We had been sailing for almost a day now. Constantly I bombarded Jack with questions, from general pirate laws to more personal details of his life. He answered most of my questions fine save for the questions of his backstory. Every time I'd ask he'd just switch subjects or turn the question entirely around.
Though I gathered that he'd been an adventurer his whole life. He was even born on a ship! He told me of him once being captain of a ship called The Black Pearl and how his crew marooned him.
"…As if an island could hold Captain Jack Sparrow!" He snorted.
"How did you get off the island Jack?" I inquired caught in the awe of his thrilling tale, I barely noticed how cold it was becoming as night fell.
Jack smirked, thinking for a moment, then said, "Sea turtles luv. Roped em to my feet and took off."
I couldn't help but laugh. Was he serious? I voiced my question.
"'Course I'm serious!" He said eyeing me as if I were mad. "How else would I have gotten off?"
I could think of a hundred ways he could've fled the island but chose to keep those to myself. Swiftly changing the subject I asked, "So how is it that you know Beckett?"
He closed his eyes smiling slightly then rolled up his sleeve to reveal a tattoo of something I couldn't decipher at the moment due to the darkness. I did however notice the large angry 'P' branded under it. Without thinking I lightly let my fingers trace it. Disbelief and anger grew within me.
"He did this to you?" I growled. "For what cause?"
"See Beckett and I brushed paths before." Jack explained. "Different days those were for old Jack. Things went a bit rough between us at the end and he left me with this. Marking me a pirate forever."
"What happened?" I pressed wishing to know the full story.
"Just told ya luv." Jack said rising to his feet. He pointed to the distance. "We're about there."
I squinted hoping to see what he was but only saw darkness abound. He's got damn good eyes.
"You didn't tell me any details!" I complained. "How did you even cross paths? How were those days different? And what went wrong?"
He simply laughed and said, "Damn your questions lass. There are many days to tell stories and think of the past. Today is not one."
"What is today then?" I wondered aloud following him to the wheel.
"Today you see we arrive in Tortuga."
"To do what?" I pushed looking out and finally seeing lights in the distance.
"Procure a crew of course! Why else would we be coming?"
"A crew to do what exactly?" I asked becoming rather annoyed with his inability to answer bluntly.
"To sail." Jack simply put. "Now help me bring her to shore."
Slightly irritated I tended to the sails why mulling over possibilities. What would we be doing next? Going after treasure? Well of course we would! We were pirates! I was a pirate! I was a pirate! My heart leapt every time I thought the words. An exciting new life awaited and would all begin in Tortuga!
Unfortunately Tortuga had to be the most disgusting, filthy, scummy, waste of a place I'd ever seen. After Jack and I stepped on to the port I was immediately hit with the revolting stench of alcohol mixed with sweat, vomit, and perhaps even blood.
I watched and dodged frequently as people were flung about. Some were locked in drunken combat. Others were in tight embrace with lovers. It was terribly crowded and honestly a bit overwhelming.
"Erm nice place this is." I said unsurely to Jack, whose coat I had a firm grip on.
"Yes!" He said stopping suddenly drinking in the atmosphere around him. "There's no better place than Tortuga. Drinking all night and day. A fine woman's company when you desire it. Loads of rum. And many able bodied crewmen just take a gander around!"
I glanced around as instructed and saw not a single person I'd consider an 'able bodied crewmen'.
"Now if you'll excuse me young Bella I have some business to attend to!"
Jack pulled himself free of my grasp and began to walk away. Panic rose in my chest. He surely wasn't going to leave me alone here?!
"Wait!" I called after him. "What am I to do?"
He spun on foot and surveyed me for a moment.
"Go find some suitable clothes." Jack ordered. "Won't be able to do much in that", indicating the now ragged pale blue dress I had worn on the night of our departure. "My suggestion, something with a hell of a lot less layers, though preferably nude would be the best option for us both savvy?"
My cheeks grew hot from his comment.
"I haven't any money though!" I remembered.
Jack merely shrugged. "You're clever. You'll figure something out. Now if you'll excuse me."
He started off again when I realized something crucial.
"How will I find you?!" I yelled. However my dear captain chose that moment to become deaf and disappear in the crowd.
Fear now scurried through my brain. I was alone. In a strange town filled with people who were potentially dangerous. What if Jack got drunk and forgot about me? What if he departs from this place leaving me behind? No, I thought firmly. I trusted Jack for some odd random reason and truly believed that he wouldn't leave me here. Though that thought was comforting I still had a problem at hand. Somehow finding free clothes and surviving a night in this wild town.
Clutching the sword I had concealed under my dress I nervously began navigating through the streets. I was hoping to find some clothes laying out on a drying line but I soon came to the conclusion that people here didn't particularly take pride in hygiene.
My next idea was to find a woman or small man passed out somewhere and steal their clothes. That didn't go to well either. Those who I found unconscious were either too big or just plain to terrifying to attempt to take from. This left me with one option, robbing someone.
True just a night or so ago I had taken lives but that was mostly self-defense. This was taking from some innocent bystander and probably having to harm them. I tried to shake these bad thoughts from my head. Almost everyone here was some type of rogue so it wouldn't be horrible to steal from them.
Come on Bella you're a pirate now, I scolded. This is what they do. Take without hesitation or remorse. This is what you wanted! So grow a spine and embrace that inner demon!
For a bit more I wandered the streets seeking my victim. At last fortune brought one to me. A small scrawny man was leaning against the wall of a dimly lit alley mumbling to himself. Without holding back I briskly marched over to him. His eyes lit up in delight at the sight of me.
"Aye the women cannot dare stay away from Mister Stan for too long!" He announced letting his eyes shamelessly rove over my body.
Suppressing a shudder I leaned down to lift the skirt of my dress while still keeping my eyes locked on the strange one called Stan.
"Sorry sir but I am not here for reasons you think." I stated fumbling with the useless layers that blocked my weapon from me. "I shall be taking-"
I was on the ground before I could finish. With a strength you wouldn't expect a man of his build to have he tackled me.
"You'll be taking nothing missy!" He laughed grisly. He expertly pinned my arms above my head despite the fierce fight I was putting up. "I'm the only one taking anything here!"
That did it for me. This vermin would not shatter my virtue! Instinctively I kneed him in his privates. He coughed releasing me to clutch the afflicted area instead. I quickly rolled out from underneath him, seized a brick that lay conveniently a foot away, and hit his head with it. The man was instantly knocked out.
I sat for a moment next to his body breathing deeply to relax myself from his attack. It was a very close one. I couldn't help but be proud of myself for my retaliation. Smiling a little I proceeded to strip Stan. His black breeches though a little long fit my waist almost perfectly. Now his top was a different story. The overlarge long sleeved shirt hung baggy over my slim torso and the neckline fell so deep that my breasts were barely covered. No matter what I did the shirt refused to be even a bit decent. I finally gave up and exchanged his shiny black boots for my delicate little shoes.
Securing my sword round my waist with a leather band and crossing my arms over my chest I set off to find Jack, who I hoped was finished of his 'business'. I asked people I passed if they'd seen him. All pointed me to a place called the Faithful Bride which was apparently one of his favorite taverns. Disgruntled that my captain hadn't told me this himself I searched for the spot.
It was not very difficult to locate. You could hear the loud rowdy people from blocks away. Once I'd eased myself in I scoped the scene for the familiar face of Jack. He wasn't hard to find either. He sat in a comfy looking chair holding a half empty bottle of rum and telling a loud story to a blonde and a redhead both of whom looked as though they came from a brothel.
"Jack?" I said uncertainly feeling out of place as he and the two women looked up at me.
"Who're you boy?" He asked eyeing me with suspicion. "Do I owe you money or something?"
Indignation swept over me. Was he really that drunk?!
"No Captain." I said softly. "It's me Bella?"
He let out a snort. "Bella is a woman you are a man so clearly you cannot be the woman which is Bella."
Angered I kicked his chair over with my foot. The startled women fled leaving me and Jack.
"Remember me now?" I inquired.
"Of course I do! I was just testing you luv in which case you passed!"
I scoffed shaking my head. "So were those two looking join the crew?"
"No dear." Jack said standing and dusting himself off. "Those ladies were looking to join my bed."
I almost gagged. Thankfully I hid my disgust well.
"I got clothes." I said to change the subject.
"Ah so you did! However, not that I mind of course, but you may want to find something to better conceal your womanliness eh?"
Confused I looked down to examine my outfit again. I gasped when I realized what he was talking about. It seemed that the delicate white fabric didn't protect from the cold temperature. I covered my chest once again as Jack laughed.
"What do I do?!" I said shrilly.
"Ah!" Jack breathed looking over my shoulder. He strolled by me and over to a man who was working on romancing a woman. Jack then took from the man his black vest and tossed it to me. "That should help. Now we should leave."
I glanced nervously at the now enraged guy Jack had just took the vest from and followed my captain's lead out of the bar.
"Now what?" I asked once we were safely on the street.
"Now luv, we wake an old pal of mine."
Back in Port Destile:
"It's horrible! Absolutely horrible Cutler! How could she run off? And with that man!"
Governor Dawson had gone to Beckett's office to tell him of his woes. How his daughter left him and robbed him to run off with Jack Sparrow. Cutler listened intently angered himself that his potential bride had run off especially with Sparrow, a pirate he hated above all others.
"And what did they take again?" Cutler asked once Dawson had stopped his rambling.
"A…a compass." Dawson said. "I had taken it from Jack when I left. It is special."
"How so?" Cutler pressed now intrigued.
"It erm points to the thing you want the most."
"Edward when you left those days behind I helped you get pardoned for your crimes and to the position that you are at now." Cutler said striding over to Dawson to pour a drink. "To keep information like this hidden is something that I don't respect."
"I am sorry." Dawson mumbled looking away as he accepting a cup from Beckett.
"However, being that I am a merciful person I will help you. I shall find Isabella and procure this compass. That is a promise."
"Thank you." Dawson said toasting Beckett unaware of the plan that was now hatching in the man's head.