Whoa! Really sorry about the long wait for the update! This semester has been absolutely nuts and I got an additional job to make some cash for Christmas. I will try my best to update more often. Brownie's promise!! Hope you enjoy this next chapter.
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Jack peered out from his hiding place and stared longingly at the Pearl as they moved closer toward it. He knew that this was not his chance to get the Pearl back. He would need a crew for that. He had boarded the ship for another purpose: to save Piper and keep Drake from stealing his ship. He glared at the back of Drake's head and silently cursed him.
"Keep your grubby hands to yourself, mate," he whispered. "That's my ship!"
As the small boat drifted near the Pearl, Piper stared up at the deck. She was amazed that no one on board had noticed them approaching. Drake moved swiftly over to where she was sitting and pulled her forcefully to her feet. Assuming she wouldn't be able to use her powers on what she couldn't see, Drake tore a piece of material from one of the sails and wrapped it over Piper's eyes. He untied her hands and led her aboard the Pearl.
He was surprised to find the deck empty. None of Barbossa's crew could be seen. Drake pulled Piper's hands behind her back and held them with one hand while he removed her blindfold. Piper looked around at the empty ship.
"Now what?" she asked, struggling to pull her hands free.
"Something's not right," replied Drake. He continued to survey the empty deck and frowned. The two of them stood silently, listening for any evidence of life on the ship.
"There you go," said Piper sarcastically. "The ship is yours. My job here is done."
"Shh!" Drake hissed as he pulled her closer. "I think we're being watched."
"Then wouldn't the ideal thing be to hide?" asked Piper. Drake nodded and pulled Piper toward a nearby staircase.
A few dozen members of Barbossa's crew began running out from a number of hiding places. They rushed toward Drake and Piper with their daggers and swords drawn. Out of shock and fear, Drake pushed Piper out of the way and began running back to the edge of the ship. Piper ran under the staircase, unnoticed, and watched silently as the crew attacked Drake.
The crew threw Drake over the side of the ship and cheered loudly. Piper sat silently in the dark, not wanting Barbossa's crew to find her. The crew went silent and stared in her direction. Piper held her breath, praying that they hadn't seen her. She could hear footsteps moving slowly above her head. Two large boots came into view through the open spaces under each stair. They slowly descended the stairs and stopped at the foot of the staircase.
"What the hell is going on?" Barbossa demanded.
"We were just ridding the ship of some unnecessary weight, Captain," Pintel chuckled.
"I trust that you're certain this 'unnecessary weight' will not be returning?" Barbossa questioned. The crew shouted a unanimous agreement. Barbossa glared at them all, causing everyone to fall silent. "Then what is this?" he shouted.
Without warning, Ragetti sneaked up behind Piper, forced her arms behind her back, and pulled her out into the open. She stared up at Barbossa and tried her best not to look intimidated.
"Those are some peculiar garments you have on Miss," said Barbossa. Piper looked down at her jeans and T-shirt, then up at Barbossa.
"It's the new style in America," replied Piper sarcastically.
"America?" said Barbossa with a tone of interest. "You're a long way from home. What brings you all the way to the Caribbean?"
"I was forced to come here," replied Piper, matter-of-factly. "Look, I just want to get home. So, why don't you just let me go and I'll be on my way." She attempted to walk away, but Ragetti pulled her back. Piper rolled her eyes and let out an aggravated sigh.
"You're not going anywhere Miss," said Barbossa. "I'm afraid we're more inclined to having you stay." The crew cheered with excitement. Barbossa raised his hand to signal them to stop.
"Fine," said Piper. Ragetti smiled and let her go. Piper smiled evilly and raised her hands. Everyone on the ship froze in place. She ran quickly to the side of the ship and looked over the edge. Drake's ship was gone, leaving her know means of escaping from the Pearl. She ran to the opposite side of the ship, hoping to find a lifeboat or some way of getting off the ship.
As she passed Barbossa, he grabbed her arm and pulled her back. He forced both of her arms against her sides and smiled down at her.
"I wasn't expecting a witch," Barbossa sneered. "Nor one with powers of such calibre."
"Why didn't you freeze?" Piper snapped.
"I have powers of my own, Miss…" Barbossa inquired.
"Piper," she replied. "Now let me go!" she demanded.
"I'm afraid that will not be an option," said Barbossa. "I wouldn't dream of letting powers like yours get away. You and I can do great things."
"If you think I'm going to help you, you're sadly mistaken," Piper growled.
"That's not for you to decide," said Barbossa. He pushed Ragetti, forcing him to unfreeze. Ragetti looked around, slightly confused, then looked at Barbossa. "Take Miss 'Piper' to her room," said Barbossa. "She'll be staying with us for awhile." Ragetti smiled and grabbed Piper. "And make sure those hands are restrained. I don't want her using her 'witchy' powers on my crew."
"Yes, Captain," said Ragetti. "He pulled Piper into the ship's cabin and let the door slam behind them."
Ragetti forced Piper into the ship's hold and left her in one of the ship's cells. Piper looked around, completely disgusted. She sat in a corner and tried to focus all of her energy on contacting her sisters.
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Phoebe and Prue were sitting silently in Piper's room. Prue was sitting on Piper's bed with her head resting on her knees. Phoebe had found on of Piper's childhood teddies and was sitting in a chair by her window squeezing the teddy tightly.
Without warning, Phoebe was thrown into a premonition. It was unlike any premonition she had ever had before. She could hear Piper's voice calling to her, but all she could see was a huge ship with black sails; one of which had a skull and crossbones patched onto it.
Phoebe dropped Piper's teddy on the floor and leapt to her feet. Prue jumped as well, causing her to fall off of the bed. Phoebe ran to Prue's side to help her to her feet.
"What happened?" Prue groaned.
"I think I just got a message from Piper," replied Phoebe. "I think we might be able to figure out where she is."
"What? How?" Prue inquired.
"We need to look up pirate ships," replied Phoebe.
