Chapter 5 – Enter the Hero
There was no one like him, a man with a lifestyle and a world all his own. The world was there to do with what he pleased and he intended to enjoy it. He loved life, women, drinking, and the sea. He rarely left the water of his ship. They were him. He was them. The captain of the infamous Black Pearl would not be compromised or cheated. He would not leave himself unsatisfied. He would not wait for good things to come to him. He would seek them out, seize them, and use them for all their worth. He was loyal. He was one. He was Captain Jack Sparrow.
"Where's my favorite niece?" Jack called, stumbling through the front door of the mansion early that morning. He waited, perplexed, for a response. "Ello?" There was still no answer to his greeting. "Well, that's odd, isn't it now…" he said, beginning to talk to himself, a sure sign that he either had something big on his mind or he had been drinking into his beloved supply of rum before dawn. He looked around the room and noticed a figure in the far doorway that led into the main office. Shadows surrounded the person, who appeared tall and slender. Nevertheless, he was left blind as to the identity of this would-be intruder. Being the good pirate that he was, he drew his sword with a flourish and lunged toward the dark doorway as he shouted a challenge. "Who's there? Show yourself!" From the darkness came a familiar voice.
"Now, Jack. Is that any way to treat an old friend?" The shadows filtered out at the man stepped forward into the bright entryway.
"William Turner!" the captain exclaimed upon seeing my father. They each stepped forward, Jack sheathing his blade. Will put out his hand in greeting, but Jack ignored it, wrapping his massive arms around Will's chest, lifting him a foot from the floor.
"It's good to see you, too, Jack," he gasped. Putting him down, Jack looked around the room again.
"Where's the rest of the motley crew?" he asked his friend and past companion.
"Elizabeth is upstairs, sleeping. Meg is…not here." Will paused for a brief moment. "She knows, Jack."
"Hmm? What does she know?" Jack asked, clueless.
"She knows about me," he replied, "About you. About the Pearl." Jack was taken aback.
"How'd she figure that one out, mate?" Jack inquired as he pushed a beaded strand of hair under his hat.
"She's engaged to the blacksmith," he began, grinning, before he was interrupted. Jack took a long step back.
"That grungy Kingston boy?" Will nodded.
"I had to tell her when she told me that." Jack adjusted all of his "effects" as he made his way back to the door.
"I was just about to make a point of stopping there. Lad's got a dagger for me." He stared into space, imagining the beautiful weapon he was soon to receive. Will interrupted his thoughts.
"Are you going now? I don't suppose you could check up on Meg for me?" Will asked, still concerned for his daughter and her ill fiancé.
"Sure, mate. Not a problem. I'll bring her back here in a flash." He agreed.
"She needn't come home. I just want to know how she's doing over there." Will argued.
"Oh, but she does, my friend. She needs to be with mommy and daddy when I tell you what I know." Will's eyes were confused. "I didn't come here just for a visit," Jack continued. "There's trouble a-brewin'."