Ch.40 (continued) Robber's wrath
A/N: Sorry guys- but I wanted to be evil and make you think I ended the story that way- but this is the real ending!
Josephine was like a ghost when she and the rest of the governor's party got home. She ate nothing the rest of the day, and stayed, secluded, up in her room. When Will came to say goodnight, she was still sitting at the window and looking out at the sea—the way he'd left her when they had gotten home.
Will came and sat down on the bed. "Josephine…" He turned Josephine's face towards him.
Josephine shook herself free of him, and wiped away her tears with the back of her hand.
"Josephine you have to get over it."
"Leave me alone Will."
"I don't want you to be forever alone in your grief Josephine. You have to let it go or the rest of your life will be a shadow of what it could be."
"I am a shadow. I want to be alone forever because there is no one else! One stole my heart and he keeps it with him…in death." The last two words trembled as they came out of her mouth. She squeezed her eyes shut.
"Josephine I don't want you to be alone."
"I want to be alone! I don't care! I will be an old maid—so be it."
Will sighed in regret and got up from the bed. He turned as he entered the doorway. "Josephine, he wasn't just yours; you weren't the only one who knew him. I," he stifled a sob, "feel the pain also. He was my friend."
"You have your love!" Josephine cried out. "You can never feel what I feel! She will be there, Will, when you get home from work, when you walk around the town—I do not have that. For me, it will never be."
Will looked at her compassionately. "Josephine, …I will also be there… if you need me."
Josephine looked up at him and gave a sad smile. She got up from the bed and hugged him in the doorway. "You're a good brother, Will. Thank you for that," she murmured in Will's ear. She released him and watched as he walked down the stairs.
The soldiers in the commons took down Jack's limp body, and took him to the side of the balcony. Then, they threw his body over the side.
They watched as his body fell, and hit the water with a loud splash. They watched his body float for a minute and then it gradually sank as the water filled his lungs.
Jack's eyes flew open as he hit the water. He floated for a while to not draw attention to himself then he slowly sank underwater and propelled himself away from the wall. He swam for a bit, then surfaced.
He rose out of the water and smiled, fingering the Aztec medallion at his neck. He swam the rest of the way to the beach and then hid himself in the underbrush. Taking out a mirror, he shaped his beard into a neat goatee and cut of the majority of his hair using his knife. Having altered his appearance significantly, he stepped out into the town.
"First stop, Will's shop," Jack thought. "I need a new sword." He strode into the shop and then shut the door behind him.
Josephine woke up in the morning to loud exclamations downstairs. She sat up and dressed herself and then went downstairs. As she came down the stairs, she saw a messenger.
"…found a message left for him…seems like a new pirate's in town…"
"Pirate?" Josephine wondered. "What pirate?" she called aloud.
Silence filled the room.
"Josephine," Will called stepping forward. He hurried to her side and pulled her away from the others. Elizabeth followed him.
"What happened?" Josephine asked.
"Well, someone robbed the Commodore's house, and bound all the guards. And he carved a message into the wall."
"What did it say?"
Elizabeth grimaced. "I took what is due me."
Josephine looked at her curiously. "Is that all?"
Will looked at Josephine. "And a drawing of an Aztec Medallion."
"What?" Josephine asked shocked. "Jack..."
"No. We both saw him die," Will replied.
Elizabeth hesitated. "We think it might be…Barbosa."
"But, how?" Josephine asked. "It's not possible!"
"Josephine, all the guards had their right hands slit."
"I don't believe…. Oh Will, he'll come after me! He's aiming for me!" Josephine said in distress.
Will grabbed her by the shoulders. "Josephine, nothing is going to happen to you."
Elizabeth touched her arm and squeezed. "We're both here for you."
Josephine was sitting in her room when Will walked in.
"Commodore Norrington is here to see you," he announced. Josephine looked up incrediously and grabbed Will by his elbow. "I do not want to see the Commodore!" she hissed in his ear. "I don't want to see the man who…Commodore, how nice to see you."
The Commodore bowed graciously. "Always a pleasure to see you also, Miss Turner."
Will, giving her an apologetic look, exited the room.
The Commodore approached her cautiously. "I've heard, madam, that you're are ill at ease do to the killing of Jack Sparrow."
Josephine looked at him suspiciously.
"Allow me to say that, I am sorry for you, as I know he was a friend of yours. I regret that I had to perform this deed, but I must fulfill my responsibility and obey the law," Norrington said grandly.
Josephine hid her grimace. "I appreciate your concern, Commodore." But I would appreciate it if you would turn your attentions elsewhere! "It touches me." Josephine gave a fake, benevolent smile.
The commodore smiled in return. He grasped her hand. "My lady, as I have been faithful to you, I would wonder if you would give me the pleasure of…" he took out a small box, "putting this ring, on you?" He opened the box and pulled out the ring. It was a gold, five-jewel diamond ring. A wedding ring.
Josephine paled. It's too soon, too fast…and I don't even LIKE him…oh help me…someone…anyone…
Will burst in through the door. "Josephine! Another place has been robbed!"
Josephine sighed in relief and then coughed to cover it up.
The commodore stood up. "Where? When?!"
"Your soldier's weapon gallery!"
The commodore stood up. "I beg your pardon, Miss Turner, I must go." He left the room, ring still in his hand.
Will approached Josephine slowly.
Josephine looked at him warily. "What's wrong, Will?"
"The…uh…robber left another message."
"And what did it say?" Josephine asked fearfully.
Will hesitated. "Josephine."