A/N: Am I doing something wrong? Do you readers not like how the story's going? Because I'm not getting a lot of reviews. I don't mean to sound like a thirsty review hog, but I really need some serious feedback in order to write a good story. After writing for a whole hour, a few reviews can really make my day. So please read and review! And much thanks to those who review on a regular basis.
Disclaimer: (insert regular disclaimer here)
Chapter 6: Oh Brother!
Jack had led the crew into town, instructing them to keep low, for Curacao was not pirate country. At a moment's notice, they could get caught and hanged by the authorities, their heads on display at the town entrance to serve as a warning to nearing pirates.
After a few hours, the sky began to turn pink and yellow. Jack noticed the hour and frantically began to look for Isabel. He hadn't seen her since he left the ship. He went this way and that before smacking himself on the forehead for being stupid. Of course, he thought.
Putting his hand into his coat pocket, he reached for the broken compass. The arrow turned in circles for a few seconds and then stopped and pointed into a definite direction. He followed it and soon found himself on the beach of Curacao. Looking up, he saw Isabel sitting on the sands with her knees to her chest and her arms wrapped around them.
"What ye doing here, all alone?" Jack bent down to sit beside me.
"Just thinking, Jack, is all. And I'm waiting for night to fall so I can watch the stars come out."
"I'd like to know what ye were thinkin' about, hmm? Mind telling me?"
I fiddled with the sand, picking it up and letting it fall through the gaps between my fingers. "I guess it wouldn't hurt if I told you. I was just pondering of what's to come when I return to Port Royal and become a well-mannered lady again." I paused, waiting for Jack's reaction.
Jack looked at the waves. He said nothing, showing no expression. But his head wanted to burst. She wants to go back. She wants to go back to her old life. Isabel doesn't want to stay with me. Have I not done everything I can to keep her with me? Jack had thought that he had successfully convinced her to join him and be a pirate when the Viking sailed out of Port Royal. Now it was Jack's turn for him to ponder on what would happen once their adventure was over, once Isabel goes back to Port Royal. What would become of him? Would his heart disintegrate without having her with him?
"I…I could imagine what would happen once ye went back to Port Royal."
The skies went dark except for the twinkling stars above.
I lay down on the beach, a sudden feeling of peacefulness coming over me with the stars up above, the rolling sounds of the ocean, and having Jack next to me.
- - -
"Alright, mates, we've got two islands left, Barbados and Curacao. I want this ship full speed ahead. Barbados, first!" Goryin bellowed out his orders to his crew before turning to Norrington. "Never lose hope, lad."
- - -
After star gazing for what seemed like the longest time, Jack suggested that we go back to town before the air gets cold and the tide gets high.
I stood up and brushed off the sand from my dress and hair. Following Jack, we headed to the nearest inn, The Tropical Coconut.
"One room for two, please." Jack leaned onto the counter and waited for the key.
It wasn't until the man lifted his head up that I saw his face was strangely familiar.
"Kind sir, what is your name?" I too, was at the counter.
"David Windsor. Do you need any assistance, madam?"
"David? Is that you? What in God's name are you doing here?" I went behind the table he was sitting at and pulled him up and gave him a great hug.
"Err..." The man wore a confused look.
Jack suddenly felt a pang of jealousy. "Do ye know this man?"
"I've known him all my life! It's me, Isabel! David, do you remember?"
It was as if he snapped back into his usual self. He pulled Isabel away from him and put both of his hands on her shoulders and examined her. "Isabel? Dear sister, what are you doing here? And with that man? Were you thinking of sharing a room with him? Where's Mum and Dad? How are they?"
At the word "sister", Jack's envious mood immediately faded.
I took my time to answer his questions. "Mother and Father are perfectly fine in Port Royal, and yes, I had a mind of sharing rooms. But answer my question. Why aren't you training?"
"I left camp a year ago and came here to Curacao and am here working as you have seen. And who is this man? Are you married?"
"No worries, brother, he is a friend. Mother and Father let me leave for a while. And no, I am not yet married."
Jack stayed out of the reunion between the pair of siblings but felt an internal feeling of happiness at the fact that David, Isabel's older brother, had thought that they were a married couple.
"No, let us continue our conversation tomorrow morning at the inn's restaurant, yes? It is late, and you need your sleep. And I would prefer if you and your friend stayed in separate rooms." David cocked an eye towards Jack.
"Yes, David, at once." I went up the inn stairs.
Jack followed suite with his own key, his mood changing from satisfaction from disappointment.
- - -
A/N: Haha, the name of the inn, The Tropical Coconut, was my idea of poor humor. Funny name, isn't it? And for those who have not read my previous fiction, David is indeed Isabel's older brother who was sent away for military training a few years ago. Everything clear now? Review, please!