A/N: Thank you for taking your time to read this! I do have the entire story planned out, it's just that I'm having a hard time writing chapter by chapter. But don't worry, I'm challenging myself and I plan to finish this until the very end! But for now, since I haven't updated in a while, I give you Chapter 2.A (the rest of the second chapter will be coming up shortly). I just didn't want to delay it anymore and I know, I know, it compromises the quality but I promise the next chapters will be longer and Maura Isles will eventually show up too! So sit back, relax. Hate it? Love it? Your choice. Just enjoy it!

P.S. Reviews are highly appreciated.

A loud bark echoed inside the cabin. If it didn't startle Jane, the creature licking her bare feet did. Its fur was white, stained with dirt but white. It had dark brown eyes that were wide and glistening. It was wagging its tail enthusiastically. Another bark followed and Jane gathered the creature into her arms. It was a bitch, if you would put it that way.

"Where are you from?" She smiled, attempting to tame the beast.

The dog answered with various licks on her face.

"Ugh. Disgusting. Into the gallows." Her face turned sour but was compromised with her subtle laughter. Jane had to put her down. Gibbs knocked and entered the room. His expression was lost and confused, scratching his head.

"Looking for something, Master Gibbs?"

"Josephine… Oh! There she is!" He let out a sigh of relief and retrieved his dog.

"Her name is Josephine… the dog." Captain Sparrow crossed her arms.

"Named after Lady Josephine of Wales." The old mate answered defensively.

"Vincent, what did I tell you about naming your animals after your past lovers? It's very unkindly." She shook her head. It was indeed humorous, but she wouldn't admit that. Not in a thousand years.

"They both bark."

Once left alone, Jane resumed undressing herself with the thought that she needed to clean and change clothes. It might've been more of a joke than a truth, but people said she was the only pirate that smelled good. She learned to take it as a compliment a long time ago.

She sat on the wooden desk afterwards, where the book had been in the past few hours. She began reading. Luckily, she was taught to understand Latin so it wasn't a hard task. The first page claimed that it belonged to a man named Paddy Doyle. Under his name, Hernan Cortѐs was written. Yes, Jane knew him. He was an explorer, a brave man. The first one however, remained a mystery. Realizing how old it was, she wondered where Hoyt might've gotten this piece of information. Had he been exploring the Pacific?

Everything was handwritten, drawn. She was surprised the ink hadn't faded after all these years. Maybe it was a diary of secrets, treasures… information kept from mankind.

Half of it was filled with expeditions she had done before ever since she was little. The other half however, left her curious and awake.

Esperanza,

Slay me if ye must, but slay me with love. For love is all I can give to you. I have committed a crime, but regrets… I don't have any. I did what I had to do… steal you away from the monstrous seas. I had to make you mine, forgive me. Time will come and I will set you free and I will no longer be.

It had images of women and fish, scales that were taped to the paper. It had the fading color of red and blue. Could it be that it was of the great siren's body? She recalled Barbossa's tale.

Once there was a siren with fins of red and blue. Nobody knew her name, but she was called the hope of the sea. She was kind but feared. A notorious pirate caught her eye and decided to steal her away. Hector said the mate was so smitten, it made him cry. His love for her helped him commit a bigger crime. He took her away one night and kept her inside his ship for years. No one knew how, but she escaped. Rumors said they had a lifeless child. The siren went back to her home, but she wasn't the same. The sea witch decided to kill the pirate for revenge. And the more Jane had thought about it, the more it made sense. Maybe Paddy Doyle was that pirate.

Light shone, coming from the last page—so bright that it blinded Jane momentarily and she was forced to take a couple of steps behind. Her room shook and multiple things fell including herself. Golden swords and daggers met the mahogany floor. Mirrors broke and shattered into pieces. Her father's compass circled endlessly, stopping north.

Countless men talked about prophecies, none spoke of the entire experience. But Jane figured this was it as soon as she saw images flash before her eyes, complimenting haunting voices that echoed the chamber. It was like the dream she had last night, except her spine shivered—as if a sharp blade ran across her back.

The scars at the back of her hands ached infernally but her eyes remained wide open, waiting for a sign.

"Janie…" It was him again.

"You know, you have to stop doing that father."

"Listen to me, eternal misery lies before you. It's fate worse than death. My daughter, you're on the right path but things are not going to be easy. Mark my words. There are two things only the sea witch can provide. You must seek them."

"Two things… what for?"

"For your expedition. Don't be a fool Jane."

"But how do I make it stop? I'm not sure I understand."

"Did you not dream of devilfish?"

"Aye."

"You will find one without shedding a single drop of blood from your hands. It will lead you to eternal glory."

"How will I know if it's the right one?"

"Know everything about the ritual and you shall find out."