The Attack

"Grandpa!" Flora rushed back home as fast as her legs could carry her. "Grandpa!"

She paused to catch her breath once she was inside the mansion. Lord, it's been ages since she's run like that! It almost felt good.

After inhaling a few more breaths, Flora straightened out, puffed out her chest, and made her way up the stairs to her grandfather's office.

"Grandpa! I'm here!" She barged through the office door without knocking. "There's somethin' I need to-" She froze. Albert wasn't alone in his office.

Mister Bastian, Gretchen's father, swiveled toward Flora with disdain in his eyes. "It's alright, William, it's only my granddaughter." Lord Albert quickly assured the officer before addressing Flora, "Wait a bit, Flora, then we can talk later."

"Ahh…" Flora's face flushed red with embarrassment at having interrupted what appeared to be an important meeting. "Yes sir…" She peered at Mr. Bastian as though expecting him to attack as she slowly backed away and closed the office door. Instead of rushing back her room, however, Flora feigned footsteps before pressing herself against the wall. She needed to hear what was being discussed.

"As I was saying before Miss Flora interrupted us-" Mister Bastian began in a gruff voice, "-you handled the capture of Jack Sparrow rather well, my lord!" His tone oozed with sarcasm and something else unpleasant.

Flora heard Albert lean back and sigh. "Captain Smith and the HMS Greyhound are on his trail at this very moment. I doubt Sparrow will get far."

"But you don't think they will catch him, do you?" Mister Bastian's tone shifted into one of accusation.

"What are saying, William? That I let him escape on my own accord?"

"With how poor your handling of the situation was, it certainly looks that way!"

Flora closed her eyes. Another excuse to take the island from grandpa... She turned to speak to Stephen and slumped. The crab was gone, disappeared almost as quickly as it appeared earlier. It was an ability Flora could never comprehend. She patted her shoulder where the crab once stood, already missing its presence before going back to eavesdropping.

"Tell me, what else did Jack Sparrow take then?" Albert was asking.

"Aside from my daughter's pearl necklace." Mister Bastian growled, "the only other thing the Sparrow stole was a map. I can confirm with the mapmaker himself if you want."

"Oh I'm sure there is no need." Albert informed, most likely with a wave of his hand. "Where does that map lead?"

There was a pause. "A map to our own home country…"

"There you go then!" Albert suddenly pointed out, sounding pleased with himself. "It will take Sparrow over a year to sail home from here! And the state of his ship? He has none, according to you! Wither he miraculously makes it to London or not, I am sure-no I am positive-that he will fall into our hands rather nicely."

Flora smirked. Albert had him now, or she hoped he did.

Mister Bastian grumbled something beneath his breath before speaking up again. "It doesn't change the fact he has stolen my daughter's gift from her mother."

"The pearls will be returned to you in due time, I can assure you."

"Do you?" The accusation returned. "Do not underestimate Jack Sparrow, my lord. If he isn't captured, and those pearls are not returned to me within due time, I will make sure you regret it. Do you hear me? The Company will hear of this!"

Footsteps neared the door, and Flora squeezed herself into a corner as Mister Bastian burst out and made his way downstairs, looking very angry and very tired.

Flora watched him go, eyebrows raised. Those pearls belong to Gretchen's mother? She thought. She wasn't cryin' because it was another rich, worthless trinket?

"Of course you didn't leave."

Flora jumped at the sound of Albert's voice, and shyly gazed up at him. "I wanted to know…"

Lord Barton sighed. "I thought as much. Are you alright, Flora? I heard you witnessed Jack Sparrow's attack-"

"If ye' can call it an attack." Flora grinned a little as she thought back to the wild goose chase between Sparrow and the guards. "I'm alright, grandpa, don't worry."

"Good, good." Albert nodded before guiding his granddaughter into his office. "Now, there was something you wished to talk about?"

Her heart lurched. "That's right! Grandpa, I believe somethin' is coming. Something bad!"

Albert furrowed his brows as he sat back in his chair. "What makes you say that? It isn't Jack Sparrow again, is it?"

"It has nothin' to do with the Sparrow!" Flora swiftly assured. "I noticed a fog inbound from the sea, and it was still there after Sparrow's escape!"

Albert chuckled. "Flora, it is only fog! It appears ominous, but it really is nothing to worry about unless you're out at sea."

Flora's cheeks burned. "Yes grandpa, but this fog is green! And there is a storm followin' it!"

Her grandfather rolled his eyes, and Flora's chest began to burn as well. "I am telling the truth! If ya don't believe me, I have proof in the stables! The horses are still causing a racket down there!"

"The horses?" Albert stiffened. Animals had a habit of acting out when danger was afoot, he'd learned from experience with seagulls and whales during his time as a sailor many years ago. What did Flora say again? Green fog?

A chill slithered down Albert's spine. He'd never seen, or heard, of green fog since…

The old lord considered his grandchild's words and rubbed his shoulder nervously. If what Flora was saying is true…"Well, let's go see then."

Flora raised her head, her face beaming with pride. Grandfather listened!

"Show me the horses." Albert grabbed hold of his cane and steadied himself up, "and show me this green storm of yours."

It can't be him. the old man trembled violently at the thought, he disappeared many years ago. It can't be…

Lightning crackled against the sky, and thunder bellowed like a mighty beast shortly after. The mansion creaked under the thunder's roar, and Flora buried her head under her pillow to ignore it. By now the fog had swept its way into the mainland, a sickly green just as Flora said it was. Although Albert had ordered extra lookouts and guards by the shore, and advised everyone to take shelter in their homes (which everyone gladly complied after the day's events), the unease in Flora's heart only grew. Trembling, she turned to the left side of the bed and grasped her chest. Good God, the feeling almost hurt!

Why? She wanted to cry out loud. Grandpa listened to you, so why is it worse?!

Because ya know it's not enough.

Flora snarled and rose up from her bed, a strike of lightning reflecting off her tired eyes. As much as she wanted to deny it, it was true. Something was terribly wrong, and the extra guards and lookouts might not be enough.

What am I supposed to do then? Flora asked herself miserably. Grandfather has locked everything up for safety. I am supposed to stay here!

But that's not what ya want. The feeling inside her stated, and it's not who you are. Go out and investigate for yourself.

She fidgeted and glanced behind her. The servants haven't finished their rounds yet. I'll be caught for sure!

Does that really matter right now?

No it didn't. Not really. Not when lives were possibly at risk.

Flora fingered her locket and eyed the closed door, watching the shadows of the servants walking back and forth as they made their final rounds for the night. A part of her revolted at the idea of sneaking out, the same part that informed her not to go to the tide pools or the sea when she needed to the most.

The same part that told her to stay home and be a proper, noble, normal lady like everyone expected her to be.

Well not tonight!

Flora slithered out of bed and slipped her boots on. Her hands were trembling, out of fear, but she clenched them into fists. She couldn't afford to be afraid now; she had to take the risk!

Once the boots were on, Flora crept over to the window and opened it. A great wall of green and gray fog greeted her, nearly obscuring the entire island. "Don't be afraid." Flora exhaled a small, shaky breath, "don't be afraid…"

Taking one last glance at the door behind her, the child of the sea leapt out the window and left the mansion for the last time…

"Easy, girl! Easy!" Flora hissed as she tried to calm the mare down. Mildred whistled and backed away. For God's sake, it was almost as though the horse were afraid of Flora and not the storm outside! For a moment, Flora considered leaving the gray and striking out to the shore on her own, but she quickly perished the thought. If there's any danger and I'm the first to see it, I'll have the speed to come back and warn everyone! The girl decided shortly after escaping from the mansion. I can be the hero like in the games I made up! The small, childish thought proclaimed with glee before she pushed it away. This was no game. The storm, the fog, and the ever-present unease assured her of that.

Flore grasped the rope tying Mildred to the stall with clammy hands. "You're alright!" She nearly screamed as she pulled the horse closer to her. "As long as yer with me you'll be alright!" She reached out and grasped the horse's head before patting it, gently. "You'll be alright."

Mildred stared into her master's glaring eyes as the gestures and meaning finally breached the barrier of fear, and the mare eased down. "There's a good girl." Flora sighed with relief and stroked her friend's mane. "Good girl."

Once Mildred was saddled and bridled, Flora opened the stable door and peered outside. There was no one in sight. Luck was on her side so far.

The girl narrowed her eyes, her instincts telling her otherwise. This is almost too easy, She concluded as she mounted up and struck out of the stables. Someone would have surely heard the banter between her and Mildred by now. What was going on…?

Instead of taking her usual, stealthy route to the port, Flora's feeling led her down the main road into town, guided by the torches and lanterns set out on the porches of each household. The girl shivered. She hated the idea of coming this way. In fact she was almost terrified of it in fear of getting caught, but she let the unease carry her on regardless, and for good reason. Aside from the clopping of Mildred's hooves, all was silent. There were no sign of the guards, even though they should have been patrolling on Albert's orders.

Where are they?

Goosebumps prickled down Flora's bare arms as she squinted at the buildings surrounding her. Aside from a few windows lit by candles, every house was dark. It was almost as though the town were holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.

Mildred reared her head as a foul odor suddenly struck out from the fog. Nausea gripped Flora's throat and she quickly covered her mouth before she started gagging. The stench was almost indescribable; she'd never smelled anything like it before! The closest thing she could relate the smell to was the decomposing carcasses of sea life, the burning stench of gunpowder and…something else.

Cold sweat trickled down the back of Flora's head and her eyes bulged with a jarring realization. Suddenly she wanted to run. Turn Millie around, race back to the safely of the mansion and hide under her bed or in her closet where she would be safe. She gripped Millie's reigns and bowed her head. Don't! Her will screamed in retaliation. Ye said ya won't fear what's out there! Stay focused! You can do it!

Sweat dripped onto Flora's trembling hands as she slowly lifted her head. Focus, focus, focus! She repeated to herself until they left the stench far behind. She'll find out what the odor was later, although deep down she already knew the answer…

The clopping dissolved into quiet strides as Mildred took her first steps onto sand. They'd made it to the shore! A sight that normally filled Flora with hope and bliss, but tonight she only felt dread and fear.

The fog was obscuring the tide and the sea beyond, and the waves that the girl managed to glimpse were black as though polluted. "This isn't natural," she murmured to herself. "None of it."

Lightning flashed overhead and the child leaned forward in hopes of glimpsing something out at sea.

Nothing. The lightning had come and gone too quickly as it always did.

As the thunder rolled, Flora fixed her gaze onto the fog. Let me see, she ordered in thought, something is out there, let me see! Not for the first time she wished she had Albert's spyglass, though it might not have done any good in this situation.

The wind shifted and Mildred's ears drew back as she nickered nervously. Flora eased the distressed horse and steadily drew her closer to the sea.

Lightning struck again. There! She could see it! A shape…

"Just a little more." Flora silently pleaded. So focused was she, that she did not notice the footsteps slowly approaching from behind.

The wind blew in from the north, slowly but surely parting a portion of the fog away.

Dread exploded in Flora's chest, her eyes widening in both awe and horror.

A war frigate was positioned broadside by the harbor, the fog surrounding it like a sickly aura. The sails, ripped and tattered, waved ominously against the wind like seaweed flowing underwater, while the hull appeared to be rotten with multiple holes blown or eaten away across the frame. Another flash of lightning, the brief gleam offering a glimpse of the name engraved on the side of the ship: Harkaway.

Run. The feelings and the instincts swarming within the flower's mind bellowed. RUN!

The Harkaway's cannons opened from the gun ports and fired. One shot struck a section of the shore, while another burst into the side of a nearby building. Mildred reared up and brayed in fright. Flora gripped the reins and held on, just as the footsteps behind them started running.

She turned and screamed.

Three skeletons in shredded pirate garb were approaching her fast, their jaws wide open as though echoing Flora's cries. She kicked at Mildred's sides, "Go-GO!"

Mildred reared up again, lashing her hooves out at the skeletons rising out from the shore before galloping away. Flora held on and turned behind her. The skeletal trio were giving chase, accompanied by their brethren climbing out from the sea. "Go, go, go!" Flora, blinded by the sheer terror of what she was witnessing, ordered. Cannon fire erupted on all sides, blasting everything around her into blackened ash and flames.

The town was ahead; warn them, she had to warn them!

"ATTACK!" Flora clamored the moment Mildred's hooves touched stone, "we're under attack!"

The island citizens needed no call to heed the warning. As the Harkaway's guns ripped through the town, burning and shredding everything as they went, the people threw themselves out of their homes, screaming amidst the growing chaos. Some men raced to get their families to safety, while others grabbed whatever weapons they could find to retaliate against the threat. The women raced out of their doors, carrying their children in their arms. Some children were left abandoned on the street, crying for their mothers.

"Get out of here!" Flora continued shouting, stopping and dismounting from Mildred to help some of the civilians evacuate. "Get to shelter!"

What shelter? she suddenly realized, they have nowhere to go outside their homes!

As she aided an older gentleman out of his home and near an alleyway, Flora swiveled onto the seaport. There were still trading vessels anchored by the docks! If she could inform the soldiers, perhaps-

A sword suddenly burst out of the gentleman's chest. Flora leapt back and shrieked as the man choked on red before collapsing onto the street. The sword removed itself from the body, the innocent blood staining the blade glistening against the fire as a skeleton dressed in a tattered Navy uniform emerged from the alley, its permanent grin fixed on the terrified girl in front of it. Flora stood still, petrified. One part of her told her to stay her ground and fight, but another part told her to run as she has nothing to defend herself with. As the skeleton raised its blade towards her, Flora chose to run.

She threw herself into the fray, swerving and bumping past the fleeing civilians around her, the image of the murdered man, the blood, and the skeleton engraved in her mind. She ducked underneath a pile of debris and entered another alleyway. She was about to turn to see if she was being followed when she suddenly tripped.

A cloud of flies burst forth, and Flora's gut hurled into her chest when she saw what she landed on.

It was a pile of bodies, the mutilated corpses of the soldiers and guards Albert has set out as extra patrols. This was the source of the rancid odor Flora had felt before.

Bile coursed up her throat, and Flora choked before vomiting onto the side of the putrid sight. The pirates-the skeletons-the undead, they've been here the whole time!

Sharp, stinging pain suddenly sliced into her arm, and the girl cried out before looking up. The Navy skeleton had followed her. It lifted the sword and Flora quickly rolled to the side as the blade plunged into one of the corpses. She clutched her wounded arm and seethed in pain before making another run for it. The alley led to a dead end, she was trapped!

Flora squeezed her eyes shut in defeat, and re-opened them as she turned back around. The skeleton was coming for her. If she didn't think of something quick….

She eyed the corpses. There was a flintlock pistol sticking out from one of their belts. Could she-? Would she-? What choice do I have?!

The skeleton charged, and at the last second Flora threw herself against the wall and howled as she pressed her wounded arm against it. Her adversary dashed past her, its sword impaling into the wooden walls of the structure in front of them. The skeleton inclined its head and began to pull the blade out of wall. This was Flora's chance!

The girl raced back to the pile of corpses and grabbed hold of the pistol. It was heavier than it looked, but it was all Flora had. She unhooked it from corpse's belt, and fumbled as she tried to hold it right. By the time she got it in the right position, the skeleton had freed its sword and was coming back for her.

It won't have any effect! Flora's mind screamed, but she refused to listen. At the very least she had to try!

She raised the gun to the creature's head and fired.

Nothing.

Terror shot through her body like broken glass. What did she do wrong?! Why didn't it work!?

She started backing away, fumbling with the gun again as skeleton advanced. She stepped over the bodies, frantically going through her memories of Grandfather Albert's belongings when the hammer of the gun came into view. The hammer!

With all her might, Flora pulled the hammer back, just as she pinned herself against the wall of debris she had crawled through earlier. She aimed the gun high at the skull of her opponent and roared as she pulled the trigger.

BAM!

The skeleton flinched backward, a fresh bullet hole stuck in its skull. It wavered back and forth, stumbling about as though drunk.

The girl faltered, gasping, and turned the pistol backwards, ready to use the butt of the gun as a club until the skeleton suddenly collapsed, adding another corpse to the pile behind it.

Flora, bruised, bloody, and covered in sweat, stared. Did-did she do it? Is the creature…?

She slammed the gun into the skeleton's skull in case. Nothing happened. It was done.

Her jaw slacked as she backed away, contemplating what she did. She had killed something. It was already undead, but none-the-less, she had made her first kill.

"Well done, lass," said a voice that was not her own, "but now is not the time to celebrate-ah!"

Flora swiveled around and raised the pistol, "wh-whose there!?"

There was no response from the mysterious voice. Instead, there came a familiar, blood-curling scream. Flora paled. "Gretchen?" Keeping the pistol close, Flora crawled back through the debris and arrived back in the middle of town.

She nearly dropped the gun, her battered face paling at the sight that lay before her.

It was a massacre. Every house as far as the eye could see were either set aflame or collapsed in a heap of rubble. The library where she had borrowed books was on fire. The mapmaker's house was reduced to nothing. The blacksmith's shop, the flats, and the stores, all were gone. The undead filled the streets; slaughtering and shooting everyone that crossed their paths. Not even the children and animals were spared.

The scream came again, and Flora ran on heavy legs toward a familiar mansion on the edge of the town. "Gr-Gretchen!" Flora coughed through a mouthful of ash and smoke before squinting upwards. Gretchen, the spoiled bully that Flora hated the most, stood outside of a window on the third floor, shrieking and crying for help. Flora rubbed her irritated eyes and gritted her teeth. Hated or not, she couldn't leave Gretchen to die! "Gretchen, down here!"

Gretchen paused in her wailing and looked down, "M-Miss Barton? Is that you?"

"It's me!" Flora hollered back. "Wait there! I'll come and get you, just-"

A gunshot cut Flora off, and her entire world collapsed as she watched Gretchen fall from the window and into the mass of flames at the base of the mansion.

Flora dropped her pistol and fell to her knees, her heart and soul shattering into thousands of little pieces. Everything she had known, everyone that she knew, and everyone she had tried to save was being taken away right before her eyes.

Everything her grandfather worked so hard to build was dying, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

"Move!"

Flora stayed still, too petrified to take in everything that was happening around her.

"Flora, move!"

The undead were beginning to notice her, and started closing in from all sides.

"DAMN IT GIRL, MOVE!"

Something shoved Flora into the ground and she snapped out of it. Coughing, she slowly glanced around her. The skeletons were coming closer, groaning hungrily. She had to get out of here right now! But where would she go? What is the point?

A high-pitched whinny suddenly blared through the roar of flames and death, and Flora watched as a crowd of the undead fell before Mildred's hooves and bulk. The horse galloped to her, snorting profusely. She was alive! Singed, but alive! Flora grabbed hold of her pistol and stumbled to Mildred's side. She mounted the horse and quickly directed her to run before the dead could ambush them.

There's-there is a point! Flora suddenly realized as she rode away from the destruction and onto the path that led home. Her grandfather! Everyone at the mansion! Surely there was a chance to save them? She had to save them, protect them! Whatever it takes!

As the girl and her horse faded out of sight, one skeleton watched them depart from the corner of the former Bastian residence. This one was different from the others. Instead of shredded rags or ancient officer's clothing, the undead specter wore robes and masks that indicated dark magic and the use of voodoo. While most of the undead were mindless buggers with no free will, this one could think for itself, if only a little.

Several grenades exploded from within the mansion, and the robed skeleton stepped aside as the structure finally collapsed. It had seen the young girl called Flora Barton fight for her life and the lives of others in-spite of the odds against her. It had seen the color of her blood from the slash on her arm, and more importantly, it had seen the shape of the spirit following and guiding her, invisible to all except for those who cared to look.

Interestin', the skeleton thought. Very interestin'. The Captain will want to hear of this.

I spent hours listening to ambient H.P. Lovecraft music alongside To Die For/Stampede from The Lion King to get the tone of this attack right (The Lion King was one of the big inspirations for this story). I hope it was worth it. Anyway, that got dark awful quickly! Jolly Roger isn't a pleasant being, what can I say? We'll learn more about him and his return in the next chapter. Also, yes this current event takes place not too long before On Stranger Tides.