AN (2/9)-I am so lazy! It was almost too fun writing the last chapter. Similar to conversations I have had talking to myself...
AN (2/12)-Today is dress like a pirate day at my high school. It is so odd wearing a bandana and having rings tied in my hair. I keep imitating Jack subconsciously. Really odd.
AN (2/14)-Happy Single Awareness day! Everyone who reads and reviews this chapter gets a box of chocolates and a cookie!
AN (2/18)-I am so sorry it has taken me so long to update! I am just so lazy! Moreover, my mom was on the computer all Monday and my brother all yesterday. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 11- Tortuga
Bootstrap looked over at Jack, worry filling his light brown eyes. Jack was stumbling around far too much to be considered normal. They were roughly halfway to the famed Tortuga on Saint Kitt's island, otherwise known as Saint Christopher's Island. The mild Caribbean sun was gradually heating the quasi-rainforest the pair was traversing to a sweltering mix of humidity and heat. Sweat dripped off Jack, seemingly by the gallon. Jack had become paler by the minute as they walked the short distance to Tortuga. Bootstrap had slowed his pace to match the exhausted young pirate. Jack noticed the worried look Bootstrap was giving him and smiled in response.
"Jus' a bi' tired, tha's all," Jack spoke after gulping a large amount of precious oxygen into his lungs.
Bootstrap's look of apprehension increased. "Should we stop for a while, boy?"
Jack waved his hand in slight annoyance. "No. I'm alright." He managed a weak grin. "My lack o' food is jus' catchin' up t' me."
Bootstrap nodded in slight agreement. "Very well, boy. It should only take abou' twenty more minutes t' reach the marvelous port o' Tortuga."
Jack smiled in appreciation. "I can make it in ten." Jack's eyes blazed with challenge.
Bootstrap furrowed his brow in wonder. "Y' want t' race? Are y' sure you can 'andle it?"
Jack smugly nodded. "Aye, I think I can beat y' in a race." Jack sprinted forward, eager to prove he could run.
Bootstrap's eyes widened in amazement as he watched Jack run with his arms in front. Jack wobbled, almost as if he were running downhill, although the path they were treading was flat. His amazement soon turned to adrenaline as he realized Jack was serious. Bootstrap ran forward and easily caught up to Jack. He kept pace with Jack, unwilling to make Jack more exhausted.
Jack looked over at Bootstrap and smiled with a secretive look in his eyes. He tapped into some of his primal forces and raced forward with an incredible amount of speed, almost like a caged animal being set free.
Bootstrap watched in amazement as Jack shot forward like a projectile. He really had not thought Jack capable of such expedient movement.
Jack looked back at the slightly shrinking Bootstrap and yelled, "Aren' we 'avin' a race, William?" He laughed as Bootstrap jumped and increased his pace in amazement.
The two continued this little charade until they reached the outskirts of one of the most famous towns in the entire Caribbean. Tortuga had rapidly become a favorite stop for most pirates. It was full of brothels, saloons, and saloons with brothels catering to every man's needs and salaries.
Jack's jaw came down in amazement as he noticed the vast amounts of drunken men lying on the streets so early in the day. "Aren' there any soldiers 'ere, William?" Jack spoke in fragments, struggling to recuperate his breath.
Bootstrap shook his head in the positive direction. He took a deep breath and managed to reply, "Aye, there be a few soldiers. Bu' they're as drunk as mos' o' the pirates an' sailors 'ere." Bootstrap wearily grinned, breathing heavily to keep his muscles from producing lactic acid and freezing up. He leaned on the side of a shoddily built home to regain his normal composure. Jack followed suit.
Soon they had both gulped in enough air to start breathing in a normal manner. Jack looked around in anticipation, this being the first time he'd ever been to an entire town that accepted all forms of piracy. Bootstrap sensed Jack's excitement and his became almost unbearable as well.
"Shall we go an' get three sheets t' the wind?" Bootstrap grinned like a little child anticipating a present.
"Aye, le's go an' splice the mainbrace." Jack grinned in return, his face a bit on the pale side.
They started walking again, Bootstrap going in front. He led Jack through a maze of buildings. Some looked hastily built with a mishmash of materials. Others were respectable, to a degree, having bricks and matching wood. Jack grinned as he imagined what sorts of goings on were occurring inside some of those buildings. Jack was glad Bootstrap was leading him, for the odd pathway they weaved around was making his head hurt.
Bootstrap stopped in front of a fairly respectable building. "I bet the cap'n is in 'ere."
Jack nodded. "Looks like a good candidate." He stroked his chin. The look of surprise that came to his face was priceless.
Bootstrap laughed. "Din' think tha' I'd shave for y'?"
Jack nodded and rubbed his hand along his clean-shaven face. "I didn' think y' liked me enough t' shave fer me." His dark eyes filled with mock appreciation.
"Your beard looked mighty funny. The witch doctor had us take it off when we arrived. I kept shavin' the area t' make it easier for you, since only you know how you wan' your beard t' look."
Jack rolled his eyes. "Thanks. I appreciate it. Took me nigh unto a month t' grow the little one I used t' 'ave."
Bootstrap shrugged his shoulders. "Took y' quite a while t' notice, boy." He laughed.
"I don' pay attention t' things like tha' when there's a prospect o' gettin' rum. You're buyin', right? I seem t' 'ave misplaced me money."
"I'd buy anyway, boy. We 'ave t' celebrate your birthday." Bootstrap smiled and walked into the building with Jack trailing behind.
Jack was amazed at how full the bar was. It was only one in the afternoon, but the bar was halfway full of drunkards and strumpets. Bootstrap led Jack up to the bar and they ordered a pint of rum each. The ancient barkeep slowly filled two wooden mugs and handed the delectable drinks to Bootstrap. Bootstrap handed the slightly fuller drink to Jack and paid the anxious ancient barkeep for the drinks. The barkeep grinned, showing off a mouth as empty as a hole.
Jack smiled back and took a drink of rum, savoring the taste and slight burning sensation alcohol makes as it heats up in the mouth enough to begin boiling. He groaned in pleasure and followed Bootstrap around the various strumpets and drunkards.
Jack soon caught sight of Calico Jack and smirked at the look he was giving Bootstrap.
"I see tha' he's awake." Calico Jack carefully scrutinized Jack. "Tis good t' see ye up, Jack."
Jack grinned. "Tis good t' be up, cap'n."
Bootstrap groaned in pleasure as he took the seat across from Calico Jack. "We was 'avin' a race t' get here. It amazed me t' see Jack wi' so much energy." Jack sat down next to Bootstrap.
Calico Jack's eyes filled with worry and amazement. "Y' ran 'ere? How'd y' 'ave enough energy?"
Jack smiled mysteriously. "Le's jus' say I can do anythin' if rum is involved." He took a large drink from his wooden mug, as if to prove a point. He missed a bit, due to his weakened state, and rum dribbled down his cheeks much to his chagrin. Bootstrap and Calico Jack laughed heartily.
"Guess y' ran out o' energy, Jack." Calico Jack's brown eyes shone with amusement and jocularity.
Jack grinned and wiped his mouth, realizing how funny the situation was and taking it in great stride. "Y' shoulda seen Bootstrap huffin' away. Y'd think tha' one o' the finest swordsmen woul' be able t' easily beat a boy who almos' died."
Bootstrap's look of embarrassment was priceless as Jack and Calico Jack began laughing even harder.
It took several moments for the two to calm back down and the table gradually fell into silence as the trio drank their alcoholic beverages.
Jack looked around the bar as he downed the last of his rum. His eyes rested on a lonely brunette on the other side of the tavern. She was quite lovely, having a beautiful figure perfectly complimented by a hunter green dress. Her brown eyes seemed to call to Jack as she moved her head to draw his attention.
Jack glanced over at Bootstrap, a hungry look in his brown eyes. Bootstrap looked over at the smiling strumpet and nodded. "Since it is yer birthday an' all..." Bootstrap's voice trailed off as he handed Jack various coins.
Jack smiled in appreciation and quickly rose. He bowed to Bootstrap and Calico Jack. "Twas wonderful sharin' a drink wi' ye, bu' tha' number is singin' me tune."
Calico Jack nodded and said, "Go an' 'ave a bit o' fun, boy." He turned to Bootstrap and began talking business.
Jack carefully left the table and went to the enchanting brunette. His unique swagger was back, more pronounced then ever. He soon reached where she was standing, mesmerized by her brown eyes. He soon noticed she was about two inches taller than he was, but Jack liked any woman. He found it slightly difficult to say anything to the girl.
"Me name's Lauren Marie. Y' can call me jus' Marie." She slightly giggled, her eyelashes fluttering.
"Tha's a beautiful name, Marie." Jack seemed mesmerized by her melodic voice.
Marie grinned, anxious to please such a complimentary customer. "An' wha' might I have the pleasure o' callin' you?"
Jack grinned. "I be Jack Sparrow, luv. One o' the bes' pirates in the Caribbean." He stroked her cheek, marveling at how soft and warm it was.
Marie blushed her patented look to appear demure. "Well, Mr. Sparrow, how about we go an' get be'er acquainted upstairs?"
Jack nodded eagerly and followed Marie up the stairs to the brothel for some privacy.
Jack had an immense grin on his face as he came down the steps from the brothel. He whistled some unknown tune and bought another mug of rum from the ancient barkeep. He swaggered his way back to where Calico Jack and Bootstrap were sitting, amused to note that there was now more scallywags from the Pearl seated with the captain.
Jack sat in the only vacant seat available, next to the leering figure of Snide Shaine. Jack's eyes narrowed and his good mood left like a summer storm when he looked across the wooden table. A redhead, looking mysteriously like the man he had killed, was currently laughing over some crude joke Anne Bonney had just cracked. The similarities were stunning, and Jack's face paled.
The redhead noticed Jack staring. He looked at Jack quizzically for a moment and reached his arm across the table. "Ye mus' be the Jack I hear so much abou'. Me name's Daniel an' I joined the crew las' week."
Jack looked at Daniel suspiciously. "Have I me' ye before? Ye seem really familiar."
Daniel shrugged, his blue eyes staring at the odd young pirate. "I can' imagine we've e're met, Jack. I've been livin' on Tortuga me whole life."
Jack faked a smile. "I suppose ye jus' 'ave one o' those faces, Daniel. Tis a pleasure t' meet ye." He reached across the table and grasped Daniel's proffered hand. The two shook.
"Cap'n, will we be leavin' soon, now tha' Jack be be'er?" Snide Shaine's voice was a bit anxious. "I be anxious t' spend some o' me money elsewhere. There isn' much more than rum an' strumpets 'ere in Tortuga."
The table quieted, anxious to hear Calico Jack's decision. He looked around at his loyal crew for a moment. "Aye, we'll be leavin' in a few days. I think tha' we've stayed out our welcome, gents. The town o' Tortuga will miss our money, t' be sure, bu' I'm sure they won' miss our misdeeds!" The table laughed and resumed their drunken conversation.
Jack could not regain his previous excitement or joviality. Daniel's appearance was gnawing away at his mind. He had the same shade of red hair, the same blue eyes, and similar facial expressions the Frenchman he had killed had. It was almost like seeing a ghost. Whenever Daniel smiled, it was almost like seeing Pâquerette again. Jack's conscience was soon plastering him with the guilt he had managed to avoid thus far. Daniel might take some getting used to.
Jack remedied the situation by getting completely drunk. Bootstrap had to nearly carry him back to the Pearl when they finally decided to return. It appeared that Daniel would become a thorn in Jack's side for no logical reason.
Ms. Baldwin- Sorry it took so long for this chapter. In addition, the last chapter was supposed to explain some of his oddness. Have another cookie.
ChaosLightning13- Thanks. I am so sorry I keep misspelling your name...I feel so sheepish. Have some more cookies.
meggumscat- You are such a great friend, mate! Have another cookie for your cookie count!
aaserene- Thank you, so very much. I love encouragement...makes me all warm and fuzzy.
Mistress of Destruction- Yippee! A new reviewer! I am sorry you find the hand thing so annoying...I will try not to mention it so often.