Disclaimer: Stop depressing me. I do NOT own Pirates of the Caribbean; it belongs to Disney. I do NOT own Johnny Depp, though I wish I did…he belongs to himself. The only things I own related to this fic are the plot, my character Tristan Jones, Port York, and any other OC which pops up in here, which I shall inform you of immediately in future disclaimers…oh ya, and I own the postman. No touchy. The only things I own otherwise are my POTC DVD, my dog, computer, my imagination, and a few bucks in my pocket. So no sueing, savvy?
Summary: Sequel to Tell No Lies. On The Black Pearl, things seem pretty peaceful…but peace never lasts, at least in the life of Captain Jack Sparrow. Will he be able to survive when his enemy is…himself?
Sequel to . On , things seem pretty peaceful…but peace never lasts, at least in the life of Captain Jack Sparrow. Will he be able to survive when his enemy is…himself?Remember Me
Chapter 5
Parting of the Ways
Later on in the night, the lost man could be seen from near the secluded island's shoreline, dancing moronically around an open flame. Empty rum bottles decorated the shoreline, the light from the fire sparkling on the glass and in the calm ocean water like the sun.
"La-la-la, I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts…big as yer head…err, something or another and the like of that…" he belted out drunkenly and dramatically the song completely off rhythm and awful enough to make hounds howl in agony in the otherwise hauntingly quiet night air. He scooped up a stray bottle by his bare sandy foot and tried to gulp some down. When nothing came out he tried to shake out any drops. Dry as the sand he grazed on. As a result of shaking himself, he toppled over, giggling fitfully.
"La-deeee-laaaa…what the 'ell am I singin'…yo ho. Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me--" His eyes snapped open, not realizing he had closed them in his stupor. Why was he singing about pirates? I'm not a pirate, I shouldn't be singing about them. He thought wistfully, his heart thumping with anxiety, feeling strangely like he was denying himself a ticket off the bloody island.
He sat up quickly, feeling quite lightheaded but definitely more sober. He looked down at his feet and wiggled his toes absentmindedly. After a few moments, his throbbing made him feel restless, so he grabbed an extra twig for the blazing fire. He started scribbling in the sand, testing out his 'writing skills'. He printed out shakily with his dominant right hand, 'Get me off this island, I'm going nuts'. Or, at least he attempted to. It turned out more like 'Gimme zum pie, wit lots o nutz'.
Really, I could have told you that you didn't know how to write; you can barely read the word 'Rum' for god's sake.
He was quite used to hearing Doubt's voice circling around his head by now like a poltergeist that wouldn't stop haunting him, but it didn't stop him from becoming slightly irritated. "Thanks for the heads up on that, mate," he grumbled sarcastically, flopping down on the sand unceremoniously.
Now is that any way to talk? I did give you your rum, after all.
did"Sorry, but in my present situation, this is 'bout as polite as I'm gonna get," he sneered, then paused. "'Sides, I still don't trust ye."
Aw, that hurts way down deep, son. Here I am, trying to help you, and you take advantage of my kindness and blow it up in my face. Fine, I won't tell you then.
This caught his attention. "Tell me what?"My lips are sealed, 'long as you continue with that brash attitude.
Flustered, he growled out loud like an furious lion. "Fine. 'M sorry. Please tell me?" He felt himself gag on the word 'please'.
Well, that's a bit of an improvement. If you really want to know, I'll tell you…do you wonder why this place is so familiar? Why you felt you had to go to the rum cache earlier today?
"Ah, you are so-- stop bloody messin' with me head! Yer tellin' me, yer not tellin' me, won't shut the 'ell up, lips glued together. Make up yer bloody mind already!" Over the past couple of months, Doubt had not ceased to aggravate the lost man and make his head spin.
No seriously, I'm going to tell you. Not everything, mind you, but at least an explanation of why you're here. I don't exactly want to be yelled at all of the time for holding back information. So here goes…you were marooned here.
He raised an eyebrow. "What?" he snorted coldly.
You heard me.
"Yes, I did, but what makes ye expect I'll believe ye?"
Well, what else is there to believe? Your stuck on an island, all by yourself with only your thoughts to keep you company. Not only that, but you can't remember a bloody thing, mate. If you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Nobody wanted you, so they dumped you on this damn island.
The lost man frowned deeply. "But why would someone want to get rid of me in the first place?"
Most likely because you're annoying. Honestly, I've been a part of you since forever, so I should know.
"I don't believe it. Not comin' from ye."
Believe what you want, but that's all you're going to hear from me if you won't even listen. It amuses me seeing you try to figure it out all by yourself anyway.
With that, Doubt departed from his immediate thoughts. The lost man lay where he was, staring up at the sky thoughtfully. The stars winked down at him, and he could hear them taunting him from their freedom up in the air in the breeze that circled him and the god forsaken spit of land he was stuck on. Doubt must've been trying to trick him again. That was why he showed him where to rum was, so that he could gain his trust and make him drunk, thus have more open ears. But he wouldn't let that work. If he had too, he'd ship the rum out to sea to make sure he didn't fall under Doubt's allurement. He refused to listen to his inner musing's reasoning.
He closed his burnt butterfly eyes to block out the sight of the sky mocking him. He had to get off this island, away from his Doubt, away before he went insane with loneliness…
He suddenly began to feel the sensation of a slow rocking, like a baby in a cradle, and he heard the soft creaking of wood singing in his ears. His eyes fluttered open, and he realized that he was on a ship, finely carved wood surrounding him on all sides.
Except for in front of him. In front of him lay the vast ocean that boxed him in like a present on the island he was stuck on…but now, he didn't seem to be. What is going on? He wondered.
"And this would be the parting of the ways, old friend," An ancient mocking voice drawled from behind.
He looked behind himself and saw a man far older and taller than himself with a face that looked as if it had been gouged several times with a knife. But even with his ugly face, he looked smug and wore slightly dirty clothing that looked like it could have been fine quality at one point, but also of which a pirate would wear. Seeing the crew of nasty faces behind him and a rough looking monkey on his shoulder, he realized that he was faced with a pirate crew. They didn't look like they liked him much, either.
"I hope you won't mind if we 'borrow' your ship permanently, seeing you won't need it when you're stuck on that island," The man sneered, pointing with a tarnished sword in front of the lost man. He looked forward again and saw not too far away the same island he was stuck on before. His heart sank, and did his head. He saw that he was about to walk the plank.
"Ye do realize that mutiny is 'bout the lowest thing a pirate can do, worse than killin' someone," a voice that sounded strikingly like his own possessed his mouth in a soft tone, "It's against the code, mate." He looked back at the crew, his heart throbbing from the pain of betrayal. He should have known better than to trust any of them. And yet he was not surprised. The only betrayal the really hurt him was Bootstrap. Bootstrap? His eyes wandered to one man; he was a tall one with dark hair and was fairly handsome in a way unlike himself. He noticed he wouldn't make eye contact with him.
Whether this was Bootstrap or not, it didn't matter. All he knew was he could trust anyone anymore.
"You forget, Captain, that we are but humble pirates," the older man sneered back, "The code is merely there for decoration. But right now, I fear it's time for you to go. Say hello to hell for me." A jeer from the pirates around him, and before he realized it, he was toppling over the plank, over the ship and descending towards the ocean, closer, closer, until it swallowed him like a hungry shark…
What is going on? wasCaptain,To lost man awoke in a cold sweat, thrashing like a fish out of water. He gained control of his movements and lay on the beach, panting with a pain in his breast. The same ache from his dream in his heart lingered, and he felt salty tears well up in his eyes. But he would not let them fall. He now knew that he was completely alone and going to stay that way. No one wanted him. Well, he didn't want them now. He'd be fine all on his own, with no one to betray him or hurt him.
What did I tell you, mate?
Well, almost completely alone.
To Be Continued…
A/N: A thousand apologies for the long wait! I've had very little inspiration for this story, but I felt I had to kick myself into gear for it. ; Anyway, reviews are appreciated, and could be considered a birthday present, since mine's a week from today…ehehe. And hopefully there won't be so long of a wait for the next chapter. ;