Natalie was in the galley patching up her leg and head. She thought about her mother for a long time. She barely remembered her soft touch, and amber eyes. The way she smiled and her light brown locks that dangled down to her chest. She sat there for awhile whilst tears threatened in her eyes.
She heard the silent sound of footsteps coming down the stairs. Natalie jumped at the sound of this.
"Who is there?" she asked cautiously.
"It's alright…only me." The sailor reveled himself to be the first mate.
He stepped out of the darkness and pulled over a barrel to sit on. Natalie was amazed how much he looked like the captain even though he was older. He pulled out a block of wood and a knife and started to whittle. Natalie thought his behavior was very amusing.
"Excuse me but do you want something." Natalie asked.
"No…no I just thought you needed a friend." He smiled and went back to chipping his wood.
Natalie stood up and walked over to him and sat next to him. He barely noticed; Natalie found him extremely rude. She hesitated trying to find what she wanted to say.
"I could not help but notice how much you and Captain Turner looked alike." She stated.
He chuckled a little; never taking his eyes off of his wood. "He is my son."
Natalie looked down at her feet. "That explains a lot." She said.
She ruffled her robe and nightgown that was already clean. The first mate noticed how clean she was; she had barely been down there ten minutes. He turned back to his whittling and pondered how she could have done it.
"what is your name?" Natalie asked.
"Will Turner or Bootstrap Bill…which ever you prefer." He ignored looking at her and kept to other thoughts.
Natalie became very annoyed at his behavior and stood to leave; but he pulled her back. She turned in shock.
"Don't touch me!" Natalie shouted.
Bootstrap chuckled and let go of her arm.
"You are quite a stubborn lass." He said almost laughing.
Natalie just glared at him and pushed herself onto a chair.
"Now I have some questions for you missy." He said. Bootstrap had put his knife and wood in his pocket and gave Natalie his full attention.
"Where did you come from and how you did get here?" he asked dating his eyes back and fourth.
Natalie could not hide her anger; she glared at him never taking his eyes of her. She played with the grooves of the barrel she was sitting on. She had to lie to protect herself from bilge rats like these.
"I was taken care of by a woman who lived alone. She was poor and had no family," Natalie was interrupted by Bootstrap's loud outburst of laughing.
"You really expect me to believe that story." He said pulling himself back against the wall.
Natalie was flabbergasted at his strange behavior. He reminded her of one of the servants in Calypso's palace who was like a father to herself. He told Natalie stories of the ocean and its people and creatures. Her favorite stories were that of pirates who were unstoppable in their quests for treasure.
"Forgive me for scaring you but if you don't want to tell me where you came from its fine with me." He said.
Natalie smiled; she was glad she did not have to lie or cheat to be safe. This man indeed was a character but she liked him just the same.
"It seems that I can call you a friend." Natalie smiled.
"Well I'm glad to except that honor." He said in his usual raspy voice.
They both stood and smiled. Natalie felt the same way she did on deck with the Captain. These men were comforting and not threatening in any way. Natalie looked down at her shoes and smiled.
"I think its best I get out of the galley and some fresh air." She stated.
"Aye" Bill said.
She stepped out of the galley with Bill and walked up on deck.
The deck was crowded with activity. Men pulled rigging and swabbed the decks; Natalie had never seen such work in her life. Natalie found a small place to lean upon as Bootstrap stood next to her.
Natalie noticed a rather fat looking man who was looking at her and had the sign of death on his face. Bootstrap noticed how tense she looked and saw what she was looking at.
"That's Hades, killed 7 women in his past life." He said through a knife into a barrel.
Natalie gasped "Why would he sin that low?" she asked.
Bootstrap looked at his feet "The terrible temptation within us…pleasure; man's sin." He looked at his knife and moved his finger along the side.
Natalie just bowed her head hoping that the heathen gods would redeem those poor souls. She looked up again to see Hades taking out his knife and smiling. Natalie turned away in terror. She stood to leave the deck and left to find a hammock in the galley.
As she stepped into a hammock; she felt restless. Goosebumps were all over her arms and legs. She feared for her life and prayed that she would live to get back home. Slowly she fell asleep holding on to her letter and box.
"Mother, I promise to make something out of this life and find my father and live up to what everything you wanted me to be." She said as tears threatened her eyes.