Chapter Two

Braving The Storm

Waves crashed violently against the ship. Every member of the crew scrurried around deck. The dark, gray clouds churned, lightly flashed above the ship. A storm was brewing faster than you could blink. They had experienced storms before but this storm would be like none other! "Fall of! Secure that main sail, you pitiful bilge rats!" Captain Bellar commaneded. The crew did as the were told, having already tied themselves to the ship as to not be flung overboard. Toren though, was in the process of doing so.

A firey-headed boy dropped down beside Toren, a small brown monkey on his shoulder. This was Keague J. Ralay, and his monkey, Karje. Keague was the same age as Toren, and probably the closest thing to a friend. He wasn't tall but he wasn't short either. He wore on his head, a black bandana. Also, Keague's right eye was covered by an eye patch and his left eye had a single, curved scar below it. A black jacket with only a left sleeve attached; the right sleeve had slid down his arm, leaving a small, uncovered area. Keague's pants were brown and baggy. He wore no shoes.

Toren looked to Keague and gave a small smile. "What are you up to, Keague?" He asked with an eyebrow raised.

"Nothin much. Have ye heard? The Sparrow's Horizon pirates are back again!"

"Sparrow's Horizon pirates?"

"Don't tell me ye've never heard of 'em!"

"I honestly haven't."

"Well then, some say, they're the fiercest, smartest, most deadly pirates ever to sail the Caribbean. The captain be so terriffying that, ye'd be dead if ye just looked at him! And the crew can control anything with their minds!"

"You don't really believe that, do you?"

"O'Course I do!"

Toren shook his head and then pondered momentarily before speaking.

"Keague, are you going to be sailing the seven seas you're entire life?"

"What kind of question be that! Of course I am, aren't ye?"

"No. Once I find a girl, I'm..."

"Yer insane, Toren! Yer never gonna find a pirate girl! Girls are too smart to go off be to be pirates. Ye might find a mermaid or two, maybe even a siren. But ye aint ever gonna find a pirate girl."

There was a roar of thunder and the two turned to look at the sea. There in the distance, was a unfamiliar shape. A ship, a galleon to be exact. But near the bow stood a figure. Toren immediately recognized the figure; it was the silhouette of the pirate girl in his dreams. Toren became entranced with wonder, leaning over the railing to get a better look.

Suddenly, he found himself falling down and soon, he plunged into the dark waters. Gasping for air, he could feel the water filling ever inch of his lungs. Thoughts came faster than light as he began to drown. Why hadn't I secured my rope? Why did hI have to lean over the railing? What am I to do now? The waves swallowed him completely as the storm picked up speed. He could hear Keague and the others calling out to him, but Toren was unable to respond. Sinking down, down, down as the lightning seemed to blur. Toren began to slowly fade into the dark abyss. The crew of the Dragon Fire searched the waters, looking for any sign of Toren. Of course, they found nothing. Soon there after, they gave up completely. They had to stick to the code. But Keague knew Toren was out there somewhere. He just knew!

Toren slipped out of conscienceness, falling into a dream. Well, he thought it was a dream. It began like most of his daydreams did. There was that girl, the pirate girl, standing there upon a ship. She'd beckon him forward and he'd approach her willingly like always. But this time, as he approached her, she turned around and spoke. Though she always did speak, this time her voice was different.

"Ha! Seems you're lost in the darkness."

"Wait...who are you?"

"Who are you?"

"Toren. Now, answer my question!"

The figure faded until Toren was surrounded completely by darkness. Waiting for and answer, Toren decided to call out again.

"Who are you!"

"Heh. I make a point of avoiding familiarity with pirates. Besides, you should know who I am. Anyhow, Toren, do you have any requests?"

"Requests for what?"

"You didn't notice that you're drowning, did you? Daft you are...very, very daft. Stay away from the rum, Toren, it's not treating you too well.

"Okay...?"

"Well then, I'll give you another chance, Toren. But be wary, I'm not going to be so easy on you next time!"

"Another chance for what?...hello? Sir? Hello?"

Toren suddenly lost his breath and he blacked out completely!

Meanwhile in Port Royale, Elizabeth had been searching for Toren ever since he had left. Ignoring the very frequent visits from Jack, though Jack had practically docked here in her very own house. She had been even more worried lately, fearing that Toren might be dead by now. Jack's thoughts weren't helping at all, in fact, Jack tried to be the least supportive of anything that had to do with Toren. Jack's opinion was stuck on the pirate's code, and it wasn't budging. These last two years he was trying numerous attempts to catch a taste of curiosity. Elizabeth didn't seem to be swayed at all by Jack, she still had her mind set on the impossible of all impossibilities; Will.

Yes, she still believed he had a small ounce of love for her in his heart. She was actually entirely wrong. Will had nothing; no heart, no love, no Elizabeth. Jack continued to try with his wooing ways, but it didn't seem to be working. On this day, the clouds were dark and gloomy. Light patting of the rain against the windows was all that was heard in this large, empty mansion.

"Hmmm hrmm...da da...dadeedeedadum...Drink up me hearties, yo ho..."Came the song from Jack Sparrow's mouth, a bottle of rum in his right hand. Muddy boots up on the coffee table, head layed back in the comfy cream couch. This was what Jack did ever since Toren left. Made himself comfy in Elizabeth's very own house without permission, while she went out in frantic search for her long, forgotten son. Thoughts drifted over to a small painting, smiling as he looked at the sea picture. He would be out there sailing if he wasn't so...shipless.

The door opened and then slammed shut, as the rather wet and sobbing Elizabeth entered the mansion. Wiping her eyes as she sniffled back tears, she tossed a coat on a hanger and then walked into the main room. Frowning as she saw that scruffy, drunkenly sober pirate sitting there with muddy boots and a bottle of rum.

"Jack must you ruin every inch of my house?"She sighed, snatching the bottle of rum out of his hands and pushing his feet off the coffee table. Jack frowned and then smiled before saying,

"Sorry love, forgot that it was your house I guess!"

"Please, don't call me that."

"Sorry...Elizabeth."Jack sighed, feeling a bit defeated there. There was a long period of silence before he stood up and walked up behind her, leaning forward he said,"I have a question to ask."

"What is it you want, Jack?"

"Well, I was staring at that painting and I recalled the time you chained me to the Black Pearl. And I then came to wonder, why did you kiss me? Of all things you could have done, why exactly did you choose to kiss me?"

There was a long pause and Elizabeth almost stumbled at the question. Standing there like a statue, biting her lip. Trying desperately to come up with an answer to that question. She gulped, not looking Jack in the eye. She had focused her sight in another direction as she felt herself begin to tremble. Crossing her arms tightly around her waiste, she finally spoke.

"I-I...why? I-I told you Jack, to save the crew."

"It was after you, I was trying to save everyone."

"We both know that's a lie."

"I...Jack, you must realize that what I'm going to say will mean nothing now. I had planned to just walk you over to it. I never intended to do what I did. That time when you said,'Pursuade me', I sat down and looked at the compass; it pointed to you, Jack. I knew I'd have to kill you sooner or later. I didn't want Will to ever find out. I kissed you...because... I wanted to."

Jack gulped so loudly that Elizabeth could hear it. He looked off away from her and then backed up slightly. "Ah, I see..."He said, trying to act casually though his insides were completely overjoyed. He might have a chance, he might be able to 'persuade' her. His mind buzzed with thoughts and dreams...all of curiosity!