Mara led them to the middle of the island and abruptly stopped. Curiously,
Jade glanced around at her new surroundings, the thick foliage hanging from
what appeared to be trees hiding them away from the rest of the world.
"Is this it?" she questioned sweetly. Mara grinned coldly at her.
"Oh you just wait, mi amore." Pushing back some vines from the face of a cliff, he revealed an opening to a deep cave. "This cave leads to the top of the cliff. From there, we'll be able to see your darling father coming before he even knows we're here." Jade's eyes widened.
"No!" she cried as they dragged her into the cave. "You coward! You're too afraid to even give him a fair fight!" Her screams were ignored as they tied her to the cave wall. "You're disgusting!" she continued. "I've never seen such a coward in all my life. What kind of a cur doesn't give their opponent a fair fight?"
Mara walked over, looking her straight in the eye. "And what kind of a fair fight do you think he gave my sister," he asked, "When he bewitched her."
"You wanna know what I think?" Jade questioned, returning the unblinking gaze. "I think your sister would be ashamed of you."
*
"Jack, how do you know where we're going?" Elizabeth asked, tramping through the forest in Anamaria's borrowed clothing.
"I don't," Jack Turner answered his mother.
"Not you."
Jack Sparrow eyed Jack Turner. "You know, we're going to have to fix that."
"What?"
"The name thing. It's bloody confusing. From now on, ye shall be known as Jackie."
"No!" Jack cried, as Will snorted with laughter.
"Don't push your luck son, or I'll have it changed to Jaqueline, savvy?" Jack threatened.
"Why aren't you Jackie?"
"Well, take your pick. I'm older, smarter, and you were named for me. Besides, I'm far prettier than you."
Jack rolled his eyes. "Sounds to me like you should be called Jaqueline."
*
Jade struggled against her ropes, trying to think of a way to save her father.
"Hey, Garren!" she hissed, trying to gain her guard's attention.
"What?"
"You like me, right?" He spat at her feet. "Guess not."
Mara returned from wherever he'd been. "Do not fret, tesora. He'll be dead before he knows he's been shot." Seeing her chance, Jade decided to play on what was left of Mara's twisted heart.
"That's it? I don't even get to say good bye?"
Mara shrugged. "Unfortunate, I suppose."
"Unfortunate?" Jade repeated angrily. "He's my father."
"Father or not, I don't especially care," Mara retorted. "He doesn't deserve to say good bye. I was given no such opportunity with Isabella."
"But wouldn't you have liked said opportunity?" Jade asked softly.
Mara seemed to be contemplating this for a moment. "I'll make you a deal," he said finally. "I won't let you say good bye. I will, however, let you come up and watch his death from the top of the cliff." Jade shook her head violently.
"You're sickening."
"Such hurtful words," Mara replied sarcastically. "Bring her up," he ordered Garren, who untied her and dragged her along.
"Should I gag 'er as well, sir?"
Mara thought about it for a moment. "I suppose so. After all, it wouldn't do to have her warning her father before the..." he trailed a hand down her cheek. "Opportune time."
"It's opportune moment, you moron!" Jade screamed with fire in her eyes just before the greasy rag was slipped back into her mouth.
A strong wind blew hard along the top of the cliff, twisting Jade's hair violently in front of her face, making it difficult to see. Garren had slackened his hold on her somewhat, but she didn't see any advantage it gave her. They, with Mara, stood alone, looking out over the trees. The remaining men lay in wait in the cave; Mara had made it perfectly clear that he would be the one to finish off the infamous captain. Jade bit her lip over the gag, trying to remember the last thing she'd said to her father.
"Sir!" Garren hissed urgently, pointing to a rustling through the trees below. It could have been nothing, but then again... Mara raised his gun.
Seeing her one opportunity and grasping it fully, Jade broke free from Garren and ran into Mara, knocking his gun off aim and the gag from her mouth.
*
"Stop!" Jack Turner cried suddenly. Everyone stopped and stared at him.
"What're ye playing at, boy?" Gibbs demanded.
"I saw something flash," Jack said.
"Where?" Anamaria demanded harshly.
"Up there, somewhere. Like metal catching the sun." All eyes looked up.
"You're certain you didn't imagine it?" Will asked.
Jack nodded. "Please, just give it five minutes, see if it happens again."
They all looked to the captain. Five minutes could potentially mean the difference between Jade living and dying.
"Five minutes," he agreed finally.
*
"What on earth are you doing?" Mara demanded, turning on Jade angrily. "Why weren't you keeping a better hold on her, Garren? Are you that uncaring of my sister's death?"
Once again opportunity had knocked, and Jade was waiting at the door.
"Well, if you're seeking revenge on your sister's death, it's yourself you should be punishing," she announced, touching on Mara's most sensitive spot.
"What?"
"After all, you're the one who killed her." Jade's comment had set a murderous glint in Mara's eyes, but her words had had the effect she'd hoped for. As Mara lifted the gun, the sunlight once more reflected off of it. She only hoped they'd seen the warning in time.
*
"There! See, there it was again!" Jack cried. This time, they had all seen the bright light.
"Well I'll be damned to eternity and back," Jack Sparrow muttered.
"Jack?" Elizabeth pushed for an explanation.
"That blasted coward wasn't going to give me a fair fight. He's standin' atop that cliff waitin' to shoot twenty holes in my gut."
"Well, what are we to do?" Will asked. Jack turned to him with a crooked smile.
"I'm Captain Jack Sparrow, dear William, remember? I always have an alternative means of transportation."
"Which would be?"
"Now William, if I told you that, it would ruin the surprise."
"You have no idea, do you?"
"Not a clue," Jack admitted. "But, I will find a way."
They set off again, being careful to stay beneath the cover of the trees.
*
"You foolish, foolish girl," Mara growled. "Do you really think you've made any sort of difference? You're still tied and your father still doesn't know we're here."
Jade ignored this, laughing dryly. "You know, you said that I would hate my father; wish for his death even. But I don't, nor have I at any point. The only death I'm wishing for right now is yours."
"Mine?" Mara asked. "I have done nothing."
"Aside from planning to kill my father, I assume?"
"He deserves it."
"In your humbled, slightly biased, opinion."
"I am growing tired of your games," Mara told her in a threatening tone.
"And I'm growing tired of you, but you don't hear me complaining."
"Enough!" Mara shouted.
"Enough what? Cake? I love cake. In which case, I haven't had enough, thanks."
Mara was clearly growing infuriated. "Enough of you! Your very voice drains me."
"Guess you won't be keeping me around then?"
"On the contrary, my dear. I expect that, with time, you will learn."
"Oh, go jump off a cliff," Jade growled. "Which we're conveniently located right next to. Go on! Jump!"
Mara favored her only a disgusted glance. "Replace the gag."
*
"Told you I'd find it!" Jack announced gleefully. "Secret path up the back. The tables have turned, Mara," he added, almost to himself.
The younger Jack looked at the base of the cliff ruefully. "You call this a path? To a squirrel maybe."
Elizabeth gave him a Look.
"The fact of the matter is, young Master Turner," Anamaria spoke the words in an almost mocking tone. "It's taken us a good half hour to find this path. And it'll take us at least another quarter of an hour to get up there. Time is not on our side, and we can't afford to waste anymore of it."
Jack shut up, but they could still hear him grumbling as they started up the path.
*
Jade worked at the gag, trying to loosen it, or push it out of her mouth.
'I guess my tongue has a couple different uses," she thought hysterically. She wasn't sure exactly how long it had been since she'd run into Mara, but she was beginning to think it hadn't been her father after all. She laughed and sobbed at the same time, resulting in choking on the gag. In surprise, Garren dropped her arms and she sank to the ground, gasping for breath with her arms still tied behind her. Mara looked over to see what the noise was about.
"Un-gag her!" he cried quickly. "Her death is the last think we need." Hurriedly, Garren followed his orders. Jade sat there, gasping for air until she regained her breath. She glared up at them from beneath the hair that had fallen in front of her face.
"Such a shame that would be," Jade agreed, rising to her feet. "I'd so hate to miss out on the opportunity to be used as a fucking post."
"Excuse me?"
"After all, isn't that what you used your sister for?" The smack resounded over the trees as Mara slapped her across the face. Jade barely even flinched, despite the fact it stung like a bitch and was steadily turning crimson. "Whatever happened to respecting women?"
"You don't deserve respect," Mara snapped. "You are no woman."
"Aw, that hurts. Right here." Jade motioned to her heart. Garren looked on with wide eyes; nobody had ever dared his captain like this before. "So tell me, did you respect your darling Isabella? Because fucking her is one thing, but respect is important." With a whistle of air, Mara drew his sword and had the point resting on her neck. Jade gave it a passing glance before continuing. "You know, there's every possibility that she killed herself because she was left with you again, and you didn't respect her. Do you have a problem... you know... getting up?"
With a feral snarl, Mara stepped forward, pushing his sword into her neck until a tiny spot of blood appeared.
"I will kill you."
"Stop!" a familiar voice ordered. Mara pulled away and Jade spun to look.
"Daddy!" she screamed before Garren grabbed her again. "Remind me to kill you later."
"Let her go, Mara," Jack demanded. His request was ignored.
"Ah, my dear Jack-"
"Captain!" Jade interjected. She, too, was ignored.
"How good to see you again," Mara continued. "Shame it will be the last time."
"I'm afraid I have a few... disagreements, of sorts, with your... conditions."
"Such as?"
"Number one, I want my daughter released. Number two; I don't feel quite ready to give up my life just yet. And since I'm sure you'll insist upon SOMEBODY dying, I'm afraid it'll have to be you."
"I'm afraid, dear Mr. Sparrow, your requests are impossible. I intend to keep your daughter and teach her some... manners. And you, Jack, will not be leaving this island. I will kill you, in honour of Isabella."
"Do your best," Jack growled, advancing with his sword in hand.
"Now now, Jack. Not quite like that. This game will be played by my rules." Mara whistled, and the remaining thirty members of his crew came pouring out of the tunnel.
Jack stared at the men surrounding him. "That's interesting. Don't know how to fight fair, Mara?"
"Thirty to one, and you still have the gall to mock me?"
"I'm afraid the odds are not quite so uneven."
"What? You don't expect your precious daughter to help."
"That's not what I'm talking about. It seems you've earned yourself quite a reputation, Mara. I have an additional fifty men on the hill, waiting for my signal."
"You're bluffing."
"Am I?"
Mara was beginning to look nervous. "Whatever happened to fighting fair?"
"You forgot one thing. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow. I don't know how to fight fair." Jack's eyes glinted with his dangerous, cocky grin. "Savvy?"
His significantly exaggerated makeshift crew was waiting for that signal. Leaping forward, Jack Turner positioned himself in front of Jade, sword raised defensively. Slipping from the shadows, Gibbs and Anamaria flanked their captain, quickly eyeing targets of their own. Circling behind them, Will and Elizabeth raced to and fro, making as much noise as possible, trying to make it sound as if more people were approaching. As Captain Jack had hoped, Mara began to look worried.
"You are a fool. If she was my daughter, I would have done whatever was asked of me to ensure her safety."
"Ah," Jack drawled, one finger raised condescendingly. "But she is NOT your daughter. She is mine. And what you don't seem to understand, is that she IS me."
"And thank GOD for that," Jade yelled from behind Jack Turner. A moment before, Jack had released her hands from their infernal bonds and given her something she had longed to hold for days. Her sword.
Grinning, she stepped up next to the younger Turner, leaning against the boy comfortably.
Furiously, Mara sprang towards Jade, screaming, "Attack."
In the split second it took for Mara's order to register, the silence was so acute that the only noise as deafening was the cacophony of war cries and sword clashes that followed. The world became about movement, slashing, parrying, thrusting in a beautiful, primal waltz. Each person fighting could not get rid of the thought that this was the dance of death; and each step could be their last.
Looking to join her father, Jade felt herself pulled back by her shirt. As she prepared to protest, the point of a sword slammed into the cliff face, inches away from her head.
Quickly dispatching the incompetent pirate, Jack spun to face Jade angrily.
"Stop thinking!" he yelled. "React, survive, count your losses after! That's your rule, isn't it?"
Jade growled. "It's my father's, thank you very much. Whom I am going to now."
Before she could stalk off, Jack grabbed her arm roughly. "He can take care of himself. You, I'm not so sure of."
"I've killed more men than you've met!"
"Really, well then, enlighten me; prove you can fight. With one word, tell me how you kill."
"Duck!"
Confused, Jack turned around, searching for the fowl. "I know you say random things, but is this really-"
"DUCK!" Jade screamed, pushing the boy over and running through the approaching assailant. Helping him up, Jade grinned a truce.
"We're even," she told him simply.
"Maybe we should stick together."
"Why?"
The young man's face burst into a grin of his own. "Because your father said, 'Jackie, find my daughter and stick together.'"
It would only be after three more men had tired, and failed, to kill them, that Jade would realize what he'd said.
"Jackie?"
"Is this it?" she questioned sweetly. Mara grinned coldly at her.
"Oh you just wait, mi amore." Pushing back some vines from the face of a cliff, he revealed an opening to a deep cave. "This cave leads to the top of the cliff. From there, we'll be able to see your darling father coming before he even knows we're here." Jade's eyes widened.
"No!" she cried as they dragged her into the cave. "You coward! You're too afraid to even give him a fair fight!" Her screams were ignored as they tied her to the cave wall. "You're disgusting!" she continued. "I've never seen such a coward in all my life. What kind of a cur doesn't give their opponent a fair fight?"
Mara walked over, looking her straight in the eye. "And what kind of a fair fight do you think he gave my sister," he asked, "When he bewitched her."
"You wanna know what I think?" Jade questioned, returning the unblinking gaze. "I think your sister would be ashamed of you."
*
"Jack, how do you know where we're going?" Elizabeth asked, tramping through the forest in Anamaria's borrowed clothing.
"I don't," Jack Turner answered his mother.
"Not you."
Jack Sparrow eyed Jack Turner. "You know, we're going to have to fix that."
"What?"
"The name thing. It's bloody confusing. From now on, ye shall be known as Jackie."
"No!" Jack cried, as Will snorted with laughter.
"Don't push your luck son, or I'll have it changed to Jaqueline, savvy?" Jack threatened.
"Why aren't you Jackie?"
"Well, take your pick. I'm older, smarter, and you were named for me. Besides, I'm far prettier than you."
Jack rolled his eyes. "Sounds to me like you should be called Jaqueline."
*
Jade struggled against her ropes, trying to think of a way to save her father.
"Hey, Garren!" she hissed, trying to gain her guard's attention.
"What?"
"You like me, right?" He spat at her feet. "Guess not."
Mara returned from wherever he'd been. "Do not fret, tesora. He'll be dead before he knows he's been shot." Seeing her chance, Jade decided to play on what was left of Mara's twisted heart.
"That's it? I don't even get to say good bye?"
Mara shrugged. "Unfortunate, I suppose."
"Unfortunate?" Jade repeated angrily. "He's my father."
"Father or not, I don't especially care," Mara retorted. "He doesn't deserve to say good bye. I was given no such opportunity with Isabella."
"But wouldn't you have liked said opportunity?" Jade asked softly.
Mara seemed to be contemplating this for a moment. "I'll make you a deal," he said finally. "I won't let you say good bye. I will, however, let you come up and watch his death from the top of the cliff." Jade shook her head violently.
"You're sickening."
"Such hurtful words," Mara replied sarcastically. "Bring her up," he ordered Garren, who untied her and dragged her along.
"Should I gag 'er as well, sir?"
Mara thought about it for a moment. "I suppose so. After all, it wouldn't do to have her warning her father before the..." he trailed a hand down her cheek. "Opportune time."
"It's opportune moment, you moron!" Jade screamed with fire in her eyes just before the greasy rag was slipped back into her mouth.
A strong wind blew hard along the top of the cliff, twisting Jade's hair violently in front of her face, making it difficult to see. Garren had slackened his hold on her somewhat, but she didn't see any advantage it gave her. They, with Mara, stood alone, looking out over the trees. The remaining men lay in wait in the cave; Mara had made it perfectly clear that he would be the one to finish off the infamous captain. Jade bit her lip over the gag, trying to remember the last thing she'd said to her father.
"Sir!" Garren hissed urgently, pointing to a rustling through the trees below. It could have been nothing, but then again... Mara raised his gun.
Seeing her one opportunity and grasping it fully, Jade broke free from Garren and ran into Mara, knocking his gun off aim and the gag from her mouth.
*
"Stop!" Jack Turner cried suddenly. Everyone stopped and stared at him.
"What're ye playing at, boy?" Gibbs demanded.
"I saw something flash," Jack said.
"Where?" Anamaria demanded harshly.
"Up there, somewhere. Like metal catching the sun." All eyes looked up.
"You're certain you didn't imagine it?" Will asked.
Jack nodded. "Please, just give it five minutes, see if it happens again."
They all looked to the captain. Five minutes could potentially mean the difference between Jade living and dying.
"Five minutes," he agreed finally.
*
"What on earth are you doing?" Mara demanded, turning on Jade angrily. "Why weren't you keeping a better hold on her, Garren? Are you that uncaring of my sister's death?"
Once again opportunity had knocked, and Jade was waiting at the door.
"Well, if you're seeking revenge on your sister's death, it's yourself you should be punishing," she announced, touching on Mara's most sensitive spot.
"What?"
"After all, you're the one who killed her." Jade's comment had set a murderous glint in Mara's eyes, but her words had had the effect she'd hoped for. As Mara lifted the gun, the sunlight once more reflected off of it. She only hoped they'd seen the warning in time.
*
"There! See, there it was again!" Jack cried. This time, they had all seen the bright light.
"Well I'll be damned to eternity and back," Jack Sparrow muttered.
"Jack?" Elizabeth pushed for an explanation.
"That blasted coward wasn't going to give me a fair fight. He's standin' atop that cliff waitin' to shoot twenty holes in my gut."
"Well, what are we to do?" Will asked. Jack turned to him with a crooked smile.
"I'm Captain Jack Sparrow, dear William, remember? I always have an alternative means of transportation."
"Which would be?"
"Now William, if I told you that, it would ruin the surprise."
"You have no idea, do you?"
"Not a clue," Jack admitted. "But, I will find a way."
They set off again, being careful to stay beneath the cover of the trees.
*
"You foolish, foolish girl," Mara growled. "Do you really think you've made any sort of difference? You're still tied and your father still doesn't know we're here."
Jade ignored this, laughing dryly. "You know, you said that I would hate my father; wish for his death even. But I don't, nor have I at any point. The only death I'm wishing for right now is yours."
"Mine?" Mara asked. "I have done nothing."
"Aside from planning to kill my father, I assume?"
"He deserves it."
"In your humbled, slightly biased, opinion."
"I am growing tired of your games," Mara told her in a threatening tone.
"And I'm growing tired of you, but you don't hear me complaining."
"Enough!" Mara shouted.
"Enough what? Cake? I love cake. In which case, I haven't had enough, thanks."
Mara was clearly growing infuriated. "Enough of you! Your very voice drains me."
"Guess you won't be keeping me around then?"
"On the contrary, my dear. I expect that, with time, you will learn."
"Oh, go jump off a cliff," Jade growled. "Which we're conveniently located right next to. Go on! Jump!"
Mara favored her only a disgusted glance. "Replace the gag."
*
"Told you I'd find it!" Jack announced gleefully. "Secret path up the back. The tables have turned, Mara," he added, almost to himself.
The younger Jack looked at the base of the cliff ruefully. "You call this a path? To a squirrel maybe."
Elizabeth gave him a Look.
"The fact of the matter is, young Master Turner," Anamaria spoke the words in an almost mocking tone. "It's taken us a good half hour to find this path. And it'll take us at least another quarter of an hour to get up there. Time is not on our side, and we can't afford to waste anymore of it."
Jack shut up, but they could still hear him grumbling as they started up the path.
*
Jade worked at the gag, trying to loosen it, or push it out of her mouth.
'I guess my tongue has a couple different uses," she thought hysterically. She wasn't sure exactly how long it had been since she'd run into Mara, but she was beginning to think it hadn't been her father after all. She laughed and sobbed at the same time, resulting in choking on the gag. In surprise, Garren dropped her arms and she sank to the ground, gasping for breath with her arms still tied behind her. Mara looked over to see what the noise was about.
"Un-gag her!" he cried quickly. "Her death is the last think we need." Hurriedly, Garren followed his orders. Jade sat there, gasping for air until she regained her breath. She glared up at them from beneath the hair that had fallen in front of her face.
"Such a shame that would be," Jade agreed, rising to her feet. "I'd so hate to miss out on the opportunity to be used as a fucking post."
"Excuse me?"
"After all, isn't that what you used your sister for?" The smack resounded over the trees as Mara slapped her across the face. Jade barely even flinched, despite the fact it stung like a bitch and was steadily turning crimson. "Whatever happened to respecting women?"
"You don't deserve respect," Mara snapped. "You are no woman."
"Aw, that hurts. Right here." Jade motioned to her heart. Garren looked on with wide eyes; nobody had ever dared his captain like this before. "So tell me, did you respect your darling Isabella? Because fucking her is one thing, but respect is important." With a whistle of air, Mara drew his sword and had the point resting on her neck. Jade gave it a passing glance before continuing. "You know, there's every possibility that she killed herself because she was left with you again, and you didn't respect her. Do you have a problem... you know... getting up?"
With a feral snarl, Mara stepped forward, pushing his sword into her neck until a tiny spot of blood appeared.
"I will kill you."
"Stop!" a familiar voice ordered. Mara pulled away and Jade spun to look.
"Daddy!" she screamed before Garren grabbed her again. "Remind me to kill you later."
"Let her go, Mara," Jack demanded. His request was ignored.
"Ah, my dear Jack-"
"Captain!" Jade interjected. She, too, was ignored.
"How good to see you again," Mara continued. "Shame it will be the last time."
"I'm afraid I have a few... disagreements, of sorts, with your... conditions."
"Such as?"
"Number one, I want my daughter released. Number two; I don't feel quite ready to give up my life just yet. And since I'm sure you'll insist upon SOMEBODY dying, I'm afraid it'll have to be you."
"I'm afraid, dear Mr. Sparrow, your requests are impossible. I intend to keep your daughter and teach her some... manners. And you, Jack, will not be leaving this island. I will kill you, in honour of Isabella."
"Do your best," Jack growled, advancing with his sword in hand.
"Now now, Jack. Not quite like that. This game will be played by my rules." Mara whistled, and the remaining thirty members of his crew came pouring out of the tunnel.
Jack stared at the men surrounding him. "That's interesting. Don't know how to fight fair, Mara?"
"Thirty to one, and you still have the gall to mock me?"
"I'm afraid the odds are not quite so uneven."
"What? You don't expect your precious daughter to help."
"That's not what I'm talking about. It seems you've earned yourself quite a reputation, Mara. I have an additional fifty men on the hill, waiting for my signal."
"You're bluffing."
"Am I?"
Mara was beginning to look nervous. "Whatever happened to fighting fair?"
"You forgot one thing. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow. I don't know how to fight fair." Jack's eyes glinted with his dangerous, cocky grin. "Savvy?"
His significantly exaggerated makeshift crew was waiting for that signal. Leaping forward, Jack Turner positioned himself in front of Jade, sword raised defensively. Slipping from the shadows, Gibbs and Anamaria flanked their captain, quickly eyeing targets of their own. Circling behind them, Will and Elizabeth raced to and fro, making as much noise as possible, trying to make it sound as if more people were approaching. As Captain Jack had hoped, Mara began to look worried.
"You are a fool. If she was my daughter, I would have done whatever was asked of me to ensure her safety."
"Ah," Jack drawled, one finger raised condescendingly. "But she is NOT your daughter. She is mine. And what you don't seem to understand, is that she IS me."
"And thank GOD for that," Jade yelled from behind Jack Turner. A moment before, Jack had released her hands from their infernal bonds and given her something she had longed to hold for days. Her sword.
Grinning, she stepped up next to the younger Turner, leaning against the boy comfortably.
Furiously, Mara sprang towards Jade, screaming, "Attack."
In the split second it took for Mara's order to register, the silence was so acute that the only noise as deafening was the cacophony of war cries and sword clashes that followed. The world became about movement, slashing, parrying, thrusting in a beautiful, primal waltz. Each person fighting could not get rid of the thought that this was the dance of death; and each step could be their last.
Looking to join her father, Jade felt herself pulled back by her shirt. As she prepared to protest, the point of a sword slammed into the cliff face, inches away from her head.
Quickly dispatching the incompetent pirate, Jack spun to face Jade angrily.
"Stop thinking!" he yelled. "React, survive, count your losses after! That's your rule, isn't it?"
Jade growled. "It's my father's, thank you very much. Whom I am going to now."
Before she could stalk off, Jack grabbed her arm roughly. "He can take care of himself. You, I'm not so sure of."
"I've killed more men than you've met!"
"Really, well then, enlighten me; prove you can fight. With one word, tell me how you kill."
"Duck!"
Confused, Jack turned around, searching for the fowl. "I know you say random things, but is this really-"
"DUCK!" Jade screamed, pushing the boy over and running through the approaching assailant. Helping him up, Jade grinned a truce.
"We're even," she told him simply.
"Maybe we should stick together."
"Why?"
The young man's face burst into a grin of his own. "Because your father said, 'Jackie, find my daughter and stick together.'"
It would only be after three more men had tired, and failed, to kill them, that Jade would realize what he'd said.
"Jackie?"