A scream...
A cruel laugh...
Pleads...
Tears...
And suddenly the air is a bright red, mixed with yellow and orange. There is a splat like sound and the colors are replaced by blood red.
A gunshot...
Another scream...

"Sleepin' on the job luv?" My eyes shot open as a voice rang through my ears. I let my eyes clear and my body wake up before quickly standing to my feet. With a small cry of alarm I came face to face with none other than Jack Sparrow.

Stretching my cramped muscles I looked down upon the floor where I had leaned against the wall and fallen asleep.

"Captain!" I cried, surprised, "Oh, I'm sorry! I didnt realize I would fall asleep." Jack looked at me, an emotionless expression on his face. He raised his eyebrows.

"Ye were screamin'. Glenn had to come out and get me." A horrified look crossed my face as I looked down onto the ground... I passed Jack and sat down at the table, putting my head in my hands.

"I'm sorry to disturb anyone..." I mumbled, "I just... didnt get a lot of sleep last night..."

"I know you didnt luv." Jack said seriously, sitting down across from me, "You were yelling and making one Hell of a lot of noise last night..." he smirked, "Of course, the only way I'd want to hear you screamin' like that is if ye were with me." I scoffed.

"Please," I said, pride edging back into my voice, "Not now." Jack chuckled.

"Now," he said in a business like manner, "What happened to make you have nightmares like this?" I shook my head.

"You dont want to listen to this." I said, trying to escape the conversation, "It would bore you to death."

"Ive got time, as it were. Tell old Jacky." Jack replied and put his feet on the table, looking at me with his eyebrows raised. I gave him one last pleading look but he didn't budge. I rubbed my eyes before sighing and fixing my gaze onto my hands, which were in my lap anxiously twisting. Finally I sighed again and began talking rather quietly.

"My mother is dead" I almost whispered and I heard Jacks "grunt" of sort, signaling me to continue, "She was killed by pirates when I was five."

"Mother!" A young girl cried, rushing into the door, "Mother, you simply must see it! The new Opera house is beautiful!" A tall woman stepped out of the kitchen in their enormous home. She wiped her hands off on her apron and smiled as she gathered her daughter up in her arms.

Gina Ricci was a blonde woman, her body full yet tall and her face kind. She had high cheekbones and wore lots of powder and pink makeup. Her blonde hair hung in a loose bun, curls falling down to frame her face.

Christina Ricci, however, held more of a gothic look. Her eyes were shadowed by heavy eyelashes and her cheekbones stood high but did not humble her porcelain skin. She was tall and skinny for the age of five. Her ocean blue eyes matched her mothers and complimented her black hair that fell in curls down to her back. This day she was wearing an emerald green dress, her hair tied up in a ribbon of the same color. Her small, black shoed feet, stuck out barely from the dress as she ran.

Behind the small girl, walked in a tall man, Edward Ricci. His black hair was combed back and exposed a rather small forehead over a pair of green eyes. He locked the door. Edward stood proud and erect, though lost this composure once the door was closed, bending to an almost boyish charm as he leaned against the wall.

"Look at my two beautiful girls!" he cried in his not deep but booming nonetheless voice. Gina smiled and gave him a light kiss on the lips.

"Ew, Mummy." Christina stuck her tongue out and wrinkled her nose at the sight; her parents laughed and sat on the couch. They had fought much to gain their right to marry from their parents when they were younger, both of them having been assigned to someone else. Their love had fused them together very tightly because of their hardships. Christina smiled at their happy faces and climbed in between them, resting her head back as if inside her own little house, her parents being the walls and the ceiling... of course thats how she felt all the time when she was with them... happy and safe.

"We were the perfect family..." I said, "happy, smiling, loving each other with all our hearts... but I should of known that it would change... that good things always die..."

"And the grand staircase... oh Mother it was beautiful!" Little Christina continued her portrayal and expressed her admiration for the Opera House in Port Royal. The young girl stood up and danced by the window, nearly twice her height, singing to herself. She stopped and approached her parents, who were laughing heartily.

"Mother," she said, "Father... I know what I want to make of my life." She hesitated.

"And what is that, belle?" her father asked, leaning on his knees, his chin in his hands. Gina put her hand on her husbands back and looked at her daughter expectantly.

"Yes, what is it my love?" her Italian accent, as well as her husband's had been the most welcoming sound that Christina had ever heard, having spent the first two years of her life in Italy. It felt like home to her.

"I want to sing in the Opera." Christina said, her fear put behind her. Her parents looked at each other, but the girl could not tell what they were thinking. Her mother looked back at her.

"Of course you can, belle!" she said and gathered her daughter up in her arms and setting her down on her lap. "Whatever you want to do!" Christina nearly jumped with joy.

"Oh thank you Mama! Papa!" she cried and leapt from her mother's lap to throw her arms around her father.

"What would make you think that we would not want you to be the best you can... and accomplish all you can?" Gina asked... Christina looked down.

"Mary Ann's father says that a respectable woman is to grow up, become a lady, marry a gentleman, and have babies to breed." she emphasized the last word in disgust wrinkling her nose again.

"Her father's a prick." Edward spoke up and Gina looked started at the comment, "And I feel very sorry for Mary Ann. She will live to abandon her talents, but I must agree with him when it comes to becoming a lady. You must always mind your manners and carry yourself properly." Christina smiled and laughed as her mother winked at her.

"Thank you Papa!" the small girl cried and ran to the door. "May I go play with my friends?" Her mother nodded and Christina ran out the door, leaving her parents to do whatever they do.

"Will!" She cried, rushing into the park where she spotted my best friend. He was sitting on a wooden bench, his hands over his eyes, calling out numbers. "Have you seen Mary Ann or Elizabeth?"

"Eighteen, nineteen, twenty!" Will looked up and grinned. "Ready or not here I come!" he turned. "Oh, hello Christina." Will said, "Mary Ann and Elizabeth are here somewhere... do you want to help me look for them?" Christina nodded and they began creeping around the park, behind the wooden swings and trees. Finally, with a giggle, Christina spotted the hem of a brown dress and pointed to the battered slide. Will smiled and crept over to the metal with Christina.

"Rawr!" Christina cried and jumped to the side, there was a scream while Will jumped to the other and yelled:
"We found you Elizabeth!" the girl smiled and crawled out from under the slide in the grass, her dark blonde, curled hair, half up ruffled and her freckled face seemingly getting over a shock.

"Christina!" she cried, "How rude!" the black haired girl laughed.

"Oh come off it Elizabeth, it was just a bit of fun!" Elizabeth flashed a small smile and the three of them started looking for Mary Ann.

"Mary Ann!" Christina cried, a smile gracing her features, "Mary Ann!" Finally, hearing a giggle somewhere to her right, she turned and made her way to a large tree. The low branches were high in themselves. She frowned and heard another giggle... Holding back a laugh, Christina made her way around the tree but didnt find Mary Ann. Another giggle sent the girl around the tree once more, the giggle didnt seem to get any closer... it seemed no matter where beside the tree Christina was... the giggle was always on the other side!

Will looked up from under the seesaw and burst out in laughter at what he saw. A large oak tree stood on the outskirts of the park and there were Christina and Mary Ann, circling it seeming to chase one another slowly. Christina wore a look of frustration and though on her face while Mary Ann held one of laughter. Will beckoned Elizabeth closer and pointed. Elizabeth struggled to hold back a laugh.

Finally, having to admit she had been defeated, that there was nothing on the other side of the tree, Christina stopped, folding her arms and huffing. Suddenly, a figure came around the tree, huddled and trying to contain laughs, knocking Christina and the stranger to the ground.

"Mary Ann!" Christina cried, realizing it wasnt a stranger at all, but one of her best friends. The two stood, laughing and falling over the tree roots. Christina stood first, her mind hatching a brilliant idea. Putting her arms around the tree, she began to skillfully scale the trunk, trying to reach the first branches so high above. Elizabeth helped Mary Ann to her feet and looked at Christina with disapproval.

"Christina!" she scolded like a mother, "Climbing trees is most unladylike and improper." Christina laughed, swinging her foot over the first branch and looking down, not in the least bit afraid.

"Lighten up Elizabeth; come on up Will, if they won't." Will shook his head and smiled.

"I have to go back to the blacksmith shop soon, Christy. But we'll do it later, it looks fun!" He said and Christina nodded, looking up.

"I almost forgot to tell you all!" she called down, "My mother and father say that I may sing for the opera when I am old enough." Will smiled in happiness for his friend.

"But Christy," Mary Ann called, "my father says that the purpose of a lady is to marry and have children and take care of her husband." Christina wrinkled her nose for the third time that day.

"My father says your father's a prick for saying that. He says that I should be able to make my life whatever I want because I was put here to do great things... and I will, unlike you with your narrow mind on what life is about." Then, much to Mary Ann and Elizabeth's horror, I leapt from the branch onto the ground with ease.

"I mean just look at your faces!" she laughed, "You make it look like I have just committed a sin by jumping off a branch." Will shuffled his feet and looked back at the three girls.

"I have to leave." He said, breaking the tension. Christina looked up; it was getting dark...

"Me too." She said, "Mother expects me home for pasta tonight." Then with a last wave to Mary Ann and Elizabeth and a hug to Will, she sprinted out of the park and off to her house.

Twilight was descending upon Port Royal as Christina approached her home. She licked her lips at the thought of a hot pasta and sauce meal on the table at her place, her parents sitting across from her... the happy family they were. Christina straightened her hair and brushed off her dress before taking a small golden key out of her pocket and inserting it into the lock. Realizing something odd, she pulled out the key, which didnt seem to be working and peeked through the keyhole. She could see straight through and the other side of the door hole seemed to be broken. Frowning, she pushed open the door and was even more surprised to see it wasnt locked... they always locked it...

Shrugging, the girl stepped into her house and was surprised at the state she found the living room. The couch was partway turned and the grand rug twisted on the ground. Hearing voices in the kitchen, Christina crossed across the sitting room, carefully, and stepped into the stone cookery. What was there horrified her.

"Papa! Mama!" she cried when she saw them. Her mother was in a corner trying to fight away from a rugged man with a bandana on and a belt full of weapons. Her father was being held back by another while being forced to watch as his wife was violated. The third pirate in the room however was busy raiding the safe in the wall. Christina's eyes were wide with fear. Her first instinct was to run but she knew that would do no good. The third pirate suddenly turned around and smiled, gold teeth, yellow teeth and missing teeth alike. Edward turned her way and his eyes widened.

"No, Christina! Get out of here, belle!" Christina heard him, but her short legs simply would not move. She stood, frozen to the spot. The man advanced on her and the small girl stepped backwards, her little hands twisting nervously. She looked at him with pure terror on her face.

"No! No, Christina!" Edward cried, fighting back the pirate that held him as much as possible. Christina looked at the advancing man with a horror stricken face. He picked her up by her waist and she snapped back to reality.

"LET GO OF ME YOU!" she screamed and began beating on the man's shoulder hard. "LET GO OF ME! PAPA!" Edward struggled before sighing and bringing up his fist into the pirate's face. The man that was holding him fell back, surprised and wounded. Edward then, without another thought, rushed to his daughter's captor and took the pistol out of his belt.

"Put her down!" Edward bellowed, holding the pistol to the pirate's head, "Put my daughter down now!" Christina was thrown to the ground, her head smacking against a table leg. She quickly stumbled up, throbbing in her head and stood behind her father. Edward then turned to the pirate that held his wife, who was slumped on the ground, covered in blood and sobbing weakly, her skirts pulled up to her waist. His pants were open.

"Mama!" Christina cried through tears. Gina looked up and managed a quick smile, trying, without words, to tell her daughter it was all right. Then she dropped her head back onto the floor. Christina clutched to her father's leg, praying to a God she didnt understand to help them, to save her family. What seemed to be the leader of the pirates backed away from Gina, but not before kicking her onto her back, his hands up.

"Alright mate." He said and began making his way to the door, Edward's gun following him the whole way. The other three pirates all stood in the kitchen still, one of them moving slowly toward the woman. Christina noticed.

"Papa!" she cried and pointed. But it was too late. The knife he had been holding was driven into her mother's heart. Gina screamed in pain and a shot rang out as Edward fired his pistol at the man, watching as he fell to the ground, dead. The other two were gone before Christina or her father knew it. Prying his daughter off of him, Edward rushed to his wife's side and dropped to his knees.

"Gina, Gina!" he cried and gathered her head onto his lap. Christina sobbed onto her mother's stomach, rubbing blood all over her face unintentionally. Gina put her shaking hand onto her daughter's head, lifting it.

"Promise me, my angel, mi Angelo." Gina said to her, tears running down her face, "Heed what I said, be all you can be." Christina whimpered and tried to look brave for her mother.

"I promise." Gina looked satisfied and turned to her husband, a look of utter loss on her face.

"I-I love you.. Both of you.. Dont forget that.." She slipped off her wedding ring and pressed it into Edward's hands... and with that, Gina Ricci, wife of Edward Ricci and mother of Christina Ricci, the most wonderful and only woman Christina ever looked up to, died.

"No," Edward whispered and kissed his wife softly on the lips, praying out loud that this was a dream. Christina sat next to her father, looking straight ahead, trying not to break down into tears. 'I must be brave' she thought 'I must be brave'.

Suddenly a yell filled the air and the window to the left of them exploded as a torch was flung through. Christina screamed as it landed next to her, catching the arm of her dress on fire. Edward beat it out, trying to stop the flames from engulfing his wife's dead body. Smoke filled the air and Christina coughed. There was chaos as Edward tried to lift his wife's dead body and at the same time drag his daughter to her feet. Something else landed beside the fire-lit stove. Mr. Ricci stood up, wrenching his daughter up with him and fled from the kitchen into the sitting room, trying to escape the fire, trying to escape the bomb. He pulled her to the door in attempt to flee but she jerked her arm away from him.

"Emily, father! We mustn't leave Emily!" she cried and ran to the sofa where she picked up her precious doll, its little blue dress and curled hair set perfectly and its little porcelain face, much like Christina's held a look of utter happiness. Christina clutched "Emily" to her chest as she ran with her father from the house. They were less than ten feet away from it and ducking behind a carriage when the kitchen to their beloved house, no... their home burst into exploded and sent the rest of the manor bursting in flames. Edward picked up his child, the only thing left he had to fight for and ran away from the scene, heading for the fort.

"My father bought me... so many more things... and tended to my every need." I finished my story, tracing the burn scar on my arm from the fire... "But I would never have what I wanted most... my mother to be back and our family to be whole again. He raised me as a proper lady from then on... and only let me engage in opera because it was my mother's final wish. I suppose we got over her death in the end... but we never became the family we once were, no matter how happy we made each other..."

"There!" I nearly cried, holding back tears, "Are you happy? You have now successfully gotten me to do something that I would never dream of doing."

Jack looked at me, my eyes shining with tears. "And what would that be?" he asked. There was not a touch of tenderness in his voice, just curiosity.

"You've accomplished in making me... express something... some feeling to a stranger... and divulge my secret."

"Miss Ricci, luv," he said and I started, realizing that he had just called me something that I had been asking him to call me for days, "If you choose to lock your heart away you'll lose it for certain." And with a nod and a bow of the head, he stood and left, leaving me to lean my head on the table and for the first time in years... simply weep.