Chapter XI
As Evelyn trudged up to the main deck, she pulled her white robe tighter around her as a brisk wind begun to pick up. Squinting toward the fading sun, she held her hand over her eye-brows and noticed something unusual in the sky. It was slowly swarming with the colour of black, as clouds appeared to be ominously darkening above the setting sun. Evelyn inclined her head to the side, coils of hair falling over her shoulders with her gentle movement. A storm was brewing. Many of the other Pirates began to notice this as well, as they had stopped what they were doing and peered suspiciously at the darkening sky.
"Should we tell the Captain?" Whispered one to Smee who had just arrived.
"Aww… it'll probably fizzle out! You don't get nasty storms this side of the world". Obviously to most, Smee had never seen the rising of an obviously dangerous storm.
Evelyn was entranced by the formation of the clouds. Although they appeared to be miles away, they seemed to be forming into shape rather quickly. With each second past, the sun's last rays had fallen and the ship was engulfed in darkness for a few moments before the Cabin Boy had lit the lanterns.
Evelyn felt someone brush her arm and she noticed the lanky figure of Jack Sparrow beside her.
"That… looks like a hurricane". Said Jack as a matter-of-fact. He rubbed his nose and rested his back against the barricade. "No doubt about it".
"A… hurricane?" Evelyn had never experienced one in her lifetime, as London was not tropical enough to receive them. She had heard about warmer countries receiving devastating effects on the Wireless, and at once Evelyn ran upstairs to James's cabin. She rapped her knuckles sharply on his door, and he opened it. Realising it was her, James grabbed her arm and pulled her inside, making sure none of the Pirates saw his current state.
Shirtless and wearing only but a towel. The sight alone brought a grin to Evelyn's face.
"Whatever is the matter that caused you to nearly bring down my door?" Growled James. He made a slight gesture, and Evelyn turned around while he dressed.
"There's a hurricane approaching…" Evelyn replied, her eyes drifting over her shoulder at the sight of James pulling on his coat. She returned them to facing the door the minute he appeared to notice she was watching.
"I know. I have been watching the sky all afternoon. We must take precautions". James began to gather a few precious items and placing them carefully in a chest nearby. "There is no way to avoid it. In order to stay on course we're going to have to go through it".
Evelyn turned around. She watched him secure things to the walls with rope and chain and packing his precious jewels. "What if the ship is damaged?"
"Then we'll either have to swim, drown, or take one of the boats". James gave her a questioning look. "Have you ever been in a hurricane before?"
She shook her head.
"No wonder. I suggest you stay in the cabin. Mine would be the safest as it is the highest. My suggestion is strap yourself to the wall, away from the tables and chairs, for they could crush you".
"James, no. I'm not running. I'm going to help". Evelyn lay a hand on his arm. He turned his head to look at her. Such bravery for one so young.
"Then help the men secure the masts. You can later help Jack with the steering, as that is a rather difficult task in strong winds and seas".
Evelyn pressed her lips seductively against James's cheek, allowing them to linger before she spoke her sentence.
"I will do what I can". She helped him finish buttoning up his coat, then, she blew a kiss and left.
Wendy Darling had feared for her cousin's wellbeing from day one. She roasted a hog over a crackling fire near the house the Lost Boys built her, and allowed her eyes to wander to the ever-breathtaking black sky above her. The hog smelt almost finished and Peter with the Lost Boys agreed to have dinner with her at her house. Wendy turned the hog to the side, allowing it to roast a little more, knowing that with the natural herbs and spices she found it would taste as if you were eating out. Then she noticed Peter's figure wandering toward her, his arm still in a sling. And by the look upon his face, the painkillers weren't helping.
"Hello, Peter". Smiled Wendy as she patted the soft grass beside her, gesturing for him to sit. "Feeling better?"
He simply grunted, and Wendy noticed that in the firelight Peter's hair was wet. He obviously had a swim, to try and help heal his wound a little better.
"Well… I have a large supply of water and the hog is almost ready. So, if you're hungry…"
But Peter made no further comment.
"Peter", Wendy asked, softly, not wanting to aggravate him further. "Whatever is the matter?"
He again, remained silent. But something in Wendy's heart knew that Peter had done something horrible.
A figure strode toward them, wearing heavy dark clothing and thick red hair sprawling over her shoulders. It was the woman whom framed Wendy's death in London.