Chapter six: Its all your fault.
It was a cold and rainy day when we gave John the proper pirate burial. I felt horrible. If I had taken him off the ship when I found him, he wouldn't be dead right now.
He died four days after my trial, slipping away silently while I was out getting some water. That made me feel worse. I wasn't there for his last moment on Earth.
The tears on my face seemed to freeze in the cold wind as they lowered John's body, wrapped in a blue cloth, into the cruel ocean.
During his last few days he started to call me "mom". I would smile and tell him he would get better, and when we reached the Americas, he could meet the famous Pocahontas, and maybe even learn a bit more about his errant father. He would just give a small smile and shake his head. He knew he was going to die, even though I kept telling myself he would be ok. I guess that was another fault of mine.
I started to wish I hadn't come aboard this ship that just didn't seem to want me. I had left a comfortable life of nothing but dances, warm fires, and lies. Perhaps lies were better in some ways...Even though lying didn't save John.
"Coral?" I turned around to see Will standing there, a look of deep concern on his face. I raised an eyebrow, wishing he would go away so I could grieve alone.
"I'm sorry..." He offerd weakly. I gave a such a loud snort that a few of the crew members standing by me looked around.
"Sorry doesn't help the heart, Will. Besides, he is gone now. And it's my fault." Will grabbed me by the shoulders and shook my gently.
"It is not your fault! It is all the workings of God. Do not for one moment blame yourself, do you hear me?" When I didn't say yes he gave me another small shake. "And he is not gone. He is still in our memory, and your heart. We all loved him." I sighed and looked up at the sky. Just as I thought he would let me go, he gave me a hard kiss. I tried to pull away, but he kept me lip-locked. A few of the crew members wistled, and he finally let go. He looked me straight in the eye. "Don't go into such a funk that you can't get back out again." He said in a low voice, relesing me. I stumbled backwards, and leaned gratefully againts the railing of the massive ship. He turned and walked away, ignoring the hoots and catcalls.
"Er, did I jest see what I think I saw?" Jack asked, looking stunned.
"I dunno." I breathed.
"Did Will jest kiss you?"
"Yes." I said in the same awe-struck voice.
"Want me to go hit 'im where it 'urts?" He asked in a strange tone. I looked over at him, and shook my head.
"WHAT ARE YOU AFTER KISSING THAT WHORE!" I heard a loud screach that could only be Elizabeths dulcet(ha, yeah right) tone. I rolled my eyes and headed off to my cabin. Last thing I needed was a row with Elizabeth after Johns death. But unfourtunatly she cornerd me on my way to my room.
"This is all your doing, you whore." She hissed as she grabbed my hair. I ripped out of her vice like grip, losing a chuck of my long brown locks.
"I'm the whore?" I asked with a sarcastic laugh. "When your the one chasing after Will?" She gave a snarl and tackled me to the hard floor. I fell with an "oof" as she was a bit heavier than me, and I was unaware. She hit me hard in the stomach because like I said...I was unaware. I tried to raise my hand but she pinned them down with her claws.
"You...stole...Will...from...me." She grunted out as she struggled to keep me pinned.
"No...I...didn't...you...bitch." I screamed and with a mighty shove threw her off of me. "This is all of your fault! Its yout fault John died!" I screamed, and hit her. "If you handn't accused me, I wouldn't have been thrown in the jail!" I hit her again. "I could have taken care of John that night!" Hit her again. "He wouldn't have had to sit outside on the deck in the cold and damp watching the trial!" I hit her again, even harder this time. She was cowering, but I still kept at her. "And while he was exposed out there, he was worrying about me! Which only made his condition worse!" I raised my arm to give another blow, but a strong and ring clad hand grabbed my wrist.
"I think, perhaps, she has had enough?" He asked placidly in my ear.
"NO!" I shouted. "She will never properly pay for what she did. SHE KILLED JOHN. SHE KILLED AARON. SHE NEEDS TO DIE!" I shrieked, all but hysterical now. Jack grabbed me up by the waist and carried me into my cabin. By the time we entered I went limp in his arms, exhausted. He set me on my bed. He dragged the chair over by me.
"Elizabeth will be locked in her room, and only let out when you are not around." He said quitely. I gave a small shiver, cold.
"Coral..." He said, and put a hand on my forehead.
"What?" I asked, with a sigh. He threw a blanket on me.
"Your sick."
"No Im not." I said stubbornly, and to try to prove my point, I made to get out of bed. He shoved me back down.
"Yes you are. Dont get out of bed...Thats what killed John. You are only sevetenn, Coral, we all know it is hard to die young." I gave a small sob, and buried my face in my pillow, weeping bitterly for my little boy that I lost. Jack rubbed my back silently, and let my tears run their course.
I heard the door open, close and whispers.
"How is she?" Will asked.
"I dunno. Shes not too bad, but shes not at all well."
"Do you think a lot of this is due to grief?" Will asked, and mostly listening I could tell he walked farther into the room.
"Probably. I don't think she wants to get better." I rolled over in my bed, my backs to the two men.
"We need to give her something to live for" Was the last thing I rememberd hearing.
