Chapter 10 – Man Overboard

After about a week, we left Port Heyforn. Back aboard the Pearl, things didn't seem as horrible as they had the first time. Mother and Father were upbeat, the water was calm with the wind at our backs, and best of all, Nick was doing better. He was even taking the time to take care of himself each day. His dark, messy hair was clean, combed, and tied back with a black ribbon. His shirt and vest were clean and his skin smelled fresh and felt smooth to the touch.

The day it happened was a peaceful one with a steady breeze. Father stood at the wheel, speaking with Nick, who sat beside him. I stood at the bow of the ship, leaning over the railing, the wind in my face. Mother was below deck, presumably sleeping. Jack, the legendary captain, was perched in the crow's nest behind me, whistling and talking to himself.

Just then, I heard a yell behind me, followed by a loud grunt. I whirled around just in time to see Jack, who must have just slid down the rope from the crow's nest and was now being flung across the deck by the giant mast, fly over the railing and into the water below. My father let go of the wheel, which he had just turned hard to port, sending his friend careening from his own ship. He ran to the left rail and frantically searched the still water.

"Jack! JACK!" he screamed. When Jack didn't appear for several long, excruciating seconds, he threw off his vest, belt, and boots and dove from the deck, headfirst.

Nick went straight to the railing where my father had just stood, eyes wide with horror. I ran, on impulse, to the steps that led below deck. I flew through the narrow corridor and threw open the door to the room where my mother slept. Just as I did, the ship gave a violent jerk that sent me somersaulting into the wall. As I rose from my crumpled heap on the hallway floor, I pushed myself through the now open doorway, yelling at my mother.

"Get up! Jack went overboard and Daddy went in after him!" My mother sat bolt upright, in somewhat of a daze. I darted toward the stairs and heard her footsteps at my back. As I reached the deck, my heart jumped into my throat. I screamed. The anchor was down, Nick was gone, and strange noises echoed from the water below.

It was my turn to peer over the edge. What I saw surprised me so much that I nearly fainted and fell over the side as well. Jack, Will and Nick were all in the water, swimming around a short distance from the ship, splashing each other and laughing hysterically. Nick looked up at me.

"Meg! Come on down! We dropped the anchor, so the ship isn't going anywhere!" My father joined in.

"Come on, Maggie! The water is warm and calm and there's no under current today!"

"William Turner!" came a screech behind me as my mother arrived at the railing. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" The men in the water all laughed even harder.

"Come on, love," Jack shouted at the top of his unusually loud, rum induced voice. I looked at my mother. Our eyes met and I smiled. Reluctantly, she went to the edge of the dock and let down the rope ladder, which she began to climb down. I shook my head and took off my shoes. Then, I climbed up to the top of the railing and balanced there. The light breeze blew on my face and through my hair. I jumped.

I fell for a long time before my hands touched the water, followed by my head, chest and finally my legs. My body plunged into the dark depths. I arched my back, curving my outstretched arms toward the surface. My momentum carried me back up to the daylight. I resurfaced right in front of Nick. Jack and Father were helping Mother into the water and were paying little attention to Nick and I. Technically, Father was trying to help her. I think Jack was trying to look up her dress. She kicked him squarely in the face, which kept him preoccupied for a good while.

Nick pulled me close. The water seemed colder as his hot breath condensed on my face into tiny droplets. He kissed me then. He was passionate and we continued to kiss and we sunk into the water, not caring if we ever got air again.