped against all hope that Jack would get there, and soon.

*****

They had been sailing for half an hour when Will went to try talking to Jack again.

"Jack?" he asked as he walked towards the pirate.

Jack grunted an acknowledgement.

"So, you have no idea where we're going?"

"I do."

"And this place would be…"

"Thomas wouldn't be able to take a ship out on his own, or get it sailing with 3 men. There's an island right over there. Another 15 minutes sailing, and we should be there," Jack pointed out the island.

Will looked at it. "Oh… Well then," he said, slightly surprised as he had yet to notice the island before Jack pointed it out. "Are you sure he'll be there?"

"He's a pirate. A bad one, he is, but 'e's a pirate none th' less. E'll never thing to hide on the mainland, and this is the only island for miles."

Will nodded. Hesitantly, he placed a hand on Jack's shoulder.

"Are you all right, Jack?"

Jack stood still for a moment. "No, not until Abby is safe again," he said.

*****

Thomas paced the cave. He knew he needed to get off the island─ Jack would be coming after him─ but he had no idea how to do so. The least he could do was to kill the girl before he died…

Taking the last swig from his bottle of rum, Thomas smashed it against the wall to make a jagged edge. Grabbing the neck, he walked to the cage and took a key from a chain around his neck to unlock the door. After doing so, he stepped in and grabbed Abby by the hair. She let out an ear-splitting scream.

"Shut-up, you stupid, little brat!" he spat at her in his drunken haze. He dragged her outside onto the beach towards the water's edge.

Tears streamed down Abby's face as she screamed. She tried to hit him, kick him, bite him, yell for help, anything, but it was no use. Thomas forced Abby to stand, still holding a fistful of her hair, and drew his arm back to kill her…

A/N: Will Thomas kill Abby? Will Jack arrive in time? Well, read the next chapter to find out!