Usual disclaimers - Pah!
Rose - yes Will did act out of character, but then I suppose even whelps get fed up of being goody two-shoes! (
Linnie - glad you enjoy this one as well.
Hilary - murderer!
Aeriel - no cliffhangers this time (
Chapter 18
The Black Pearl sailed on through the darkness, eyes all over the deck scanning for any signs of a ship nearby. Jack had a pretty good idea where Burns would be heading for, and was determined not to give him too much of a head start. 'Who are you kidding Jack? He asked himself. 'He's got four bloody days head start. Four days to do Christ knows what to my Madalene.'
'Jack, hard to port, HARD TO PORT!' Jack was shaken out of his brooding by Joshamee Gibbs' urgent shout. He swung the wheel hard left, but realised it was too late when he heard a sickening crunch and the ship lurched in the dark.
'Rocks, we've hit rocks!' The air seemed to freeze with tension as the crew tried to take in what had happened.
'Drop anchor,' Jack ordered, his voice surprising level, but inside he was screaming. Jack looked over the side of the ship, praying the damage wasn't too bad, but it was too dark to see.
Dawn revealed a gaping hole in the side of the ship, repairable, but it would take a while. They limped to a nearby cove and beached her. Jack and Gibbs set about organising the crew into teams, some brought timber out from the bowels of the ship, while others cut away the damaged wood from the side of the Pearl, trimming off the edges. The rest of them foraged around, finding exotic fruits to eat and fresh water from a stream nearby. None of this concerned Jack, he just wanted the ship repaired and to be away as fast as possible. He paced up and down like a caged animal, looking up as Joshamee Gibbs approached with some trepidation.
'Jack,' he said hesitantly, 'Jack, there's some bad news.' Jack turned on the man, who cowered away.
'What bad news?' Jacks voice was brittle, his eyes hard and soulless.
'A lot of the timber's rotten, there isn't enough to make the repairs.'
Jack sank to his knees on the sand, moaning in despair. Gibbs ordered the men to look for suitable trees. 'What's the point? We've got nothing to cut them down with Gibbs.' Jack had never felt so helpless in his life. He took a crate of rum bottles and sat under the shade of a tree, drinking most of one bottle in one gulp.
Joshamee Gibbs organised a party of men to search for something, anything that they could use to repair the ship. He eyed Jack drinking morosely, walked over and hauled him to his feet. 'You can sit there drinking yerself stupid Jack, but that ain't going to help Maddy now is it? Get out there and look.' Joshamee Gibbs shoved Jack away from the tree and booze, Jack went to say something, but thought better of it and trudged off in the direction the other men had gone.
They searched for the best part of two days before one of the men came across a wooden barn, which they carefully took apart, after tying up the farmer and the farmhands, leaving a pouch of coins by way of recompense. They carried the timber across the land to the cove where The Black Pearl lay beached and set to work immediately cutting it down to size, planing it, and hammering the pieces to the bones of the ship. They spread tar liberally to the outside and in and waited for it to dry. It was four agonising days before the tar had hardened enough for the ship to be seaworthy, then another half a day, pulling the ship out far enough out to float. It was back breaking, exhausting work and Jack felt like it was too much effort to even breathe. Then he thought of Maddy. 'Is she still alive after all this time?' Jack shuddered, not daring to think the worst, 'But was being alive worst still for her?' Jack felt sickening hatered burn deep inside him, it gave him renewed strength and he took up the wheel, turning the ship in the direction of Burns' hideout.
*************
Maddy couldn't move, every fibre in her body screamed in agony if she tried, so she lay as still as she could. Burns and his men had beaten and raped her every day since her capture. Maddy felt close to breaking point, her body unable to take much more punishment. She became aware of a noise, someone was coming down the steps to the brig. Maddy tensed her body, waiting for the torture to begin again.
'Dear God, Maddy!' Maddy managed to raise he head a little and peered at the voice in the gloom.
'Who is it?' Maddy could barely talk, her lips were bruised and swollen.
'It's me, Will.'
'Will?' Even in her state, Maddy couldn't hide the incredulity in her voice. 'Will, is that you?' Maddy tried to get off the bunk, but was too weak.
'Maddy, for Gods' sake, don't get up.' Will was horrified by what he saw. 'What are you doing here?'
'S'funny, I was going to ask you the same thing.' Maddy groaned as a stab of pain shot through her head. 'I thought you were going back home.'
'I got press ganged by Burns' men. I was arranging a passage to Port Royal, when they burst into the inn, taking men as they went. I was one of them, if you didn't go with them, you'd die.'
Maddy rolled off the cot and crawled across the cell, putting her arms through the bars and cupping Wills' face in her hands. 'Oh Maddy, what has he done to you?' Will kissed her hands and threaded his arms throught the bars and around Maddys shoulders.
'He wants to trade me for the Pearl. Oh Will, where is Jack? I don't think I can take much more of this.' Maddy started to sob, clinging to Will with as much strength as she could.
'I don't know Maddy, I didn't even know you where here. I just saw you by chance as they were bringing you down.' Will stroked Maddys hair, wishing there was something he could do.
'If they catch you here Will, they'll kill you, you must go now.'
'B-but Maddy..'
'No, Will *now*! We'll work something out, now go.'
Will reluctantly let Maddy go and walked up the steps, looking back as he reached the top, 'I'll come back Maddy, I'll get you out of here, I promise.' Then he was gone.
Maddy collapsed on the floor, not sure whether to feel relieved or even more afraid. If Burns knew Will had been down to see her, or even that he was connected to Jack, he'd die without question.
****************
To Maddys' relief Burns left her alone for the rest of that day, he was too preoccupied trying to work out where Jack was, and why he hadn't met up with him. Burns knew Jack knew where he'd be, so why hadn't he turned up? 'Maybe he loves that ship more than his wife?' Burns mused. He'd thought of going to Maddy, beating the information out of her, then realised she wouldn't know where her husband was. 'Leave the bitch for now,' he thought, 'I'm not in the mood.' In truth he was getting increasingly frustrated at Maddys continued resistance, her strength of character. As he raped her, she'd look at him with sheer defiance in her eyes, as if to say 'Is this the best you can do?' He nearly lost it the last time, he kicked her around his cabin and beat her with his fists until his first mate intervened, pulling Burns away.
'If she dies, we've got no leverage guv,' he said to his Captain, which did the trick in calming him down. The bitch wasn't worth losing the chance to get The Black Pearl. Paul Burns saw himself in his minds eye at the wheel of The Pearl, terrorising the oceans, people quaking in fear at his name, more so than they already did.
***********
A couple of hours later Will stole back down to the brig. He'd brought with him a small knife, which he used to pick the lock.
'Will! What are you doing, there's no way we can escape. We'll both be killed.'
'I'd rather die trying to escape, than stay here any longer.' The door sprung open and Will picked Maddy up and held her in his arms, horrified at how thin and weak she was. 'Come on, we must go.' Will led the way up the steps and along the corridors, keeping to the shadows, and hiding when anyone approached. It was slow progress, as Maddy barely had the strength to put one foot in front of the other. Will entered a cabin, crossing it in the dark.
'We're about half a mile from land, do you think you can make it Maddy?
'Yes, I'll make it.' Will looked at her uncertainly, but they had no choice. Maddy tore off the bottom of the tattered dress to make it easier to swim and climbed out of the open window, jumping in straight, so as not to make too much noise. Will followed, shutting the window behind him, and climbed down the ship to the waters edge and they slowly made their way to shore, not daring to make a splash.
'Will!' Maddy felt as if her arms had turned to lead, 'Will help......' She choked as she started to sink.
Will swam back to her, grabbing her arms and pulling with all his strength. 'Are you all right Maddy?' His answer was a nod followed by a bout of spluttering. Will turned on his back and lay Maddy on top of him, holding her as he kicked towards the shore.
Will stood wearily when they reached the shallows, finding the strength from somewhere to drag Maddy to shore, then up to some trees that fringed the beach. They lay at the base of a tree for a while, until Will urged Maddy to get up.
Will was worried that Maddy would be discovered missing, and that the crew would row to shore and find them. He picked her up over his shoulder and carried her as far and quickly as he could, nearly stumbling a few times in the dark. Exhausted, Will lay Maddy down at the edge of a clearing they'd come to, too tired to go any further. He looked at her worriedly, she was deathly pale and her breathing shallow. Will scouted around and found a stream, he cupped his hands scooping some out and carried it to Maddy, gently trickling it into her mouth. Will lay on the ground beside her, covering Maddys body with his, trying to get some warmth into her.
***************
Will blinked in the strong sunlight. 'I've been asleep!' he thought to himself in horror. 'Maddy, come on wake up, we have to go.' Maddy moaned and tried to push Wills hands away as he picked her up. Will put her over his shoulder again, and made his way through the dense woodland, that seemed to cover most of the island. He stopped at a banana tree and shinned up, picking a few for them to eat. Will had to force the food down Maddys throat, making her gag, but was relieved that she ate some of it.
After a few hours, they came to the edge of a cliff, below it was a village and the sea. Will and Maddy made slow progress down the cliff, but eventually came to the village. Some of the villagers came out of their huts and looked at them suspiciously. 'Um, hello.' Will smiled at a man who approached them. 'We've been shipwrecked, can you help us please?' The man stopped in front of Will with a look of incomprehension on his face.
'Qui vous est? Que voulez-vous?'
Will groaned - French! 'I can't speak any French.' He cursed to himself.
'I can,' came Maddys weak voice behind him. Maddy explained to the man that they had been shipwrecked and had been washed up at the far side of the island. The man went and spoke with the other villagers and returned presently, saying they could stay a while, but not for too long. He looked fearfully around him, making Maddy wonder if Burns terrorised the villagers, and if he did, then he could be making his way around the island now.
Rose - yes Will did act out of character, but then I suppose even whelps get fed up of being goody two-shoes! (
Linnie - glad you enjoy this one as well.
Hilary - murderer!
Aeriel - no cliffhangers this time (
Chapter 18
The Black Pearl sailed on through the darkness, eyes all over the deck scanning for any signs of a ship nearby. Jack had a pretty good idea where Burns would be heading for, and was determined not to give him too much of a head start. 'Who are you kidding Jack? He asked himself. 'He's got four bloody days head start. Four days to do Christ knows what to my Madalene.'
'Jack, hard to port, HARD TO PORT!' Jack was shaken out of his brooding by Joshamee Gibbs' urgent shout. He swung the wheel hard left, but realised it was too late when he heard a sickening crunch and the ship lurched in the dark.
'Rocks, we've hit rocks!' The air seemed to freeze with tension as the crew tried to take in what had happened.
'Drop anchor,' Jack ordered, his voice surprising level, but inside he was screaming. Jack looked over the side of the ship, praying the damage wasn't too bad, but it was too dark to see.
Dawn revealed a gaping hole in the side of the ship, repairable, but it would take a while. They limped to a nearby cove and beached her. Jack and Gibbs set about organising the crew into teams, some brought timber out from the bowels of the ship, while others cut away the damaged wood from the side of the Pearl, trimming off the edges. The rest of them foraged around, finding exotic fruits to eat and fresh water from a stream nearby. None of this concerned Jack, he just wanted the ship repaired and to be away as fast as possible. He paced up and down like a caged animal, looking up as Joshamee Gibbs approached with some trepidation.
'Jack,' he said hesitantly, 'Jack, there's some bad news.' Jack turned on the man, who cowered away.
'What bad news?' Jacks voice was brittle, his eyes hard and soulless.
'A lot of the timber's rotten, there isn't enough to make the repairs.'
Jack sank to his knees on the sand, moaning in despair. Gibbs ordered the men to look for suitable trees. 'What's the point? We've got nothing to cut them down with Gibbs.' Jack had never felt so helpless in his life. He took a crate of rum bottles and sat under the shade of a tree, drinking most of one bottle in one gulp.
Joshamee Gibbs organised a party of men to search for something, anything that they could use to repair the ship. He eyed Jack drinking morosely, walked over and hauled him to his feet. 'You can sit there drinking yerself stupid Jack, but that ain't going to help Maddy now is it? Get out there and look.' Joshamee Gibbs shoved Jack away from the tree and booze, Jack went to say something, but thought better of it and trudged off in the direction the other men had gone.
They searched for the best part of two days before one of the men came across a wooden barn, which they carefully took apart, after tying up the farmer and the farmhands, leaving a pouch of coins by way of recompense. They carried the timber across the land to the cove where The Black Pearl lay beached and set to work immediately cutting it down to size, planing it, and hammering the pieces to the bones of the ship. They spread tar liberally to the outside and in and waited for it to dry. It was four agonising days before the tar had hardened enough for the ship to be seaworthy, then another half a day, pulling the ship out far enough out to float. It was back breaking, exhausting work and Jack felt like it was too much effort to even breathe. Then he thought of Maddy. 'Is she still alive after all this time?' Jack shuddered, not daring to think the worst, 'But was being alive worst still for her?' Jack felt sickening hatered burn deep inside him, it gave him renewed strength and he took up the wheel, turning the ship in the direction of Burns' hideout.
*************
Maddy couldn't move, every fibre in her body screamed in agony if she tried, so she lay as still as she could. Burns and his men had beaten and raped her every day since her capture. Maddy felt close to breaking point, her body unable to take much more punishment. She became aware of a noise, someone was coming down the steps to the brig. Maddy tensed her body, waiting for the torture to begin again.
'Dear God, Maddy!' Maddy managed to raise he head a little and peered at the voice in the gloom.
'Who is it?' Maddy could barely talk, her lips were bruised and swollen.
'It's me, Will.'
'Will?' Even in her state, Maddy couldn't hide the incredulity in her voice. 'Will, is that you?' Maddy tried to get off the bunk, but was too weak.
'Maddy, for Gods' sake, don't get up.' Will was horrified by what he saw. 'What are you doing here?'
'S'funny, I was going to ask you the same thing.' Maddy groaned as a stab of pain shot through her head. 'I thought you were going back home.'
'I got press ganged by Burns' men. I was arranging a passage to Port Royal, when they burst into the inn, taking men as they went. I was one of them, if you didn't go with them, you'd die.'
Maddy rolled off the cot and crawled across the cell, putting her arms through the bars and cupping Wills' face in her hands. 'Oh Maddy, what has he done to you?' Will kissed her hands and threaded his arms throught the bars and around Maddys shoulders.
'He wants to trade me for the Pearl. Oh Will, where is Jack? I don't think I can take much more of this.' Maddy started to sob, clinging to Will with as much strength as she could.
'I don't know Maddy, I didn't even know you where here. I just saw you by chance as they were bringing you down.' Will stroked Maddys hair, wishing there was something he could do.
'If they catch you here Will, they'll kill you, you must go now.'
'B-but Maddy..'
'No, Will *now*! We'll work something out, now go.'
Will reluctantly let Maddy go and walked up the steps, looking back as he reached the top, 'I'll come back Maddy, I'll get you out of here, I promise.' Then he was gone.
Maddy collapsed on the floor, not sure whether to feel relieved or even more afraid. If Burns knew Will had been down to see her, or even that he was connected to Jack, he'd die without question.
****************
To Maddys' relief Burns left her alone for the rest of that day, he was too preoccupied trying to work out where Jack was, and why he hadn't met up with him. Burns knew Jack knew where he'd be, so why hadn't he turned up? 'Maybe he loves that ship more than his wife?' Burns mused. He'd thought of going to Maddy, beating the information out of her, then realised she wouldn't know where her husband was. 'Leave the bitch for now,' he thought, 'I'm not in the mood.' In truth he was getting increasingly frustrated at Maddys continued resistance, her strength of character. As he raped her, she'd look at him with sheer defiance in her eyes, as if to say 'Is this the best you can do?' He nearly lost it the last time, he kicked her around his cabin and beat her with his fists until his first mate intervened, pulling Burns away.
'If she dies, we've got no leverage guv,' he said to his Captain, which did the trick in calming him down. The bitch wasn't worth losing the chance to get The Black Pearl. Paul Burns saw himself in his minds eye at the wheel of The Pearl, terrorising the oceans, people quaking in fear at his name, more so than they already did.
***********
A couple of hours later Will stole back down to the brig. He'd brought with him a small knife, which he used to pick the lock.
'Will! What are you doing, there's no way we can escape. We'll both be killed.'
'I'd rather die trying to escape, than stay here any longer.' The door sprung open and Will picked Maddy up and held her in his arms, horrified at how thin and weak she was. 'Come on, we must go.' Will led the way up the steps and along the corridors, keeping to the shadows, and hiding when anyone approached. It was slow progress, as Maddy barely had the strength to put one foot in front of the other. Will entered a cabin, crossing it in the dark.
'We're about half a mile from land, do you think you can make it Maddy?
'Yes, I'll make it.' Will looked at her uncertainly, but they had no choice. Maddy tore off the bottom of the tattered dress to make it easier to swim and climbed out of the open window, jumping in straight, so as not to make too much noise. Will followed, shutting the window behind him, and climbed down the ship to the waters edge and they slowly made their way to shore, not daring to make a splash.
'Will!' Maddy felt as if her arms had turned to lead, 'Will help......' She choked as she started to sink.
Will swam back to her, grabbing her arms and pulling with all his strength. 'Are you all right Maddy?' His answer was a nod followed by a bout of spluttering. Will turned on his back and lay Maddy on top of him, holding her as he kicked towards the shore.
Will stood wearily when they reached the shallows, finding the strength from somewhere to drag Maddy to shore, then up to some trees that fringed the beach. They lay at the base of a tree for a while, until Will urged Maddy to get up.
Will was worried that Maddy would be discovered missing, and that the crew would row to shore and find them. He picked her up over his shoulder and carried her as far and quickly as he could, nearly stumbling a few times in the dark. Exhausted, Will lay Maddy down at the edge of a clearing they'd come to, too tired to go any further. He looked at her worriedly, she was deathly pale and her breathing shallow. Will scouted around and found a stream, he cupped his hands scooping some out and carried it to Maddy, gently trickling it into her mouth. Will lay on the ground beside her, covering Maddys body with his, trying to get some warmth into her.
***************
Will blinked in the strong sunlight. 'I've been asleep!' he thought to himself in horror. 'Maddy, come on wake up, we have to go.' Maddy moaned and tried to push Wills hands away as he picked her up. Will put her over his shoulder again, and made his way through the dense woodland, that seemed to cover most of the island. He stopped at a banana tree and shinned up, picking a few for them to eat. Will had to force the food down Maddys throat, making her gag, but was relieved that she ate some of it.
After a few hours, they came to the edge of a cliff, below it was a village and the sea. Will and Maddy made slow progress down the cliff, but eventually came to the village. Some of the villagers came out of their huts and looked at them suspiciously. 'Um, hello.' Will smiled at a man who approached them. 'We've been shipwrecked, can you help us please?' The man stopped in front of Will with a look of incomprehension on his face.
'Qui vous est? Que voulez-vous?'
Will groaned - French! 'I can't speak any French.' He cursed to himself.
'I can,' came Maddys weak voice behind him. Maddy explained to the man that they had been shipwrecked and had been washed up at the far side of the island. The man went and spoke with the other villagers and returned presently, saying they could stay a while, but not for too long. He looked fearfully around him, making Maddy wonder if Burns terrorised the villagers, and if he did, then he could be making his way around the island now.