Chapter Two
Twenty Some Odd Years Later
Feet on the trap door, and neck in the noose, Devon Easterly normally would not have been upset. She'd always imagined her death at the gallows, minute hairs of the rope scratching at her neck while a long list of her crimes was read to the crowd, eagerly anticipating her death. But now, as it all played out as it should, she was not satisfied. She could not smirk proudly at the shocked crowd while the gaped at all the horrible things she'd done.
Not while he watched as if all they'd gone through meant nothing. As if it had never happened. Wasn't he torn inside as well?
No, of course he's not torn, Devon thought bitterly as the officer rambled on. Everything is back to normal for him. He committed no crime, save for that of incest. And no one knows of that but myself, and Jack. And Jack's gone. Just as I will be soon.
He's got his new bloody woman, standing proud at his side. A governor's daughter, in love with a lowly blacksmith, a full blooded pirate. But no one knows of that either. All think he was kidnapped by me, a ferocious female pirate. He'd be in a noose next to mine if they all knew what happened.
Devon glared at Elizabeth Swann, William's childhood friend. Will Turner, Devon snorted, named for all the ladies heads he turns when he walks past.
But as much as Devon hated her brother for getting on with his life, and making marriage plans with that brainless twit, she could not help but still love him. And as the officer continued to list her crimes, and the crowd made noises of disgust, Devon lapsed into her memories, much as one's life flashes before their eyes before they die. For the purpose of telling a story, we'll slow down that flash.