9: The Afterglow
The first thing I felt when I awoke the next morning was the painful throbbing coming from my temple.
"Argh…" I groaned, opening my eyes and coming to terms with the consequences of last night's actions. I rolled over onto my back. I stretched, spreading out, trying to wake myself up. I then realised that Jack wasn't in the bed, when I heard his voice from across the room.
"Morning love. Hows your head?" I heard Jack say.
I groaned, turning back onto my side. I saw Jack sitting at his table.
"Not good?" he asked, smirking.
"There are hardly words… it aches," I said in response.
He chuckled to himself. "That's a hangover" he commented. I looked over to the door; outside it appeared to beginning to turn into light.
"We at Tortuga?" I asked slowly trying to get up.
"Arrived an hour ago, the crew have gone ashore," he answered. "They are staying at an inn til its dark, when the fun begins. Thought I better wait for you, seeing as you drank a fair bit last night."
I tried to stand, and then felt a wave of nausea and decided to sit back on the edge of the bed.
"Next time… next time I'll handle it better, you just watch. I was just breaking back into a pirates life, that's all" I said.
"Whatever you say. You were pretty giggly last night," Jack said doubting my words.
"Mmm I remember. At least I think I do anyway. What did I do?" I asked.
"Well from memory you sat on my lap, took my compass and made me carry you to the bed"
I blushed. "I remember. Sorry, I hope I wasn't much hassle"
"Quite amusing really"
I reached my hand under my pillow and pulled out the compass. I stood up and this time managed to stay standing. I walked over to Jack and handed him the compass.
"By the way, it doesn't point north" I commented. He smiled. "Can I change back into my pirate clothes before going ashore?" I asked.
"Go right ahead"
I walked back over to the bed, where my clothes laid dried. I picked them up. I turned round and Jack was still sitting at his table, watching me.
"Do you mind?" I asked.
"Not at all" he smiled back.
"Jack! By do you mind I mean leave… please?"
He lifted himself from the chair and slowly left the room. After the door closed, I got changed. When I exited the cabin and walked down the ramp, I found Jack sitting at the docks waiting.
"Ready?"
"For what?" I questioned.
"Tortuga, of course. Going to have a few drinks with the crew tonight?" he asked, as we starting walking down the door to the mainland.
"Depends, if you and your crew can handle my singing" I smiled.
"You sing?"
"Uhuh…" I nodded. I purposely bumped into him, and he playfully nudged me back. "If I drink more than I did last night, you'll have your hands full for sure. Yo ho yo ho a pirates life for me…" I began.
"I love that song" started Jack.
I rolled my eyes smiling. "What pirate doesn't?"
The sun had fully ascended by the time we reached the inn where the crew were staying for the afternoon. I shared a room with Elizabeth; she caught up on sleep while I sat on the small ledge coming off from our room. I gazed out at the ocean and thought about the memories I'd had in this place. Tortuga was a pirate port. Mainly for the men to drink until they couldn't stand and to indulge in all the female company they wanted. For the crew of the Black Pearl and any other crew around, it was heaven. To the few female pirates that there was, it was something that we had to embrace. I first came to Tortuga when I was two years old, before that we made port elsewhere, mainly for my safety. Didn't really matter though. Whenever my father brought his crew to Tortuga he kept a watchful eye on me, he did everywhere. Even though I had my father's heart for the sea, I still had my mother's free spirit, but my father couldn't always be there for me, something he intended to prove wrong. The first time I wandered away from him was when I was nine. The hustle of Tortuga intrigued me and I couldn't help but want to explore the unusual sights it had to offer. Unaware that my father was worrying about my safety for over four hours, I found ways to amuse myself. Surprisingly enough he found me in a bar, sitting at a table with six strange men, unharmed. I was a playing cards with them and raking in the purse quite well. I think it was then my father knew I could look after myself and knew I had the same independence as my mother. But he never let me stray far after that.
Broken from my thoughts, I watched a few people below walking about the streets. I knew I should get some sleep for the night ahead. Daytime in Tortuga was hugely different to the eventful nightlife.
Chapter 10 is coming soon, apologies for the short chapter once again!