A/N: As school is starting back in a little less than two weeks for me, I would love to finish this story before then, so expect to be seeing the last two chapters up very soon! Thanks for reading!
Chapter Ten
Jack led the poor, trembling sailor back to the docks, where they climbed into a small row boat. He grabbed the oars and began rowing out to sea, all the while keeping a steely glare fixed on his prisoner. When they were out of visual range of anyone on the beach, Jack finally spoke.
"Son, I find myself in the position where you have information that is very valuable to me. Now what be your name?"
"Phillips." He answered nervously. "James Phillips."
"Splendid! Phillips, then, is has come to my attention that you accompanied the fine Commodore Norrington on his invasion, of Tortuga, did you not?"
The young man nodded hesitantly.
"Good. Now, you see, a very good friend of mine was aboard that ship who did not return. I was informed that he was killed in Tortuga."
"Several men were killed in Tortuga, sir; I don't know who you are-"
"Goes by the name of William Turner."
The young man gaped at him.
"You understand of course that as a pirate, I have many friends and resources in Tortuga. If young Will had been in Tortuga, I would know about it."
"Sir, as a soldier in Her Majesty's Royal Army, I am forbidden to give up any information that-"
"I also find it interesting," interrupted Jack, "that his poor wife's father was murdered the day after she was informed that William had been killed." He leaned toward Phillips. "And that the young widow is to marry the commodore so she will be safe. Don't you?"
"I just cannot-"
"Son, I admire your bravery and resolve to be valiant and follow your order of silence, but, please do believe me, that there are other people who care about poor William's outcome who have no qualms about directly affecting your well-being in the quest of getting the information that they need."
Phillips swallowed hard. "If I were to tell you what happened to him, would you let me go?"
Jack considered the proposal or a moment. "Well, I can't very well let you go directly, obviously, as your loyalty seems to diminish with amazing speed under pressure, but I can guarantee that you will be returned to Port Royal by the time of the commodore's wedding, unharmed. What say you to that?"
"I have no choice, sir."
Jack smiled and resumed rowing. "Good lad. Now tell me what happened."
"First, you must understand that we were all under orders, some threatened, I imagine, but…"
The bright orange ball that was the sun was slowly sinking down into the churning waves of the sea being tossed about wildly by the strong winds that brought with them large, gray storm clouds. The sky looked as though a storm would break out at any moment, though the sky surrounding the setting sun was clear. Elizabeth watched as small streaks of lighting in the east flashed out of the clouds. She could hear children laughing and shrieking in the street below, hurrying home before the rain started. The clouds continued moving in and slowly blocked out the last few rays of sunshine.
She had to go see a seamstress the next day to make sure her dress was still perfect and then accompany Commodore Norrington to speak with a priest about performing the ceremony out near the docks, where the commodore had been promoted and Elizabeth had fallen off the wall.
She sighed and sat down on the edge of her bed. She could not get Jack Sparrow's words out of her mind, "false information", concerning Will's death. At first she thought that there was the chance that Will was still alive, but she knew that it was just blind hope. She dared not to hope of to believe or trust in anything. Losing Will had almost killed her, and losing her father had only driven her closer to the edge. There was nothing left, in her opinion that she could trust.
The Black Pearl was sailing at top speed toward the tiny island where Will supposedly lay. Jack knew that he had very little chance of surviving if the young Mr. Phillips had told truthfully of his condition. He had only one day to find Will, and if he was still alive, nurse him back to some degree of health and get him back to Port Royal in time to break upu the wedding. It did not look good, and was used to working under pressure.
"Cap'n?" said a young man entering the room where Jack sat staring into space. "We've arrived, Cap'n."
Jack nodded and the pirate left him. Jack stood up slowly and stretched out his arms. It was time to go find Will, dead or alive.
Will stared at the sky. It was so blue and peaceful- the complete opposite of what he was feeling.
"I'm going to die."