Chapter 14
"What did he mean?" The question came from 'Captain' Carlos. It was in regards to Darny's words, his warning.
"Aye, we've been considering it." Barbossa said
"Darny always sends messages or returns frequently to Beckett, correct?" Jewel asked
"Si," Carlos nodded. He looked away, slowly realizing what he meant. "They will send out men to find us. They will kill us!"
"Not if we get to land first. Stay calm and captain this ship to Tortuga and I swear mate, all will be well." Jewel said calmly. Carlos nodded, his expression still panicked. He began barking orders. Jewel and Barbossa stood alone.
"He won't send 'men' out to find us." Barbossa said with a smirk.
"All the more reason for us to hurry along." Jewel said. Her expression was serious. She leaned on the rail and looked out at the waters ahead. There was a small speck of an island ahead of them.
"On the boat. You heard him in your head," Barbossa said
"What?" Jewel asked, looking back at him.
"Jones. He spoke to ye, didn't he?" he asked
"How did... It happened to my mother too." Jewel said
"As much as your mother figured that mark," he pointed at Jewel's partially exposed tattoo, "helped Jones keep and eye on her and whisper warnings and threats while she slept."
"Bugger." Jewel said, running a hand through her hair. "This thing really is a curse. But... Why would he do all of this? What does he want from me? What did he want from my mother?"
"To take your lives." Barbossa said. Jewel gasped lightly, staring at the man in shock. She had gained so much information in a short amount of time, and yet so many more questions began to pile up in her mind.
"That is all I know, and as much as Rose revealed to me." Barbossa said
"Don't say her name." Jewel said lowly, "you don't deserve to say her name." Barbossa chuckled lightly. He stopped soon. His smile vanishing. He had something to say. Jewel looked at him, waiting. They stood this way for what felt like hours. Barbossa cleared his throat. He looked down at Jewel.
"What is it Sparrow?" he asked
"Thought you wanted to say something." Jewel shrugged.
They were closer to Tortuga. They could practically smell the rum from their location. Jewel stood at the bowsprit, smiling at the island. Her second home.
"We're almost there!" she said happily. The clouds quickly darkened though. A thick fog surrounded them. Nothing could be seen, nothing could be heard.
"Something's wrong." Barbossa said. A cannon blast, one that came from nowhere, rocked the ship. The vessel almost tipped over from the blast.
"What's happening?" Carlos yelled. He started shouting orders in Spanish.
"We're so close." Jewel said
"Not close enough Sparrow!" Davy Jones' voice bellowed. "Against my wrath, you'll not be saved!" The Dutchman emerged from the fog, towering over the ship. Jewel stared up at the captain in shock. Her voice was caught in her throat. A blast tore apart the ship. The explosion sent Jewel and Barbossa sailing into the water. Jewel clawed through the waves to take in a breath of air. Barbossa's body bobbed on the surface, unmoving, blood seeping out around them.
"No! Barbo, no!" Jewel cried. The man started to sink, Jewel kicked to stay above water, but couldn't for long. She began sinking, trying with all of her might to reach the surface, to live, to not drown. Barbossa and the chain that held them together was gone, but she was still sinking. She was grabbed and held from behind. One of the hands was a crab claw.
"Marked with my symbol, I know who you are." Jones said. Jewel struggled and pulled away. She turned around, floating in the water, a sword in her hand. He chuckled and drew his own sword. He jumped forward, she moved to block.
Blood floated around her. Her blood. From both her front where the hilt touched her abdomen, to her back where the blade stuck out. Everything was numb, all happening slowly. Jones smirked at her. She floated back away from him. A voice echoed through the dark seas. She tried to call back, but she couldn't breath.
"Sparrow!" the voice called, becoming more clear with every yell.
Jewel gasped, drenched in sweat. She cried breathing in quick sharp breaths and clung to something. It was arm and wrapped it's arms around her, but it was uncomfortable with the chain... Barbossa?
"Sparrow, it was a nightmare." he said... comfortingly?
"Why are you...?" she started
"You remind me so much of your mother. It took me until recently to realize it." he said. Footsteps approached their cabin. Carlos opened the door. He looked at the two who were holding one another.
"We've made port." he said