Chapter Nine: Fateful Night

Will strolled down the dark quiet streets of Port Royal.

"I love these nights," a soothing voice said beside him.

Will looked over at his wife and smiled. "I love any night spent with you," he told her honestly.

"You're such a charmer," she laughed, squeezing his hand.

Will grinned and squeezed her hand back. "What can I say? I'm a pirate."

"Yes, but you're my pirate," she reminded teasingly, kissing his hand.

Will was about to say something but his words died on his lips as a gust of wind whipped by them, making him stop dead in his tracks.

"What is it?" Elizabeth whispered, huddling closer to him.

Then, just as soon as the fear had come, it left. "Nothing," he told her finally. "Just my imagination."

Elizabeth gave a laugh and they began to walk again. "So when should we tell them?" she asked, and Will detected a twinkle in her eyes.

He shrugged and pulled her closer to him. He knew she was referring to telling the children and her father that she was pregnant again. "Whenever you like," Will assured, kissing her forehead.

She sighed happily as they continued down the desolate street in silence, just allowing each other to bask in the other's presence. Will looked keenly at his wife; the light of the full moon reflected off her hair, giving her a heavenly glow.

"Thank you, Elizabeth," he breathed, letting go of her hand and wrapping his arm around her waist. She looked at him, a puzzled expression playing on her face. "Thank you for giving me everything."

"Will, is something wrong?"

Will knew that he wasn't talking like his normal self and that it worried her. He wasn't sure why he was, he just felt that he needed to say these things.

"Will?"

He felt her hand slide over his and entwined their fingers together. He smiled as he felt the silver band that rested on her ring finger. "I'm all right," he assured, but nevertheless drew her tighter to him. He could feel the growth of the child within her, small as it was.

"Have you decided when to allow Alaina to come with you?"

Will laughed at her question, though he was glad to get his mind off of his other thoughts. "No, she's hardly even thirteen."

"I was only eight when my father took me out with him," she argued.

"Yes, but—" He was stopped short by the large boom that cut through the night air, immediately disrupting the peaceful atmosphere. As another boom went off Will recognized it as cannons. "Someone's attacking Port Royal," he said aloud. Then, realizing something, he looked over at Elizabeth, whose eyes were wide.

"The children," she made out, and released herself from his comforting arms and raced towards their home. Will followed quickly, the only thing on his mind to protect her.

Lights could be seen coming on in the houses and screams rang out as they both stumbled into their house. Will leaned up against the closed door for a moment, panting, but Elizabeth ran up the stairs and rushed into the boys' room.

Will caught his breath and quickly strode into his office, grabbing the sword off the mantel. He would not go out of the house aimlessly looking to kill someone; he would stay here and protect his family.

"Will!" he heard Elizabeth scream, and he rushed out of the room to find her standing at the top of the stairs, looking down on him with a frightened look on her face. "Alaina's gone," she managed to get out.

In a heartbeat Will was up the stairs and at the door of his daughter's room. Sure enough, the window was open and pillows were propped up on her bed to make it look like she was under her covers.

"Oh, of all the nights," Will heard Elizabeth groan.

"She'll be back soon. I'm sure Alex and Jill are with her. They're not dumb enough to get themselves killed." Will tried to assure her, but his voice was shaky.

Elizabeth frowned at him and shook her head. She was about to say something when a lighted torch came through the window and landed on the rug, immediately setting it aflame. Will whipped off the bed's heavy comforter and threw it on the flames. As he patted it out he saw in the corner of his eye Elizabeth rush out of the room. His heart quickened, as he knew she was going to go out and look for Alaina.

"Elizabeth!" he yelled, stomping on the smoldering bed cover. "Elizabeth!" he cried out again, taking one last look at the rug to make sure it wouldn't burn before he went after her.

As he was heading down the hall he caught a glimpse of her slipping out the door. His heart quickened as he heard a soft groan from the boys' room. He had to decide on whether to stay and protect the twins or to go with Elizabeth.

A sudden gunshot and a scream quickly made his decision for him.

He ran down the stairs and out of the house like lightning. But he came to a sudden halt as his body refused to move another step at the sight that greeted him.

Elizabeth was sitting on the ground, leaning against the building across the street. Her eyes were open, and she was staring right into his. He could tell that she was in severe pain; her eyes were wide. As he stared he felt his body involuntarily start to move towards her. As he got closer he noticed that her breathing was quick and irregular. The sudden realization hit him as he knelt down beside her. She was the one who had screamed. His body began to shake as he reached out to touch her. As their hands clasped he felt the sticky substance and almost cried in realization of it being her blood.

All around them were screams, cannons going off, guns firing. But he didn't notice. Nothing mattered, only Elizabeth. He gently entwined their fingers and felt the same band on her finger as he did only a short while ago. Now it was covered in blood. Her blood.

'This can't be happening. Dear Lord, this isn't happening,' he thought, quickly examining her to find blood seeping through her dark, heavy dress.

"Will," she gasped, but he quickly put a finger to her lips.

"It's okay," he managed. "Everything's going to be okay."

As he held her he carefully pulled her into his arms and cradled her. He could feel her body shaking as he held her close, and he heard her quiet sobs of pain.

"You're going to be all right," he told her softly, but even as he said this he could feel the life slowly draining from her.

"No," she sobbed, hiding her face in her hair.

"Elizabeth, you can't do this to me. You can't leave me."

"I'll always be with you," he heard her whisper comfortingly, squeezing his hand for the last time.

"No, Elizabeth," he cried, lifting up his face to look into her eyes, only to find cruel, unjust coldness. His tears fell onto her quiet face and he just stared at her, not fathoming what had just happened. Not even a half-hour ago the two had been strolling together peacefully around the middle of Port Royal. Now she was lying here, in his arms.

Dead.

Will stared at her, taking into account the pain and fear that was written on her face. Her eyes held nothing, nothing but emptiness. Her body was just a shell now, no longer harboring the spirited woman he loved.

'This isn't happening,' he thought, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes. 'I'm dreaming. When I wake up, Elizabeth will be right there. Right there.'

A sudden laugh pulled him from his fantasizing thoughts. The laugh sent chills throughout his body. It was so cruel, so heartless, so filled with enjoyment. Will's eyes opened in a flash, but as soon as he opened them they were transfixed on the body he still held in his arms. He wanted to look away, he wanted to look for the one who had laughed, but he couldn't. He could not take his eyes off of her, off of her unforgiving, cold eyes.

He squeezed her hand gently, just wanting to feel her hand in his. They fit perfectly together. Although his were somewhat rough from all the years he'd been a blacksmith. Hers weren't incredibly smooth either, but he had always thought of them as perfect. They belonged to a woman who was willing to do her part yet still play the lady when she had to.

Only an hour ago they had been warm and comforting. Now they were cold and miserable. Only when he felt how cold they were did he realize that this was no dream, this was reality. The tears began to flow rapidly down his face and he clung onto her limp body.

***

Will awoke with a loud cry. Sweat was dripping off his forehead. He looked around the unfamiliar room to hear the calming sound of the ocean drifting through the open window. Will lay back onto the bed cushioned his head with his arms.