The rain danced along the cold stone wall as Jack shivered in the corner of his cell. He had heard the angry hoof beats of the king's men rattling by, but didn't think much of it. At the moment, he was alone, freezing, wet, and rumless. "Well, love, you were right," he cursed to himself, thinking that his ship had long past with Gibbs eagerly watching the waters for Jack to appear. There was something else that had been bothering him, though, uneasiness that usually only came in the dreams. He would soon find out its source. The jail doors tumbled to the ground and two shadows appeared through the iron grid. Jack slowly looked up, not able to see his own company.
"The keys aren't here!"
"Go grab that plank; we'll do this the hard way."
He couldn't make out the voices and stepped into the frail moonlight. A torch burst into illumination and the outlines of two silhouettes were cast on the wall. Jack remained quiet, hiding behind the light. His fingers danced upon his pistol, ready to take any lawmen that made a wrong move with the coveted key. The dog that had teased so many inmates before had long grown old and tired of cocking his head with the brass ring in his teeth. He only slept with it draped about his neck, which served no purpose. He jumped at the sound of a clamoring that echoed painfully in the small quarters. He could see the heavy wall before him shift and shake.
"Will! You broke it!" a dramatic, high-pitched voice called. "I just wanted you to open the door, not break the bloody thing!" Jack folded his fingers over his curled lip and swaggered to the fallen gate.
"I'll fix it later, I built it, I can fix it…" a darker voice mumbled. Jack hopped over the ledge and saw his rescuers. Elizabeth stood before him first, fumbling with the heavy torch.
"Jack!" The captain turned before he could mutter something to the lady and found Will eager to greet him. "I need a favor." Jack recognized the urgency in Will's worried expression and shrugged his hopes away with a sigh.
"Well, I wouldn't expect anyone to give old Jack a break…no, just get him out of the stocks and he'll…fight ghosts or…whatever…" Elizabeth's lip jutted in annoyance while Will's eyes merely rolled about his head. "What is it, Turner, I would be happy to help."
"Someone has kidnapped John Michael," Elizabeth told with a breaking voice, "and we think it's a pirate." Jack looked first to the lady, and then to her lord. It was obvious this was the reason for their sickly appearances. He was an old man in his eyes, weathered and worn to pass with the wind…but even the best of pirates make friends, few but close, and he was obliged by the memory of a friend who would do him the same. Yes, Will was a straight man now, and at times he knew the boy was hesitant to trust him (as he should be), but he was William's son, and Jack felt bound to the Turner blood. The thought of the boy William never got to see being taken by some cowardly beggar angered a place deep inside Jack that had been often covered by drink and denial in the past.
"Li'l Jack?" he asked, expressive eyes scanning those of the parents. "Someone took your boy?" Elizabeth nodded, the softness of the captain's voice scaring her enough. His eye narrowed in unaddressed rage. His fingers danced upon his lip in thought before he strode quickly towards the door. Will watched him move towards the door, pause, and then step into the rain. Elizabeth gave the blacksmith a pleading glance before motioning that he followed. They tripped over the broken lock but were stopped by Jack's spinning stance.
"We have to find my ship," he reminded before turning and walking to the port again. "First my ship, then your boy."
"You're going to help us, Jack?" Elizabeth reassured in her genuine gentleness. He turned, his smart grin cocked once again.
"Of course, love." Will placed a hand on the slumped shoulder of his captain in speechless gratitude with a smiling sigh. "Captain Jack is at your humble service."
"This means so much to us," Will shouted from behind as they braved the storm to the choppy waters. Elizabeth remained huddled under his arm as they watched Jack peer to the horizon shrouded by heavy gray clouds.
"Will, you seem to have forgotten that night in Malaga," Jack called while careening for a better view, "with those Spanish ladrons who didn't appreciate my temporary authority of their galleon." Will slowly came to his side, trying to find what Jack was searching for. "I owe you my life."
"You don't owe me a thing," Will corrected under his breath. "I think your ship is gone."
"Just wait," Jack replied coolly. There was silence except for the sweeping sheets of water until a dark figure appeared from the rocky shoreline. The captain smiled as the lightning flashed over the black sails. "Yo ho!" he called, waving with no fear of being caught with his crossbones brand. Sight of the ship brought memories to the pair that ignited their passion for adventure once more. Elizabeth gripped Will's side with new hope that they would find little Jack soon.
"Bring me that horizon," she muttered with full determination.