/I don't own anything you recognize in this story. /

Chapter Twenty

"When you look at yourself from a universal standpoint, something inside you always reminds or informs you that there are bigger and better things to worry about." –Albert Einstein

Walking slowly behind the two pirates, I watched my friend closely. Something seemed odd about how quickly she agreed to come along with the two pirates. It was unlike her to do that—after all, she said that she didn't want to get tangled in with pirates again for a long time.

Snapping out of my thoughts I watched as the lights of Tortuga came slowly closer. Despite my misgivings, I felt my heart beating faster. I was going to see Will again and much sooner than I had thought.

Just as I was about to move more quickly, I felt someone's hand clamp tightly over my mouth. Scared of who the person might be, I struggled violently against the person. Managing to shove the person off I ran several feet before twirling around to see who it was. I gasped in horror.

"Well, well, well, we meet again, Miss Turner," Barbossa exclaimed. "I didn't expect to have the pleasure of seeing you again one last time. After all, you jumped ship as quick as ye pleased las' time I saw ye."

I glared furiously. "Why are you here? Where's Will and Bootstrap? You were supposed to be with them."

Barbossa laughed at my face. "Let's say I paid my debt and I was free to have my other debts paid."

"You're in despicable," I spat. "Is that all you care about—debt that people owe you?"

Barbossa shrugged his shoulders helplessly. "I've got to make a living somehow. This is the only reputable business I have left."

"Some business," I huffed.

Ana Maria grabbed my shoulder. "Don't make it worse than it already is," she breathed. "He has cunning despite his show of otherwise."

"Don't I know it?" I whispered back.

Ana Maria looked at me. "Don't make it worse than it already is."

I sighed. I wanted to retort back, but I knew it would be no use. Ana Maria would have no understanding for me at the moment.

"And what business is it tonight, Barbossa?" I asked.

Barbossa smiled softly. "It's only a small matter between your dear friend Ana Maria and me."

"And what makes you think that Ana Maria would want to speak with you? She had her own life now," I exclaimed.

"Only fools would think that sentiment, Miss Turner," Barbossa grinned.

"And what of Will?" I asked, feeling my anger getting the best of me, "and Bootstrap Bill?"

Barbossa said nothing as he took a swig of rum from the bottle that he had with him. I couldn't help but glare at the man. He didn't deserve to live.

"They have moved on," Barbossa finally said, wiping his mouth with his shirt sleeve. "They have given up hope on ever finding you…again."

Before I could stop myself, I lunged at Barbossa. It was a failed hope as Pintel and Ragetti grabbed me on my arms to stop me from going any farther.

"You liar," I screamed at him, still struggling against the two pirates' grip. "They wouldn't have given up even with the whole British fleet behind him."

Barbossa cocked his head. "And that, my dear, is where you are wrong. You should have thought about that before jumping ship. Wouldn't you agree, my love?"

"I don't believe you," I growled.

"It's too late for those sentiments, my dear," Barbossa mocked. He turned to Pintel and Ragetti. "Take her to our headquarters and make sure she doesn't escape. I have some business with Ana Maria that cannot wait."

I managed to shove Pintel and Ragetti off long enough to walk closer to Barbossa. I wasn't through with the pirate yet.

"And what of Jack Sparrow?" I asked. "I'm sure you have something to do with his disappearance."

Barbossa laughed. "Jack Sparrow? I have nothing more to do with Jack Sparrow than with a prisoner without a name."

My eyes widened in surprise and anger. "You didn't, you foul, slimy ba—"

Barbossa clamped his fist over my mouth. "You wouldn't know whether I did or not. You wouldn't have any proof."

Before I could say any more, I felt two pairs of hands roughly putting a clothe over my eyes and pulling me away. I had been caught again and there didn't seem to be any hope or escape this time.

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Author's Note: I have finally managed to find the time to write chapter twenty for you all. I hope that everybody liked it despite its shortness. I'm on winter break now so I'll manage to have more chapters coming out as my inspiration and time will allow. Thanks to all who have reviewed, you don't know much it keeps me on the right track for my stories. I promise I'll try and get personal thanks in the next chapter, but I'm not promising anything.

Anyways, I hope you've enjoyed the chapter and I hope you'll keep reading the story and I'll update when I can.