The Isla de Meurta loomed out of the mist. It didn't look the friendliest of places. I climbed into the longboat constantly having to remind myself of why we were here. I wasn't sure if we had a plan of action, we hadn't discussed anything. Obviously I was worried about what would happen, but I felt that if I stuck with Jack then I couldn't possibly come to any harm. He seemed to always know what to do and be in control, even if what he did or said didn't make sense, I knew it eventually would. I was scarily calm around him, even as he rowed our small rowing boat into a cave.
I stared down into the dark water. There was gold coins strew on the seabed. They cast a strange golden glow around the cave. Will was holding a lamp at the front of the boat, the flickering flame sent shadows dancing around the stone walls. The light fell on a skeleton with a gleaming sword jammed between its ribs. I looked away quickly. Will had seen it too.
"What code is Gibbs to stick to if the worst should happen?" he asked.
"He who falls behind is left behind," Jack replied. It didn't sound all that appealing.
"No heroes among thieves then," said Will, which I thought was slightly harsh. As I stole a glance at Jack I couldn't help but think that pirates were more complex than everyone thought. My small insight into the world of piracy had led me to believe that there was meaning and motive behind all of their actions.
"You know," Jack's voice had a strained undertone as if he was getting tired of Will, "for having such a bleak outlook on pirates you're well on your way to becoming one. You've sprung a man from jail, commandeered a ship of the fleet, sailed with a buccaneer ship out of Tortuga," Jack began listing everything we'd done, he looked at where Will was staring at the gold beneath the water, "and you're completely obsessed with treasure."
The boat came to a stop. Jack jumped out and I followed. Will got out and hauled the boat up the rock slope away from the water.
"That's not true!" Will said angrily. Then after a pause he realized that everything Jack had said was true so he added, "I am not obsessed with treasure."
Jack climbed up the rock to look into the cave. "Not all treasure is silver and gold mate," he said, talking to Will but smiling at me as he took my hand and helped me scramble up the rock beside him. My eyes scanned the vast cave I was staring into. The crowd of pirates had their backs to us.
"He means Elizabeth." I whispered, moving over so Will could join us peering over the rock.
"Don't half state the obvious do you love?" Jack teased. I gave him a small smile. Barbossa was standing at the top of a huge mound of treasure next to a vast chest. Elizabeth was standing next to him in a red dress I hadn't seen before with her hands tied.
"Where did she get that dress?" I wondered aloud.
"Isabel, is this really the time?" Will snapped.
"Sorry," I muttered.
"It would look better on you." Jack winked at me.
"Jack, this is not the time for you to be hitting on Isabel!" said Will.
"He's not hitting on me!" I protested.
"Shh," Will hissed, "this isn't the time."
I fell quiet, embarrassed by Will's remark.
"For ten years we've been tested and tried and each one of you has proved his mettle a hundred times over and a hundred times again!" Barbossa shouted into the cave. The pirates roared in agreement.
"Suffered I have!" someone near the front shouted.
"Punished, we were. The lot of us - disproportionate to our crimes!" Barbossa shouted throwing off the lid of the chest "Here it is the cursed treasure of Cortes himself. Every last piece that went astray, we have returned, save for this." He pointed to the medallion hanging around Elizabeth's neck. Will gasped and sprang forward to rush into the cave to save Elizabeth, but Jack held him back.
"Not yet," he warned, "we wait until the opportune moment."
He pulled Will down and walked off. I began to follow.
"When's that? When it's of greatest profit to you?" he snarled. Jack stopped and turned.
"May I ask you something? Have I ever given you a reason not to trust me?" he looked at me, "Either of you? Do us a favor and stay here, and try not to do anything stupid."
Jack walked away. Before I knew what was happening Will had grabbed an oar and hid Jack on the head. Jack crumbled to the ground, out cold.
"Sorry Jack, but I'm not going to be your leaverage."