Escape!

The morning passed slowly, though it was difficult to tell from inside the brig. A few small cracks within the Glory's hull provided shafts of sunlight and warmth, but they did little to express the time of day or soothe anyone's grievances.

Edmund lurched out of his seat with a loud oath when seawater suddenly streamed in from the cargo hold. "Bloomin' bastards, why they haven't they fixed the hold yet?!"

Flora lifted her head, if only a little, and watched the water wade back to whence it came as the vessel bobbed against the tides outside. The cargo hold…

If the hold hasn't been mended, then you can escape through there! Her inner self insisted, ye won't have to deal with the crew then!

But what if Edmund's aim was true if he shot at her? Even if she escaped his line of sight in time and made it through the cargo hold, how long can she swim before she exhausted herself and drowned? What if the sharks got curious early?

It was a half-baked plan; they were floating somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic for God's sake!

Flora gave a grunt of discontent, and rested her head back against her knees.

Noon came, then went. The movement of the crew heard above and below the ship slowed, and the shafts of sunlight darkened as evening fell. Dinner was served: salted beef, cheese, and bread, but Flora wasn't offered any of it. Instead, she was forced to watch Edmund with a grimace and a groaning stomach as a sailor delivered a rather hefty meal to him, as though it were a reward for his guarding service. Even as he ate, the crew mate continued to watch Flora, though he wore an odd expression as he did. Was it sympathy? Spite? Something worse?

Is there any chance he will offer a portion his meal?

The offer never came, and Flora had a sinking feeling that she will be given very little provisions, if any at all, during the voyage home.

The night was black as a raven's wings when it arrived, though unlike the night before, a number of stars managed to shine their way through the darkness. By this time, Edmund's eyelids were flickering and his breathing was easing down. Dinner hadn't been enough to keep him going, he won't stay awake for much longer.

This could be yer chance! Flora's instincts pushed, the moment he falls asleep, you can try!

The girl scowled. And get caught by the lookouts afterward, ye twit?

Ya can't give up! It isn't in your nature!

Nature…She bared her teeth and dug her fingernails into her legs in an attempt to silence the voice of reason. How can I know my nature when most of it still eludes me?

Yet in-spite of the self-inflicting pain, in-spite of her self-hatred and resignation, she found herself peering intently at the now worn-out crew mate.

His eyes had closed, and he was leaning against the jail cell in an uncomfortable manner. Flora's heart began to race. If-when-Edmund started snoring, that could be her chance!

The girl glanced down the darkened corridor. If Edmund stayed asleep, and she stuck to the shadows while being as quiet and careful as possible, could it work? Could she make her escape, even with the lookouts abroad…?

Should she even bother?

Ya won't know unless you try!

"Hrm…" Flora shuffled and examined the iron bars surrounding her, debating on what she should do.

"Mister Barg!"

Edmund jerked his head up with a panicked snort, and all urgency and hope was dashed away as Milo trudged down into the brig. "Captain sent me down to relieve you."

Edmund stood up and wiped his face so he didn't appear too tired. "D-did he now?"

The older crewman nodded, "Off to bed, sailor, I'll be takin' over."

Flora's heart sank. There goes whatever chance she had of escaping.

Wait a minute; the first mate shouldn't be on guarding duty like this…

"Oof, it's about time! Thank ya, sir!" Edmund tucked his pistol-Flora's pistol-into his belt, and a mighty yawn escaped from his maw as he took his leave.

Milo cast a small glance at Flora as Edmund went, and the girl frowned. She knew that calculating look the first mate was giving her; it usually meant he was up to something.

The glance was followed by a sly wink, and Flora's eyes gaped. A wink meant trouble, what was Milo on about?

WHACK!

Flora thrust her head up as Edmund suddenly plummeted onto the floorboards, stricken by the shady sailor grasping a large plank in front of him.

Where did he come from?!

"Sorry about that, mate." Milo walked over to the fallen crew mate and checked to see if he was still alive. Satisfied, he gave a nod to the shadowed crew member. "Well done." He took the plank into his hands and gestured down the passageway, "Cargo now, go! Be quick about it!"

The sailor bowed his head and raced for the cargo hold. Flora stood up on creaky legs as he went, wide-eyed and baffled.

What the bloody hell is going on?

"I believe you'll need these, Law-Miss Barton."

Her cell door opened, and Milo stood before her with her sword and pistol in hand. The girl gawked at him, a strange sensation overwhelming her. It was as though a massive weight was suddenly lifted from her shoulders. Was this a taste of what freedom felt like? She had felt it once before, but not like this. Could it be…?

Flora twitched and then pushed the feelings away with a wary scowl. What if this was all a ploy? "What are you doing, sir…?"

Milo regarded the teenager. It was hard to believe this cautious, feral looking young lady used to be the well-dressed, mild yet diligent cabin boy he thought he knew, and yet they were one and the same. "You saved our lives last night, Miss Barton," he affirmed. "We're returning the favor."

Flora did a double take. Returning the favor…"Even after my-?"

"Even after." Milo interrupted with a nod, "No more questions now, are you coming?"

Her heart leapt and her gray-blue eyes brightened with sheer relief. "Th-thank you, sir!" She snatched her weapons up and tacked them back onto her belt, relishing the feeling of having them by her side again. Don't celebrate now! It's too early yet! Her inner self snapped. We still need to get out of here!

"Milo will do, no more 'sir'." The first mate insisted, "Hurry up now, we don't have much time!"

The remark pierced through the moment like a lightning bolt. No more 'sir'…He'd stated it as though they were equals. "Why, sir-Milo?" The girl cleared her throat as she followed the first mate out of the brig. This will take some time to get used to.

"Because I have my own secrets, Miss Barton, the same as you." Milo dropped his voice into a whisper as they climbed up to the main deck. There was a single lantern lit near the starboard railing. The light it cast was dim, but it enough to allow the elder sailor from before to start getting a longboat ready. "How goes it, Minkle?"

Minkle sputtered a bit, "Goin' well, sir." His crusted eyes darted uneasily across the deck. "No sign of young Ackley yet?"

"Up here, old man!" came a shout from the rigging, "I've got it!"

Milo seethed. "Not so loud, boy!" He hissed. "Get back down here, and fast!"

Ackley too? A lump caught in Flora's windpipe as she looked up. There the lad was, perched atop the rigging like Davy Jones on the eve of a hurricane (so the legends say). Clasped in his hands was his fishing rod, and at the end of the fishing line was her spyglass. Her stomach lurched. Wilbur had her spyglass last, how on Earth did Ackley get a hold of it with that fishing rod?!

The powder boy saluted, and started climbing down from the rigging while Flora swiveled onto Milo. "Who-who else is there?"

Milo scratched his beard. "Misters Carter and Jordon." He squinted down the hatch leading below decks. "They should be along shortly…"

Five crew mates, only five souls out of the dozens aboard the Glory believed in her. Five who were willing to put their lives at risk because she risked her own to save theirs…Multiple knots twisted within Flora's torso, and she bit back a grateful sob. "I-I don't know what to say…"

"Ya don't have to say anything, Flora." Milo peered back her with a small smile. "Just take comfort in that you have allies."

Allies…! Flora soaked the words in with both rejoice and caution. Did she have accomplices like this in the past? Aside from the crew up until recently, none came to mind. To suddenly have some standing by her side, especially after her revelation, felt jarring, unsettling even, yet it was welcome all the same.

"So Flora, 'ey…?" Ackley started once he climbed down from the rigging and approached the former cabin boy. "A girl this whole time?"

The teen drew her attention to the young powder boy and nodded. "A-aye, Ackley..."

The lad frowned and scrutinized her ragged form from head to toe. "…I think you looked better as a boy."

Flora blinked at the sudden proclamation and laughed, "I'm sure many would think the same, lad."

Ackley shrugged and unhooked the spyglass from his fishing rod before offering it to her. "That's a fine piece you've got right there. You take care of that."

Gratitude blossomed within Flora as she took the spyglass into her arms, and attached it back on her belt where it belonged. She was about to ask how in the blazes Ackley got a hold of it the way he did when Milo stepped in. "Was Wilbur asleep when you got it?"

The boy nodded. "Yes sir! Snoring like a stuffed pig he was!"

Milo sneered at the description, and patted the boy on the shoulder. "Well done Ackley. Now, go help Minkle with the long boat."

"I don' need help!" Minkle insisted, but as he was taking too long to get the boat ready, he was forced to accept the powder boy's aid.

The first mate wore a pleased expression at this, only for it to twist into agitation and restlessness when he turned back to the hatch. "Damned curs, where are they?!"

For once, the salty oath flew over Flora's head. She was busy watching Ackley and Minkle lower the longboat with wide eyes as the reality of the situation finally sunk in.

This was really happening; they were really helping her escape.

Chills suddenly prickled her skin as she gazed out at the sea beyond the Glory, lit under the dull, milky light of the few stars above them. Her heart suddenly deadened, and the chills turned to ice. She'd fled certain doom on a night like this before, in a time not so long ago…

Time slowed to a crawl as the dark memories came back to her. The last time she had fled by longboat, she'd been forced to leave her home behind as it burned in a raging inferno. The last time she fled into open waters, her adopted grandfather had died, giving his life to ensure she lived…

Her heart began to race, bringing with it a familiar ache that crackled through her like a broken stone. She went to itch at her chest in a meager attempt to soothe the pain when a phrase arose from the past as though rising from the abyss:

Follow the path to the sea, and you shall be free…

The ache escalated into a deep, throbbing agony and she cried out, causing Milo to swivel onto her in alarm. "Are you alright, Lawer-Flora?"

She gripped her chest, quivering and groaning until the pain eased, and she returned the first mate's frightened gaze. She knew where the pain had come from and why: she was afraid. What will become of Milo and the others once the Captain found out they helped her escape? Will they be destined for the gallows as she was, and perish giving their lives to save hers?

No, she couldn't let that happen! She couldn't afford to lose them the same way she lost her grandpa! Not again!

"Come with me."

Milo inclined his head. "Hm?"

"When the boat is ready, you, Minkle, Ackley, Carter and Jordon, all of you come with me." Flora released a shaky breath and lowered her arm, trying to remain calm. "Ye know what will happen when Wilbur finds out about this. I'm not goin' to let you get killed because of me!"

The trauma swirled within her eyes like black whirlpools, and Milo understood immediately. He shook his head. "No can do, lass."

The teen froze, Milo saw her arm twitch, and quickly grabbed at her before she could try anything stupid. Her eyes bulged and she flailed, fighting to break from his grip, and to his surprise she almost succeeded.

"I know what you're afraid of, Lawrence!" Milo tried to ensure through bared teeth as she struggled, "but you're not gonna lose us, don't worry!" He would go on to assure her that they'll be all right no matter what comes, but he was pushing their luck as it was. Instead he glanced out at the pale-lit sea and muttered carefully into her ear. "I'll make it up to you right now by telling you my own secret! I owe you that much!"

The struggling ceased, and Flora tore away from Milo the moment he loosened his grip. She leered at him, trembling as his words from the brig came back to her: 'No more 'sir''.

"T-tell me then…"

Milo rubbed his arms with a clenched jaw, still shocked by how the girl almost overpowered him. Had she grown in other ways that he didn't know of? He glared impatiently down the hatch once more before softening his gaze. He made sure Minkle and Ackley weren't watching-or listening-and then lowered his tone as he revealed his own secret. A secret he was not proud to bear:

"I come from a family of pirates."

Flora's blood ran cold. "Yes, it's exactly what you think." Milo grinned, sheepishly. "It means I used to be a pirate as well."

Pieces of the puzzle clicked together in Flora's head, and suddenly everything about the first mate's behavior over the years made sense. She moved in to speak, to ask what this meant, but the middle-aged sailor stopped her. "It's not a path I was proud to take," he continued. "I fought for the Brethren Court during the War Against Piracy. I fought against the East India Company's tyranny, because what a pirate values most above loots and plunders, what I valued most, is freedom."

His chest swelled with pride as he recalled those days, answering the song that had been sung, and escaping and battling the sea in the name of his family, only for the pride to dwindle as the harsh reality of a pirate's life crashed onto him. "I still value that freedom, but the problem is that most pirates take that privilege too far, even with the rules the Brethren established…"

The blood that stained his blade in those days, the images that haunted his nightmares unless he dunked himself in rum...and all for what? Precious booty that meant nothing in the end…"It became too much for me, I had felt that way for years, but was unable to escape. Only during the last days of the War did I see my chance. When the time came, I renounced my family. I renounced the ship I was set to inherit upon my father's death to flee for a new life in the New World, without looking back."

The wind stilled, and the sounds of Minkle and Ackley at work petered out as Milo told his story. "The sea still called to me, however. I could never escape that song no matter how much I tried, so I posed as a normal sailor, hoping to continue working by the ocean's side till peace found me beyond Davy Jones' Locker." He shook his head, his expression turning melancholy. "Unfortunately, my legacy continued to follow me, even to this day, because I've learned a miserable truth during these years of service…"

The first mate tilted his head ominously in the direction of the captain's cabin. "Some of the captains and companies I've served are no different from pirates, no matter how much they claim to follow established law. Some of them are even worse than pirates, if ya can imagine that! Greedy bastards, the lot of them." A half-smile played on his lips as he brought his attention back to Flora. "Now it seems I've gone back to my old roots, because tonight, I feel it's the right thing to do."

The wind whistled, and the creaking of the ropes came back into focus as Milo brought the tale to an end. "I've been through worse skirmishes in the past. Whatever comes after tonight, well there shouldn't be anything to worry about." He held up his hand before Flora could try speaking again. "In case you are wondering, yes I have a 'secret rum compartment'. You've figured that out I am sure, but I'm not tellin' you where it is. You know enough already."

Flora stared at the first mate in a new light as she took his story in. Milo Ambrose, the one sailor aboard this ship that she grew to trust the most, a pirate in disguise! A marauder of the Seven Seas, no different from Jack Sparrow and Jolly Roger!

No! Not the same! She balked when she realized this. Because in-spite of the shock of Milo's confession, in-spite of his own lies that he withheld from her, withheld from everyone for good reason, she found that she still trusted him, just as he still found trust in her.

They've both revealed their secrets to each other. They were on equal footing now, but aside from that nothing else has changed between them.

The creaking of ropes and joints came to an end, and Minkle heaved out a massive sigh as his duty was completed. "Boat's all ready, sir!"

Flora swiveled onto the old man while Milo nodded in acknowledgement. It was almost time to go.

The girl peered back at the first mate. She had so many questions now that she knew his truth. So much that she wanted to know, but before she could ask, the sound of running footsteps echoed below decks.

Unease suddenly clouded Flora's conscious, while Milo straightened out with a growl. "About bloody time! What took you so long, Carter?"

Carter, the shadowed sailor who'd knocked Edmund out earlier, emerged onto the main deck. "We almost got caught! We're sorry, sir!" The crew mate leaned on his knees, panting like a dog, and then turned toward Flora. "H-here Miss Barton." He handed the teenager a small pack. "You'll find food, water, some coin and a knife in there. A special donation from the first mate and myself! Make it last!"

Flora's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly checked the inside of the pack. Inside laid a small loaf of bread, cheese, a flask of fresh water, a pouch of money, and a sheathed knife. Carter was true to his word, but then what's wrong…? What's coming? "Where is Jordon?"

"Jordon? He-" Carter spun around and gaped when he realized he wasn't followed. "What the devil-he was right behind me!"

Footsteps suddenly pounded below deck as though on cue, and it sounded like more than one pair. Flora's stomach hurtled into her throat, and everyone went rigid as one of those footsteps raced for the hatch.

"We've been caught!" The crew mate called Jordon climbed his way onto the main deck with the haste of a startled cat. "Get out of here, lass!"

Only seconds later, the ship bell began to ring. "ALL HANDS! PRISONER ESCAPE!"

There was no time for thanks, no time to for goodbyes or any attempts to bring her allies with. Driven by instinct, Flora tightened her grip on the pack and made way for the longboat. By the time she climbed down and got the paddles ready, the rushing feet of the crew arrived on deck, and the shrill voice of Captain Wilbur hollered. "YOU!"

"RUN KID!" Milo's voice boomed from the Glory's railing as he drew his sword for battle.

Not again! Flora's insides pleaded in anguish. Please no!

Yet much as she wanted to stay and protect her fellow crew members, in the end she was left with little choice. When she was ready, she tightened her grip on the oars and rowed the longboat away from the Glory. Away from another part of her life, and away from danger, for the second time…

The boat rowed swiftly like before, as though there were nothing onboard at all, but Flora paid no heed. Her eyes remained fixed on the merchant vessel she'd called home for the past two years, blinking back tears as the sound of swordplay reached her ears.

A battle in her name.

Why…?

Was this her fate? Was she destined to flee from tragedy every time she felt at home or tried to accomplish her goals?

Was there any place for her in this world at all...?

I will definitely need to come back and edit this one in due time, but oh well.

The music track "Escape/Norrington Dies" from At World's End would fit perfectly for this part for obvious reasons, but I ended up listening to "Escape from Hellgate" from James Cameron's Avatar, and "Face On" from Wolf's Rain (please tell me people remember Wolf's Rain...) for inspiration and tone instead.

And so begins Flora's days as a fugitive. An outcast lost at sea, and there aren't any wayward vessels nearby to pick her up like last time (she wouldn't want them to notice her anyway, as a precaution). What will happen now? Will she ever see Milo and the others again? Only time will tell.