Chapter Twenty-Three
Sneaking Out to Commandeer
It was nearly one in the morning before AnaMaria and Elizabeth were able to leave their cabins. They walked up to the main deck and quietly they lowered a dingy into the dark blue ocean. "Perfect night for sailing," giggled AnaMaria. Soon the two were safely in the dingy. Each were dressed as men, like they were everyday. Except this time it was still different. They managed to take possession of some of their lovers clothes. Elizabeth wore, with pride, the shirt Will had died in so many years ago. Her hair was neatly braided down her back. AnaMaria managed to steal Jack's red bandana, breeches, vest and white shirt. Her dark hair was thrown under her hat.
Tonight was a dark night, making it hard to row to shore to commandeer a ship that was used by the EITC. All day the two women had watched the ship to see where it went. Right now the women knew that no one was aboard the ship. They were all busy getting drunk and scoring with the local whores. AnaMaria jumped at the sight of lightning and the loud boom of thunder. Elizabeth placed a hand on her friend's shoulder and said, "It's alright, AnaMaria. We're fine. It's still far away." AnaMaria nodded as Elizabeth started to row once again.
In no time, AnaMaria Lamar and Elizabeth Turner quickly pulled the dingy to shore. Seeing a rope hanging off of the ship known as the Antelope, Elizabeth began to climb up the rope to the main deck. AnaMaria followed. It was only slightly bigger that the Black Pearl and Empress. Elizabeth ran her fingers along the wheel of the ship, getting the feel of it. "This is mad," AnaMaria whispered. "Two people can't control a ship by themselves!" Elizabeth turned to look at her friend, who had begun to raise the flags so they could make sail. AnaMaria stopped in her tracks, feeling Elizabeth's gaze on her. Turning around, AnaMaria noticed the look her friend wore. With a slight snicker, Elizabeth replied, "We sail for Tortuga. Tonight. After all, Will and Jack did it. Why can't we?" AnaMaria nodded. Elizabeth had a point. Two of the most infamous pirates of the world had commandeered merchant vessels. They've picked up crews in Tortuga on more than one occassion. This should be a piece of cake for them.
Soon the ship started to sail in the direction of Tortuga. Elizabeth stood at the side, watching in amusement as many members of the EITC yelled at them and drunkingly threw bottles of rum at them. Elizabeth and AnaMaria laughed. Tipping her hat, Elizabeth called out, "Gents! I tip my hat to ye!" AnaMaria removed her hat, throwing it towards the angry posse of men. "They're bloody women!" A drunk and stout man called out. This statement caused Elizabeth and AnaMaria to laugh even more than they already were.
Lizzie Sparrow tiredly climbed out of her hammock. Her tangled and curly raven dark hair hung down her back in a tight braid. Quietly, as to not disturb anyone, the young girl made her way down the hall to her parents room. She slowly pushed open the door and approached the bed her parents usually slept in. "Papa..." Lizzie called out in a whisper. Jack didn't stir and his snoring became louder. This was what usually happened when Lizzie woke up in the middle of the night. Lizzie moved to the other side of the bed to wake up her mother. The young girl gasped to see the once occupied spot empty. Lizzie crawled into the bed and nudged her father roughly. "Hmph," Lizzie said to herself. She stood, jumping over Jack onto the floor and ran as quickly as her little feet could carry her to her Uncle Will's room. She knew that he would be much easier to wake up.
Loudly, Lizzie pushed the door to Will and Elizabeth's room open. She wasn't surprised to see Elizabeth not in bed. She spent most of her time above deck, singing and crying for her children. "Uncle Will!" Lizzie called out as she began to shake the brown haired man awake. Will's eyes shot open to the strong push of Lizzie. The man sat up and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. "Elizabeth," Will said groggily. He turned to wake his wife up but she wasn't there. "She was here when I went to bed," Will said as he turned his attention back to the big brown eyed child who looked up at him.
"Mama's gone to, Uncle Will!" Young Lizzie Sparrow exclaimed. "I tried to wake Papa up but he snores louder than Uncle Barbossa!" Will climbed out of bed and pulled out a shirt. He tied his curly dark brown hair back. Picking up Lizzie, the two walked back to Jack's cabin. "Jack!" Will called out loudly, throughout the ship. He placed Lizzie down as the two walked into Jack's cabin. "No surprise there," Will said to himself. Lizzie giggled quietly at her Uncle Will's slight joke. Will walked over to the side AnaMaria normally slept on and pushed his friend out of bed. "Bloody 'ell, AnaMaria!" Jack cried out tiredly. "What ye tryin' ta do? Kill me?"
Will and Lizzie both laughed as Jack peered at Will from over the bed. "Where's AnaMaria?" Jack asked curiously. He looked around. He even looked under the bed. Will finally replied, "She's not here, Jack. Elizabeth's gone too."
A/N: Here's yet another chapter! Man this is getting long! lol This chapter's not too short and not to long but PLEASE review anyway! Chapter 24 will be up between tomorrow and Sunday. Thanks to all my faithful reviewers also!