Chapter 4 The Worst Pirate
The day of reckoning had come, and in the safety of the early morning, Scarlett Swann wept bitterly into her pillow. She felt utterly suffocated by the situation. It was finally the day. James Norrington would ask for her hand in marriage, and the whole of Port Royal was expecting her to say yes.
Perhaps she could run away? Perhaps she could express a spontaneous desire to take the veil? Or, perhaps she could fling herself from her balcony? All options were preferable to the alternative.
All, however, seemed impossible as her chamber door swung open and her two maids and father appeared. "Scarlett, still in bed at this hour?" he laughed happily.
"Yes father", she sighed, "I am feeling rather under the weather, I shan't be able step a foot out of bed today".
"Nonsense Scarlett, you are in the bloom of health, come, come, you must dress", and Scarlett's maids were ushered to work by a small clap of his hands. They drew the curtains and opened the windows, allowing the scorching Jamaican sun to flood the room with its light. "Such a beautiful day", the Governor remarked with a smile, and turned to his daughter, "I have a gift for you", and he took a large, beautifully wrapped box from one of her maids, opening it for Scarlett to see. Inside was a new dress of a deep, sapphire blue with black trimmings, Scarlett could scarcely believe her own eyes as she beheld it, "Oh Father it's beautiful", she admired as she lifted it carefully from its box, feeling the soft fabric run through her fingers, however, Scarlett's admiration quickly turned to suspicion as she raised an eyebrow and smiled at her father, "May I inquire as to the occasion?"
"Does a father require an occasion to dote upon his daughters?" he defended himself, however not very well.
"So, Elizabeth received one as well?" Scarlett queried further.
"Of course,".
"Then you are hiding something", she surmised triumphantly.
Governor Swann felt his cheeks tinge at his daughter's deductions, and was weary as he told her, "Actually, I, I had hoped that you might wear it to the ceremony today".
"I knew it!" Scarlett exclaimed as she popped her head above the dividers.
"Well, it is a rather special occasion", her father continued, "Lieutenant Norrington's promotion is long overdue, Commodore Norrington, as he is about to become, a fine gentleman, wouldn't you agree?".
Oh Lord, please let it stop, Scarlett silently pleaded, her father had been making not very subtle hints towards James Norrington's intentions to her for weeks now, and it was almost unbearable to see how much he desired her to wed the man. The maid pulled tight on her corset, pulling her waist into a barely breathable frame. She gasped sharply, not accustomed to such restriction of breath. "Scarlett? How's it coming?" her father inquired anxiously.
"It's difficult to say", Scarlett quipped in between short breaths.
"I'm told it's the latest fashion in London", Governor Swann informed her.
"Well, women in London must have learned not to breathe", she groaned, dreading to be trapped in the dress for the rest of the day.
Governor Swann was about to speak further to his daughter on the matter of James Norrington, when another servant entered Scarlett's bedchamber, "My Lord, you have a visitor", he announced, "A Mr William Turner".
Will. Scarlett thought happily, but then frowned, she simply cannot marry yet, she would be robbing Elizabeth of more happy time to be spent with Will, for the younger sister cannot marry until the elder is betrothed. By remaining unmarried, Scarlett could continue to shield Elizabeth from that time when she must be separated from Will, and her from him.
"I shall leave you to it", Governor Swann smiled at his daughter before quitting the room, leaving Scarlett alone with her thoughts, and her maids who continued to dress her. She stared blankly out of the window as she raised her arms, eyes fixed on the ocean that stretched out from the docks and far beyond the horizon. In her secret heart, she wished with all her might of there being someway of her escaping her fate of being Mrs James Norrington, of running away, sailing on a ship on that ocean in the horizon. But Scarlett was sensible as well as stubborn, and she knew that such things could never be.
From her window, although Scarlett could see the docks, it was too far away for her to perceive any of the activity that was unfolding.
The locals gasped and mocked with their silent smirks as a man reached the docks of Port Royal, standing on the mast of a small dingey that was sinking very quickly beneath the waves.
The man was tall, tanned, with long dreadlocks maintained through long years sprayed in sea water and inadequate hygiene. He wore what was undoubtedly, the garments of a pirate, but as the fishmongers and fish wives gossiped, all concluded that the stranger could by no means be a pirate, for he lacked a ship and crew, and so if he were, he would be the worst pirate Port Royal had ever seen.
Perhaps the man did not hear the disagreeable whisperings directed at him, or more likely, he did hear, but chose to ignore them. One man he could not ignore however, was the dockmaster, who was calling rather loudly after him, "Hold up there you!" he rambled irritatingly, the man rolled his eyes before turning on his heels, swaggering forward in a manner that would suggest either drunkenness or overconfidence. "It's a shilling to tie up your boat at the dock", the dock master informed him, "and I shall need to know your name", he added.
The man thought not but a moment, before retrieving three coins from his pockets, placing them pointedly on the crisp page of the lodge book the dock master held in his hands, "What do you say to three shillings, and we forget the name?" It was evident that the man had a clear understanding of what drives people, and was not surprised when the dockmaster grinned, "Welcome to Port Royal, Mr Smith", and walked away happily. However, it is also clear that the dock master does not, have a clear understanding of what drives people, which is why he failed to see the man pinch the purse of coins that lay on his station, to which he quickly stuffed back into his pockets, and walked on purposefully.
Scarlett quickly made her way to the second floor, to the grand staircase, where below she could see her father conversing with Will, she smiled brightly, not even the day she dreaded most in the world could dampen her delight of seeing her dearest friend, and so she called out happily, "Will!"
Will Turner looked away from the Governor, to see Scarlett bound down the staircase. He wanted to laugh, unlike most ladies, she often forgot the decorum that was expected of her and would be daring enough to run and skip completely without a notion of proper posture. There was a wildness in her step, which was one of the reasons why her footwork in sparring was terrible.
"Miss Swann", he smiled, unlike with her sister, Will always found himself completely at ease with Scarlett, she was bold and blazingly honest and could make a sea-hardened sailor blush bright red at the cheeks with her frank observations. She had the remarkable talent of making anyone, from the highest to the lowest of social orders, to feel at ease, simply by acting as though they didn't exist.
"Scarlett please!" her father begged her indulgence of proper etiquette, and almost immediately Scarlett glided into an elegant form, taking long, smooth strides as though a book really were balanced on her head. The air shifted around her, and at once she was womanly and radiant, a truly mesmerising sight to behold. "Forgive me father", she apologised, voice dripping with silk, "I forget myself, it has been far too long since I last had the pleasure of interacting with such a dear friend", and she curtsied gracefully, "Mr Turner". He bowed to her, trying desperately hard to hide his laughter. Of course, this was a lie, as she had seen Will the previous evening for another one of their lessons, and he thought, it was unfair to call them lessons any longer, for Scarlett had far surpassed the level of pupil, and had on many more than one occasion, beaten him unashamedly. They were sparring sessions, in which to equally skilled opponents could hone and better their skills.
"You look radiant dear", her father smiled at her, "Mr Turner here was just delivering my gift for the Commodore", and he nudged her forward, Scarlett felt her stomach drop once more, and she knew that she was wearing an expression of melancholy upon her face as Will opened the case, showing her the sword. "It's beautiful", she mumbled as she met Will's eye, "truly another beautiful piece from the finest craftsman in Port Royal".
Will's heart ached to see her so despondent, but smiled weakly at her nonetheless, "I shall pass on the compliments to my master", he told her, "a craftsman is always pleased to hear his work is appreciated".
"And you must pass on my compliments as well", Governor Swann beamed.
The trio were interrupted as they heard the small steps of short heels, and looked to see Elizabeth emerging down the staircase, Scarlett beheld her sister with awe, she wore a dress similar in shape to her own, but the fabric was of a shimmering gold and cream. Her golden hair was curled and styled up, with one tendril flowing down from beneath her bonnet. Scarlett's own maids had attempted to style her hair in a similar fashion, but it would not be tamed, and was her own curls had been allowed to hang down. But Elizabeth … she looked radiant, and both Scarlett and Will concluded in their own minds, that she was the most beautiful woman in the whole of Port Royal.
"Elizabeth", her father remarked, "You look absolutely stunning".
"Yes sister", Scarlett beamed, "All the men in the whole of port Royal are sure to fall desperately in love with you today", and as her father was not looking, she winked at Will.
However, both her sister and father were ignored as Elizabeth's face lit up upon seeing a particular blacksmith. "Will", she breathed, her smile widening, "It's so good to see you".
Scarlett's smile widened as she saw the look of longing etched upon Will's face, and in that moment, she wished that her father had gone on ahead in the carriage. "I had a dream about you last night", Elizabeth announced, with the same boldness normally displayed by her sister.
"About me?" Will stuttered.
And Scarlett watched as her father tutted his head beside her, "Elizabeth this is entirely improper of you – he attempted to protest, but when it came to Will Turner, Elizabeth would never be robbed of a moment with him.
"Yes, about the day we met", she exclaimed, "do you remember?"
"How could I forget, Miss Swann?" he nodded, and Scarlett wanted to hiss at him for turning so inward.
"Will, how many times must I ask you to call me Elizabeth?" she chided him, whilst continuing to smile brightly.
"At least once more, Miss Swann, as always", Scarlett wanted to kick and scream at him, as she watched Will retreat into himself. Can't you see, you blind idiot? She loves you! She loves you Will! And Scarlett wanted to scold him further as she watched the smile disappear from her sister's face.
"There you see", Governor Swann lightly reprimanded his younger daughter, "At least the boy has a sense of propriety". Scarlett searched her sister's eyes, but Elizabeth looked away, feeling dismayed and spurned, however their father saw none of this as he continued to speak, "Now, we really must be going", he took the case from Will and handed it to his footman.
"Good day Mr Turner", Elizabeth curtsied, and began walking out the doors.
Scarlett was the next to curtsey but waited until both her father and sister were away from view, "Bravo, Romeo", she snapped.
"Scarlett", he pleaded.
"You are aware", she sneered, "that some of us do not have the good fortune, to be with a person whom they love, remember that", and with that, she followed her family, walking quickly to match their pace. She was helped into the carriage immediately after her father, for as propriety demanded, she must go ahead of Elizabeth even in the simplest of tasks.
Both sisters watched as Will ran out the door, quickly so as to see them before the carriage disappeared from sight, "Good day!" he called, before adding quietly, "Elizabeth".
Scarlett smiled and shook her head, whilst Elizabeth attempted in vain to continue her glare, but her sister could see her features soften at Will saying her name. "My, aren't you the romantic", Scarlett joked, which her Father did not take too kindly, "With a boy with no connections in society and no fortune, our Elizabeth is far too sensible", and went back to rehearsing his speech for the ceremony.
The sisters shared a look, as though only then remembering who they were. Elizabeth and Scarlett Swann, daughters of Governor Swann, wealthy, with fortune and good connections in society. Elite, and desperately, desperately unhappy.
Scarlett was quite sure that she could not recall a longer pompous ceremony in all her life. She stood next to her sister with a parasol in one hand and a fan in the other as the proceedings finally came to a close. "I am quite sure that my organs are rearranging", she quipped as she desperately struggled to breath.
"Yes well, it is the latest fashion in London", Elizabeth remarked sarcastically, holding faintly to her waist, "Oh Scar, I am sure that I shall faint if I am not released from this torture soon".
"Lizzy, for once I am in total agreement, I can scarcely catch a breath".
They were led to the more pleasing and civilian area of the fortress, were a high tea reception was being held in the Commodore's honour.
"How one can ever truly enjoy these occasions, I do not know", Elizabeth expressed as the sisters walked with linked arms.
"That is because no one does", Scarlett smirked, "High noon teas, I would much rather suffer the tediousness of a ball".
"So, Scar, what past time does one actually enjoy?" Elizabeth joked, and Scarlett led them to a shaded corner out of sight, "Sword fighting for one", Scarlett grinned.
Elizabeth glared, "Oh Scar please keep your voice down, father will murder you if he were ever to discover your secret".
"I have another secret that I am keeping right now", Scarlett whispered, "Would you like to see?"
Elizabeth could never resist her sister' schemes and nodded with a sly smile, "If you must".
Scarlett looked around to make sure no one was watching, and very cautiously raised her skirts, and Elizabeth gasped , "My God Scar!" and her sister had to hush her, "Are you, tell me you are not wearing pantaloons beneath that dress!"
"I couldn't resist", Scarlett giggled, and even her sister could not help but smile, "You know Scar, I am keeping a secret too", she whispered.
Scarlett's blue eyes widened, slightly shocked by her sister's revelation, "Oh Lizzy you are so bold! Do tell".
Elizabeth too glanced around to ensure that they were safe from prying eyes, before quickly removing a gold chain that hung around her neck. Scarlett's playful countenance quickly turned to one of seriousness, "Lizzy are you mad?" she hissed and pushed them further into the corner as she saw the gold pirate medallion that Elizabeth held in the air.
"I had forgotten about it for so long", Elizabeth whispered excitedly, "and my dream last night, I thought it must be a sign of sorts".
"Yes, a sign that you have lost your good senses!" Scarlett snapped, "If Norrington saw, if father saw, your silliness would earn Will's boots to the hangman's walk!"
"Miss Swanns", both sisters jumped, and Scarlett acted quickly in snatching the medallion and fastening it around her own neck to hide it from view, before turning to greet its owner. "Commodore", Elizabeth gasped, startled, and all the colour drained from Scarlett's face. He looked rather fetching in his kept blue uniform, with Will's sword now fastened at his waist. "I wondered, if I may speak to the elder Miss Swann", he motioned toward Scarlett, "alone". Her heart began to race as she nodded, "Of course Commodore". He led her away from her sister, closer to the edge of the battlements.
Scarlett did not know if it was due to the tightness of her corset, the blistering heat, or to be in such proximity to the Commodore, but her breathlessness seemed to increase tenfold, and she found herself feeling extremely dizzy.
"You look lovely, Scarlett", the commodore remarked, and Scarlett felt herself wince, please, please do not call me by my name.
"Thank you", she nodded, but was barely able to make her voice louder than a whisper as she fluttered her fan profusely, sweat beginning to trickle down her forehead.
He turned from her, hands still folded behind his back, "I apologise if I seem forward, but I, I must speak my mind. This promotion throws into sharp relief, that which, I have not yet achieved". He turned a second time, so that he now faced Scarlett directly, "A marriage to a fine woman". Scarlett found herself only half listening, as the air around her became thinner and thinner, and she began to sway as her vision blurred with the lack of oxygen. "You have become, a fine woman, Scarlett".
"I can't breathe", Scarlett stammered, and Norrington smiled, turning away from her for a third time.
"Yes, I'm a bit nervous myself", he continued to smile, but Scarlett did not hear him, she heard nothing, and in her final seconds of consciousness, she saw nothing, the last thing her senses could process, was the wind against her face as she lost her balance, and fell, fell from the battlements, hitting the waves' surface hard, before sinking into the blue below.
The man at the docks, now reciting stories to two guards, did not see Scarlett Swann plummet from the battlements, but heard the splash as her body hit the water. He looked up to where a crowd of men gathered, and one, desperately attempted to jump in after her, "Scarlett!" he cried, and the man surmised that it was a woman now sinking to the depths of the ocean floor. He watched the men scuffle as the first was pulled away from the edge by his men, and they quickly began to run, as though there would be plenty of time to reach the docks and therefore dive safely, before the lass would begin to drown.
The man looked at the two idiotic guards with whom he had been conversing, "Will you be saving her then?" he asked them.
The first, larger one replied through stammers, "I can't swim".
"Pride of the king's navy you are", he remarked as he removed his hat, coat and affects, "Do not lose these", he snapped, before diving quickly from the ship, slipping in between the waves.
He could see the girl, she was quite young, as she touched the ocean floor, her blue dress bellowing around her. He managed to wrap an arm around her waist and pull her up into him. With his free arm and legs, he started to kick upward, but a ton weight was dragging them down. They reached the surface, but the unconscious woman kept slipping between the waves, and the man immediately deduced that it was the weight of the dress she wore that was hauling her down. As she sank once more he dived, and beneath the water he ripped the layers of material from her body. She was much lighter then, and the man was able to keep her afloat with ease as he carried them both back to the docks. He hoisted her small frame, now dressed in nothing but her underdress, (and oddly, pantaloons) and the two guards helped lay her out on the walk.
"Not breathing", the larger guard announced anxiously.
"Move", the man snapped, and procured a knife from his boot, and he quickly sliced through the tight corset, and almost instantly, Scarlett's eyes snapped opened as she began to hoarsely cough up sea water and gasp for breath.
The thinner guard now held the pink corset as the larger remarked, "Never would have thought of that".
"Clearly you've never been to Singapore", the man answered brazenly, but then wavered, as he caught a glimpse of what the young woman's corset once hid, Will's medallion.
He held it up in his hand, intensely dark eyes boring into Scarlett's, she was bewildered, completely unaware of what had just taken place. She couldn't remember the fall and felt as though she had just woken into a dream, with this rugged man leering down at her. "Where did you get that?"
Scarlett found herself unable to answer, unable to do anything, all of her power of confidence and defiance stripped away as she found herself cowering under his stare.
She was saved by the crowds of soldiers that stormed the walk, with James Norrington now standing in front of her, with sword raised, "on your feet", he growled.
"Scar!" she heard her sister exclaimed as she ran to her, helping her sister to her feet, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine", she stuttered feebly, her eyes unwittingly once more meeting his, the black eyes of her mysterious rescuer.
The man slowly stood up, hands raised high, and Scarlett could now hear the voice of her father as he came to her side and was scandalous to see her dressed down to her very intimate attire. He was incredulous to see the guard who still held his daughter's corset, and that guard greatly fearful and embarrassed, quickly pointed to the man who now had twenty bayonet tips pointing at him. "Shoot him", he commanded, and Scarlett immediately interjected, "Father!" and she broke free of his gasp, "Commodore", she called, "Do you really intent to shoot my rescuer?"
Norrington appeared to waver, before nodded, signalling to his men to lower their guns. He sheathed his own blade, "I believe thanks are in order", he commented flatly, and reached out his hand in gesture. The man hesitated, before giving Norrington his hand, the Commodore acted quickly, pulling up the stranger's dirty sleeve, revealing a very clear brand imprinted upon his skin, a P.
Pirate.
"Had a brush with the East India Trading Company, did we, Pirate?" he sneered.
"Hang him", The Governor practically sang, and suddenly all guns were once again raised, "Keep your guns on him men – Gillette – fetch me a pair of irons", and Norrington, noticing lines of ink, pulled the Pirate's sleeve up further to reveal a tattoo. A bird, flying over the sea, against the horizon. "Well, well", he snorted, "Jack Sparrow isn't it?"
Both Elizabeth and Scarlett shared a look, Captain Jack Sparrow, a famous pirate the girls had read about in many of their books.
"Captain Jack Sparrow, if you please sir", Jack corrected.
Scarlett watched incredulously as James continued to mock the man who had just saved her life. "Well, I don't see your ship, Captain", he remarked sarcastically, earning a rise from the men.
"I'm in the market, as it were", Jack answered evasively, and threw Scarlett a glance, and it unnerved her, as he kept purposefully meeting her eyes.
"He said he'd come to commandeer one" the thin navy solider spoke abruptly.
"Told you he was telling the truth", the larger snapped in annoyance, before realising he was under the glare of the Commodore, "these are his sir", he said quickly, handing over Jack's affects.
The Commodore inspected each one, adding to his delight in mocking the man. "No additional shot, nor powder. A compass that doesn't point north", he unsheathed the cutlass and smiled, "And I half expected it to be made of wood. You are, without a doubt, the worse pirate that I have ever heard of".
But this did not seem to deter the pirate, Scarlett noted, as he answered derisively, "But you have heard of me". She could not help it, but she laughed, she hoped not loud enough for Norrington to hear, but apparently, Captain Jack Sparrow had very keen hearing, and threw her yet another curious stare. But the Commodore had heard her light laughter, and he saw the look that the pirate now shared with Scarlett, and his anger bubbled to the surface as he grabbed him roughly, pulling him forward to be shackled in irons.
Scarlett acted quickly, storming after him, "Commodore I really must protest", she told him angrily, as she watched Norrington throw Jack to Gillette. She turned to face him, almost acting as a barrier between the Commodore and the pirate. "Careful lieutenant", he warned, but Scarlett was not deterred. "Pirate or not", she barked, "This man saved my life".
Norrington shook his head and sighed, and Scarlett was mortified to perceive him treating her like a child. "One good deed is not enough to redeem a man of a lifetime of wickedness".
"Though it seems enough to condemn him", Jack quipped, and now Elizabeth and her father were at the for-centre.
"Indeed", The Commodore agreed.
"Please, James, if one good deed is not enough to redeem then surely it must warrant mercy!" Scarlett tried to protest and looked pleadingly towards her father to intervene.
Gillette finished with the chains and moved back to Norrington's side. "Finally,", Jack breathed, and acted far too quickly for anyone to respond in time. He threw up his arms so that the chains he now bore fastened against Scarlett's throat, who in turn gasped as she was pulled against him, no longer a barrier, but now a shield he could use to protect himself.
"No!" both her father and sister screamed in unison, "No, don't shoot!"
"I knew you'd warm up to me", Jack murmured into Scarlett's ear, who in this moment was screaming at herself inside her mind, how could she be so stupid?
"Commodore Norrington my affects please", Jack demanded, still holding on to her tightly, "and my hat", he added.
Norrington hesitated, torn between his love for Scarlett and doing his duty, he looked towards the Governor, who cared not if the pirate got away, his daughter was in danger. "Commodore", Jack repeated loudly, letting him know of his growing impatience.
He turned to retrieve his affects from the officers, and Jack took the opportunity to toy further with the young girl he held even tighter in his grasp. "Now Scarlett, it is Scarlett isn't it?" he purred, "Not much of a fancy name there, love, very common".
"It's Miss Swann", she snarled in response, her fiery temper quickly rising, but this stir of emotion seemed to intrigue him further, rather than annoy, and he grinned, gold teeth shimmering in the sunlight.
"Miss Swann if you would be so kind", he gestured to her to retrieve his things, and she did as instructed, taking his things handed stiffly by Commodore Norrington, bundling them into her arms. "Come, come dear, we don't have all day". He quickly grabbed his pistol, and spun Scarlett so that she was now facing him, her face inches from his. From an outsider's perspective, it might have looked romantic, had it not been for the pistol now aimed at her head. "Now Miss Swann", he smirked slowly, "If you would be very kind".
In that moment Scarlet wanted to tackle him off the walk and once more into the ocean, so that she could drown him. She knew from the devilish gleam in his eyes exactly what he was asking of her. How it would appear, how it would enrage the Commodore. She tried to channel all the hate that she felt into her eyes as he saw his own begin to wander down to her sopping wet attire, the sheer fabric essentially placing her body on display for the whole of Port Royal to see, but more importantly, for Jack to see, very up close. Her face tensed as she roughly reached for his hat and squashed it uncaringly atop his head. Then, she had to reach behind him, hands wrapped above his waist to fasten the body belt, and her father almost fainted at the sight, for it looked greatly as though the pair were in a tight embrace as their chests touched, and Jack smirked at Norrington over her shoulder. Now came to the belt that would hang round his waist, and in her fury, she tightened the clasp for more than was needed, and Jack grunted at the contact, "easy on the goods love".
"You're despicable", she sneered, and she could feel his hot breath on her face as he smirked, "Sticks and stones love, ah' saved your life, you saved mine, we're squared". Without warning he flipped her a second time, her body once more pressed tightly against him, and the pistol pointed beneath her chin.
"Now gentlemen, my ladies", Jack smirked as he began to slowly walk backwards, taking Scarlett with him, "you will always remember this as the day, that you almost caught, Captain, Jack, Sparrow".
And it happened so quickly that Scarlett found it extremely difficult to recall exactly how Jack managed to do it, he had turned, still holding her, before grabbing a rope and kicking a metal lever, and suddenly, the two were both propelled into the air, with Scarlett screaming like a mad woman. She had no other choice but to cling to the putrid pirate for dear life as they were spun in large circles, unwittingly burying her face deep into his shirt to save her from having to witness being tossed about in the air, lest she die of fright. She could hear both her sister and father howling her name as Norrington roared, "Open fire, and don't shoot her!"
"Are you mad?" Elizabeth snarled, grasping him by the shoulders, "Don't shoot at my sister!"
But the guns were firing, and Scarlett could smell the gunpowder in the air. By some miraculous will, Jack managed to swing them onto a thin ledge suspended on a high beam, itself rigged with more ropes high in the air. Scarlett broke free from Jack's grasp, pushing him back sharply in the chest, however she instantly regretted it as she began to lose her balance, but was saved in mere seconds from falling by Jack snatching at the front of her underdress, pulling her once more into him. "Better hold on love he grunted, as he brought the chains that connected his shackled wrists. It did not take Scarlett but a moment to deduce his plan. "Are you joking?" she cried.
"I never joke", he answered, and glanced quickly over his shoulder to see the soldiers reforming a line on the bridge, "Can't stop now".
"Jack, no!" but her protests were ignored, and Scarlett once more found herself clutching to his waist, screaming wildly as they flew through the air. But she did not scream because she was afraid.
She screamed because she felt alive.