Chapter 7
She took special care to pick up the pace when she walked this time. There would be no more nights like the last one and she sure wouldn't be lying down on the sand in the evenings anytime soon. Arriving once again, she walked over to the pile of rocks and began moving them away. The flask was there, but she figured it would be, what she was really unsure of was whether or not there was actually a response to her letter or even if it had been picked up at all. She wasted no time and quickly removed the lid and peered inside, the shadows were creeping up on her so she had to reposition the flask in order to see. Once her eyes adjusted and she was able to focus it became quite clear to her that the flask was empty and tiny butterflies started to flutter in her stomach. The letter had been picked up but would it be answered? She started to head home before darkness set in and on her way she noticed hundreds of tiny little lights flying amongst the bushes and trees. Fireflies! They were beautiful and they were free from rules and laws and society and...weddings. Oh how she wished to be a firefly at this moment. She knew that once she walked into the parlour of her house, Will would be there waiting for her. He was dedicated there was no disputing that, and regardless of how long or hard a day he had, he always made time for her in the evenings. A fine man!
The rest of the evening went as expected. Will, her father and Elizabeth talked about their day, discussed the upcoming wedding and made light conversation. It was a pleasant, relaxing evening so Elizabeth was quite ready for sleep when Will finally took his leave. She kissed him goodnight at the door then turned and offered her father a similar one on the cheek, then went to her chambers and was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. It had been another long day.
She awoke in the darkness of the night and all was still except for one tiny light floating in her open window. Straining to wake herself fully and focus her eyes, Elizabeth sits upright in her bed and blinks. The small light becomes clearer now, still hovering in the same spot and she realizes that what she's actually looking at is a firefly. Amazed at this phenomenon, she gets up out of her bed and walks over to the window but before she's able to reach it, the insect flys out and beyond her reach. She watches it closely and wonders why it is here. Looking around she see's no other fireflies in sight and the only other illumination are the small flashes of lightning over the ocean accompanied by the distant rolling thunder of an approaching storm.
She let her gaze return to the firefly and as it did she saw it fly in a distinctive pattern over the horizon line and then stop above a dark shape in the water. The shape was very small and if it hadn't been pointed out to her she never would have noticed it. The sight of it caught and stole her breath for she knew what it was she was seeing even in the inkiness of the night. The Black Pearl. It was floating in the water, not moving, almost as if it were keeping watch over her as she slept, and this tiny insect was sent to answer the question that was in the back of Elizabeth's mind.
"Was Jack Sparrow alive or dead?"
As she slipped back into her bed she allowed the sight of the distant ship to lull her to sleep, but this second round of slumber found Elizabeth with a smile on her lips and a heartbeat that quickened with every passing dream of the Pearl and it's captain.
"Was Jack Sparrow alive or dead?"
Elizabeth already knew the answer.