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CHAPTER 6: LAND OF TORTUGA

"Land ho!"

Alicia jumped off from bed, but lay back down instantly as she felt the searing pain in her head. In a split second she was wondering why she had a headache, but she remembered last night and muttered under her breath.

"That was some rum."

Alicia lay down again. Who cares if they have arrived at land? She won't be able to enjoy it anyway with this headache. Then she heard a knock. She sat up reluctantly, walked to the door and opened it.

"Good morning! Thought you'd be hungry." Jack held up a tray containing a bowl of porridge.

"Captain, what are you doing here in such an early hour?"

"Early? Rise and shine, luv! I told ye I won't tolerate lazy bones."

"Captain, I'm really tired and my head hurts."

"Then eat this and you'll feel better." He placed the tray on top of her bed and sat down.

Alicia hesitated before tasting the porridge. It tastes quite plain. But for a hungry stomach, anything is delicious.

"Thanks, Jack. That was so thoughtful of you."

Jack grinned at her.

"So ready to meet Tortuga?"

"You mean we have arrived?'

"Aye. I thought you knew."

"Well, I really like to go Jack but I can't just leave Lynne alone here." And she pointed towards the unconscious body of her friend.

"You sure she's not dead yet? I mean," seeing Alicia's glare, "does she need a doctor or something?"

"She'll do fine. She must have undergone a lot of pressure for her to stay unconscious for so long." She sighed.

"You need a break, Alicia. Come on, just a leave a note or something so she can wait for you before you return."

"Aye. I guess I really need a break. Wait for me outside. I'll get dressed first."

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After ten minutes, Alicia and Jack Sparrow were walking down the road to the shops of Tortuga. Alicia really missed walking in solid ground. But the sight of the citizens really scared her. Everywhere she looked, there were drunken pirates and whores. She shivered a little and moved a little closer Jack. Jack saw this and smiled.

"Don't worry, luv, you're with Captain Jack Sparrow."

"Where we be heading Jack?"

"Well, first things first."

They entered a bar called the Faithful Bride. It was very quiet inside, but also very crowded. Alicia noticed that the room was filled with drunken pirates lying down on their tables. Mugs scattered on the floor with spills of rum. Jack went to the counter and leaned against it. An old man appeared from a dark corner, a cloth in his hand.

"Where be my order?" Jack said.

"You can take some first and come back for the rest tonight."

"No, I'll be back tonight."

The man nodded and Jack turned for the door. When they left the bar, Alicia spoke up.

"Now where?"

"Let's go to the apothecary for some medicine for that friend of yours."

-------

The apothecary was a dingy room. Alicia looked around. This room really needs some cleaning, she thought to herself. Jack walked to the counter. There was no one around. Jack banged at the table. Suddenly a dark figure appeared behind the shadows.

"Who goes there?"

Jack was startled, but kept his voice as serious as possible. "We're here for some medicine."

"Aye. If it isn't the infamous Capitan Jack Sparrow himself. I remembered two years before you came here in the night and stole all of my potion. That was the best potion I ever had!" The voice revealed to be an old man with a shriveled body. As he said this, he raised his hand and waved it in the air impatiently.

Jack backed away. "Well, that's the reason why I came back. To pay for them, aye, to pay for them, and for the medicine I will purchase now."

"Is that so? Well, we mustn't keep our customers waiting. What is your problem?"

"Um…"

"My friend fainted and is still unconscious for two nights. I think she must have undergone much pressure to stay unconscious for so long. Please, sir. Do you have any potion to revive her?" Alicia pleaded.

The old man raised his eyebrow. "Unconscious? Why that isn't a very complicated problem, isn't it? You just ask Capitan Sparrow here to share with you the potion he stole from me before. That shall do the trick."

Alicia's eyes widened with hope. "Really? Then what are we waiting for? Let's get back to the ship and give Lynne some of that potion!"

"Ahem… sorry to inform you, luv, but the potion…." Jack gritted his teeth and muttered in Alicia's ear. "….they're all gone. I used them all up!"

"What! Good grief, now what?"

Alicia looked at the old man imploringly. "Please, can you just make one bottle of that potion for us? Just one bottle enough to revive my friend? We will pay you accordingly."

The old man eyed Jack suspiciously. "Very well. Give me a moment."

The old man went back inside. After a few minutes, he came back with a flask in his hand. He handed it to Alicia.

"This is the best medicine you can ever find. Since your friend is unconscious, let her smell this potion. The smell will surely revive her."

"Thank you very much."

"And that will be five pieces of gold. Including the other potions you stole from before. A total of fifty pieces of gold."

Alicia looked at Jack. Jack looked back at her innocently. Alicia nudged him.

"Oh alright, alright. Here's your fifty pieces of gold." Jack threw the money onto the counter and left the shop at once.

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The sun was setting when they returned to the Faithful Bride, this time with Will. They met him outside a pistol shop, and he agreed to go back with them. The whole island was starting to get lively as the sky turned dark. A number of girls, Alicia supposed were whores, glared at Jack and at her. One of them approached Jack as they neared the bar.

"Oh Charlotte, how nice to…"

"Come on now, we better get going, Jack." Will smiled at the lady and dragged Jack inside the Faithful Bride, Alicia followed them with a curious expression on her face.

"What's that all about?" Jack and Alicia asked at once.

Will turned to Jack. "You know a lot better than I do that once you meet women like them in Tortuga you're bound to be slapped on the face even if 'you don't deserve it'."

Jack fell silent, but Alicia was now very confused.

Will looked at her as they sat down on a table. Jack left to get some rum.

"It's a long story, Alicia. I, myself, don't know the entire reason why Jack gets to be slapped by those women when he's at Tortuga. I reckon it's one of his complicated relationships, well, you know what I mean."

Jack slammed three bottles on their table. Alicia was not in a mood for drinking, not after her first experience last night. But Jack assured her that the second time wouldn't have that kind of effect, so she gave in.

"By the way, Will, I need you to help me bring my order back to the Black Pearl before we set off."

After they drained their bottles, Jack and Will left Alicia outside the bar while they fetched Jack's order. They returned each carrying two boxes with great difficulty.

"They're damn heavy. Think I'll send some of the crew to get the rest when we get back to the Pearl." Jack told Alicia.

After the long walk back to the docks, Alicia climbed onto the ship first. She yelped when she saw a dark figure standing right in front of her. Behind her, she heard shouts and groans as Will fell over Jack. She stopped dead, not knowing what to do. The dark figure moved nearer towards her.

"Where's Jack Sparrow?"

It was a woman's voice. Alicia felt relieved. But wait! What's a woman doing in the Pearl and looking for Jack? But before she can answer her, both Jack and Will had climbed onboard. The woman screamed and ran over to Jack and hugged him. Jack staggered backwards.

"Oh Jack! It's been such a long time since I've seen you."

"Anamaria?"

"Anamaria?" Alicia thought. She glared at the woman, not knowing why she felt so angry suddenly.

"Jack, I really miss you and the crew. But now I can join the Black Pearl again!"

Jack pushed her away and stared at her. Anamaria raised her eyebrow. Jack forced a smile.

"You're back so soon! Umm, ye sure you had enough vacation?"

"It's been a month since you left me here at Tortuga. I think that's quite long enough."

"Oh, well, if you say so. Glad to have ye back, mate."

But Jack wasn't glad. Alicia could make out a frown forming in his face. She looked over at Will. He wasn't looking pleased himself.

"Anamaria, like ye to meet our new mate, Alicia." Jack introduced.

"Hello! I'm glad to have a female companion around." Anamaria held out her hand.

"Yeah. Great!" Alicia shook her head, but when the female pirate turned around, she shot her a glare.

"Jack. I think I'll check out Lynne."

"Oh. I'll go with you." Jack sounded eager to leave.

Alicia opened her door. She took out the flask and opened the cork. Instantly, an awful smell filled the room. Alicia covered her nose. Jack covered his nose too and was mumbling curses under his breath. Alicia lowered the flask near Lynne's nose. When she can't stand the smell anymore, she closed the flask. Alicia sat down at her bed and waited, Jack standing beside her. It seemed like hours, days. Suddenly, Lynne's right hand moved. Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked around.

"Alicia is that you?"

Hmm… Anamaria's back! And what's that Alicia's feeling huh! Read the next chapter! For now, reviews please!