Willy huddled in a corner of the dark hold, fighting the nausea that had set in once the ship had started its voyage. He was fairly experienced on ships from his hours spent with sailors in Port Royal but he was always on deck when the ship was moving. Being below while the ship was traveling was a new experience for him and it was not a good one.
He heard someone lumbering down the ladder into the belly of the ship. He wasn't sure whether he wanted to be found or not. On the one hand, he desperately needed fresh air. On the other, he didn't want to be returned to shore. The choice was not his to make, however. His stomach finally won the fight with his will and he vomited on the floor. He heard the man who had just entered the hold pause and could imagine him looking around for the source of the noise. Willy held his breath and tried to remain still, but the man was already heading in his direction. Willy ducked behind a barrel, peeking around to see the searcher. At last the man came into view.
He was a portly man with graying dark hair and thick muttonchops. He held a small black flask in his right hand and took a swig regularly. He looked like he could be either a good friend or a fierce enemy. He stopped and examined the place where Willy had vomited, glancing around and trying to find where the culprit had gone. Willy scooted further behind the barrel, trying to hide himself better. Muttonchops heard him and quickly made his way to Willy's hiding spot. Willy was on his feet now, ready to run when the opportunity presented itself.
Muttonchops came around the barrel, cutting off Willy's escape route. Undaunted, Willy leapt at the man, nearly knocking him off his feet. Muttonchops recovered quickly, however, and grabbed Willy by the arm. Willy struggled, but Muttonchops was too strong.
"Well, well, what have we here?" Muttonchops muttered. "Looks like a stowaway. What be your name, boy?"
Willy stared sullenly at Muttonchops, refusing to answer.
"Ah, so it's going to be like that, eh? Well, we'll just have to take ye to the captain." Muttonchops, retaining his firm grip on Willy's arm, dragged him toward the ladder. Willy noticed that though Muttonchops' left arm was fully occupied, his right continued to bring that flask to his mouth.
They made their way, awkwardly, up the ladder and in to fresh air and good daylight. Willy eagerly drank in the salt breeze, unaware of how Muttonchops was staring at him. He finally felt Muttonchops' eyes on him and turned, wondering what was the matter. Muttonchops finally found his voice.
"You – you're – how – " he struggled for a minute, then smiled. "You may not want to tell me your name, boy, but I know well who you be."
Chuckling, Muttonchops continued toward the helm. Willy followed, though Muttonchops had released his arm, out of curiosity. Besides, he thought. Where would I go? It was true. The ship was big enough, but he could never hide from a whole crew. And what would be the point of hiding? He was here to have an adventure, not to spend a voyage being sick in a hold.
They reached the helm and were confronted with the captain. Willy cringed. Captain Jack had told him to go home but he had stowed away instead. What would he say? Willy was surprised to see that he looked half-admiring and half-afraid.
"Willy Turner! Your dad's going to kill me, mate! We're taking you back to port immediately, savvy?"
Willy decided that the only way he would be able to stay on board was to lie. Hoping his parents would understand, he replied, "Wait! I…I asked my dad and he said it was okay. Please let me stay!"
Jack looked unconvinced. "Will 'piracy is a crime not a trade' Turner gave his son permission to sail under Captain Jack Sparrow? I'm not stupid, mate."
"No, it's true! He said I should do it now and get it out of my blood. I'll pull my own weight. I can be a cabin boy or something. I'm pretty good on a ship, I won't be any trouble. Please," Willy gave Jack his 'puppy eyes', the ones that always worked on his mother. Unfortunately, Muttonchops broke in.
"I found him being sick in the hold, Cap'n. Dunno if he's fit for sea duty." Willy glared at him.
"It's just because I wasn't used to being below when the ship is moving. I'm fine now! I promise." Jack looked like he was beginning to melt and Willy pounced on him. "My mum said if you let me do this, she'll give you a bottle of rum and a kiss when we get back."
Jack's eyebrows shot up and his mouth turned up in a smile. "Well, then, I think it's settled. Gibbs," he said to Muttonchops, "show young Mr. Turner to his quarters."
"Aye, Cap'n!" Gibbs responded, then paused. "Er, where would those be exactly?"
"He can room with Cotton. Poor man, no one wanted to stay with him."
"Probably because of the parrot," Willy put in. Jack and Gibbs looked at him in surprise. "I know the story of the curse inside out," he explained. "My mum told me about the crew. So, Mr. Gibbs, where's my berth?"