Chapter 29
The sun began to rise, making it easier to see the destruction of the island. Madeline stood by the smoldering remains of the house. Jack had tried to comfort her earlier, but she told him that she wanted to be alone for a while. He wanted to protest, but didn't. He knew that she needed time.
Jack, Mr. Gibbs, and Mr. Taylor began organization of who would go with them and those who had chosen to stay on the island. There were those that wanted to rebuild. For some it was the only stable home they had ever known.
"Is she going to be alright Jack?" Mr. Gibbs asked.
"I don't know. I truly don't know."
"Her mother is a real character ain't she?" Jack glanced over at Madeline's mother, who was now sitting by a fire on the beach. Her eyes glazed over from her recent doses of laudunaum.
"Aye. I can't believe that she has so much hate in her."
"We'll have to keep a sharp eye on her as we travel."
"Aye, we will." Jack turned his head to look at Madeline once more. "And on Maddy as well." He turned to walk up to her.
"Maddy love?" She turned to face him. A forced smile on her face. "Are you alright?"
"I have to be. If I'm not, there is no hope for our son."
"Aye love. Come sit down for a spell and take a rest before we head back to the Pearl."
"I can't Jack. I won't rest until we find my son." Jack gathered her into his arms.
"I know love. I'm sorry love."
"You have nothing to be sorry for Jack. This is all my fault. If I wouldn't have left Port Royal. None of this would have happened."
"You don't know that."
"Yes I do Jack! If hadn't run away from you, we would still have our son with us." Maddy's gaze turned to her mother sitting by the fire. Hatred and rage coursed through her body. "Jack, I hate her." She said through clenched teeth.
"No you don't love. Ye don't hate her."
"Yes I do. She let him take JJ. I will never forgive her for that."
"Will the governor take her in?"
"He has to. He's her brother. She hasn't seen him in over thirty years. Every time I offered to take her to Port Royal. She refused."
"I'm not surprised."
"She wanted to hide away from the world in the hopes that my father would come back to her to stay."
"Come on love. Time to return to the Pearl." They turned to head to the beach when Madeline stopped suddenly. She released her arm from Jack's waist and ran to some bushes.
"Maddy what is it?" Jack asked, rushing to her side. She pulled out a small sword. It was JJ's.
"This is JJ's. This is the sword that Will made for him." She clutched it to her chest. Jack pulled her to her feet.
"Madeline, look at me." She raised her head to look at him. "We will get our son back. Even if I have to die for him, I will. I swear it to you." Jack bent down and kissed her. His lips claiming hers. Possessing them.
Madeline stood on the bow of the Pearl. Watching as the island faded in the distance. They had made way for Port Royal. And for the long journey beyond in the search for her son. She turned as she heard footsteps behind her. It was her mother.
"Shouldn't you be resting?" she asked.
"No. I want my laudunaum. Where is it?" she demanded.
"You aren't getting any more Mother." Her mother reached out and grabbed her arm.
"I need it, I can't go on without it."
"You can and you will. I will not support your habit any longer. Perhaps your brother will."
"Oh you're a real saint Madeline. Always having things your way. You're such a spoiled bitch." Madeline's rage was boiling over once again. Without thinking, she raised her hand and slapped her mother.
"You are a bitch mother. Get out of my sight." Her mother laughed a sickened laugh.
"You're just lucky I took you in when your father brought you to the island." She turned and stalked away. Leaving Madeline to stare after her. Confused by her words.