Chapter 14-A Scary Tale

The next week came and went without any more accidents. Diego had noticed that Will was looking over his shoulder every chance he got so he made sure not to look suspicious around him. They were still about a week away from Fantasma, so he knew he still had plenty of time.

Will had decided not to tell Jack anything on Diego unless he gave him reason to. He knew Jack had a strong dislike for him so he thought it best not to rile him up even more, especially when he didn't really know anything yet about Diego.

It was bedtime for the kids and Jack was in Brennan's room with them telling a story. Celeste had asked about the island they were going to and found it fascinating that it might be haunted so she wanted her dad to tell them about Fantasma. Jack was sitting on the floor with the kids. Romi and Angela were sitting on the bed listening to Jack tell his tale. The lights were turned off and there was a candle he had lit in the middle of their little circle on the floor. The flicker of the candle highlighted Jack's face in an evil way, making the story even scarier to tell. Celeste and Brennan had their eyes wide open and were listening intently, hanging on every word Jack said.

"And after the grand ship crashed against the island, the Italian princess got lost in the dark, black forest. She searched and searched for her way back but as she looked for the ship she heard voices." Jack held his head up as if he had just heard those voices himself. The kids looked around the room before settling their eyes back on Jack.

"Who was it Daddy? Where did those voices come from? Did they get her?" Celeste was visibly getting nervous. Romi couldn't help but stifle a laugh at her reaction.

"Sshh, I'm getting' to it." He acted as though he was about to start talking again then put a finger to his lips. "I forgot, where was I?"

The kids frustrated at the lack of progress in the story began yelling at him. "The princess was lost!" Said Celeste.

"And she heard voices." Brennan added.

"Ah yes. She looked to where the voices came from and saw a huge group of people, but there was somethin' different about them." He came in closer to their faces. "They had no legs." He whispered. The kid's eyes were about to pop out of their heads and Jack was holding back the laughter that threatened to end his story right there. But he had a finale all fixed up for them.

"The people saw her and they went after her. Sadly when mornin' came the people from the crew searched all over the island for their lost princess but they never found her. Now every time a ship passes close to that island they can hear a voice moaning in the wind calling for help." Jack looked around the room. "Do you hear that?"

The kid's backs straightened as they strained to hear something. Suddenly they heard what sounded like a voice coming from somewhere, even Romi and Angela stood straight up when they heard it. The voice seemed to be crying for help. Celeste and Brennan stood up quickly and ran to Jack who had stood up and was looking around for the voice. They had wrapped their arms around his legs so tightly he could barely walk. Suddenly from out of the closet jumped Will who gave a loud yell at them. The kids and the mothers screamed out loud and Jack was now on the floor rolling in laughter. The kids were still shaking but were mad at the current situation. Angela came up beside Will and whacked him upside his head.

"Ow. What was that for? It was Jack's idea." He tattled as he rubbed his head. Jack was still laughing so hard that tears were coming down his face. Romi and the kids had their arms crossed looking at him sternly, which made him laugh even louder. Watching him laugh like that made them finally break down and they all started laughing with him.

"Alright then Jack enough scaring the kids, and us for the night. The children need to go to sleep. Come on Celeste." Romi took her daughter's hand and walked out of the room. Jack finally stood up and since he was still in the mood took off his hat and pompously gave a bow before exiting Brennan's room. "Goodnight all."

Angela just shook her head. "Come on Brennan into bed." She then looked at Will. "And you. I'll get you eventually." She pointed a finger at him. Will looked around the room before pointing to himself.

"Me? It was Jack's idea."

"And you do everything Jack tells you to do?"

"Well he is the captain Angela." He said that last sentence quite sarcastically and before Angela could reach him he ran out of the room.

She gave one last sigh before kissing her son goodnight and returning to their room.

Romi had already put Celeste to bed and Jack had taken once last walk around the ship. He came to his room and as he walked in, Romi jumped out from behind the door causing him to curse loudly and fall back against the wall. He just stood there with his eyes wide watching Romi laugh hysterically.

"You're not the only one who knows how to give a good scare." She managed to whimper out between bouts of laughter.

Jack cocked an eyebrow and gave her a half grin. "So ye think ye're funny aye?"

He ran over to her and picked her up as she continued to laugh. He carried her to their bed and as he lay her down began to tickle her. "Jack stop, I can't take it anymore!"

After several minutes of this, they finally calmed down. Romi got into her nightgown and Jack took his boots and shirt off before slipping into bed.

Halfway through the night Jack woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. He decided to go out onto the deck and walk around. He was standing at the stern of the ship when one of his crew came up behind him. "Captn'? I need to tell ya somethin'."

Jack turned around to face him. "State ye're purpose Mr. Goodall." The pirate was one of the crew that had been conspiring against him with Diego. "I need to talk to ya 'bout Diego sir." Jack furrowed his eyebrows.

"Me along wit' some o' the other crew 'ave been joinin' wit' 'im. He wants to kill ye captn' and the accident from last week was meant for ye. I've wanted to get out o' it, but he threatened to kill me too. I know this is foolishness for 'im to be tryin' this, specially since ye're crew would die to save ye. Tha's why I'm 'ere."

Jack was beyond furious at this news. "Who else amongst my crew have dared to mutiny against me?"

The other pirate looked around seemingly scared to be found out.

Jack knew he was uncomfortable talking out in the open like this. "Come wit' me to the meetin' quarters, we can talk freely there." They left the deck together.

Meanwhile Diego had seen Jack leave his room and the moment he left he made his move and entered the room quietly. He got into the bed and began stroking Romi's hair to wake her up. It was dark in the room so they couldn't see much but Diego just felt his way around. He had put on a bandanna to match the one Jack wore. Romi stirred a bit and she turned over to face him before she could open her eyes he brought his mouth down on hers and began kissing her hungrily. He moved down to her neck. "Jack? What's the matter? Can't sleep?"

He didn't look up. "Sshh." Was all he said. Romi just laid back and thinking that this was indeed her husband let him do as he wished. He suddenly covered himself under the sheets.

He began to unbutton her nightgown quickly and took one of her breasts in his mouth. He was being very aggressive and it seemed odd to Romi that he would be behaving like this. "Jack calm down a little, you're being very rough."

He continued his ravaging and Romi was starting to feel a little uncomfortable. She couldn't quite place it, but this didn't seem at all like Jack. Her eyes were now adjusted to the darkness of the room and she lifted the sheets slightly to get a close look at him. When she saw who was under the covers she let out a blood curdling scream. Jack was just outside the door and had his hand on the handle when he heard Romi scream. He rushed in and saw her clutching the sheets and Diego getting out of the bed.

Jack couldn't believe what he was seeing. Suddenly the world stopped. There was no noise except for his heart beating wildly in his chest. He reached for his gun but remembered he didn't have it with him. Diego took his out quickly and pointed it at him.

He gave him a smirk. "I think I'd rather this bullet go where it would make the most damage." He turned it on Romi. And fired.

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