Thicker Than Water – Chapter Two – Mmphff.
About a year later, Jack was once again in Tortuga, doing his usual. He was with a young woman, Dawn, who seemed easy and naive enough. She was pretty, in an average kind of way. She had straight brown hair and a plain face with big, innocent brown eyes.
Afterwards, Jack was lying lazily in bed. He was at Dawn's house—er, shack. It was a one-room hut with a bed, dresser, desk and stove. Dawn was lying next to him, curled up quietly, looking around the room. She spotted something on the floor. It was a rolled up piece of paper that looked as if it had fallen out of Jack's jacket pocket.
"Jack, what's that?" She droned lazily. Being in a half-drunk and half-tired state, she was extremely delirious.
"Mmphff," Jack said, who was in more of a fully drunk, passed-out state.
Dawn raised her arm, unsteadily pointing to the paper. "What is that? I think it fell out of your pocket. Jack, look." She poked him hard on the shoulder.
"Owww," Jack sat up, rubbing his shoulder and looked at the paper. He waved his hand carelessly. "Oh, tha's jus a treasure map tha' I'm s'posed to guard with my life. Pirates are after it 'n the like. Not a problem, I'll pick it up later." Every word was slurred, but Dawn got the gist of what he had said. Dawn thought it odd that Jack had a treasure map. He had said he was a newly hired Midshipman on the HMS Conqueror and that he was stopping in Tortuga to restock. Perhaps he was just drunk and not thinking straight.
The two fell asleep shortly after, and in the morning Jack was gone. Dawn got uneasily out of bed. She staggered over to the dresser where a note had been scrawled on a ripped piece of paper. She moved the note in and out of focus, until she could see it clearly enough to read.
Sorry I had to run, love. The HMS Conqueror left bright and early today.
Would you be so kind as to do me favor? There is a rolled up piece of parchment on the floor. It is a map. Dear old Mum gave it to me before she passed. I'm afraid I'll ruin it onboard the Conqueror. Will you hold onto it for me? Now, it is important that this map stay in a readable condition. Simply, don't destroy it. Or at least make a copy before you do. I will be back for it when we next stop here in about 15 years. Please keep it safe for me.
My utmost gratitude,
Jack
Jack must have just been delirious last night. Pirates are after his map. Hah. It's just a sentimental item from his mother. How sweet.
Dawn couldn't help but feel a little taken advantage of, though. But…Jack trusted her—her!—to watch over his map. And he did apologize for leaving…
Poor naïve Dawn, now lost in a fantasy about her and Jack. She's running into his arms, after fifteen long years, and handing him his most treasured map. Jack smiles and lovingly embraces her. Oh, she will protect this map.
Dawn looked across the room and found Jack's rolled up map still lying on the floor. She walked over and gently picked it up. Then she carefully tucked the paper away in the draw of her old desk. This shouldn't be too hard to protect, She thought.