Disclaimer: I'm poor…I'm car less…I'm job less…and I don't owe Pirates of the Caribbean…happy now????? Stupid mouse…
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Haunted
Chapter 5, Part 2
"You've all been acquainted with heathen gods, correct? Osrick asked mockingly. No one moved or said anything.
"I've heard about the gold of Cortez. Both you and Barbossa were fools to pursue it," he looked at Jack's blank face.
"We didn' know of the curse..." Jack offered.
"You should've stuck with pillaging merchant ships. Greed is a terrible thing," Osrick said.
"Ya…what's yer excuse?" Jack asked, his brow knitting in question.
"Heh, I have reasons of my own."
"And what are those? I've 'eard stories too…stories of yer hirin' cutthroats to simply raze towns and even sack ports. I've seen the results wit me own eyes…men, women and children dead just to instill fear in people. Jus' te feel power right? Does the river of blood that is flows through yer fingers make ye feel powerful-like a god?" Jack spat, showing more emotion than he'd intended, but he had seen the results and he had known some- but that was a different time. He reigned back the control that had been slipping.
"Actually, Jack…it kind of does," Osrick smiled.
"A man shrouded in shadows of evil whose eyes reflect the flames of hell from which they were forged. Crimson blood dripping from his hands as he laughs in a way that would cause a demon to cower in fear…" Jack blankly looked at the wall across from him as he recited the words of another man. "I've 'eard that laugh before once…" Never would I forget it.
"You flatter me, Jack," Osrick chuckled and nodded his head. "One of the better tales told. I take it you've seen some of my work?"
"How could anyone…" Elizabeth looked in horrified shock.
"I am not just anyone. At one time you could say I was, but no longer. Time changes people. Many, many years ago I'd been a respectable man," Osrick said. Ana didn't bother to hide the mocking snicker that left her lips.
Rounding on her suddenly, Osrick glared at the female pirate with his eyes blackening against his skin. Recoiling in fear, Ana's eyes widened as they locked on the inky depths of sorcerer before her. Suddenly, breathing became difficult. The midnight eyes bore into her. The mockery left her and was replaced by muscle spasaming convulsions. Her entire body strained as her throat constricted.
"Ana!" Elizabeth exclaimed. Ana struggled to breath but some invisible force gripped her. She screamed in her mind to let go, but nothing responded.
"Leave 'er alone ye bastard!" Jack roared, pulling hard at the ropes binding him to the chair. As suddenly as it had appeared, the darkness in Osrick's eyes lighted and he looked at Jack.
"Teach your crew some respect…" Osrick muttered before Ana's body seemed to be released and she started gagging for air. "Now, where was I? Oh…I'd had a pleasant life, but…certain events changed that and I lost dear things to me, things that could not be replaced. After those events I couldn't continue with the life I had lived. I began searching for something, something to make what existed before to go away, and what I found were legends. Legends from various savage lands that hold many heathen gods with rumored powers beyond fathom. I no longer cared for the God of my land.
"These powers could be bestowed upon mere mortals. I could hurt those that hurt me. I went searching for years through jungles, deserts, and forests. I finally found a place, I won't trouble you with the details, but was one place amongst many, that worship gods of the elements. In my search for some truth to this power I allowed myself to wither away.
"One day I was struck down with a sudden fever, one that burned deeper and fiercer than any have ever felt. In my fevered mind I was approached by one of those gods. A fire god this was…it knew what I sought and promised it to me in return for one thing," Osrick trailed off seeing that all attention was on him and he smiled with teeth bared. "It is amazing what one can achieve for the price of a single soul."
"You're mad!" Will shouted as he resumed his struggling. Elizabeth and Ana looked on in silence, both in awe. Elizabeth's mouth was agape, but Ana's face was unreadable.
"Perhaps William, but I am the most powerful mad man on this planet."
"That still don' explain what it has t' do with us," Ana said in a low, concealed voice that sounded a bit ragged from the force that had been applied to her throat. Still uncertain about her captain's condition, she looked toward him. Sweat bathed his body and his skin beneath his tan was visibly pale. His head was hung low in what Ana could only decipher as concentration; guilt renewed a fire in her mind as she noticed his wounds still bled freely.
"Ah yes, well, I'm getting to that. You see, about eight years ago I was beginning to hear many tales of the Black Pearl being crewed by the damned. They were never caught and always got away with a great deal of cargo, treasure, etc. I approached Barbossa one day, he wasn't too happy about it, but I was able to convince him to give me a nice percentage of his earnings and his crew also did some jobs for me. It's very lucky indeed when you can find a crew that cannot be killed to do your work for you.
"Things were going quite well for many years…until of course Mr. Sparrow-"
"Cap'n," Jack muttered softly from beneath the hair that hung in front of his face.
Through out Osrick's speech, Jack had been leaning more and more forward in his chair. His head was now hanging as low as it could. Will looked worriedly at his friend and noticed that the new wound located on his torso was still oozing blood. It was strange and altogether disturbing to see the pirate captain without the trappings that were key to his aura, like his hat which had been abandoned by the front door. No, this was not the pirate he'd known on their journey to save Elizabeth all those years ago. This man was hurt, bleeding, weak and he looked oh, so pale. Is he thinking or is he dying? Just the thought caused panic to sieze his heart and Will found himself wanting to call out to his friend, but he didn't dare. In Jack's already weakened condition, Will didn't want to bring Osrick's attention to his friend. It sent shivers down the black smith's spin remembering the black void in those eyes and the end result once they'd focused on Ana. Will wasn't so sure Jack was strong enough at present to handle that.
"Right, forgive me, Captain Sparrow. When he decided to sail to Port Royal and get himself mixed up with the lot of you and the Royal Navy, well, you know the results. I lost another great thing, something that isn't likely to be replaced anytime soon. Captain Jack's crew seized the stash that was partly mine, and destroyed the crew that was perfect for what I needed. You all aided in that…sadly it has also damaged the reputation I hold, as well. Which makes things even worse you see. If people see that something I have invested in has been thwarted, then more will try to do so, and I just can't have that happening, now can I?" Osrick eyed each person as he spoke.
"How did you manage to convince Barbossa to work with you?" Will said, hoping that he could extend the time they had before Osrick went through with what ever he was planning.
"A simple display of what I am capable is all. He wasn't too proud that he had to be involved with me and that is why the word didn't spread too far about the accord between us. It served its purpose for both of us, I suppose," Osrick grinned.
"And what are you capable of Osrick?" Elizabeth asked with her chin out, almost challenging him to do something.
"Now's a good time to find out," Osrick's grin widened and his eyes flashed red for a second as they bore into hers. Panic was creeping into each of their hearts. A guttural noise erupted from Jack suddenly causing everyone to look at him. He threw his head back and they saw his face was contorted as if he were in pain. Sweat beaded on his forehead and was trickling down the pale skin of his face. He seemed to be gritting his teeth against something and sounds ripped through him that proved he was straining against some invisible force.
"Jack!" Ana called out, unable to stop herself.
"No…" Jack said through gritted teeth, his eyes tightly shut.
"It seems Sparrow is having some difficulties. I should go get something for him," Osrick said as he stood. The three companions along the opposite wall eyed him wearily at what he said. Jack let out another grunt as it seemed he was going through an internal struggle and his head dropped forward again.
"A pity…I suppose I'll have to untie him for a moment." Osrick said before walking behind Jack and started undoing his bounds. Ana gasped in shock at what was taking place…Is he really untying Jack?!
"I'll be back in a moment…" Osrick smiled as he left the room and closed the door. Jack's arms had fallen limply to his sides and he leaned forward in his seat, unmoving.
"Jack! Jack, get up! Untie us!" Ana called out to him.
He didn't move.
"Jack, are you ok? Say something…" Will said to him.
"What is wrong with him?" Elizabeth asked.
A sudden movement caught their attention.
"Jack…?" Ana uttered softly as she watched him. What was wrong…was he so hurt that he couldn't move anymore? Jack's body twitched a bit before his head slowly began to rise.
"You're alright!" Will said, smiling as he watched Jack lift his head. "Get us out of here."
"I'm afraid…" Jack's voice came low and deep as his face reached eye level with the others and what they saw caused their hearts to drop. "…I can't do that, mate." Jack finished, his normally brown, sparkling eyes no longer existed, but were replaced by red flamed orbs.
"Wouldn' be very nice fer our host…" Jack grinned.
No, this was not Jack's grin.
Those eyes were not Jack's eyes.
Elizabeth, Will and Anamaria exchanged worried glances as they realized that this man, this form, was devoid of all goodness and playful humor so prevalent in their friend. As the foreign eyes glowed hollowly at each of them, a laugh, so haunting, so brackish and empty shook from the man they once knew as Captain Jack Sparrow. The worst of it, the laugh echoed in complete duplication as that of Osrick's own evil tenor.
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I was told by a friend who read this previous to posting that I received the Best Cliffhanger of the Week award, but apparently it's a dangerous award to get…she also followed saying that with I need to get working on the next chapter…pronto. So, I will do as I am told. I hope at least the rest of the chapter was satisfying…I promise as long as people are reading, I will continue updating so keep up the reviews ok? :o) Thanks for reading and reviewing!!!!!!!!!
Notes to reviewers:
Angelmouse1215: I'm glad your previous questions were answered, hopefully by the time this fic ends they will all be answered. Hehe, yes you will have to keep reading to find out the rest. I happy that you are looking forward to what happens. I am very proud of how Osrick has developed, thank you for your praise. He's really taken on his own being and I find that he just creates himself. He really stood out to me. Thanks for reading!!!
Yuhji: *blushes* Thanks!! I will update, I promise!!
Ping*pong5: Thanks mate!! I'm always concerned about how the characters are portrayed so I'm happy to hear you think they are good. Yea…he is creepy. Thanks for reviewing.
Inu lover: Part two is delivered…hope you enjoyed!! :o)
Orlandolove32: *grins happily* Great to hear that you enjoyed this one and all previous chapters. The plot is really thickening, isn't it? Hope you liked this one too.
Jackfan2: I'm glad to hear their reactions were believable. Makes me feel better!! Yea, I thought Will grew a lot in the movie and it should be shown here too. Thanks for the nice words, I always appreciate them… Hope your feeling better. I can't wait to see your new one shot!!!! *Tries to calm down*