CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT: The Feline Felon
"Bugger." Jack cursed.
"I SAID, HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM!" Yelled the officer obviously in charge.
"We 'eard ye, ye're only an arms-length from me ear." Jack said gregariously, though he did as he was ordered and raised his hands to shoulder height. Katie copied him.
"We have reasons to suspect you two are pirates!" Katie looked at the face of the officer. Beneath his hat and wig he was probably only a few years older than herself, probably not long promoted to this rank in authority. Once she had had to know all the ranks and orders, but for some reason now she couldn't remember. Perhaps it was because she'd never cared enough.
"Pirates? Really?" Jack was thinking for the umpteenth time in his life that the Royal Navy were not the most intelligent bunch. "Dunno where you'd get an idea like that."
"A ship was spotted off the coast. A ship with black sails." Katie's stomach lurched.
"Nuffin' to do with us mate."
"You landed here this morning!" Jack rolled his eyes just as Katie found her voice.
"We were on a cruise but the ship ran to ground. We got one of the few lifeboats. We came here because it was the first place we'd landed and we wanted to marry before- well, we might not make it home, you see." She did a good job of looking sadly down at her feet, but the redcoats had already made their minds up. They knew all about the Black Pearl and were not willing to quibble.
Their wrists were clapped in irons and they were frogmarched to the prison under the constant threat of the bayonets. Katie kept glancing towards Jack. He looked very calm, almost as if he was old hat at this, which of course he was. As this was her first time being jailed, Katie was not so relaxed. She was not aware that she was lucky to have gotten away with piracy for so long.
The only other prisoners once they reached the jail were David and the fisherman, which discounted the possibility they'd been betrayed by their witnesses. Jack was locked into the same cell as the fisherman whilst Katie was locked up with David, presumably as she was a woman and he was a minor. The cell doors were clanged shut and locked before another word was spoken.
"What are your names? These two wouldn't tell us."
"Jack and Katie O'Connor." Jack replied moodily.
"You sure that's your name?" Another officer demanded.
"I think I know me own name mate."
"The Captain of the Black Pearl is supposed to be called Jack." Jack rolled his eyes at this amateur questioning technique but offered no response.
"We'll put down O'Connor… for now." The first officer said, giving both Katie and Jack pointed looks before the prisoners were finally left alone. Katie sighed and sat down on the hard mud floor. David looked down at her.
"Cheer up, we'll get out of 'ere." He told her.
"How do you know?" Katie demanded.
"I don't, but you've gotta keep cheerful, don'cha?"
"He's right, Katie," Jack called, "I've been locked up enough times an' it's never been permanent. We just 'ave to wait for the opportune moment." Katie nodded, though she still couldn't get over the fact that this was not how she dreamed she'd spend her wedding day.
The day dragged very slowly and they were not revisited by the officers. Katie supposed they were still looking out for the Black Pearl and hoped Teague had managed to get out of their range.
Back on the Pearl itself, Teague had been keeping an eye on the Bajan coast and knew they'd been spotted. He was hoping that his son had succeeded in marrying Katie, but of course he could not do much to help them out of any trouble they might get into without ending up at the gallows himself. Teague had been a pirate his whole life, it was far too late for him to risk getting caught. At some time in the early afternoon, Angelica hissed and began chasing her tail. The bell on her collar was ringing wildly, though it made no apparent sound to any of the men on the ship. She scratched her claws along the side of the ship and even scratched at her own twitching ears, as if some unbearable noise was filling her head. Back in the jail, the exact same noise was causing Katie and Jack to sit moaning, clutching their heads in pain, as the terrible bell clanged.
On the ship, Teague picked the little cat up and shook her a little.
"Oi!" He snapped at it, and she drooped, her yellow eyes meeting his. "What's wrong with you?" She shook her head from side to side and the little bell shook with it. "Are they in trouble?" Teague alone had the life experience to realise that such curses were a two way street: Angelica was entrusted to Katie and Jack's company until they forgave her for what she had done to them; but she needed their company in order for the curse to take its course. So presumably, if the pair was in trouble, she would know about it and… "You 'ave to help them, don't you?"
Angelica yowled and Teague let her go. She sprang up to the railing of the ship, balancing with all her hair on end. It was clear she was not enthusiastic about what she was about to do.
"Off ye go then." Teague urged her, and the cat dived into the sea.
All cats hated water; that was a well-known fact. Angelica was no different as she swam slowly and steadily towards land. It was quite a long swim, and by rights it should have tired anyone out, especially a cat, but the curse that bound her to Jack and Katie kept her going with unnatural energy until she reached the shore, several hours later, long after the sun had set and the night had settled in.
Angelica shook the water off and licked herself dry painstakingly. Now that she was closer to Jack and Katie the infernal clanging had stopped. She still knew where to go, though- knew by the power of Calypso that they had been imprisoned. Of course, she had no idea it was immediately after getting married. As far as Angelica was concerned, they had been married for quite a long time now.
Redcoats were still out in force, telescopes pointed out to sea as well as cannons from the nearby fort, searching in vain for a sight of The Black Pearl. They paid no mind to the small black cat that weaved herself between their legs and through the town, up towards the prison. With her fur so recently soaked through and her whiskers still drooping, Angelica appeared just like a stray, so nobody stopped to pet her.
She reached the prison as the night became its blackest. Most of the guards were either off duty or called to try and find the pirates and link Jack and Katie to them. The one that remained was sat at a desk fast asleep. Angelica jumped onto said desk, careful not to knock over the inkwell. She noticed the book which listed every prisoner and their crime, and although she could not read in English, only Spanish and Latin, four names were listed there. All four of them had the words 'suspected pirates' written in the next column, though she couldn't read that part. Angelica jumped lightly into the man's lap and nimbly tugged at the ring with all the keys on which was attached to his belt. It was fastened and there was no way she could get it off without opposable thumbs or waking him up. Hissing quietly in frustration, Angelica leapt back to the floor and padded silently along the hallway leading to the cells. Even if she couldn't get the keys to get them out, she had to do something. She had no choice.
The loud, clanging bell rang once in their heads. Katie had been almost asleep and sat up fast with the sound. In the opposite cell, Jack grunted in pain. Hardly any light was getting in at this point as there was only a small window. Everything was in shadow except for the aisle between the cells, where the flick of a tail caught Katie's eye. Her heart leapt into her mouth.
"Angelica?" She whispered carefully. Two yellow eyes flashed in her direction. "Jack, it's Angelica!" She called a little louder. Jack hurried to the front of the cell, peering through the bars.
"Is that why I've got an 'eadache? You?" He snapped at the cat. Angelica gave a sarcastic mew. "What're you waiting for? Get the keys!"
"Are you talkin' to that cat?" David asked groggily through the darkness. Jack and Katie hushed him. Angelica swished her tail once and turned back into the shadows, walking out of the room.
"The opportune moment, you said?" Katie asked her husband. It was several hours before Angelica reappeared, and Katie fell into an uncomfortable sleep. Her dreams were disturbed, full of oceans made of fire and knives sinking into her back. For some reason, Moss' face of all peoples drifted in and out of her mind. She wondered what'd happened to his brother; they'd let him go somewhere, but she didn't recall where.
Jack didn't sleep, but sat against the stone wall of the prison at the back of his cell, ignoring the fisherman's snoring. For the first time in his life, he wished he was at Shipwreck Cove. He supposed it was the closest thing he had to a home on land, even if it did carry bad memories. Katie seemed to like it there, anyway, though he knew she'd grown to love sailing. In his mind, he ran through all the possibilities of future adventures they could have. He remembered his old ambition, immortality. Now he thought he would only want to live forever if he could spend it with Katie, but growing old and dying with her by his side was enough for him. Since talking about the Money Pit and whatever had gone on down there, his fear of it had vanished and had been replaced by curiosity. If he got the chance- no, when, he told himself sternly- he'd go there and try to figure out the mystery of the treasure down there, and the weird magic that crawled across the very walls of the sinkhole.
He must have been close to falling asleep after all, because a deafening crash made him jump to his feet instinctively. Katie's reflexes were similar, as she woke immediately and came to the front of the cell, peering through the shadows trying to figure out the source of the commotion. David, too, had leapt to his feet. If nothing else was clear, it was that all three of them must have had good cause in the past to have their nerves stretched this tightly. The fisherman woke slowly, blinking.
"What was that?" Katie gasped hoarsely. But any answer someone might give was drowned out by another series of crashes and bangs that reached them. It was clear something was going on in the hallway of the prison. The screeches and yowls of an angry cat explained the possible source: Angelica had caused a disruption, though to what end they weren't sure.
Two guards burst into the jail room, one which stood guard on the outside of the jail and one who guarded the corridor. They seemed to be struggling with something, and it took them stepping into the path of the dim moonlight to identify the fact Angelica was hanging onto one of their sleeves with her claws and teeth, refusing to let go. The second guard was trying to pull her off while the first one tried to fling her. The effect was comical and Katie and David watched amusedly.
Only Jack's well-trained and astute gaze found the ring of keys attached to the second guard's belt. Angelica moved her lithe female body around, swinging them around to face Katie's cell. Jack stuck a hand through the bars of his cell and, as they were preoccupied with the battle with the cat, neither noticed nor felt him tug the ring of keys off, or when he hid them inside his jacket, which had been thoroughly searched when they were brought in.
Angelica let go of the man's sleeve finally, and went flying off, skidding to a halt beneath the window. The prisoners-turned-spectators laughed as she darted between the guard's legs, out the door and out of the reach of any harm.
"That mad animal's cut my hand up!" The first guard complained, wiping some flecks of blood on his coat. He and his comrade turned to prisoners: "One word of this and your sentences will be much worsened!" Jack laughed.
"How can their sentences be worsened? They're already hanging…" The second guard muttered to his colleague as they left the jail room, shutting the door behind them once more.
"Hanging." Katie repeated the word bleakly.
"Not if I 'ave anything to do with it, love." Jack grinned, and held up the ring of keys. "Angelica is as underhanded as ever, even as a cat."
"Even as a cat?" David echoed, confused. His question went unanswered.
"Now we just 'ave to figure out which one's the right key." Jack said triumphantly.
"You'll have to do it quickly, Jack, before they come in to check on us."
"Never 'ad you down as such a worrier, Katie." He responded quietly, with a small smile.
It was almost morning by the time Jack found the first key, the one to his own cell. The fisherman had proven to be useless in aiding Jack. Katie and young David watched anxiously from the other cell, keeping one eye on the door for a sign it might open.
"Aha!" Jack said quietly, as the key successfully slid into the lock keeping his cell shut. He turned it and it opened with a clank. All four prisoners froze and waited, but nobody came running out. Katie glanced towards the window. It was definitely much lighter now; the sky edged with the grey tint that announced dawn was fast approaching. "You guard that door an' hold it closed as long as necessary if it comes to it." Jack commanded the fisherman, who looked nervous as he nodded. Up until now he'd been a law abiding citizen and was confused at how he'd even landed up in jail just for going to a wedding.
"Hurry." Katie breathed through the bars of the cell, leaning so her mouth was merely inches from Jack's ear as he worked on the lock. He met her eyes for a moment and she saw confidence in his: Jack had escaped from situations like these a million times before. He was her husband now; she couldn't doubt him at the most crucial moment.
"What were you gonna tell me, love?" Jack murmured.
"What?" She asked.
"Earlier, after we married…" Katie remembered.
"Not here."
It took a lot less time for Jack to find the right key to this cell. The sky was turning pink now as the sun began to rise and they knew they had less than half an hour before the officers would be inspecting then; half an hour before their appointment with the gallows was announced. But Katie could almost laugh as for a brief moment she and Jack embraced. He ran his hand through her hair once and whispered in her ear:
"Told ya we wouldn't be 'ere long." Then he turned to face David and the fisherman.
"We're gonna 'ave to go fast, before any of the officers come in for the morning. The place'll be crawling with redcoats. We need to get our effects- our weapons- fast an' get out of 'ere as quickly and as inconspicuously as possible, savvy?" David gave a determined nod and Katie lifted her chin. The fisherman looked unashamedly scared now at the idea of fighting the law.
"Where'll we go? I can't go back to me 'ut after this."
"We'll get to the Pearl."
Jack stepped over to the door and opened it, looking at the others expectantly. Katie took the lead then, marching straight out into the hallway.
The guardsman who'd had the keys stolen from him was stood facing the door of the cells. When he saw Katie, he started in surprise and made to raise his bayonet, but she was faster than him. Remembering some of the fighting techniques Jack had taught her, she kneed him first in the groin before tugging his sword out of its sheath. It was longer and heavier than the sword she usually handled, but she managed to lift it and whack him in the temple with the pommel. He passed out instantly, and she dropped it to the floor. The sound of this caused the second guard from outside, the one who'd been attacked by Angelica, to come running inside. David was ready for him, easily tripping him over. Before he could get up again, Jack reappeared, though Katie had scarcely had time to notice he was gone. He was carrying his sword belt and pistol, and Katie's own pistol and dagger. She accepted both and slid the dagger into her boot. Jack kicked the winded, rising guard in the head as he leapt over him and that man, too, passed out.
The escape was already mostly over in a minute, and they were running for the door when Katie remembered the logbook. She turned back sharply on her heel and returned to the desk, where the book was open to the page on which their four names were entered. Some small part of her brain registered that the fisherman's name was John, though she missed his surname. She ripped the page out of the book before tearing back after the other three.
Nobody stopped running until they reached the trees on the slope of the hill the prison sat atop. Katie might have appreciated the stunning view of the island that she had had any other time. When they were deep enough into the trees, they stopped. Out of breath, they all looked at each other.
"Look, I dunno what's gone on 'ere and I want no part o' this." The fisherman said flatly. "I'm an old man an' ye 'ave me arrested and almost hanged, then make me run an' all. I'm leavin'." He started to head off in a random direction into the forest.
"But… "Katie began uncertainly.
"No-one knows 'oo I am an' that ain't gonna change. I dunno who you lot are an' I don't wanna know."
"Let him go." Jack said, taking her hand gently. Katie nodded. She wasn't exactly attached to the fisherman, but he would hang if they ever discovered where he was- a likely prospect if he remained in Barbados.
"I 'ave an idea," David announced suddenly. They looked at the youth. "I go an' find us a boat. They'll be at the prison, there won't be a ship ready. You follow be'ind and we'll be halfway towards the Pearl by the time they know any different. If we all go it'll be obvious 'oo we are, but I'm a local, I can get away wiv it for a bit." Katie looked at Jack, surprised at how quickly the young boy had thought this plan up.
"David, that's an excellent plan. Knew there was a reason I 'ad ye joining me crew." Jack beamed. The boy said nothing further but hurried off. He seemed to know his way through the trees very well, and Katie once again wondered how he'd ended up here and what he had actually been doing. "I like that boy," Jack told Katie thoughtfully, "Reminds me of me a bit."
"Jack…" Katie caught his arm up and turned it so it went around her. Jack held onto her waist, suddenly amused.
"Yes, Mrs Sparrow?" She simply smiled up at him when he called her that, and he kissed her deeply, not caring for the moment that they had just escaped from prison after assaulting two officers, having had help from a cat who was once a woman he was once in love with who had once tried to kill Katie and with whom they had been cursed by a sea goddess to spend their lives in each other's company until they forgave her for her horrific crimes. In that moment, standing among the tree's in the cool dawn, he looked at Katie and he just wanted to touch her, and hold her. She was his now, his wife, his real wife. Captain Jack Sparrow was married. Nobody would have believed this of him even a year ago.
Katie sighed as Jack almost lifted her off her feet. She knew when he kissed her like this that it rarely stopped at just that, a kiss. But it had to; the sound of hooves in the distance signalled that their escape was about to be discovered by the officers on morning duty. She broke away from Jack and held out the crumpled page from their record book. He took it from her and scrunched it into a tiny ball before wedging it into a bush.
"You're brilliant, you know that?" He asked her quietly. Katie tiptoed to press one last kiss on his lips in that quiet forest.
"Yes I know." She smiled, before leading the way through the trees, following the direction David had taken.
A/N: So this was a really long chapter, sorry if it dragged! I wanted to do the prison experience justice without dragging it out longer than necessary. We are definitely nearing the end of this story but I can absolutely promise you a sequel pretty much right after, so don't' worry! I'll let you know the title of it when I've figured it out so you can watch out for it! But there's still a couple of chapters of this left, so please still drop me a review!