Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Enjoy.

Within the next few days, Will was feeling much better. Actually, the lashings had completely healed. But they still hadn't heard anything about Elizabeth. Every day the chores were switched where one cage of men and one of women would do their duties while the others stayed behind and then the next the other men and women would do their jobs. Will was actually given time off in order to recover better and work harder and they weren't about to tell them that he was actually just fine. However, since there was no word of his beloved, he would spend that time sitting in the corner staring at the ground.

"Jack, have you got that plan yet?" Anna asked.

"Aye. There's just one thing I still need though."

Elizabeth was pissed off. Not only was her wrist not healing properly but she was forced to be the bloody captain's personal servant. You do not make Elizabeth Turner your servant without her consent. That was just bull. She had to get the man his food and do any chores on his whim. She was shocked he wasn't asking her to bathe him at this point. And it had only been a few days. Who knew what was going to come next. She hadn't seen Will in so long now. She really missed him. Plus with the knowledge that he was ill; she wasn't sure if she could stand it much longer. The next morning, Elizabeth's first task was to feed the captives. She took what the cook had given her (porridge) and went down below to deliver. She hadn't been back in the time since she was taken away. Careful not to trip, she made sure each step was there before she stumbled and fell on her arse. She had actually never done this before. It was always some other member of the crew who was in charge of getting the food to the captives. Why suddenly trust her with the action?
Jack was utterly shocked at the turn of events. Looked like his plan might work out after all.

"Psst. 'Lizabeth."

Her head turned and went into the direction of the voice. She went right over and Jack and her mother gave him a big smile.

"How're you holding up darling?" her mother asked.

"I'm alright, but they're working me to the bone. Where's Will? He's not still sick is he?"

"No, he's..."

Jack trailed off and Elizabeth looked to see Will still not paying any attention to the outside world.

"Will," she said softly.

The boy didn't even flinch nor look up. Taking a moment's glance at her mother and uncle, she went over to him as he was leaning against the bars with his head continually staring at the floor.

"Will, I'm here. I'm alright."

She tried to shake him out of it but it was no use. Everyone was very worried about him.

"Get back over here missy," Jack said. He told her the plan that he had.

"How in the world am I ever going to accomplish that?"

"You'll think of something. Now hop to; get busy."

Elizabeth looked to her mother, who nodded, and sighed while walking away.

A few hours later, the captain was reclining in his quarters for an afternoon nap. Suddenly, the door began to creak open. Ever so slowly. As if the person entering did not want to be discovered. Elizabeth Turner crept into the room. Her eyes had not yet adjusted to the darkness within but slowly they did. Where was that bloody key? It wasn't anywhere within her sight range but she also knew that he kept it with him at all times. Jack had said so anyway. What was Jack thinking; making her find the key so that they could all escape. Granted, it was a good idea; one that she really wanted to accomplish. She turned her head ever so slightly to the left and there it sat. On top of the highest shelf and hooked on to a small metal hook. The shelf was actually about 2 inches taller than Elizabeth herself. She gave a rough sigh and pushed the hair out of her face before making a go out of it. First she tried to reach for it by going on her toes. After three failed attempts at that she then decided that all she needed was something to act as an extension of her arm. That's when it hit her; the captain's sword. Unfortunately it was still attached to his hip and it didn't seem to be going anywhere. Elizabeth sidled up to him and carefully tried to get the infernal thing out. She was almost there when he suddenly tensed. Elizabeth backed away but he was only turning over onto his side. She gave a pleased sigh of relief and before she knew it the object was in her hand. She reached up and the key gently fell into her hand. Elizabeth put the sword next to his bed, ran out the door and ran to free the others.
Jack, Anna and Emma were all talking in hushed voices when suddenly they heard someone coming down that stairs. Jack hushed them when they caught sight of them.

"It's Elizabeth," Emma said.

She held up the key for them to see it when suddenly she fell down the last two steps. It turned out that someone had grabbed her ankle and that someone was the Captain. The key fell to the ground but somehow managed to land right in front of the door. Jack reached a hand through and picked it up to unlock the door. Captain McGregor had a pistol pointed to Elizabeth's head. "Don't make any sudden moves," he said quietly.

Elizabeth began to get worried and the other adults didn't want any harm to come to her. Elizabeth whimpered and the man cocked his pistol.

"Elizabeth!"

Everyone's head turned to find that it was William who had shouted. It all seemed to be happening in slow motion. Will grabbed the key from Jack and put it into the key hole to open it. He was running out when McGregor moved the pistol to point it at Will, right in the chest, and fired. The last thing Will heard before he collapsed was Elizabeth screaming.

Based upon everything I have written in the past on this site; what am I telling you and what am I keeping a secret. Not everything is what it seems, that's all I'm saying. Happy times are definitely ahead in this story so don't worry. I'll leave you with the title of the next chapter: Escape. Do with that what you Will (hint, hint)