Anna Maria grunted as she ripped her own wrist from the hold, quickly untying her ankles. The damp lower belly of the Pearl was rarely visited, and she could clearly see that the rest of her fellow crew was there by force and not choice. "Scumbags!" she cursed, trying to free herself from a nearby plank. "Try and take the captain's ship with us all sittin' down here like hangin' poultry!" She moved on to Mr. Gibbs, Cotton, and Moises, each spitting similar curses.
"We've got to be careful about this, Missus," Mr. Gibbs warned. "They've got us outnumbered and the boy."
"John Michael?" The Pearl crew blinked at the sudden softness of her voice; rarely did the only woman aboard one of the roughest pirate crews ever show a side of sensitivity. She quickly shook it from her expression. "We can't let them harm Little Jack."
"Aye—but how do we get up deck without alertin' the entire dog pack?" Moises whispered.
"I happen to remember a certain weakness of our former shipmate Barabas," Gibbs muttered. Very slowly, all eyes fell upon a confused and outnumbered Anna Maria.
"Oh, no!" she argued, slowly backing away from the smiling captives. "Don't you even think about it!" They had already thought and decided. With a great yelp, Anna Maria was tackled to the floor, ribbons and skirts flying over her head.
The stolen crew of the Pearl all turned as the bottom door slammed shut and a pair of stumbling steps. They all turned, Fifty and Pup the last in the center, to see quite the sight. An olive-skinned maid, dressed in an old but terribly flattering gown, dark dreadlocks straightened and tied over her shoulders. Anna Maria forced a smile and tried to gracefully step forward. Every jaw was dropped along with Pup in a dead faint. "Who do we have here?" Fifty sneered, scratching his chin. "How did you get free?"
"Never mind that. Where's the captain?" she demanded, "I'd like a word." Several eyes continued to watch from the lower door, waiting for the opportune moment. No one was reacting. "Well!" she snapped, "where's Barabas?"
"There be no captains on this ship," Fifty jeered, "but as soon as he's done with getting rid of those bloody Turners and that stupid git Sparrow…" Anna Maria's eye twitched slightly. "He'll be back." She faked a grin. "I'd be happy to keep you company instead," he smiled. She nearly choked. Suddenly, a small rubber ball rolled across the Pearl's sleek planks. Anna Maria looked for its source and found the charming little child crawling after it; she hid a smile at how he wasn't used to his sea legs quite yet. Fifty growled, storming after him. "Who let the brat out of the bag?"
"Stop it!" Anna Maria shouted, scooping John Michael into her arms. "You won't lay a hand on him, you filthy dog!" From below, Gibbs winced. Fifty was hardly insulted.
"You're feisty, aren't you?" he laughed. "Still got a bit of the fire from the old days!" Anna Maria quickly shuffled backwards, protecting the quiet toddler.
"Who are you?" Jack asked with a yawn.
"Don't you worry, Little Jack," she whispered back, "Your parents will be here soon to get you."
"You're welcome to stay up here as long as you like," Fifty grinned, "You can even watch the little worm." She narrowed her eyes, truly holding her temper. His voice dropped to an evil low. "But stay where I can watch you…leave your soggy crew below." Meanwhile, Mr. Gibbs, Cotton, and Moises dropped back out of sight.
"How long should we leave her up there?" Gibbs whispered.
"How long should it take to distract Barabas?" Moises answered.
"Where is Barabas?" They each looked to each other in quiet confusion. "Oh no…"