Author's Note: Chapter Two! It was a little hard to write when I got to Elizabeth, but it must be done.
"Jump!" I called down at Michael.
"This is as I high as I can lift you," Michael grunted, hoisting me up. I was only about one meter away from my window. It really bugged me that I was so close and I couldn't reach what I wanted. "On three, I'm going to throw you. That's the only way you can get there."
I didn't like the thought of being thrown, but this was as far was we could get. "Fine," I grumbled. "One… Two… Three!" He shoved me upwards, and I threw my arms out to grab the windowpane. I clasped my fingers around the edge as my feet dangled in the air. I took in a deep breath and hoisted myself into my room. When I got through the window, I turned and looked down at Michael. I gave him a thumbs-up. He waved at me and left.
As quietly as possible, I undressed and washed my face. I stuck Jack's hat in my closet, hidden by my dresses. If only Mother had known I had snuck out again, she'd have my hide. My thoughts returned to my father. "He was a great man, Abigail. He loves his family," Mum said when we were on the ledge of a hill, waiting for him.
"But, Mum, he doesn't love me! He doesn't know that I'm his daughter.
"It's alright, Abby. He'll love you, don't worry," Mum consoled me.
It was a shock for him. They hugged, and then Mum told him that he had a daughter. His eyes widened. He kneeled down next to me and told me that he loved me. He told me that I looked exactly like my mother. It was then that…
I blinked. I could have sworn that I heard my name. I stopped brushing my hair. Just standing there, I listened. Then I was sure I heard something. "Abby…" It came from my mother's room.
"Mother?" I called out quietly.
"Abby, come here." My mother sounded quiet. Weak. I put down my brush. I went out into the dark hallway, advancing to my mother's room. Something was wrong. Something was terribly wrong. I threw on the lights in her room.
I let out a gasp. She was on her bed, but her face was white. I could see sweat glistening on her forehead. I started to go over to her, but she stopped me. "No, just stay over there and listen." I swallowed hard. "Abby, you father's chest, the one with his heart. You must find it. I'm afraid that someone will take it. There is a map, and a pair of keys in the attic. You must get those. They're under a box labeled Childhood. I'm sorry that you have to do this Abby, but there's no other choice. You have to find you father."
I stared at my mother. "You're speaking nonsense. There's no way I can find the Flying Dutchman! I'm going to get a doctor, Mum, just wait!"
"No, Abby!" The sound that came out of my mother sounded strained. I felt myself starting to panic. My mother was ill, I needed to help her. "Go get Jack. Give him the note that's attached to the maps." I waited for her to say more, but she fell silent.
"Mother, don't die. I won't forgive you if you do," I whispered. I turned on my heel and fled down the stairs. I flung open my front door and ran out. I must get here a doctor… I have to. I failed to realize that it was late. It didn't matter. I don't know how long it took me to get there, but I made it to Doctor Brown. I started banging on the door.
"Help!" I screamed breathlessly. I threw my shoulder against his door, making more noise. "Help." I said through the door. Nobody was answering. I clenched my hand in a fist, and rapped it against the door repeatedly. "Doctor Brown." I was losing my breath. My chest was heaving from running here, and no one was answering. Great.
Suddenly, the door opened. I nearly toppled over, having been resting on it. "Abigail! What in the King's name are you doing here at night?!" Doctor Brown asked me incredulously.
"My…Mother…" I panted. I couldn't get out a full sentence.
"What's wrong?" Doctor Brown asked concerned.
"She's ill…" I said.
He looked at me for a moment and then said, "Let's go back to your house." We took one of his horses back to my house. He went up to her room. I was about to enter behind him when he turned and said, "If she's contagious, I don't want you around her. It's best if you go to your room."
I nodded. No matter how much I wanted to see her, it would be horrible if I caught it too. Then I remembered what she told me. "Find your father…" But why? What does she want me to do? I thought it over in my head as I walked up to the attic. Aloud I said, "What if she doesn't make it?"