Chapter 7: A Close Call, and Coward's Way Out
The famous Captain Jack Sparrow still lay unconcious on the floor, mumbling every now and then, but no real words could be discerned from his slurred language.
Jackknife Justin sat in his cell, playing with the stick that Molly gave to him. He'd been pondering over whether to prod the pirate awake or to just leave him there. Neither action would give him any gain, but if he woke the pirate, Molly and Jack wouldn't shut up! Justin decided to let the man sleep.
The lass named Molly paced around her cell, thinking of a way to either wake up her father or to escape. She hoped Sparrow wasn't harmed in the seige. She had been like an older sister to her on the ship. With each turn, Molly's red braid followed her, whipping around and landing on her shoulder. She was starting to doubt herself, and feel she would never get out of this mangy brig.
Once reunited with her parents, Sparrow began to tell her parents about what had happened after they had gotten separated. She told them about how she met Jack Sparrow in the pub, and how she became part of the crew aboard the Black Pearl. Sparrow told them about the finding of Molly and that she was Captain Jack Sparrow's daughter. Then she explained the battle to all her knowledge. She saw little of it, since everytime she tried to look around, one of Robbush's shipmates jumped in front of her to fight, only to be thrown into the ocean.
William and Elizabeth Turner took in the entire story and waited for their daughter to sit down, before they began their's. Will started telling her about Captain Robbush being the malicious brother of Captain Barbossa. He told her that Captain Jack Sparrow chose Barbossa over Robbush, so that is why he held a grudge towards the odd pirate captain. Then Elizabeth began to tell her about Queen Vala and her family, along with the curse. She told them about the pirates needing all the pieces together and the curse would be lifted.
"But mother, how do they lift the curse? What must they do?" Sparrow asked, wide eyes turning to her parents.
"We don't know, darling. That's why we are so afraid," Elizabeth said, clutching tightly to her husband. Will placed his dark, rough hand on her head and started rock her on her shoulder. Sparrow, however just wouldn't sit down. She too had been uneasy and started to think up a plan on how to get out of here. Her mind was blank, which was a very unusal thing for the pirate lass, who always seemed to have some daring way of escape, just like the pirate Captains in her novels back home in Port Royale. But once it came down to the real thing, the fearless Jacquline Sparrow Turner was empty, and feared for her life and her family's. Sparrow stopped pacing aorund the large room, halting at the wide window. She stared out on the waters, and watched the sun set. The sun's rays poured out on the ocean like blood, and Sparrow had to avert her gaze to keep herself from crying.
Will noticed the pain in his daughter's eyes, and he led Elizabeth over to the window. Elizabeth held her daughter's face in her hands and she kissed her forehead. Will put a comforting arm around his family, trying to lighten the mood, but they all realized the grim situation in which they had found themselves in. Trapped.
Up on deck, Captain Robbush was ordering around his crew. He was preparing a special treat for the whole ship. He and a few of his men readied a lifeboat and waited for the opportune moment. Robbush was also keeping a good eye on Captain Grinder, who was stearing the Black Pearl not far behind him. Being a pirate, Robbush wouldn't trust his mother with the Black Pearl, let alone one of his crew. He knew Grinder would fish out if he got the chance, but he knew better than to disobey his Captain's orders.
"Gents, bring up the guests and the rest of the spectators," Robbush said, tossing the set of keys to the nearest pirate to the brig. The pirate with the keys smiled, motioning for about six other men to follow him, knowing that the Turner wouldn't come easily.
The pirates stormed down the stairs, thumping all the way.
Sparrow heard them coming, and automaticallly grabbed one of the knives on the floor. Will followed his daughter's example, even though he knew that these pirates can't die.
The seven pirates barged in. The one with the keys went straight for Elizabeth. Will anticipated the move and tried to dive at the pirate to protect his wife. But of course, the pirates anticipated his move, and three of the murderous scalawags grabbed him before he even took a step. Sparrow, however, was slightly quicker and seemed to be a lot smarter then the pirates going after her. She weilded her dagger and thrust at every pirate hand that came near her. Sparrow ran around the table in the center of the room, then jumped up top, and started to fend off the men coming towards her. She succeed, blocking every punch and grab that came at her. But, fearing for her safety, and her family's, she climbed up on the chandelier, hoping the pirates couldn't reach her. She was wrong.
The pirate holding Elizabeth gave out a low whistle. Sparrow lifted her head to look through the doorway. A large, black man stormed in. He had no hair, and wore heavy black boots and thick tan trousers. He was huge! As he drew near, Sparrow began to realize that all too well. The man stood on the table, and was looking directly into Sparrow's eyes. He smiled and grabbed the device that held the chandalier to the ceiling.
"Uh-oh," Sparrow said, as the black man tore the entire glass structure off the ceiling, Sparrow and all. He jumped off the table and landed with a thud. He gave out a huff and walked out the door. The pirates holding Elizabeth and Will followed the gigantic man's example.
The pirates took the Turner family up deck, where Captain Robbush was waiting. The pirate holdign Elizabeth passed her on to another pirate, then went down below deck once more, with about eight other pirates.
Jackknife Justin, getting tired of Molly's whining, had picked up the stick and started to poke the unconcious pirate. Everytime Justin prodded Captain Jack Sparrow, he gave out a "uh," then would roll over. Molly heard the pirates coming, and she heard the keys jingling on the pirate's hip.
"Justin, someone's coming," she said, backing up as far as she could in her cell.
Justin stood ready, and Jack lay comatose on his cell's floor. The pirates walked in, moving to Justin first. At least four pirates jumped on him, and wrestled him to ground, each grabbing a limb. Jackknife Justin could hardly move. Next, they moved on to Captain Jack Sparrow. They opened the cell door, and prodded him hard in the back, "Get up you mangy cur," one of the pirates yelled.
"But mummy I don't want to go to charm school. I want to stay home and go pilfering with you," Jack said dreamily. The four pirates looked at one another and grabbed the limp body of Captain Jack Sparrow and literally dragged him out of his cell.
The pirate with the keys grabbed Molly roughly by the wrist and dragged her out of her cell.
"Daddy!" Molly said as she resisted the pirate's pull, "Daddy, please wake up!" she said, trying to grab onto anything that would stop her from moving any further. The young girl was dragged up the stairs, followed by Justin and Jack.
Captain Robbush stood tapping his fingers on the side of the ship, waiting for the rest of the "guests" to arrive.
The man with the keys dragged Molly out the door and across the deck to the waiting Captain. Molly waited until her father was in hearing range, and gave out a shrilling scream that could have broken a glass chalice, "DADDY!!!" she screamed.
Well, you can already guess that most of the pirates covered their ears. Captain Jack Sparrow was dropped on the deck, jostled awake, "Hmm? Who's making all that racket?" Jack said, rubbing the red bandanna holding back his untamable hair.
The man with the keys threw Molly at Captain Robbush. She landed on the deck and started to scurry away, but her beautiful braid betrayed her. It flew within easy grasp of the murderous pirate. He grabbed it as gently as a pirate could, and reeled her in like a fish.
Jack was enraged at this mistreatment of his daughter, "Let her alone Robbush. She's done no wrong to you," Jack said, before being grabbed once more by Robbush's shipmates.
Robbush held the frightened child against his waist, "you know Jack, I was going to just let you and Justin afloat on the open sea in a leaking lifeboat. But, now that I know you have a daughter, I much rather decapitate her, and let you drown in her blood!" the evil captain said with a wicked chuckle.
Jack stood a gasp and looked into the frightened eyes of his daughter. Jack growled and squirmed, desperate to free himself.
Captain Robbush smiled then threw the child to the deck, where two pirates held her face down. Tears sttreamed from the young girl's eyes and seeped onto the wooden deck of the ship. Molly began to cry and squirm. She screamed and yelled, but dared not turn her head behind her.
Sparrow turned her face and imbedded it in her father's shirt. Elizabeth covered her mouth and Will sighed and held his wife, as he closed his eyes.
Jack tried to look away, but a pirate grabbed his face and forced him to look at the horrific spetacle.
Robbush slowly drew his sword, letting it ring as it left it's sheath. He swung the sword above his head, "any last words?" he asked his victim who lay quivering at his feet.
Molly shuddered at the terrifying sentence. Molly looked up into her father's deep and dark eyes, "I love you daddy," she said before turning her face away.
That small token of love made Jack do something he hadn't done since he was a lad. A small silver tear rolled down the pirate's sea-beaten cheek. He closed his eyes, never wanting to open them again. But, something came over him. His near-black eyes opened, almost seeming to be on fire. He twisted his entire body and all the pirates holding him lost theur grip. He rolled away and dove for his daughter.
Robbush brought up his sword and swung down. Jack was just in time, sliding under the blade, grabbing his daughter and only losing a little tip of leather off his left boot. Jack stood up, Molly in his arms, "oh," Jack said, examining his boot, "that was close," he said with a smile.
"Get him!" Robbush yelled, pointing his sword at the two prisioners. Automatically, all of the pirates holding Justin let him go, and rush at Jack. Justin, seeing an advantage, stole the keys from a pirate passing by, and slipped back down to the brig. Justin immediately rushed to free the Black Pearl's crew.
Mr. Gibbs recgonized the pirate, "What are you doing down here?" he asked from his cell.
Justin fumbled with the lock, "Jack needs help. I think I can help him on deck, but you must take back the Pearl." Justin said, unlocking Mr. Gibbs and his cell mates. He moved to another cell and opened that one as well. Jackknife Justin turned to Gibbs, "take the lifeboats and get over to the Black Pearl. Don't worry about the curse, Grinder and his crew were too young to have been cursed, considering they only joined a year ago," Justin said, opening the last cell.
Justin led the pirates up the stairs quietly, and motioned to the lifeboats. After the pirates were out to sea, Justin rushed in to help Jack. Turns out that the Turner family had the same idea. Will had immediately broke free of his captors and leapt in to help his friend, while Elizabeth took hold of Molly and hid with her under a set of stairs. Sparrow was a bit busy distracting Robbush. She drew her sword and started to fight him. Knowing he couldn't die, she focused herself more on a better defence than a good offence. She bounced over and dived through the numerous piles of pirates. Jack too had drawn a sword, taken by a pirate who happened to journey too close. Justin, noticing Sparrow on a slightly more disadvantage, decided to help her fight off Robbush. Drawing his dagger, he threw it, pinning the evil captain to the deck of his own ship. But, being a rather strong man, the pin didn't last long, though it did give Justin enough time to get in between the two pirates. Justin fought bravely, and Sparrow quickly joined in, each matching the other's move only with the opposite hand, since Jackknife Justin was left-handed. Robbush was finding it hard to keep up with the young adolescents attacking him.
One pirate, whom Sparrow was quite acquainted, stomped up behind Justin and threw him aside. He hit the side of the ship hard and seemed to slide to the deck. Sparrow heard the black man coming and ducked before he could grab her. In doing so, the dark man grabbed his captain and nearly threw him.
"Not me you blubbering idiot! Get the girl," Captain Robbush bellowed as he pointed to the girl rushing to Justin's side. She helped to his feet, then they rushed at the oncoming man together. At the last second they split, and the heavy black man went ride over the side of the ship, landing in the ocean. Justin smiled, then turned to see a hopeful sight. From their position on deck, Sparrow and Justin could easily see Mr. Gibbs. manning the Black Pearl and heading her right towards them.
Robbush shook his head and looked around for the prisoners. He could see Justin and Sparrow, and could easily hear the British accent of William Turner. But he had somehow lost track of Jack's daughter, and the Turner wench. He seemed to sniff the air, as if he could smell the sweet scent of Elizabeth's skin. Robbush knew where the two maidens were hiding, but decided to wait until they came out.
Justin turned to Will and Jack, "Jack! Here comes your ship," Justin said, refering to the Black Pearl. Jack smiled and continued to fight off the pirates. Soon the Pearl was in jumping range and Jack looked around for his daughter.
"Molly!" Jack said, as he fought off another round of the neverending pirates.
Elizabeth heard Jack's cry and cautiously ventured out from underneath the staircase. What the two didn't realize was that Robbush was waiting on the steps. When Elizabeth came in sight, Robbush grabbed her qucikly and made an attempt to grab the child.
Elizabeth was too quick for him. She gave the child a shove toward Captain Jack Sparrow, "run Molly!" she screamed as Robbush tightened his grip. She let let out a loud scream, "Will!" as the captain took her back down below.
Will stopped fighting for only a minute and rushed to the closing door of the Captain Robbush's quarters, "Elizabeth!" he said as he barged into the room. When Will entered, he saw the captain chasing his wife around the table.
"Ain't you ever heard o' knocking boy," he said, running passed the young man, shutting and locking the doors behind him, "two birds in the cage, now where's their chick?" he said, searching for the young girl, he found her, fending off pirates as Jack and Molly swung across to the Black Pearl. Sparrow, glad to see that Molly and Jack were safe, let her guard down for only a moment, and two pirates grabbed her. Justin saw this happen and rushed to help her.
"No! Go with Jack," she said as she was thrown into the room with her parents. After rolling a few metres, she skidded to a stop at her parents feet, "these landings just keeping getting rougher," she said before getting up.
Justin watched as the young girl was thrown through the doors. Being a pirate, he wanted to disobey the request, but also being a good man, he took a rope, and swung over to the Black Pearl. Jack stood waiting, a loaded cannon under his left foot, and a flaming torch in his hand. His young daughter stood on the other, with her tongue sticking out towards Captain Robbush.
Enraged at this offence Robbush yelled to what crewmates he had left, "load the cannons you bleeding warts!" he yelled.
Justin stood beside another cannon, "you're out of ammo, Captain," he said with a smile on his face.
"How would you know that, Jackknife?" Captain Robbush said while he ordered the pirates of his crew.
"Because we stole it all," Molly said, throwing a piece of wood at the evil pirate captain. With that Jack and Justin lit their cannons, and let the balls fly. Captain Robbush ducked as one blew away a few pirates, while the other went through a sail.
Captain Jack Sparrow ceased fire, remembering that Will, Elizabeth, and Sparrow were still aboard the cursed ship.
"What now Captain?" Mr. Gibbs asked his mate.
"We sail to Port Royale," he said, heading to his steering wheel.
"Isn't that a bit cowardly? Will, Elizabeth, and Sparrow are still on that ship. We can't just abandon them!" Justin stated.
"We can't do this on our own, Justin. If I know Commodore Norrington, he'll be happy to join our little convoy," Jack said, turning the ship around.
"I hope," Molly and Justin whispered together, as they watched the Black Emerald disappear in a blanket of fog.