Hello people! I luv the reviews I've gotten for this fic! But I would like something a bit more…I'd like 15 reviews before I post the next chapter. :: hears crowd boo :: Come on now people! It's not that much trouble to post a comment! :: Crowd continues to boo :: How about this! I'll make the next chapter really good if I get them. :: crowd cheers :: That's what I thought. Now…ONTO THE STORY!!!
Chapter Twelve The Bell Tolls For The Dead Man
Michael sat in the cold cell and waited. He sat in the shadows and watched for anyone coming. His hand fell to the stone floor and his hand shuddered as he felt the cold. A single beam of light shot through the window and made a square box of light on the floor next to him. He raised a hand into the light and le the sun warm his skin.
Footsteps resounded in the empty cells and several people came into view. The guards escorted three people into the room.
The first was Brian, who was dressed in all black, almost if he were at a funeral. The second was Wilson, dressed similarly, clad in black and looking at the ground. The third was Will. Will was not clad in black like Brian or Wilson. He was wearing a light brown vest and white shirt with a pair of brown pants and stockings.
Michael watched the guards as they let Will into the cell…alone.
Will walked over to Michael and stood in the ray of light. He knelt down and his brown hair shone in the sunlight.
"Michael," his voice was calm and his eyes were comforting, "I want to tell you that the heaven shall receive you and save your soul, despite your transgressions."
Michael looked Will in the eye and saw no hint of malice or hatred. Instead, he saw Will wink at him. He looked to Brian and Wilson, who were smiling behind the guards, who saw nothing. He looked back to Will and saw he was smiling at him. Michael nodded his head as his heart lifted. He kept a straight face as the guards escorted them out of the jail. He smiled widely and stood up. He turned out to face the window and looking into the bay. It was a beautiful day and only a few ships were in the bay. His eyes scanned over every inch of the bay and he saw no ship that resembled anything a pirate would own.
'I hope they have a good plan,' Michael thought as he turned away from the window and sat down again in the shadows. 'I hope I get to see her one last time…'
His thoughts trailed off as the sun rose high into the sky, almost reaching its peak high in the sky.
MEANWHILE…
Will stood in the crowd and watched as the Hangman, clad in black, smiled as Michael was led up to the platform.
His heart jumped into his throat as he watched the Hangman fit the noose over his throat.
He looked so anxious.
He was sweating and his eyes were darting all around the crowd and in the air. He was breathing heavily as the 'announcer' walked up the steps onto the platform holding a scroll.
The signal.
Will looked up at the top of the stonewall behind him that loomed near the edge of the cliff. He saw a cloaked figure, holding a bow and a quiver of arrows. He pulled out his dagger and shined the light off it in the direction of the figure.
MEANWHILE…
The figure crouched low as the light shined in their eye.
Bastard, don't blind me. The figure thought as they waited patiently for the announcer to finish.
"Michael Young, be it known that you have been charged by these people for your willful commission of crimes against the crown. These crimes being few in numbers and sinister in nature. The most grievous shall be cited herewith. Murder, arson, opposing the law, attacking an officer of the Royal navy, bludgering, assault, depredation, depravity, and general lawlessness."
Norrington deserved it. The figure drew its bow up and strung an arrow and aimed. I have to wait for the most opportune moment.
The figure lined up and aimed for the rope high above Michael's head.
MEANWHILE…
I wish they'd hurry up and rescue me already, Michael thought as he felt the rope get tighter and tighter around his neck.
"And for these crimes, you have been sentenced, on this day, to be hung by the neck until dead."
Michael's eyes widened as he looked around frantically. He saw Norrington in the far corner with his back turned and the crowd was watching intently as if it were their form of entertainment.
Psychos. You sick freaks, Michael could hear the bitterness in his mind.
"May God have mercy on your soul."
The man rolled up the scroll and walked down from the platform.
Hurry up…Michael became anxious as the drum roll became a steady, almost like his heartbeat…
His eyes darted to the hangman whose hand was clutching the lever that would send him to his death…
"The toll bells for the dead man…" The Hangman smiled as the bell began to toll.
Twelve agonizing chimes. Each struck a cord in Michael's heart.
Finally, after the last toll, the hangman took one last look at the boy, and pulled the lever very hard.
Michael felt like he was floating for a split second and then he felt gravity pull him down…
He heard something fly through the air and then he fell to the floor and rolled a few times before stopping.
His eyes were wide as he reached up to his neck…it was still in tact!
"Thank you God!" Michael jumped up and raised his bound hands to the sky almost religiously.
"Michael!" He snapped his head towards where the voice called and he saw a cloaked figure near the edge of the cliff.
He ran.
Quickly he caught up to the figure with the soldiers right on his tail.
"Who are you?" He couldn't see into the hood, but he didn't have time when the figure pushed him off the cliff into the water and swan dived right after him.
MEANWHILE…
"Throw over the ropes!" Gibbs yelled at the crewmembers at the rail.
They threw over the ropes and pulled in the figure and Michael. They fell to the deck and started coughing and spitting water.
Michael let a crewmember cut his bonds and he looked at the figure, sitting upright, coughing. He crawled over and pulled off the hood, and starred wide eyed into the cobalt blue eyes of Cindy.
He was speechless. Finally he leaned his face close to hers and he whispered, "Thank you," and gently kissed her lips.
Cindy, in turn was speechless. 'What should I do?' She thought urgently as she thought about Will. Then, she came up with a slick plan.
Cindy stood up, and just laughed. She removed her cloak and went under to the cabins, leaving Michael on the deck, stunned.
"Aye boy," Gibbs helped him up, "She's a fine lass."
Michael just nodded his head and looked around.
"Where's everyone else?"
Gibbs smiled and motioned to the captain's cabin, where Cindy had gone. He nodded his head in thanks and walked into the cabin.
The windows were open and the sun shone brightly into the room. He looked around and saw Cindy sitting in a chair in a towel. Will was dry, but his hair was wet as Cindy's, as were Brian's and Wilson's. The only people who were completely dry were Jennifer and Jack.
Everyone watched Michael intently, waiting for him to do something.
"Well don't thank us too much," Jennifer smirked and Michael just grinned.
"Thanks you guys." He turned to Cindy and Jennifer, "Thanks for believing me," he turned to Jack, "Thanks for saving me," he turned to Will, "Thanks for everything, "he turned to Brian and added, "Thanks for being gay." He walked over to Brian and hugged him tightly.
Cindy and Jennifer just chuckled at Brian's shocked expression as Aden locked eyes with him.
"Yes?" Jack watched Aden who spurred towards him.
"We're headed west along the coast, we can swing round the island and head for Tortuga."
Jack nodded his head and watched Aden steal a glance at Brian before leaving.
"So what's the plan?"
Jack looked at Michael and chuckled softly. He turned to Will and nodded his head.
"Well," Will looked around the room, "We were hoping you'd have some idea as to where to go…" his voice trailed off as he saw the blank look in Michaels eyes. "I take it you know as much as we do."
Michael had a solemn look in his eye and couldn't help but feel a bit useless.
"We'll figure something out lad."
Michael nodded his head towards Jack and left the room.
Brian and Wilson left as well and followed Michael down while Jack, Will, Jen, and Cindy remained behind.
Jack sat in his chair, and contemplated what to do. Silence passed and he looked at the resolved faces of Cindy, Jennifer, and Will.
Cindy wasn't shivering as before, but she was still wet, and no doubt cold. Her wet hair hung in her face and gave her a more evil and malicious look. Will was still watching her, stealing glances. He no doubt already bedded her.
Lucky bastard.
Jennifer kept quiet, and faced the floor almost the entire time. Her hair was tied back by a black bandana and she was wearing her corset top along with her new pants, gifts from Faith, and was even wearing her boots. The only real change in wardrobe was that she was wearing a large black unbuttoned shirt with the characteristic frilled cuffs over the corset top. Her expression was so thoughtful, she was so engrossed in her mind…what was she thinking about?!
"You seem to have a clue as to what's going on," Jack smiled as Jennifer looked at him with a curious look, "Might I inquire as to your ideas on this situation?" He couldn't help but grin sheepishly.
Jennifer crossed her legs on the couch and faced him. "If I remember my useless facts as I'm supposed to, then Barbossa should only have a set amount of time before his body—" she paused trying to find the right words, "Before it dies…again."
"It has to die again?" Jack had gotten lost…too many new ideas…
"Necromancy, which is what I expect was used, kind of reverses time on a corpse, the body heals itself and reverses the damage by a certain amount of years…or weeks, maybe days or hours even. Then the body goes through time again and…dies."
"Necromancy?" Will was so confused. He just wanted to keep Michael alive long enough to prove if he was guilty or innocent.
"Necromancy," Jennifer tuned to face him, "it's the act of using magic to commune with the dead to…make things happen. Usually there's some sort of prophesizing involved, or just communion."
An uneasy silence fell over the small group of people.
"Who'd want to commune with Barbossa?" Cindy's tone was inquiring, but with a hint of sarcasm.
Jennifer shook her head, "Obviously someone who wanted him to hurt you two. Revenge maybe…to fulfill a prophecy, change the future, any of a number of things."
"Where to?" The only question Jack could ask and get a straight answer at this point.
"Not here."
"Tortuga?"
"Tortuga," Will turned to leave the room when Kidyd rushed into the room.
"Sir!" Kidyd's eyes darted through the cabin and his eyes fell on Michael. He smiled and the turned to Jack again. "Captain, we've a ship following us."
Jack's eyebrows scrunched up and he left the cabin and walked onto the deck. He took out a telescope and searched the other ship. One singular figure stood out among the rest.
"Barbossa…" Jack was stunned.
Jennifer rushed behind him and took the telescope from him and searched the ship as well. Her gasp told Jack that she had seen him as well.
"Jack—" she was cut off.
"I know."
"You have a plan?"
His silence told her that he didn't.
"We can outrun them. This is the Heaven. We can outrun anything," he paused and grinned, "Save the Pearl." Will's voice was so confident.
Cindy nodded her head in agreement while Jennifer shook her head.
"They can see where we're headed. What would happen when we stopped?" Jack's tone was bitter, but not completely hopeless.
"Leverage." All eyes focused on Jennifer. "Well, what do they want?"
"Revenge."
"How will they get that if they catch up to the ship?"
"Kill Jack, take the ship, torture the prisoners," Cindy said frankly as she fixed the towel around her still damp clothes.
"What can keep them from getting their revenge?"
"If there is no ship…" the group was starting to get the idea, "Then Barbossa won't get his revenge."
"So we bargain the ship?" Will was so serious.
"Naturally." Jack was grinning and he left them to develop the plan as quickly as possible.
"He's gonna keep us in the dark for a while…" Cindy sighed.
"Naturally." Cindy turned to Jennifer and they both grinned at each other while Will looked at them with a puzzled gaze.
MEANWHILE…
Barbossa stood on the deck of the ship, keeping his hat angled so as to keep the sun blocked from his sensitive skin.
He had seen the Heaven leave the cliff after carrying three people on board from them jumping into the water and decided to follow. The Pearl was definitely the faster of the two…but the Abyss was fast enough so that he'd know where they were going.
"Captain, they're headed towards Cuba." The first mate stood behind Barbossa and kept his composure while Barbossa slowly turned his head around and glared at the first mate, careful not to expose his skin to the sunlight.
His eyes had changed. No longer did they look diseased, they got clear, and his eyes were a brilliant hazel color. They slimmed into slits as Barbossa glared at him irritably.
"Yes," he trailed off into a hiss, "I know. Leave." Barbossa spun around and waited patiently as he heard the familiar clicks of boots on wood.
"I know where you're going Jack…" Barbossa turned around and yelled, "Get ready for a fight gentleman!"
Quickly, the crewmembers scurried on the deck, following Barbossa's orders obediently.
The cannons were brought out as the oars were taken out to help compensate for the weight.
The majority of crewmembers were getting ready for a huge fight by gathering their weapons, getting ropes ready to swing over, and by readying the cannons and loading them.
"Jack Sparrow," Barbossa stood at the top of the stairs above the main deck and watched the Heaven get larger and larger in sight, "I've got you now."