As soon as Jack read the letter he turned and bolted out of the door. Valarie wasn't sure what that piece of paper had said, but she had an inkling that it was something to do with Thomas, and that that something wasn't good. By the time Will had come out from the bedroom where Elizabeth had been lain- who had now regained consciousness and was only suffering from a bad headache- Jack had been gone a good fifteen minuets. Will had had to sprint back to the Black Pearl only managing to make it there in time as the ship set off for sail once more…
"Jack, where are we going?" Will had to shout over the winds of a storm that was soon to hit them. Jack hadn't spoken a word to Will since setting sail at such a short notice, other then to bark orders at him. Due to the lack of warning the Pearl had set sail leaving quite a few crew members behind.
"We – William – are sailing towards the basted that has kidnapped my son, formed the plan to curse Anamaria, send me to the wrong place- trick me into thinking it was the right place- and who wants to kill me. If ye don't like it jump over board and start swimmin'" Will frowned, confused at his captains words.
"Jack why would I leave? I know you're angry Captain but headin' into this storm wont get us there any faster- it'll probably just slow us down. Jack listen to me". Jack stopped looking straight ahead into the dark skies, and for the first time in around 4 hours looked at something else. Setting his dark eyes on Will, Jack spoke, his voice more sincere and honest then Will had heard before.
"Look Will, that man has my son, a child who hasn't even had his second birthday yet. And he isn't a nice man either, believe me I know." Jack paused, memories flittering through his mind. With a shudder he carried on. "I don't want to subject my son to him for longer then I have to. I can't. I won't." Will refused to let sympathy enter his eyes, knowing Jack would never open up to him again in the slightest if he saw it. He softened his voice as much as he could above the howling winds, having to hold onto a rope to keep himself steady.
"Jack you won't get to your son faster if the ship gets damaged in this storm." Jack looked down at the wheel in his hands, then up so his face was covered by the rain beating down on them. Will was right. He just didn't want to admit it. Finally a small sound crossed Jack's lips, followed by a louder, more sure one.
"DROP THE ANCHOR" silence followed as the crew members spun around, looking at Jack for a moment. As quickly as it came the silence was broken with cries of 'aye captain' and the anchor was dropped, securing the ship into one position as much as it could. Almost all the crew disappeared into the warmth and safety of the inside, with only a few staying behind to keep check on the ropes and rigging making sure everything was fine. Jack was one of those few, ignoring Will's pleas for him to go inside and get some rest. It would be weeks before the Pearl reached her destination, and Jack wasn't sure he could rest any more then he had to until he had his son safely back on his ship.
Elizabeth had long since woken again, her mind taken over with thoughts of the little boy that had been snatched from her grips only hours before. Guilt consumed much of her body, almost as much as the anger from deep inside. She couldn't understand how anyone could be willing to use someone else to gain revenge on another person. Let alone how they would take a child as well. With Anamaria being taken ill she had just about managed to get her head around the whole idea of why it was happening. Anamaria was the lover of a notorious pirate who had gained many enemies in his time. She was the obvious target for any revenge plot. But to take their child. A baby that had been in the world under two years. That she couldn't fathom. It might have been easier if he had been slightly older- knew how to defend himself slightly. Yet he had been taken at the age where he trusted almost anyone in his path and had no idea how to protect himself from the dangers that no doubt lay ahead for him. It just didn't seem fair.
A knock on the door brought Elizabeth out of her thoughts. As she looked up she saw Valerie standing in the doorway.
"Anamaria's awake…" Elizabeth looked down at her hands, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Do you want me to… to tell her?" Liz shook her head, looking up again.
"No. No I'll do it. I'll be there in a minuet. Don't say anything to her." Valerie nodded before retreating back into the hallway. Taking a shaky breath, Elizabeth stood up, and walked through to Anamaria's room.
Elizabeth stopped in the doorway for a moment, watching Anamaria and anticipating her reaction to the news she was about to give her. It was the news they had planned to give her today either. Before the crisis with Thomas had happened, the agreement that Anamaria should know she was carrying a child had been made. They believed it would make her want to cling onto life that bit more, fighting against the curse that little bit harder. Now however, plans had changed. Valerie and John weren't sure if Anamaria could cope with knowing her son had been taken by a vile and angry man as well as knowing she was carrying a child that may well not make it into the world alive. Walking around the bed so Anamaria could see her, Elizabeth sat down so she was eye level with her.
"Hey Ana…" Anamaria opened her eyes; her lids looked so heavy on her thin and pale face.
"Liz- where's my son. I asked to see him." The words had had to be forced out, using every ounce of strength Anamaria possessed. She was getting weaker by the hour now, and they were all unsure of how much longer she would be able to stay in this world. It seemed the virus was working her down faster then anyone had anticipated. Elizabeth's eyes gleamed once again, tears bursting their banks. Realization dawned onto Anamaria, knowing that something truly dreadful must have happened to the little boy she cherished so much.
"I'm sorry Ana. I couldn't stop him, I tried really I did. But then there were more of them. They held me back, I had to watch while they… they knocked me out before they left so I couldn't go after them or get help. I'm so sorry." Anamaria's eyes reddened, her body began shaking with sobs that couldn't make there way out. Her body was so weak she couldn't even cry properly.
"Where's Jack?" her voice was raspier then before, Elizabeth could barley make out what she was saying.
"He's gone to find him." Ana's body was still shaking, racking itself with sobs from deep inside.
"How's… know… find him?" the extra movement her body was doing was beginning to tire Anamaria out, so much so she could barley talk and began to struggle with her breathing.
"Apparently he left a note. The man that took him that is. I don't know what it said- but it must have given Jack a clue where to find Thomas because apparently he left rather speedily. Will almost missed the Black Pearl; he was leaving without any warning. Quite a few of the men have been left behind." Ana's eyes had grown obviously heavy again, the orbs saddened. Elizabeth bent over and gave Ana a kiss on the forehead, as you would a child who too was sad. She stroked her hair for a moment before getting up and leaving Anamaria alone to her thoughts.
Jack stayed at the helm of his ship; UN moving for almost 5 hours after the anchor had been dropped. The storm had passed over them, all that remained was the gentle beating of the rain with served some comfort to Jack, reminding him that he could still feel something other then numbness. He had to fight hard against the urge inside him to go to his cabin and get drunk senseless to try and forget how in only a few short weeks, his life had gone from being perfect to ruins. And the fact that it was all down to him in the long run. He only left his spot when his body threatened to shut down on him both from the cold and fatigue. Although he slept deeply, his thoughts and dreams were intruded by images of what could be happening to his son at that very moment.
A/N thanks for all the reviews:-) love them as usual :-) keep 'em coming and review again please! Captainme