INTO THE CARIBBEAN
CHAPTER TEN – The Blood Ritual
&&&&&&
"Dead men tell no tales!"
The fog eerily covered the water like a cold blanket and the sun was nowhere in sight. The air felt bitter with a chilling bite. Underneath the surface of the glassy water swam numerous sharks of every size, swarming the remains of ships that once were; the parrot's words were only a reminder of what was to come – perhaps even a warning.
"Puts a chill in the bones how many honest sailors have been claimed by this passage." Gibbs sadly lamented as he stood along with the rest of the pirate crew along the starboard side of the ship that slowly maneuvered its way through the water with a tired groan. Together, they observed the ruins of the sunken ships in respectful silence.
Deciding she had enough of the depressing view, Alex jumped down from the rigging she held onto to get a good view of the lagoon – she didn't want to dwell on the past mistakes of those unfortunate sailors that led them to their underwater grave. She was wise enough to know how to keep her head above water…at least she hoped so.
Looking towards Jack at the helm, she smirked when she saw him console his compass with the realization that Mr. Cotton was standing very close behind him in a silent stare. Jack quickly glanced towards the mute man before snapping his black compass shut and looking away in discomfort.
Turning her back away from him, Alex silently chuckled as she idly sat against a wooden crate. The thud of boots walking across the deck caught her attention, so Alex lifted her head and watched as Gibbs walk past her to check on some ropes. Immediately, Will followed.
"How is it that Jack came by that compass?" He asked curiously.
"Not a lot's known about Jack Sparrow before he showed up in Tortuga with a mind to go after the treasure of the Isla de Muerta." Gibbs explained as he pulled out his flask of rum and uncorked it. "That was before I met him, back when he was Capt'n of the Black Pearl." He brought the flask to his lips.
Will's eyes went wide as he turned to face Gibbs. "What?" Will asked in shock, and Gibbs' eyes widened when he realized what he slipped out. "He failed to mention that."
Aye, you did, Sparrow…Alex silently thought as she kept her own surprise well hidden. She continued intently listening to Gibb's next words.
"Well, he plays things closer to the vest now. And a hard-learned lesson it was." Gibbs glanced at Jack in sorrowful understanding, and then turned back to Will and Alex to finish his tale. "See, three days out on the venture the first mate comes to him and says everything's an equal share. That should mean the location of the treasure, too, so, Jack gives up the bearings." His voice lowered considerably so nobody would overhear him. "That night, there was a mutiny. They marooned Jack on an island and left him to die, but not before he'd gone mad with the heat."
"Ah," Will started while glancing at Jack in interest. "So that's the reason for all the…" He began to sway around like Jack and wiggle his fingers, all complete with the quirky face expression. Alex chuckled with a curl of her lip, but Gibbs remained as solemn as a stone.
"Reason's got nothin' to do with it." Gibbs stated, and then sat down on a small crate as Will knelt before him, and Alex continuing to listen with a very new curiosity for the pirate captain she had become well acquainted with. "Now Alex, you may already know of this, but Will, when a man is marooned he is a given a pistol with a single shot – one shot. Well it won't do much good huntin' or to be rescued. But after three weeks of a starvin' belly and thirst, that pistol will start to look real friendly." Gibbs explained as the fingers on his hand took the shape of a pistol and began to slowly point at his head. Alex nodded in understanding and Will continued to listen through narrowed brown eyes. "But Jack – he escaped the island, and he still has that one shot! Oh, but he won't use it, though, save for one man. His mutinous first mate–"
"–Barbossa." Alex finished.
"Aye, lass." Gibbs nodded at her.
"…how did Jack get off the island?" Will suddenly asked curiously.
"Well, I'll tell ye." Gibbs began excitedly. "He waded out into the shallows and there he waited three days and three nights, till all manner of sea creature came and acclimated to his presence. And on the fourth morning, he roped himself a couple of sea turtles, lashed 'em together, and made a raft!" He finished with an energized grin as he stared Will in the eye, who still kept that narrow-eyed expression, and Alex didn't mind letting out a small snicker of disbelief. Honestly, sea turtles?
"He roped a couple of sea turtles?" Will asked incredulously.
"Aye," Gibbs nodded with a wide grin. "Sea turtles!"
"And what did he use for rope?" Alex inquired with a smirk. Gibbs opened his mouth to answer, but nothing came out because he too was puzzled. Alex was about to add a witty, mocking comment until she heard someone take a solid step behind her, followed by the strong scent of rum and salt from the sea.
"Human hair," Jack drawled. Alex quickly stood and turned, returning his gaze as he solemnly stared at her, his eyes deprived of mirth and humor, "from my back." Gibbs nodded in satisfaction at Will and Alex, who just curled her lip and groaned in disgust. "Let go of the anchor!" Jack suddenly barked.
"Let go of the anchor, sir!" The crew answered in harmony before jumping to complete the given task.
"Young Mr. Turner and I are to go to shore." Jack announced with the same mirthless tone without even glancing at Alex, and then began to retreat from their presence. That caused her to immediately chase after him.
"Whoa, wait a second! What about me?" She shouted.
Without breaking his stride, Jack slightly looked over shoulder as he spoke, "You are to stay here and do what Mr. Gibb's tells you to do. I'll leave my orders with him."
Alex blinked her eyes in disbelief. "What? No! Why can't I go with you and Will?"
"Because I said you are to stay here."
"No way, Elizabeth is my friend too, and I have every bloody right to go in there after her! Will, help me out here!" She desperately looked to him, hoping he would stand up for her.
"Alex, I'm going to have to agree with Jack on this one." Will firmly replied.
"Will!"
He shook his head. "Look, I'm sorry. Jack's right."
"Agh! I cannot believe this!" Alex threw her head back with an astonished, sardonic laugh. First Jack, with his 'almighty-captain' attitude, and now Will! She was ready to take Anamaria and those two whore's examples and slap Jack around for first declining her to come along and then influencing Will to side with him. No, slapping wouldn't do – she would come in swinging with clenched fists.
"You aren't leaving me here, Jack." Alex determinedly said. When Jack didn't reply or turn to face her, she was beginning to think that the idea of literally knocking some sense into him wasn't such a bad one after all. Finally taking the last two strides to catch up to him, Alex grabbed his arm forcefully, making him turn around on his the ball of his heel to face her.
"Look, woman," He spoke in a low voice for only her to hear, but his irritation was loud and clear for anyone to see, "if I had a choice, I'd leave bloody William here too, savvy? But bringing the eunuch along would speed things up. Taking you along would slow the process down."
"That's bull! I'm not slo–"
"Lass," Jack quickly cut her off, "do me a favor and just stay here. With a smirk, he added, "It could get dangerous, and I wouldn't want to watch you doing anything…stupid." A momentary flash of amusement crossed his rich brown eyes as a wave of anger flooded hers. How dare he! Turning swiftly, he began to walk away before she had a chance to retort.
"Capt'n!" Gibbs finally piped up after deciding he didn't want to see the hellcat chase down and tackle his captain. "What if the worst should happen?"
Jack paused again. "Keep to the code." He answered deeply.
"Aye, the code." Gibbs nodded in understanding, and Alex raised her brow. Code? What code?
"Let's go, Turner!" Jack shouted, his mere presence reminding Alex of her heated fume of anger that was the result of Jack's insult towards her. Will caught wind of this and held her back.
"Alex, please," Will said as he held onto her arm. "Jack's right. It will be dangerous, and I don't want you getting hurt. Please." Will repeated as he squeezed her shoulder. She didn't reply, but instead let out an angry sigh. "We'll be right back with Elizabeth, I promise. Please don't be mad at me."
Again, Alex didn't reply, but turned her back and stomped away as she heard the retreating boots of a pirate and a blacksmith, eventually followed by the drop of a rowboat into the cold waters.
"Stupid bloody eunuchs, every one of them." Alex muttered under her breath. She almost felt the steam flowing from her ears from Jack ordering her to stay behind and his insult towards her. "I wouldn't want to watch you doing anything…stupid." He had even stretched the word 'stupid', almost meaningfully. She was prevented from strangling him just moments ago, but next time he wouldn't get away so easily.
"Don't worry 'bout it, lass," Gibbs said to her as he approached, noting her obvious anger. "Jack only wants the best for ye – he's a good man."
"Oh, I'm sure." Alex murmured. Then remembering Jack's earlier words, she asked, "what code was Jack talking about…you know, if the worst was to happen?"
"Aye, pirate's code, lass. Any man that falls behind…gets left behind."
"Gibbs, get o'er here!" A man yelled, drawing Gibbs away and leaving Alex in her own thoughts. Any man that falls behind…gets left behind. She was vaguely familiar with this pirate code Gibbs spoke of, but she knew enough to realize that it wasn't good.
And she couldn't let that happen to Will.
Quickly, she searched for Anamaria, and found her further away. "Anamaria!" She called as she approached.
"Aye?" Anamaria raised her brow.
"I need you to help me lower a boat." Alex said quietly.
"What!" Anamaria shouted, but quickly looked around for any unwanted ears. "I can't do that, and neither can you!"
"My friends are in there, and I can't just wait around and hope for the best!" Alex explained forcefully.
"But it's against Capt'n's orders! Are you daft? We'll both be punished if we're caught." Anamaria reasoned.
Alex rolled her eyes. "Since when did you ever mind what Jack said? Come on…please?"
Heaving a sigh, Anamaria rolled her eyes. "Fine, fine! But this was all your idea."
"Of course it's my idea." Alex grinned. "Now, c'mon before Gibbs notices."
&&&&&&
Ha! Did he really think he'd be able to get rid of me, Alex Keller, so easily? Alex silently laughed and mentally patted herself on the back. Under just a few minutes, she and Anamaria commandeered another row boat, and now alone she was in the process of disobeying strict orders from her captain.
If she kept this up, Alex knew she'd be on her way to piracy in no time.
Continuing her even rhythm of rowing with a smug smile, she guided the boat into the mouth of the cavern. It was dark, but with the faint light from outside she managed to guide herself through the water; when the light disappeared, the flame from her boat didn't fail her. In fact, it revealed the shimmer of gold that lay untouched underneath the water below her. With fascinated eyes, Alex let the boat glide briefly as she eyed the attractive pieces of silver and gold.
"I gotta get myself some of that." She muttered under her breath before picking up the oars and continuing. She could already hear voices coming from deep within the heart of the cave.
&&&&&&
"For ten years we've been tested and tried, and each man jack of ye here has proved his mettle a hundred times over – and a hundred times again!"
A loud roar of agreement rose from the crowd of pirates that were eagerly listening to their captain's speech. Silently, Alex snuck with haste through the passageway with her cutlass in hand, and finally reached an area where she could peak over the moist, cold stone and observe.
Her dark russet eyes widened. Not several feet away were mounds of even more gold. It was everywhere. Never in her life had she seen so much treasure in one small place at one time. It must have taken years to gather so much…
Snapping out of her shock, Alex scanned the bloodthirsty gang of pirates and noticed they were all looking in one direction, at one person – Elizabeth. She wore a dark crimson dress that would have looked beautiful on her if she wasn't looking so terrified. Alex could tell that she was trying her hardest to look strong and unafraid, but her eyes screamed fear.
Standing beside Elizabeth was an older pirate dressed in dark attire with a large single black feather hat on his head, who Alex assumed could only be Captain Barbossa. She gulped. This man reeked evil, pain, and everything else that sent unpleasant shivers through Alex at just the sight of him. He proudly stood before his cursed crew waving around a dagger with a blade of blood-stained gold. Before them rested a large golden chest that was illuminated by the light coming through a hole in the cave from outside.
"Punished, we were!" Barbossa boomed in a loud voice, sounding as villainous as he looked. "The lot of us - disproportionate to our crimes! Here it is," With one swift kick, he knocked the lid off the chest, revealing an entire stash of golden coins filled to the brim, "the cursed treasure of Cortés himself. Every last piece that went astray, we have returned…save for this!" He suddenly pointed to the medallion that hung around the frightened Elizabeth's neck; the medallion that Alex thought looked oddly familiar to her.
"Y-You're a pirate!"
"Has he said anything?"
"His name is William Turner, that's all we found out…"
The pirates once again began to cheer and very faintly Alex heard the clash of coins coming from another part of the cave. It echoed through the passageways and through the heart of the cave, but quickly became drowned out by the excited yells of the pirates.
"C'mon, Will, where are you?" Alex murmured as she scanned the area for any sight of Will, or even Jack, but she couldn't see either of them anywhere. Tightening her grip on her sword, she decided she'd have to take things into her own hands. She disappeared from her position behind the large stone and began to wander the passageways again as swiftly as she could.
&&&&&&
Passing through a very familiar passageway once again, Alex decided that wandering through caves wasn't a good thing to be doing, especially if said cave was practically overrun with pirates that weren't exactly friendly and ready to invite you for tea. She would need a guide to even find her way around, but even then she didn't think it would help her find Will, Jack, or Elizabeth in the state she was in. Now, Alex was never one to panic under extreme conditions, but this certainly caused her to grow more than nervous.
"Jack! Will! Anybody?" Alex harshly whispered eyes she narrowed her eyes to see through the dim lights. Maybe they got to Elizabeth and had already left…they still thought she was back on the Interceptor…they wouldn't realize that they left her in a cave full of cursed pirates until it became too late…
"Oh, hell!" She groaned at the thought.
Suddenly, a loud gunshot echoed through the cave, startling Alex. Then she heard an angry outburst of voices yelling, each followed by one man's livid retorts. She continued down the paths following the voices as best she could, then after taking one last turn through the maze of stone halls, Alex ended up blocking the path of several pirates that were just on their way out.
One man with a wooden eye asked in startled surprise, "How did you get here?"
"Oh, me?" Alex nervously laughed. "Heh, don't mind me. I'm not sure I'm even on the right island, so, if you'll just excuse me, I'll be on my way..." She quickly turned and began to retreat, but halted suddenly when she heard the click of a pistol behind her.
"You're not goin' anywhere, poppet." Another half-bald pirate snarled with a slimy smile, revealing rotting teeth. A few more men appeared behind them and together they slowly started to approach Alex with taunting grins and twitching snarls. She was about to pull out her cutlass and pistol, but she knew she still wouldn't stand a chance against a group of disgruntled pirates. Well, that was alright – she was always known to be a quick runner back in Port Royal when trying to stay out of trouble.
With one last sheepish grin, Alex quickly turned and was about to begin her sprint but only ran into a firm body, almost causing them both to topple over. Thinking she had run into another pirate from Barbossa's crew, she silently cursed and slowly looked up a very evenly tanned chest, up a braided beard, and with relief, straight into the confused face of Jack.
"Alex? What are you doin' here, luv?" He asked with a heavy slur as his body swayed. He appeared drowsy and a disoriented, as if he had just woken up from an entire night of drinking. Alex glanced at the oar that he held, but didn't bother to ask.
"I'll explain later, but right now we've got a–"
"You!" The wooden-eyed pirate exclaimed in pure shock, pointing at Jack.
"–problem." Alex weakly finished.
"You're supposed to be dead!" Another exclaimed.
"Am I not?" Jack looked down at himself and felt his chest with his hand. "Oh." He turned, grabbed Alex, and started to walk away until more pirates showed up with cutlasses and pistols in hand, causing him to turn back around to face Pintel's pistol.
"Palulay!" Jack suddenly exclaimed, causing Alex and the rest of the pirates to stare at him in bewildered surprise. He shut his eyes and shook his clenched fist. "Palu-li-la-la-lulu…!" He tried again while using his index finger to try and compose his speech. "Parlili, parsnip, pasley, par - partner, partner…"
Alex's eyes shifted back and forth in thought. "Parley?"
"That's the one!" Jack loudly exclaimed, pointing at Alex. "Parley!"
"Parley?" The bald, bare-bellied pirate repeated disbelievingly, glaring angrily at Alex. "Down to the depths whatever man that thought up 'parley!'" He sneered while pointing the pistol back at Jack's face, who just curiously gazed into the barrel before sticking his fingers in it and pulling it down.
"That would be the French." Jack said matter-of-factly.
"Latin based, of course." Alex smartly added, and Jack nodded in agreement.
"Shut up!" A large black man with tattooed scars all over his body shouted, and the surrounding men snapped to their senses and grabbed their newest two captives. As they roughly led them down the path, Alex took the moment to search for Will and Elizabeth, but she didn't see them. She wondered if they managed to escape. She really hoped so. She hoped even more that she would be able to see Will again.
"Whoa, watch it mates – HEY! Hand's off!" Alex snapped as she struggled against the hands that held her. She finally jerked her arms free and stumbled forward onto Jack, who had stopped dead center in the group of pirates that were surrounding them. Alex was beginning to feel a bit intimidated at the number of armed men, too.
"Um, Jack?" Alex murmured uneasily as she began to mentally count the heads.
"Don't say anything unless you feel like dying today." Jack roughly whispered.
"Oh thanks, that's very reassuring."
"Capt'n, look at what we found! A sparra' and his wench!"
Alex was about to lunge at whoever it was who just addressed her like a common whore, but she didn't dare to as she watched the pirates back out of the way to form a path for one man – their captain. He looked even more gruesome up close, which Alex was very reluctant to be at the moment. His face looked worn from years of mingling with the elements of the sun and sea; his graying brown hair was flat and wispy. He carried this chilling air around him, and evil and betrayal seemed to emerge from deep within his cold, pale yellow eyes when he smiled.
As Captain Barbossa approached, his disbelieving expression soon turned to amused distaste while Jack lazily leaned against the wooden oar while sporting a smug grin.
"Why, if it isn't Jack Sparrow." Barbossa grinned with disdain. "I hoped that I'd see the last of ye back on that island of yours." He coldly stated.
"It's going to take more than that to get rid of me." Jack smugly replied.
"Unfortunately," Barbossa dryly replied. He then realized the presence of the young woman behind Jack, and shifted his attention to her. "And who might you be?" He politely asked in an attempt to be 'charming'. "Another of Jack's little strumpets?" He mockingly laughed.
Alex glared at Barbossa, but remembering Jack's warning, she painfully bit her tongue. She didn't want to fall into any trap that Barbossa may have mentally set up for them, and Jack must have been thinking the exact same thing as he stood with his back before her, and instead of speaking his mischievous smirk grew wider as he lazily leaned against the wooden oar.
Barbossa's eyes suddenly turned into slits as he glared at Jack. "How the blazes did you get off that island?"
"When you marooned me on that godforsaken spit of land, you forgot one very important thing, mate." Jack smiled as he outstretched his arms. "I'm Captain Jack Sparrow." He perceptibly drawled, and Alex grinned. Even in the darkest situations, such as being surrounded by about several dozen pistols, he was still the same Sparrow as before.
"Ah, well, I won't be making that mistake again." Barbossa crossly replied. "Gents, ye all remember Capt'n Jack Sparrow?" He turned his back with a mocking smile. "Kill him. And the lass as well."
Immediately, all pistols were cocked and aimed in one direction – towards Jack and Alex. She quickly glanced around at all of the wide-grins and gleeful eyes. Alex watched with sudden fear as Barbossa began to stride away while Jack just calmly stood there like a few dozen pairs of pistols weren't about to blow him away. At that moment, Alex swore that if Jack let her die this way, she would never stop bugging him in their afterlife together.
"The girl's blood didn't work, did it?" Jack suddenly said aloud to Barbossa. He immediately stopped and stiffened his posture.
"Hold yer fire!" He ordered, and a wave of groans and curses were heard from all around. Barbossa swiftly turned around and carefully studied Jack. "You know whose blood we need?"
Jack's brown kohl-lined eyes seemed to lazily grin. "I know whose blood you need."
Alex observed Jack confusedly. His whole persona seemed to change, as well as the look in his eyes. Why was he suddenly so willing to help the man he held so much hatred for? The man who marooned Jack on that island ten years ago, the man who stole the Black Pearl away from him?
Wait – that was it. The Pearl.
Instantly, everything came together in Alex's head like pieces of a puzzle as Jack's response seemed to echo in her ears. Why didn't she see it before? How could she be so stupid? The real reason for Jack to help them wasn't just to be a Good Samaritan…it was to reclaim his ship. He didn't care about them. He never did. But why did she expect him to in the first place? He wasn't supposed to – he was a pirate.
"Aye," Barbossa suddenly spoke, snapping Alex out of her reverie. "We'll discuss it back on the Pearl. I'm sure ye have missed her dearly."
The pirates without warning grabbed Jack and Alex, but then one pirate nastily called out, "What do we do with 'er, Capt'n?" He pointed his dagger too close for comfort near Alex's jugular; she didn't dare gulp.
Barbossa hummed in thought, his eyes lustily eying her body. "Maybe she can provide some…pleasurable entertainment when the time comes." He grinned. "I'm sure Jack wouldn't mind…unless she means somethin' to ye." He carefully watched Jack and his reaction, but Jack just grinned predatorily at Alex.
"She mean's nothin' to be but an easy lay that I've been wanting for a long while." He smiled seductively, lowering his voice as he ran a calloused finger down her neck with a smirk.
"Get your filthy hands off of me, you bloody bastard." She sneered.
"Ye mean ye haven't touched her yet, Sparrow?" Barbossa asked, surprised.
"No." Jack replied as he stared at Alex with a smirk. "Not yet." He grinned.
"I hate you, Sparrow. I hate you." She glared.
He only chuckled in reply as her hands were bound tightly behind her back and her weapons taken off her person, but all the while she glared at Jack. She had trusted him with her very core, but the man she put her trust into was just a façade. The real one only wanted his ship, cared for only himself, and wouldn't think twice about using her. And now, she wouldn't be surprised if it would be him who pulled the trigger when they became bored with her.
"C'mon, gents. Let's bring them to the Pearl." Barbossa grinned.
&&&&&&
"Alex? Are you in there? C'mon, come out, please?" Will rapped his knuckles against the cabin door again and eagerly waited for a reply. "Elizabeth is in the cabin resting and she wants to see you. Please come out." He knocked once more, and then deeply sighed.
Where could she be?
He had practically searched everywhere since their departure from Isla de Muerta, including the crow's nest, which had become her favorite spot during the evenings of the past few nights. He figured that she was avoiding him because she still felt angry that he wouldn't let her come along to the caves, but now it was just becoming ridiculous. He looked everywhere. Even the crew haven't seen her, but they were busy with their own tasks…but that didn't mean they wouldn't notice her…they had grown to like her presence, and she with theirs…but if she wasn't anywhere else on the ship or in this cabin, then where was she?
"Hey lad, what are ye doin' down there?" Gibbs called from the top of the stairwell.
"I'm looking for Alex, have you seen her?"
"The hellcat? Not sure. Come to think 'bout it, I haven't seen her for a while. Why?"
"Mr. Gibbs!" A crewman shouted and suddenly appeared beside Gibbs looking out of breath, "This ship has two boats, aye?"
"…aye." Gibbs slowly answered.
"There's only one."
Will and Gibbs looked at each other in their shocked realization. Alex must have snuck off the ship and been left behind with Jack and those other pirates.
"We have to go back," Will said, and then repeated with a raised voice. "We have to go back!"
"We can't!" Gibbs regretfully answered. "It's the code, we can't do anything."
"No! We are going back!"
"It's the code, lad! Nobody on board is going to break it, including me. We have to keep to the code, like Jack ordered. I'm sorry, Will, I truly am." Gibbs said, then sorrowfully gave the distraught young man one last glance before disappearing from sight. Will stumbled back against the closed cabin door and slowly slid to the floor. Covering his face with his calloused hands, he shook his head in despair.
"What have you done, Alex," Will hoarsely whispered. "What have I done…"
&&&&&&
&&&&&&
A/N: Another chapter, yippee! Oh yeah, just to let you know, this story will be about 21 chapters long, and I'm toying with the idea of a sequel, but I'm not sure yet. Depends on if I have time...and if I have a strong story plot.
Anyways, you guys are great. Honestly! I'd like to thank VagrantCandy (oh, MAN! I just realized what you were talking about, and I corrected it...oops! My bad! Thanks for noticing//feels embarrased/) BabyGooGoo2 (Well, thank you!) Sirael (Updated /wink/) Starpossum (Haha, it's getting closer to my favorite parts, too! Aw man, that sucks. It came out July 15 for us in the US) CaptainDuckula (Haha, I like the new name! Man, wasn't CATCF a great movie? I love Tim Burton, and he with Johnny Depp is just plain yummy goodness. Yeah, that part cracked me up! And nothing is better than a daft hot pirate, hehe) Terriah (I'm going to have to! Thanks for reviewing!) doctress (Well, here's another quick update, hehe. Yeah, I'm also waiting for other authors to update their stories...it's been too long!) SilverWolfSingsToTheMoon (I'll try to update this quicker, but sometimes I get so busy it's kind of hard, but I'll do my best! Cool, I can't wait to hear from them! Thanks to you and them for reading!)