Chapter 8

I woke that night my body rolling, being tossed and turned; gingerly I stepped out of the bed, struggling to stand, with the movement of the ship. I glanced out of the small porthole in my cabin to no avail; there was nothing to see but the darkness of the night. Curious as to what was going on up on deck, I took the steps out. As soon as I was out in the open air I was met by torrential rain, and was almost immediately drenched to the bone the rain was so heavy you had to squint to see what was right in front of you. Despite the humidity of the muggy Caribbean air in now felt cold due to the soaking clothes on my back, I didn't have a coat. I stumbled still half asleep, around the deck trying to reach either Jack or Will wanting to know what was happening, I was hit by a huge wave which swept me off my feet and pushed me onto the side of the railing. Pulling the ropes for the sails; Will shouted over the noise of the waves to me: "Lydia, go back to your cabin, you're going to be swept overboard!" I was angry now he was telling me what to do again. I didn't want anyone trying to control me.

"No Will, I have as much right to be here as you. You're not my father!" I yelled back the waves constantly bashing us around and throwing us about. I'm going to be bruised black and blue in the morning. Will was furious at me not obeying him he marched as quickly as he could up to Jack on the poop-deck he was shouting in Jacks ear gesturing to me wildly. I decided to follow suit Jack wasn't really paying much attention but was concentrating on his compass, but when he addressed me he looked me directly in the eyes and said:

"This is no place for you to be Lydia, you have no sailing experience you are no help just a hindrance. I don't want to have to rescue you when you fall overboard" I tried to cut him off explain that I wanted to help except he said that I couldn't and that it was an order. I slumped back of to my room staggering and slipping on the wooden deck.

I sat on the wooden chair in the corner of my room dripping wet and shivering with cold in wet clothes and dripping hair, helpless that was how I felt. I didn't want to be the useless female, the damsel in distress like Elizabeth I wanted to be able to help and take care of myself. Therefore I decided that I would take more notice to how the ship ran, so next time I would be able to do my part. I sat there for hours, trying to warm up but I just couldn't my teeth were chattering and I felt ice cold until Will came into my room to tell me the storm was finishing. He was soaked through too; I was very distracted by his white shirt which had gone see-through. Without a word he took my hand and pulled me up out of my chair, wrapping his arms around me enveloping me in one of those hugs that you never want to leave as they feel so right. When we broke apart he put his arm around my shoulders and led me out of the room and down more stairs.

We entered a room I had never been to before, the kitchens, my meals had always been given to me by Will or Gibbs and I would usually go and eat up on deck. The kitchen was surprisingly homely and comfortable with a warm fire and cupboards and units at one end, copper pans hung from a rail above the kitchen counters which would clink gently with each swell of the sea. The other end of the kitchen had a small wooden table with four chairs and a shelf filled with random junk the bible, utensils, a rubber duck and many sheets of old yellowing parchment. Will pulled two chairs from the table and stood them in front of the fire which was crackling and spitting like an angry cat. Off the junk shelf Will discovered a blanket, which he wrapped around our shoulders as we huddled together, trying to warm ourselves. We sat not speaking; in fact we hadn't spoken since we had been up on deck earlier arguing. However the silence was a comfortable one where we forgot out disputes past, and sat in mutual forgiveness, relishing the moment of pure peace and tranquillity.

This was all shattered by what he said next: "Jack says we are catching up, we should arrive at the Isla de Muerta, by early afternoon." My defences were coming back I couldn't stand just the mention of nearing, the haunted island as then I would be forced to risk my life simply for Elizabeth. Of course I knew this when I came on the quest but just the reminder of her made me feel nauseous I went back into my shell and to my protection from the rest of the world.

When I reached my cabin again I was no longer feeling sorry for myself, I was angry. Angry with myself for coming in the first place, angry with Will for loving Elizabeth and mad at her for being the world's biggest bitch and taking Will and his love from me. I kicked the chair in my room hard hurting my foot in the process. I was always alone yet forever surrounded therefore the tranquillity of having my room to myself was a little piece of heaven. Will tried to come and talk to be later, but I locked the door with the key, not answering his questions or please for me to come out. I knew things were getting serious when around an hour I heard whispering of Jack and Will. I put my ear to the door straining to make out the conversation. Will was questioning Jack angrily about where he had been for two hours. Jack simply stated that he couldn't find the key.

"Where was it?" asked Will exasperated yet still a tad curious.

"I checked in all the usual places under the bed, in my bed, in empty rum bottles, on the floor however it was on the key ring." He said waving a steel ring with about eighty keys on it.

"So, you checked all the places that the key shouldn't be before looking in its rightful place?" asked Will confused. Jack shrugged and continued rifling through every key trying it in the lock to no avail.

Until around forty minutes later the door swung open, Jack was shaking one tiny little silver key In Wills face as an 'I told you so gesture'. Jack ordered Will, to go and help Mr. Gibbs and then he took me up on deck. I felt like a child waiting for a scolding, I stood leaning against the railings when Jack started on me.

"Lydia, I know this is hard on you watching William love someone else. I also realise that you dislike his dear lady too." He held up a hand silencing me from denying the truth and continued, "However these issues are getting out of hand, I as well as William have a noticed your weight. That you have control problems, when you feel out of control or unhappy, you limit the one thing that you can manage yourself, what you eat. You're shrinking away love, literally you look different to the girl I met three days ago, sure you were thin then but now you look emaciated and frail. Your thick hair is thinning your face has visibly shrunken and love you don't smile anymore, you have a beautiful smile. In addition to this predicament you are also distancing yourself from everyone on this vessel and you are plummeting down faster and faster into becoming depressed and a recluse. None of us want to lose you darlin' and frankly it is not very pleasant to watch this is your first and final warning. Therefore if you do not start eating, talking and smiling I will be sending you home. You have to mean it though no pretending this is for your sake. I know that going home is not what you want, you want your freedom. However if I send you home to your Father he can keep his eye on you," Jack did not ramble he spoke slowly and clearly which was a rarity for him I was struggling to take it in and tears were now flowing down my cheeks, I desperately did not want to be taken home to Port Royal.

"I am only doing this because I care Lydia." Jack whispered gently whipping the tears from my cheeks with his fingertips. I couldn't handle it anymore I felt so isolated, I threw myself into his chest and sobbed .The smell of gunpowder, rum and dirt drifted from his shirt but I didn't care, I needed a friend who wasn't Will someone who I could talk to and receive advice from. Jack stroked my hair gently whispering comfort to me.

"I feel so alone." I wailed in despair clinging on tightly to Jacks coat lapels, like a baby koala.

"Come on love, you're not alone we all care for you here especially Will, I'm always here if you need to talk, unless of course I have other female company..." he added as an afterthought.

"Jack!" I wined into his shirt giggling a little.

"Is that? No it can't be Lydia smiling" the pirate joked tilting up my face to look at him. We stood there for a moment just looking at each other.

"I really do love him Jack," I whispered quietly, looking at my boots.

"I know love, I know."

Suddenly an idea came to me, one that was useful and would help me out if confronted again. "Teach me to fight and fire a pistol." For the next two hours we trained, I was proud to say I was picking it up quickly, Jack was an excellent teacher. The pistol was more difficult for me especially loading and unloading. I was clumsy and slow, whereas you had to be the opposite in a fight. I even accidentally, shot Marty in the foot, he forgave me though. However I didn't know if my new fighting skills would protect me, I was frightened and dreading seeing Elizabeth and the ghastly pirates that had been holding her hostage.

Authors note Lydia does suffer from anorexia, this will not be the end of her problems but people do now notice it. She also suffers from depression, and is anti-social sometimes her problems will plague her through-out the rest of the story and its sequels. Also Will does care for her, but is distracted thinking of Elizabeth and how to win her love, to the point to missing the person who loves him right in front of his nose.