:: Chapter 4 ::

A lovelier place than Port Royal couldn't be known, with its tall lazy palm trees that gossip in the balmy breezes and tropical flowers that radiate brilliant hues that blend into the romantic scenery. Yet maybe Port Royale was even lovelier in the rain, where all the less fortunate neighborhoods were all swirled together into the beautiful abstract painting that the spring storm had created. The rain was purifying, washing away the imperfections in everything, and blurring the edges of the world.

Elizabeth watched the world liquidate from the glass doors that lead out to her balcony. She pressed her hands against the door, her warm touch creating a slightly steamy imprint on the cool glass. The blurry, windy, rainy turmoil mirrored Elizabeth's mind – she still was in complete shock with her fateful decision. Yet calmed her mind, watching the rain patter gently against the window and tracing watery channels into the glass. Pitter, patter…minute after minute…Elizabeth stood there at the door, seemingly mesmerized. The expression on her face was one of serenity, almost like she was asleep; numb to the world.

Unexpectedly, a sob escaped Elizabeth's lips, and she pushed open the glass door, escaping out into the rain. The cool rain stung her skin, falling onto her face, mixing in with her salty tears. She collapsed onto the soaked wooden balcony, sobbing. Maybe, hopefully, nobody would find her and she would just die out here. Elizabeth had never felt more desolate, so hopeless in her entire life. She had ventured into a dark cave of no escape, and there was no light at the end to beckon her on. How could she have made such a stupid decision? Norrington wasn't what everyone thought he was…he wasn't the man that all the mothers wanted their daughters to marry. If they only knew what he was really like…if they had known what had happened on the top of the cliff:

"Elizabeth, darling…there is a way that you will never have to leave Port Royale. You have lived here most of your life, you have memories that I know you don't want to leave. It's hard to just abandon it all, I know…" When Norrington had said that, Elizabeth had hope…he seemed to have read her mind, to know what she was experiencing. And Elizabeth had foolishly replied, "It's true, what you say…I want to stay here more than anything. I'll do anything." She should have escaped while she still had the chance, run far away…

"Anything?" Norrington had answered innocently, then murmured, "Well, I have known you most of your life, and watched you grow up and blossom into a beautiful young woman…the woman I love. No matter what gets in my way, I will…" At this point, Elizabeth had finally come to understand what Norrington was trying to do, and she had jumped up, interrupting, "So you're going to ask me to marry you again? You don't stop trying do you? Can't you ever…"

But then…Norrington committed the most unexpected. He had angrily jumped to his feet as well, grabbing Elizabeth by the arm, and forcing her to face him. "Now you listen…" His voice dripped with poison, and Elizabeth didn't dare move, but stood there, her heart hammering with fear. He could hurt her if he wanted to, "…I've been more than lenient about allowing your little puppy love with Will, but he can never give you the life you need. If you'd like to live in the slums with barely any food, then you can marry him. Go ahead…" He had glared at her, as if daring her to speak. But Elizabeth had to admit he was right. Will was only a blacksmith; he had no future. Norrington smirked at Elizabeth's meek silence and continued, "I have more power than you think. I can run your little pirate friend out of this town, and you'll never ever see him again. Or even better, I can give him the death that any other of his profession deserves. The only reason I've let him live is because of you…I knew if he died it would break your ungrateful heart…" Elizabeth couldn't let him continue, and she had protested without really thinking about the consequences, "He's not a pirate…please don't harm him. I promise I'll never talk to him again…I could never live knowing I had indirectly lead to his death." Tears had started to fall from Elizabeth's dark amber eyes, and she knew she had taken that first step into the Cave of No Escape.

That had seemed to be what Norrington had waited for, and he had let go of Elizabeth's arm and said softly yet forcefully, "I knew you'd come to your senses sometime. And now you have nobody…" At that moment, Norrington turned to leave the cliff, but Elizabeth had stopped him. She couldn't stand the thought of being alone. Ever since she had come to Port Royale, she'd had Will. They'd been extremely good friends for years, he was someone she could talk to. Yet when she turned sixteen, her father had stopped the friendship. She was an aristocrat, he a tradesman. Those two social classes only associated when absolutely necessary. She should've known it would never work between them…it would have saved her and Will a lot of anguish. Elizabeth touched Norrington gently on the shoulder, and smiled sadly, "Alright…I will. I…I agree to spend the rest of my life with you." With that, she had shoved herself into the Cave, there was no backing out this time…

"Elizabeth! What are you doing out here?" Wetherby grimaced at the storm, then quickly ran outside and anxiously patted Elizabeth's shoulder, "Come inside, dear, quickly." Elizabeth raised her head, and stared up at her father, her face blank and wet with raindrops and tears. He now knew about her and James…it was no use. This wasn't something she could get out of, even in death. But she might as well try to get the most out of her situation…that's what her mother always did. She always saw beyond every dip in the bumpy road of life, and she continued forward, knowing that eventually something good would happen. Elizabeth rose slowly, her now completely ruined dress hanging heavily on her delicate frame. She shoved her wet hair out of her eyes, and glanced towards the town that had disappeared into the storm. Will was out there somewhere, completely oblivious to what Elizabeth had thrown herself into…and now she would never see him again. She struggled into her room, and collapsed onto her bed. Weakly, Elizabeth turned to her father, and murmured, "Please get Megan…"

"She's off duty, Elizabeth. I'm sorry…" With a sigh, Wetherby abandoned trying to brush the raindrops off of his dark grey suit, and worriedly looked at Elizabeth, "Are you alright? You look very unwell…I heard about…"

But Elizabeth heard no more, as she had escaped into a comforting unconsciousness.

"Megan!" An excited male voice exclaimed coming to Megan's side, "I calculated that we'll only need to work about another week or so, with your job at the mansion, and the money you're earning on the side here at the 'Golden Dolphin'. My job at the docks isn't paying nearly enough. Thank you for all you're doing." He reached out and embraced his sister, his dark blonde hair falling into his stormy grey eyes. The man quickly coughed and withdrew from the embrace, and looked away. He really didn't like to show his emotional side. The usual scowl crossed his tanned features again, and he traced light, angry scar on his forearm with his rough fingertips.

Megan noticed his nervous habit of tracing the scar, and gently touched his arm, "Dustin, I'd do anything to get revenge on those wretched pirates that sank Father's ship…I'm glad we almost have enough to buy that ship. But are you sure it's the right decision? Pirates have a lot of experience, and they know all the techniques…"

"We can do it, I know. All we need is a really good crew. Pirates." Dustin frowned slightly. It seemed so simple when he said it, yet it was so complicated.

"How do you know that they won't commit mutiny? You're only twenty-nine years old, and I know you're a good sailor…but really. Think about it." Megan bit her lip, and her gaze turned towards the tavern owner. "I have to go, Dustin. Time for my shift…" She glanced back at Dustin, and shot him a sympathetic smile before she headed into the din of the tavern to work as a barmaid.

Dustin smiled worriedly back at Megan, and watched her for a moment. He hated for her to work, just so he could get revenge. He hated those pirates with the very depths of his soul. They had ruined his life, destroyed the ship that he would've inherited, killed his parents. It was a miracle that Dustin had been able to escape the ship with Megan…his father had lowered them overboard in a rowboat before the ship exploded. Dustin shivered involuntarily at the memory, and turned and disappeared into the stormy night.

A few hours later, towards the end of Megan's shift, it happened. One of the windows broke, spitting glass and torrents of rain into the dim tavern. The stunned, surprised silence of the tavern-goers was so thick, it seemed of the slivers of glass could cut it in half. Apparently, the storm was much worse than everyone had imagined. The vengeful waves could be heard pounding against the dark limestone cliffs and the wind plummeted against the side of the tavern, the eaves creaking with the immense power. Megan was frozen with fear, and her gaze flitted around the building, praying that it would stay standing long enough for her to get out of there. But where would she go? If she went outside, she'd be blown to pieces, literally.

Will's dark chocolate gaze was also drawn to the breaking of glass, yet his mind was to numb to really process the imminent danger. The charming blonde barmaid had kept delivering the alcohol, and Will had not refused…she almost seemed to be sorry for him. He looked towards said barmaid, who seemed to be frozen with fear from the storm raging outside. She looked so helpless, so afraid…Will's eyes ran over her enticing figure, but he quickly looked away. What was he thinking? Certainly not very clean thoughts…

After the original fear had passed over her, Megan relaxed a smidgen. Perhaps the building would hold the night. Suddenly Megan got a particular feeling that someone watching her - perhaps a bit too closely - and she turned to meet Will's gaze. She couldn't help but blush, and she tried to hide the smile that inevitably played at her lips. Megan had noticed him earlier, and couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity for him. He had looked so depressed and desolate, a bit like her best friend. Yet Megan had never met Will – she had no idea he was the man Elizabeth obsessed over.

Will smiled slightly when he noticed at Megan's blush, and before he knew what he was doing, he was walking towards her. She was so beautiful…

Megan felt a rush of hot fear course through her…she knew what the approaching man wanted. She could see it in his eyes, and she backed away, and tried to find something to busy herself with. She wasn't about to become a woman of the night. Some men had mistaken her for one…no matter how modest the dress, her beauty radiated out, filling the room with her kind, golden light. Yet those eyes…Megan found herself staring into Will's soft, warm eyes no matter how she tried to tear herself away. He was so handsome…

Will smiled and gently ran his fingers through her beautiful golden curls, and stared into her dove grey eyes. His consciousness screamed at him to stop, that it was wrong…but nobody would ever know. He couldn't just walk away from her…and before they both knew it, Megan was leading this mysterious, handsome man upstairs towards one of the rooms used for that particular use, an anxious, yet frightened look on her face. She kept telling herself she was doing this for the money…it would help her brother reach his goal. Yet maybe she was doing this for more than money…