I pretended to be asleep the next morning. I was still in the guest room, and heard the door creak as he checked on me before going down to the docks. I felt the bed shift a little as he sat on the edge of it. A cool hand brushed over my forehead, running along my lashes.

"Will…" the name leapt unbidden from my lips. I wished it were true. The hand faltered, then left my forehead altogether, only to be replaced by a warm kiss, sincere and welcoming. I stayed in my dark retreat, my eyelids still defiantly shut. Footsteps faded, and I heard the door close.

I sat up, running a hand anxiously through my hair. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I was a mess. Purple, bruise-like shadows were smeared beneath my eyes. I looked thinner, more sallow. The only thing bright in the reflection was my eyes. My bony face made them look bigger somehow, and they darted about with a hunted, freakish gaze. That gaze was not the one I knew. I hissed reflexively at the stranger in the mirror. I stood up then, a wave of exhaustion crippling me. It was like all the sleep had been sapped from me by the music. I needed to eat.

I had Maria make me breakfast. I ate more than usual, my hands trembling as I poured syrup over my seventh pancake. I was still hungry, but suddenly nausea washed over me. The hand I had on the syrup jug shook violently, drenching the pancake completely. It dripped nastily over the table. I stared at it absently, shivering.

"Would you like a fire put on, Madam?" asked Maria, hastily clearing away the pancake. I nodded.

"I'll have it in the living room" I mumbled.

"Of course, Madam"

I curled up on the sofa, a thick rug pulled right up to my chin. But it didn't stop my teeth chattering. Strangely, the sun outside was blaring at full strength. I watched it blearily. Everything outside was so warm. In here it was like a black sun shone.

"Will…Will…Will" I mumbled the name to a familiar tune. I slipped out of consciousness, the tune reverberating in the back of my mind.

Yo ho yo ho…a pirate's life for me…drink up me hearties…and really bad eggs

Jack. Where is he now…?

"Madam? Elizabeth! Oh god, help, HELP!"

"No!"

"She's not…she's not…Elizabeth darling!"

"I can't hear anything"

"There! Feel here-"

"That's a heartbeat? Thank the heavens!"

I opened my eyes. All I could see was red. I whimpered, my hand fluttering up to my face.

"Leave it, sweetheart" came the voice of my husband.

"What's happening to me?" I cried. My breath accelerated. "I can't see!"

"You're ill. Ssh…go to sleep" he whispered against my hair. His arms were shaking, and I could feel tears.

"What's wrong with me?" I choked, the red still not dispelling itself.

"Sleep, Elizabeth. Please sleep"

I could not understand why he did not answer my question.

"I want Will. Get Will"

No answer. Only his arms, tight around me. I felt suffocated, though I could breathe fine.

"Will you be taking leave off work, Sir?"

Now it was the voice of Lieutenant Gillette.

"I can't leave her like this" whispered James.

"I understand, Sir" came the reply. I did not like the tone of his voice. It was a mourning voice. A funeral voice.

"Am I dead?" I asked. There was a long pause.

'No. No my love…"

His cool hand was on my forehead again, stroking too fast. The speed made me panicky.

"Please tell me why everything is red"

A/N: I know things all seem a bit random at the moment but FEAR NOT- this all has a direction, I promise.