Chapter One
Tha Black Pearl. Some said twas tha last real pirate threat in the Caribbean. Nay. Fer I knew better an' 'slong as there be open waters, there be pirates.
Tha buzz in Tortuga was all about the newest venture o' tha supposedly cursed vessel. Latest word was its precious captain, tha bloody Sparrow, was mutinied upon and leavin' 'er under the care o' Hector Barbosa. On tha hunt for the missin' pieces o' Aztec Gold. Tha treasure o' Cortes 'imself. People gossiped in hushed tones tha her crew was cursed as well, fer any owners o' the treasure immortal. Ta reverse tha doing, all pieces need be returned. Barbosa made port ta look fer tha final piece, an' the Faithful Bride was busier than usual.
Humidity made tha building almost suffocating an' wit' so many drunkards and whores, twas near impossible ta not be neck ta neck. Lively music echoed throughout with several instruments loud and almost obnoxious. Sounded something between an Irish reel er a Spanish melody. A few scattered shards of glass flying about from petty bar fights. Tha candlelight illuminated tha scene and gave it a mysterious but exuberant scape. I wished I knew why me sisters sent me 'ere, fer Sparrow wasn't much now. Odds are 'e wouldn't've escaped the island he was thrown on. There wasn't much left fer me in Ireland anyway. Though I missed the friendly smile of Mr. Rory. I hoped he was doin' well. Sweet man. I would have ta make sure ta write ta him soon.
Durin' tha nights I rented out a room at La Inn Del Mar fer cheap. Unfertunately tha walls were thin an' many a whore lived too close ta me. Gave me more time ta find solace on tha beach. Hadn't seen me sisters since tha move, but the dreams and voices still traveled across. I liked ta see the way me body transformed in tha water. I mastered the art of blending inta it when someone came near, emerging meself fully. If anyone anywhere knew, they'd 'ave me head.
Kept mostly ta meself, I did. Save fer a flirtatious but kind curly headed blond called Estrella. Busty and confident little thing, she was. Few lil' freckles speckled 'er button nose. Sometimes I thought she was too innocent lookin' fer her profession. Clever mind, though. We waited on tha tables tagether and only shortly after I arrived ta the pirate haven, she became a friend. Born of a prostitute and some unknown father. But, down in the Caribbean, it was every man fer 'imself. Or rather, woman in this circumstance. An' when circumstances arise, they must be overcome. I didn't resent any o' the wenches. And Estrella was no different. She kept me company and taught me the do's and don'ts o' the place. Also 'elped me ta get me spot at tha Inn. Quite a clever one, at that, she was. Good ta keep on yer side.
Me hours of practice and labor in Mr. Rory's smithy came in handy. Me hypnotizin', too. Any breath o' a threat and I was able ta defend meself. Rather funny when tha predator got so shocked o' a girl whippin' out a sword that it usually gave me more than enough time ta knock him out and scurry. Under me dress was quite the hiding spot fer weaponry. In dire need, I sang the chant o' me sisters and searched through their deceiving eyes until they became putty in me hands. Able to command them ta do whatever I wished. On me way across the Atlantic, I had ta use that tactic more than enough times. Bein' tha only lass on a ship full o' lustful scallywags made things dangerous. . But I was not a toy ta be tampered wit'. Stood up fer meself in a way that my mother woulda either applauded or fell in heart attack. Mr. Rory woulda said I was almost "tha spitting' image o' his dear daughter." The ship's crew gave me little bits here an' there. If I wasn't gonna "give it up", as they had so kindly put it, I would have ta earn me stay somehow. Mendin' the sails, preparin' a few meals, er me least favorite, careening. As in scrubbin' down any barnacles er bacteria accumulated over the ship. Not exactly easy bein' alone wit' tha lot o' 'em. Faced nasty remarks and was the target o' many a laugh.
I hoisted up me skirts ta walk down the clay steps, me other hand occupied by the tray o' rum. I spotted the table in the corner, not nearly as illuminated as the rest o' the tavern, but close enough to see the dark circles outlined under their eyes. When I arrived through tha mass o' bodies and smoke, I set their mugs down.
"Hard trip at sea?" I inquired.
"You've no idea," the youngest one muttered, rubbing his temples. He must've been a tad younger than I. Curly black hair sittin' greasy atop his head. He sat with two other men. Battered sea-faring clothing and exhausted faces. They looked older than me but not elderly. Middle aged. They stayed silent and took tha mugs gratefully, pouring the poison down their throat with eagerness. I cleared me throat ta indicate me tip. Tha young one picked through his yellow coat pocket and handed me a couple o' coins.
"Thanks, lad."
On me way back ta the bar, I caught a glimpse of somethin' outta me right eye. I slowly cocked I me head and coulda sworn I saw tha Sparrow again. I shook me head no. That'd be too ironic. Instead, I continued me path and when I got to me destination, Max, the owner, thrust new bottles inta me arms. I gasped at the rash pound as it hit me chest.
"What's this fer?" I demanded.
He chuckled. "Got a request fer tha sparky lil' redhead ta wait table ten. Go on."
With a roll of me eyes, I headed back towards the table. Men were so despicable most of tha time. So bloody selfish, the lot o' 'em. Especially pirates. Infuriating. Can't list 'ow many bloody times I had ta remind them that I was indeed not an object. I was indeed not fer sale. I was indeed not put upon this earth fer their bloody perverse entertainment. Damn them all ta hell.
I stopped short in me tracks when I came ta tha realization tha table ten 'appened ta be tha one I almost saw Sparrow at. I groaned ta meself when the braided beard and dangling dreadlocks, leather tri corner hat and mischievous smirk underneath that mustache brought back everything me sisters told me o'. Don't know wha I was groaning fer. Because all at once I wanted ta deliver his drinks but then I wanted ta turn around and runt tha other way. I felt like two parts of a magnet and couldn't decide which fate ta choose. I musta stood there fer too long with a scowl on me face er somethin'.
"What's got ya so vexed, love?" the smooth but gruff voice o' the captain leered.
Shaking the thoughts outta me head, I leaned forward and placed the vile down. That's when I noticed the older man sittin' opposite o' him. Muttonchops and a dirty white shirt, navy vest, and pot belly taking up the beaten wooden chair. Cheerfully grinning down at his new drink.
"Anythin' else ye be needin', sir?" I asked, placing me hands on me hips.
He reached up ta brush me arm, as if it were a reassurance. He kept it on me elbow. With a smile as wide as a Cheshire cat, gold teeth gleaming in the candlelight, Sparrow thanked me. He slipped coins in me pocket, fer which I was always gonna be grateful fer such extra.
"Thank ye;" I said, turning on me heel and getting' as far away from 'im as I could.
Why the man wanted meself to wait on 'is table was too far beyond the edges o' tha map. Too far beyond me understanding. I wasn't tha special ta look at, was I? I knew I wasn't the most unpleasant o' sorts, but I wasn't the most beautiful. Average was the only word I could think o'. And tha bloody heathen had me thinkin' o' nothin'! I felt speechless. I felt the physical urge to go and chat him up. But me mind knew better than ta even entertain the idea. O' all men in tha wo'ld. The Captain Jack Sparrow? I was beginning ta think me sisters played some kinda trick on me. Ultimately the bloody sirens were the reason I was a resident o' Tortuga. Perhaps it was a hypnotizin' trick they played on me. One I couldn't register till then. Perhaps they wanted me outta their hair fer some reason.
After me mom passed, I contemplated if I was ever meant ta stay anywhere. Spent me time wondering where I belonged. Tha sea er tha land? I never felt completely at home on land, and in tha sea I felt serene. Was I all human er was I some strange science mystery? Mythical mystery? I had so many bloody unanswered questions. But I couldn't speak of it. Me head was a bloody mess at night when I found it difficult ta sleep. Me sisters callin' me back ta tha sea. What was I s'posed ta do? Every time they called, I went. Every time I went, I was left alone. They never greeted me.
There I was left with the cleanup duties fer tha bar, once everyone desinigrated. Slower than molasses, I'll tell ye. Too drunk ta even walk themselves up wit' their women o' the night. No news on when or if tha Pearl had found her final Aztec medallion er if they'd be stayin' a while. I chuckled ta meself as I thought o' a bunch of ruddy pirates staying put on land. Tha smile felt more like a grimace when I remembered all that had me stressin' before. Seemed as if me sisters abandoned me. Not me thoughts er me head, but in reality. I cursed meself fer even listenin' ta them in tha first place. I cursed Sparrow for existing. I couldn't describe tha way I felt around 'im. Drawn ta him, but terrified o' making such a stupid mistake. He had various options o' women. Man didn't need some bloody weird Maeve ta tangle his wo'ld in a knot. If anything, I was doin' 'im a favor. Couldn't tame tha man either. Wild things they all were. However, I couldn't imagine meself bound ta one thing ferever. People change as often as the lunar cycle. Wha ye may have loved one day, ye may be indifferent towards the next. Feelings made things too complicated. Killed me mum. Feelings were recipe fer poison.
Me walk home every night was routine an' short. Made me roll me eyes and laugh at 'ow awake everyone else. Tha town came alive when the sun went down. Like slugs they rolled outta their holes to take tha bait. Bloody scoundrels didn't even need a bloody spell to coax 'em about. Wif tha sound o' me boots crushin' tha gravel, I gazed up at tha moon. Full and bright as me ma's smile used ta be. Briefly I wondered if Estrella would be 'ome yet.
Smoke,-er was it fog, er whichever it was, floated thickly through tha evenin'. Somethin' about whatever gave me an eerie feeling, but I disregarded it. Twas Tortuga and Tortuga never was the normal er homey type. In a stereotypical sense. It had become me home, though I frequent wished I could go back ta me homeland sometimes. However, no good in worryin' 'bout wha can't be changed in tha present, so I quickened me pace and took a right turn towards La Inn. I noticed the back street was dead, usually ye could see at least one er two couples goin' at it. That creepy feelin' rushed over me again like a tide. I rummaged around me pocket fer tha key while keeping stride. Hair raised on tha back o' me neck, making me start to sweat. I felt an odd presence. Evil.
"'Ello, poppet," a voice broke tha tension.
I turned around ta see who it was, but all too soon a grimy hand was slapped against me mouth, keeping the scream inside. I struggled against 'is hold, and saw his partner step from tha shadows to join. Me heart picked up at a dangerous speed an' I kept me best at wrigglin' against him. One hand over me lips, the other hugging me arms down. I kicked wif all me might, but kept missin'. Got me chance when tha other bloke stalked towards me, a sick smile on 'is face. Before he had a chance ta react, I got 'im right in between 'is legs.
"'ey, woman! Don't fight us, we got somethin' else in mind fer tonight," said tha one covering me mouth.
Tha other who I kicked down was groanin' an' cursin' on tha ground, and by a miracle I managed ta get me one arm free to whack the one holding me square in tha nose wit me elbow. I took off runnin'. Close ta the ends o' the alley, I was covered in moonlight and looked fer somethin' ta defend meself wif. All too soon, though, they were back. With a vengeance. Damn it. Looking at me as if I were prey, I hurriedly summoned up the hymn o' me sisters and I. Every step they took, I kept chanting softly, tryin' ta hold me ground. I cut straight through their eyes. It had worked before. What the bloody hell was it doin' now? Why couldn't I just trick them?
"What's that yer sayin', princess?" I began to panic worse than before. When they stepped into the moonlight, their bodies almost turned to ash. Instead, corpses came nearer ta me. Recognizably they were the same who were tryin' ta get me, but they changed. They were undead. The stories be true? Tha Pearl's crew really was cursed.
That was interesting.
"What's a pretty little thing like ya doin' out 'ere all alone? There're pirates lurkin' about," tha one I had kicked down asked with a sick twist to his voice. He had black dreadlocks an' sunken in facial bones. Tha other was a bit shorter, a yellow hat on his head and a coat ta match, swaying lifelessly against 'is lifeless body.
Suddenly me mouth was dry. I opened me mouth ta yell fer help, but nothin' came out. Wif me luck, I was backed up inta a corner. Bloody hell. I coulda either ran towards them and made an attempt ta get through, but what were the odds? I wasn't gonna just sit there and wait fer 'em ta claim me. I took off. They created a perfect gap between eachother an' I seized me opportunity ta sprint.
But back inta their arms I fell. God, damn 'em ta bloody hell.
"HELP! PLEASE!" Me voice decided ta give me a chance, and I squirmed against tha almost supernatural hold.
They threw me ta tha ground and when I hit me head, bouncin' off tha ground before it did it again, I knew the bruise would be ugly. I shrieked when the one who'd originally caught me, in yellow, straddled me hips. Bloody good fer nuthin' skirts. I kicked me legs as hard as I coulda ever imagined. He held me arms down with a strength I'd never encountered. Tha dreadlocked bastard laughed at me attempt ta escape, and began explainin' all the disgusting things they were plannin' on using me fer.
"HELP!"
I jumped as a shot was fired just when a hand began ta trace up me leg. Tha man was flung off me and inta tha building beside us. I laid there, paralyzed. Swords were then drawn an' clashed against eachother, names bein' cursed wit tha cruelest o' damnations. I didn't 'ave enough time ta process tha action. I wanted ta get up an' fight wif me savior, but I struggled ta breathe.
"Are you alright, love?" a concerned voice lent me a hand ta stand up.
Captain Jack Sparrow.
Bloody hell.
"Uh… I-uhm-I…" damnit, Cora.
He stabilized me wit his arms, holdin' me upright so as not ta fall. As much as I hated ta admit it, I woulda easily found meself on tha ground once more wit'out 'im. I gave a good look at 'im, coat, the hat missin', but next ta 'is feet, he was breathing rather rapidly too. I didn't see the two deviled asses anywhere. Perhaps they'd run off.
"Put up one hell o' a fight there, didn't ya, lass?"
I could only nod in response. It got me so bloody irritated when I couldn't expel me own thoughts or opinions. I hated not being able ta be independent.
He patted me shoulder and gave me a reassuring smile. For a moment there I would've called it genuine. His black eyes sparkled in the moonlight. Guess I coulda called 'im me temporary angel. Dreadlocks interlaced wit beads an' trinkets, red bandana covering any bruises er scratches he coulda gotten on his head.
"Have you got a place ta stay? Are you okay?" he pressed.
I nodded again. I opened me mouth ta speak, and only a croak o' a sob came out. I heard the pirate captain sigh and after digging in his pocket, he offered me a few shillings. I immediately shook me head no. I didn't need help like that. Grateful fer his timing however.
"A man can't understand a woman when she doesn't speak," he chuckled.
"N-no. I'm fine. Th-thanks," I mumbled. I let out a sigh of relief. I could relatively communicate again. Only then did I notice how badly me hands were shakin'. I sipped in a deep breath and began walkin' away.
"You do 'ave it settled, darling? You're sure you're fine?" he trotted up behind me.
I focused on me breathin' fer a moment befere talkin'.
"I-I am fine. Thank-k you."
Before he could chase after me again ta interrogate me, I continued the short path ta me home.