"Let me get this straight," Barbossa said, holding up a hand, "you have a son? And you had it with her?" He pointed at Angelica behind him.
"You sound surprised." Jack observed, "And yes, I do."
"I already feel sorry for the poor lad." Barbossa said under his breath. Angelica failed to hide a smile.
Jack glared at the other captain, "Ha ha, very amusing."
"Jack, you never struck me as the fatherly type, that's all." Barbossa smiled, showing his dirty teeth. They all were traveling alongside a river, which seemed to flow away from the massive mountain in the center of the island.
"I could be if I wanted to!" Jack said.
"How much farther, Miss?" Scrum whined to Angelica, breathing heavily.
She shrugged, "I'm not sure. The arrow seems to be saying that Jason's heading to the mountain." She looked up at the mountain, which was blocking out the sun.
"Why in God's name would he be going to the Jewels?" Barbossa asked, side-stepping a boulder.
"Perhaps he thinks that's where we are!" Angelica said, rushing towards the front of the group, holding out the compass out in front of her.
Jack caught her arm before she could get too far ahead. "We'll get there, don't worry. But don't forget that's also where Coldwood is heading."
"I know!" She jerked his hand off her arm, "that's why we need to hurry and get there!"
"I agree with the lady!" Barbossa said, stepping in front of them, "so let's move it, men!" His crew groaned and followed their captain.
Angelica kept walking, keeping her eyes on the compass. Jack thought this would be an excellent time to start a conversation. "You know, he has your eyes." He said to her.
"What? Who?" She asked, staring up at him.
"Jason, of course." Jack told her, smiling at the fact that he got her attention.
"Well, did you notice he also has my father's chin?" Angelica asked.
"Erm, no. I actually never noticed your dear father's chin, because it was always hidden by that beard of his."
Angelica rolled her eyes and this time succeeded on hiding her smile. Jack continued on, "Jason also has your Spanish accent!"
"Of course, he grew up in Spain!" She laughed, "He does have your hair, though. And the same skin tone. And your laugh."
Jack grinned, "You remember what my laugh is like?"
Angelica's cheeks faintly turned pink, "Yes, because of recent events. I didn't know it until these past few days."
Jack's heart fell a little, but he carried on, "I also noticed how Jason wears that cross necklace of yours."
"I gave it to him when he was very young." Angelica explained, "And he seems to like to wear red headbands, like you." She nodded to the top of his head.
"Why wouldn't he? It seems to bring out people's eyes." Jack patted his own headband. Angelica giggled, and then quickly stopped herself.
"Oi! Jack!" Scrum called from ahead. Jack and Angelica quickly ran to where the other pirates were hiding behind some bushes. Barbossa shushed at them, and then pointed to where a group of people were walking a ways away from their position. Jack noticed one had a wide hat with a white feather sticking out of it.
"Is that…?" He whispered, squatting next to Barbossa.
"Aye, Nathaniel Coldwood." Barbossa answered, looking around the bush with disgust.
"Let's take 'em! Now!" hissed a rather tall and skinny member of the crew. Others nodded in agreement.
"Ah, but we are outnumbered." Barbossa told them. They all looked upset after hearing that.
"It seems they're going to the mountain." Angelica said, observing them.
"Should we follow?" Scrum asked his captain.
"Nay, but we need to get there before he does." Barbossa answered, scratching his beard while thinking.
Jack thought about it as well, and then snapped his fingers when the answer popped in his head. "I got it! Angelica," he turned to her, "is the arrow pointing in a different direction where Coldwood is going?"
"Um…" She glanced down at the compass, and then nodded.
"Great! We'll just go with the compass! Since, obviously, that's where Jason is going also!" He said with a smile.
"Hmm..." Barbossa said, narrowing his eyes, "I thought you said before this compass wouldn't work."
"Well it is now!" Jack told him, "and do you have a better idea, Hector?"
Barbossa glared at him even more, "I guess not." He said, and then standing up once the coast was clear. "We'll follow yer compass then." Jack grinned and stood up as well, then helping Angelica to her feet.
"Can't we take a break first, Cap'n?" Scrum moaned.
"You just did. Now, move out!" Barbossa ordered. His crew all got to their feet and let Angelica be first so they could follow her. She led the way, eyes on the red arrow.
"If this boy is anything like you, Jack, I have a feeling we'll get there in either an odd way or in the longest way possible." Barbossa said, walking beside Jack and adjusting his own hat.
Jack gave him a look, but continued on. Was Jason like him? Or was he more like Angelica? Or worse, like his grandfathers?
Jack shuddered at the thought, and then saw Angelica peek behind her shoulder at him. She gave him a small smile, and then turned back around. Jack's heart seemed to stop for a second, and then began beating like crazy.
Barbossa only grinned a little to himself and looked away from Jack and back to his exhausted crew.
Jack the monkey was screeching ahead of them again. Jason glared at him, and reached down to take Anya's good hand. She grasped it as he helped heave her up in the entrance.
They had woken up early because Anya had insisted they head to the mountain as soon as possible. That's where they were now, climbing into a rather small cave that lead into a dark tunnel.
"Where exactly are these magic gems?" Jason asked, trying to make out shapes in the pitch-black tunnel. He and Anya had to lean over slightly in order to fit inside.
Anya shivered a little from the sudden chills, "Jewels," she corrected, "and I think they're in a large room in the very center of the mountain." She craned her head around, unable to see what was around them.
Jason groaned and leaned against the rocky wall. He was extremely tired from all the hiking they did to get here, and they hadn't eaten at all since they left.
"C'mon, the sooner we get there, the sooner we'll find my uncle. And hopefully, your mother." Anya said, taking his hand again and leading him farther into the tunnel.
"Ugh. Fine." Jason grumbled, but didn't let her hand go. Jack the monkey was already running ahead, and Mr. Cotton's parrot was busy flying with him.
The sun was almost beginning to set when Jason thought they were lost, then Anya shouted, "I see it! Over there!" which echoed around them. Jason gave a sigh of relief as he saw a bright light at the end of their path.
It was as if a single beam of light had found it's way to shine in the center of the large room where the tunnel ended. Jason could see Mr. Cotton's parrot flap his way to the light with Jack the monkey jumping up and down. Under the light was raised platform with a chest that seemed diamond-like resting on it.
"That's it! The Seven Jewels!" Anya gasped, staring at the diamond chest with awe. It glittered back at her, and Jason could tell there was different colors inside of it. Before she could rush towards it, he snatched her arm and held it tightly. She looked at him, bewildered, "What is it?"
Jason was completely silent, eyes darting around. Not one person made a sound, and the large cave was eerily quiet as well. After a few seconds, he leaned over and whispered into Anya's ear:
"We're not alone."
A/N: Hehe another cliffhanger! What do YOU think is gonna happen? Any thoughts? REVIEW! Please? :)
Speaking of which, thanks for all the lovely reviews everybody! I love you all! :D