Ha ha! And update! Arent you proud of me!

Chapter 8

"Look! There it is!" Devin called as the others rushed to the bow.

"I can see why they call it the Isle of Diamonds," Alex muttered, shading his eyes with his hands.

"Weigh anchor and ready a boat. Alex, Damien and I are going ashore," Jack called. Gibbs, Calvin and Devin lowered the boat. Will stood at the wheel, watching.

"Be careful, the three of you," he said as they climbed into the boat.

"We'll be back soon," Jack promised as they disappeared from sight.

Anna doubled over in pain, coughing uncontrollably. Elizabeth and Felicity held onto her shoulders, trying to keep her from falling.

"Lissy, quickly! Go and find Anamaria!" Felicity nodded and ran out of the room.

Anna had finally stopped coughing and was now lying in bed, asleep, by the time Felicity returned with Anamaria. The pirate woman quickly began to mix up something to spread onto Anna's wounds.

"Felicity, go down to the kitchen and put some water to boil."

"Yes, Mother," Felicity said and left. She muttered to herself as she made her way to the kitchen. She grabbed a small pot and filled it with water from the well outside. She brought it back in and hung it over the fire.

Anamaria came down a bit later. She smiled weakly at the look in Felicity's eyes. "She is sleeping now. The more she rests the better. They will come back."

"They only have a week and a day…"

"Felicity! Anamaria! Come quickly!" Elizabeth's voice floated down the stairs, full of panic.

"Grab the water and bring it up," Anamaria said as she raced up the stairs.

As quickly as she could, Felicity grabbed the red hot pot and hurried up the stairs. When she entered Anna's room, her stomach turned.

Blood stained the blankets and pillows, as well as her mother's and Anamaria's hands.

"Set the water down, Lissy, and go downstairs, please," said her mother.

"Mother…"

"Go!"

Jack jumped out and helped to pull the boat to shore. Alex and Damien climbed out and the tied the boat to a rock.

"Now what?" Alex asked, shifting the bandana on his forehead.

"Let's search around for a while, maybe we will find something," suggested Damien.

"Perhaps," Jack muttered. "Or, we could check in that cave."

"What cave?" Alex and Damien asked simultaneously.

"That one." Jack pointed at a nearby cave. Damien and Alex shrugged and the three made their way to the cave.

Inside, it was damp, and cold, and dark. Jack shivered and pulled his hat farther over his eyes.

"I don't like this place," Damien muttered. Alex mumbled his agreement.

They walked on, the cave getting darker and colder and damper. "We should have brought torches…" Alex muttered. But before anyone could answer, they stepped into a cavern flooded with light. The three shielded their eyes and made their way into the room.

The cave glittered. Gold and precious stones lay scattered about the room, reflecting the light, which came from a narrow hole in the roof. Alex and Damien stood there in awe, while Jack took a step forward.

"Do not touch anything!" came a voice from nearby. Out of the shadows emerged a beautiful old woman. Her long silver hair fell past her waist. Her eyes were white, except for a tiny black pupil in each. She wore long flowing robes made of a shiny silver material, unlike anyone had ever seen before. She looked at them, the pupils getting larger.

"Why not?" Jack asked.

"Have you not heard of Aladdin?" Jack shook his head. "Everything in the room is cursed. If you touch anything, you will regret it." A sad smile played upon her lips. She stepped down into the room and faced them. "I know why you are here. The Diamond Dagger was stolen from here thirty years ago. By a man named Dova-"

"But we know this already," Jack cut in.

"Shut up and let the woman finish," Damien hissed.

The woman turned away from them and continued. "Your niece is dying, Jack. The poison is working now, even as we speak." Tears sprung up in the hardened pirate's eyes, but he wiped them away quickly, before the others could see. "Do you wish to see her?"

Jack nodded.

The woman slowly wove her hands in a circle. After a moment, the air began to shimmer. An image slowly started to appear. Soon, they could clearly see Anna lying in a bed, pale and weak.

"Anna…" Alex whispered. He took a step toward the floating sphere.

"Do not touch it, boy! The image will fade!"

Alex jerked his and away and stepped back. He stared at the circle; all words lost somewhere down in his chest. Anna was truly dying. Suddenly, he felt a warm, comforting hand on his shoulder. He looked over, and was shocked to see that the hand belonged to Jack.

"We will find the cure, Alex. We will save her."

Sorry about the shortness. Damn this writers block to hell! anywho, PLEASE REVIEW! PLEASE OH PLEASE OH PLEASE!

did I mention, please?

Anna-chan