I Will Protect You
Chapter 8 - I Will Protect You
A few moments after Anamaria was gone Elizabeth got the old lady to her room and helped her sit on the bed.
"Thank you so very much."
"You are very welcome. Do you need anything before I leave?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes, as a matter of fact I do need some money."
Elizabeth looked to the floor then back to the woman. "I'm sorry, but I don't have any to give you."
"No no, I need to do something before I get my money." She said and stood up.
Elizabeth was shocked as the woman walked toward her and pulled out a knife. She screamed and tried to open the bedroom door but it was jammed. Feeling the cold metal on her skin she closed her eyes.
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Jack and Anamaria heard Elizabeth scream when they reached the house.
"Ana, go get Gibbs." Jack ordered and ran into the house. He went to the only room that had the door closed and ran into it. The door fell with a loud thud and the sight in front of him shocked the pirate. A woman who was old and feeble, or so it seemed, held a knife to Elizabeth's neck.
"Let her go." Jack said, pulling out his gun.
"No. This girl is my paycheck." And Jack could only watch as Elizabeth's skin was cut and blood started to run. He cocked the gun and shot it, hitting his target right in the shoulder.
Elizabeth fell to the floor and put a hand to her neck. A warm sensation covered her hands. It was her blood.
"Jack." She amazed herself at the volume of her voice.
He went quickly over to her and picked her up. Just then GIbbs and Anamaria came in and saw the blood and Elizabeth in Jack's arms.
"Here, take her to the Pearl." Jack said handing Elizabeth to Anamaria. He then turned to the woman and knelt down to her. A wig was falling off her head and makeup was running down her face.
"Do you know who you were trying to kill?"
"Elizabeth Swann."
"Why?" Jack's voice was hard and quick.
"I need the money."
"Who told you to kill her?" Gibbs asked kneeling down as well.
"I won't tell you."
"Tell us." Jack said, leaving no room from compromise. Without warning the woman pulled out a gun and shot it.
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Anamaria got Elizabeth to the Pearl and was able to stop the bleeding. Luckily the woman didn't cut too far in and just nicked the skin. She rubbed some run on the cut and Elizabeth yelled from the sting she recieved.
"Sorry Liz. Gotta get it cleaned out." Ana said and added some more rum. She barely heard Elizabeth wimper. Lastly she wrapped her neck with a piece of cloth.
"there, you should be fine."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said, rubbing her neck.
"No problem Liz." She said and walked to the door.
"Where's Jack?"
Ana looked confused for a moment before answering. "Don't worry, when he gets here I'll be sure he comes down to see how you are."
Elizabeth nodded and closed her eyes.
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Blood covered Jack's shirt. Some from Elizabeth, but most was that of the woman in front of him. She had shot herself to keep from telling the truth. Jack looked at Gibbs who stared back at him.
"This is getting serious."
"Aye." That was all Gibbs managed to say.
The two men stood up and walked to the Pearl. When they reached the deck Anamaria came over to them and looked at Jack.
" 'Liz wants you to go see her." She said and waited for his order.
Jack's face was set in determination and a look haunted his eyes, a look which Ana wasn't used too. The setting sun sent shadows over his face and to his crew, he looked dangerous. Taking a deep breath he looked to her.
"Set a course for Tortuga."
"Tortuga?"
"You heard what I said Anamaria!" And with that Jack walked below deck to his cabin where Elizabeth was watching the sun through the window.
" 'Lizabeth?"
She turned around and looked at him. Jack walked over to the bed and sat next to her. Looking at the cloth covering the cut on her neck he sighed.
"I'm sorry I didn't believe you."
"Don't worry about it Jack. There was nothing you could have done about it."
Jack nodded and looked her in the eye. It made a shiver run down her back and she returned the look. His eyes something she never seen in him before.
" Elizabeth I promise that nothing else will happen to you. I'll protect you, don't worry love."
Her eyes filled with tears and Elizabeth fell into his arms. In between sobs Jack was able to hear Elizabeth speak.
"Thank you."
His arms wrapped around her and pulled her close to him. At that moment Jack made a promise to himself that he would do anything to keep this girl alive and happy. But before she could be happy he had to find Will.
Looking down at her he noticed she was asleep. Not wanting to wake her, Jack sat like that through all hours of the night, keeping her safe.
TBC