Disclaimer: Disney called…apparently they didn't think my joke of stealing the copy rights to PotC was very funny. I tried to bargain with them, to at least keep Jack, but after a few broken ribs, black eye, and a snapped tendon in my leg, I've come to see eye to eye with them. They are very fond of that pirate. So, as required by the accord forged between us, I tell you now, I do not own PotC or anything to do with it, except Osrick, he's mine…HA!! Stupid Disney people…actually…I'll trade you…Osrick for Jack? Will? The monkey? *sighs* I'm done now…
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Haunted
Chapter 9
"You know what was positively amusing Jack?" Osrick smirked down at the pirate that was struggling to breathe under the weight and pain. "Knowing that it was you that was tormenting your own friends. And since that was so much fun, I think I'll take it a bit further."
"Leave…'em…out o' this," Jack hissed.
"As much as I like being me, I think it would be interesting to see how things are in someone else's shoes. Yours tend to be most appealing…an infamous pirate that owns the fastest ship in the Spanish Main, glory and riches. Do you know what I could do with that? To enjoy all of your luxuries, the loves of your life…and then destroy them…" Osrick looked down at Jack and his smirk widened.
"No-" Jack uttered, his brow furrowed as sweat trickled down his face.
"It might amuse me for maybe a month or more, then when I'm done, I will kill all those that love you." Osrick chuckled. "What a rush that will be…the horror in their eyes when they see you ending their lives. Watch as your beloved ship sinks down to Davy Jones locker."
"They would know…"
"Ah, but they won't. I've been in your head now, I know you, probably better than you do yourself. It'll be easy enough to mimic you. Just act like some drunken fool and I'll be fine. At least this will give your friends a bit longer to live. I think I'll let them kill you, because after all, if I'm you, then you must be me. I'm sure they'll enjoy ripping you apart. I've another idea…how bout I let you see what you shall be missing out on…a glimpse of what I will be enjoying in your stead…" Osrick raised his empty hand and laid it upon the top of Jack's head.
"Get...off-" Jack grunted before his eyes flew open and everything around him swirled into a world of colors.
See what you will no longer live…
A flash of light and it was like Jack was seeing a memory, but he hadn't experienced it yet. He was sitting in a chair with a tankard of ale in his hand. Three bar wenches were around him, one in his lap purposely wiggling around and giggling, her arms draped around his neck. A feast sat before him on the table, his crew around him laughing, drinking, and eating their fill. The scents of cooked pork and chicken mixed with that of the perfume pouring off the women filled his nostrils.
"-a fine gen'leman such as yer self doin' wit 'er!" A female voice flittered through to his consciousness. He found himself looking up at the woman the voice belonged to. She was well endowed, heavily covered in make-up and her hair put up sloppily. He felt himself grin up at her invitingly. She leaned forward, placing her hand behind his head and pulled his face to hers. Her lips locked with his and the world around him swirled away again.
The times you will miss…
Suddenly he was in a church pew…a place he hadn't been in a while. A memory yet to happen, only soon to be stolen by Osrick. Jack found himself looking up and seeing Elizabeth and Will standing at the front with a priest in front of them. The priest was giving his blessing and nodded warmly to Will who grinned before leaning forward and claiming his new wife's lips.
A roar of cheers went up around him and he found himself standing and grinning, but it wasn't his grin. He could feel it, it was twisted into sardonic smirk that only he knew about. It belonged not to him, but another man who was waiting to destroy the young couple's lives before they even really started. His vision blurred and the sounds around him faded away.
Jack felt movement underneath him. He looked up and found himself stand at the bow of the Pearl. The sun bursting forth from the clouds warming his tanned skin as it lit up the sky and sea. The sails billowed and flapped, some pulled taunt by the driving wind that rushed forward. Nothing but blue sea and skies surrounded them.
Salt filled the air; his senses were consumed by it. Water sprayed up from the ocean as the Pearl flew towards the horizon he loved so much, but it was not Jack who was enjoying the freedom. This was not his memory, but that of Osrick's future.
I will take what was once yours…
A moment later Jack realized it was night and he was no longer standing. A cool breeze blew in front the small port window causing a few pieces of papers to flutter on the table near by. He was lying down in his bed, his breathing matching the slow rocking of the ship underneath him. Jack felt something shudder beside him and move closer to his side. He looked over and saw Ana sleeping soundly.
" 'er too…no…don't believe it!" Jack thought, knowing Osrick would hear him.
The memories to-be faded away and Osrick was again atop of the pirate holding the sword to his throat.
"We shall see…It's been fun Jack, but I'm afraid I have an identity to borrow." Osrick smirked before giving Jack's wounds a shove, but the pirate held in the screams of pain, gritting his teeth against it. "Die well!"
Jack felt the weight lifted off of him and he gasped for air. The hurt pirate struggling to sit up. Coughs shook his weary body only causing him to hiss at the pain. He forced his blurry vision to focus and look around. Osrick was gone…now was the time to get back. The man had taken the bait and given Jack one last chance. He winced against the pain of his injuries as he forced himself to stand up.
"Luck, love…don' fail me now…" Jack murmured.
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Elizabeth glanced anxiously at the door as if waiting for something. She turned her gaze to Will worriedly and finally decided to speak.
"Can you move Will?"
"A little…" He said hoarsely. Elizabeth looked at the door again and slid her gaze towards Ana who wasn't moving at all. She took a deep breath before thrusting her body forward moving the chair a mere inch. The sound of the chair scrapping the floor caused Will to look up sharply.
"Stop! He'll hear you!" Will hissed.
"I don't care. We haven't heard anything from out there and I will not sit here and wait for the outcome." Elizabeth moved the chair again, slowly inching her way towards Will.
"If he comes back…" Will's expression was etched with concern.
"Either he is going to come through that door sooner or later…" She moved again "…or Jack will. I have to do something."
"Is Ana alright?" Will asked, his position hindering him from seeing her.
"I think…I hope she just fainted. He…choked her." Elizabeth pushed back at the emotions that ran through her and focused on getting to Will. She was only a little more than a couple of feet away. Will closed his eyes before he tried to turn his own chair. He'd barely moved before the white-hot pain shot up his body.
"Don't hurt yourself!" Elizabeth said. She pushed forward while trying to turn her chair so her hands would be closer to Will's.
"Have to…help," the young blacksmith gulped for air.
"I'm coming over to you…" She told him. Elizabeth continued to move closer and closer until her chair was next to his. She'd turned the chair as much as she could until she was able brush her fingers against his…it was the first contact they'd had since the church. "I'm going to try to see if I can untie your hands."
Elizabeth stretched her fingers as far as she could and felt the rough texture of the rope that held Will's hands. She tried to grip them around the bounds to see if she could loosen them. Sudden movement from the other side of the door caused her to gasp and look up, craning her neck to try and see the door.
"Hurry…" Will urged.
"Go Elizabeth!" Ana insisted. Elizabeth turned and saw the female pirate was awake and quickly resumed her attempt at freeing Will.
The door handle was lifted and slowly began to open. Elizabeth tried frantically to find something to pull on to loosen the bonds.
"Jack…" Will uttered. Elizabeth stopped her attempts at freeing Will and tried to look at the door. Jack stood slouched forward, leaning into the door frame as he breathed heavily, his gaze falling on the three occupants of the room.
"Aye…" Jack nodded. "It's over."
*~*~*
Bad muses, bad!!! They have not been very reliable in timing lately, I must say, it was like pulling teeth with them this chapter. Plus I know this one is a bit short compared to others, but next will be longer! *sigh* They really just wanted to get to the next one to be honest, which means, for all of you, it'll come much quicker than this one! If this one doesn't seem up to par with the others, please let me know, and I'll try to fix it up. For all interested in knowing if there is anything coming after this, there might be a sequel or there might just be another story separate from this. Either way there will be something, I promise! It might take some time to get some research and general points in it done so it'll make some sort of sense, but I hope you'll all stick around and check it out when I finally do ;o).
Ahiflame: Did I leave you hangin'? *looks over cliff that readers are hanging from…hehehe…guess I did…sorry…yes, you have evil scenes, eunuch and Jack should not be mentioned together!! P.S. NO KEELHAULING!!!!
Jackfan2: s'ok mate,-er…Cap'n! I still love ya ;o). Why thank ye pack-mate, 'm happy I it twisted and pulled, that was the idea haha. We're almost done!
Kungfuchick: Don't let it get to ya yet! We still have one more chapter at least!
TrappedAndAnnoyed: yup we're gettin' close! I like happy endings too, but sometimes the muses disagree ;-)
Coolpuella: Thanks, sorry it took so long!
LaVieSansAmour: Why thank you mate. *Bows greatly* ooohhh, what an honor indeed, I'm deeply greatful! Compliant? Oh…I'm so sorry about that, I know I'm terrible at keeping a schedule, but blame the muses, they wanted to skip ahead and get to the ending!
Inu lover: Interesting guess lol. No, your right, those two guys who were after Ana were just a means to an end for Osrick, they weren't actually there, he was just using memories to provoke her. Hope that helps.
Capt.Cow: I still like that name hehe. Hope this brightens your day again!
Ferntree: Osrick…he's a trickys one i'nt he? Yes, there shall be something!!
Shaz1: I'm updated, see? Ok, so it's a late easter pressie…only a lit'l though.
ElvenRanger13: Why thanks…the next will be up faster than this took. Darn…I can't kill Will??? Aww…but-*sighs* fiiiiinnne….*mumbles about ruining the end* ;o)
Kacijo12: I think calling Osrick Satan is a bit much…maybe…yea, it scares me sometimes too lol. *blushes* well, I'm glad to hear you hold me in such high esteem. It's very touching. I hope next story will keep you just as excited. Don't let writers block bring you down. If you need to just take a step back for a while and then try. *blushes even more* thank you… Your welcome for reviewing, I'll check back soon to see if anything new has popped up on your side of the tracks. Ta!
French Chipmunk: Lol, I'm glad you stumbled upon my little piece here, hope it fulfilled your angsty needs. I've got a couple more from some other authors that are very good if you're interested in more. Thanks!