PLUNGED SIX FEET UNDER WATER, she had the impression of having returned to Port-Royal, that day when it all had begun. God knew she wouldn't have imagined the rest of the story. She would have passed the chapters with her fingertips, impatient to read the rest. Diligent hands seemed to control her, but also to save her. This is why she found the strength, the desire, to stay. For Will, for everyone she loved. She was going up again, and stuck her head again beyond the atmosphere. It was so good. Like a rebirth, all sensations returned to her bruised body, and she realized an accomplishment: no one had lifted it apart from her. No one would save her the way she could save herself. She was the key.

Despite the urgency of the situation, the potential presence of hostile sea creatures, she couldn't help smiling, watching the sun at its zenith burning the tip of her nose. Admittedly, Will was already far away, but she was sure to find him. She was sure she would pull through.

Not far on the horizon, she saw a small islet, peaceful and probably sparsely populated. Short of breath, she swam until she lost her breath. This effort was tiring but she thought only of the good sides of life now. Live it fully without regrets. The beach's water deflected the sun's great glare into her eyes and she was forced to look away towards and ever growing jungle of vines, trees and darkness. The trees made a canopy of the jungle hid what lied underneath. There was no sound of an insect, bird or reptile, no call of a human voice, only the steady rhythmical lap of the sea.

She noticed crates filled with rum, which Jack would surely have loved.

But first, she landed for a few moments, lighting a fire with branches found without too much difficulty. Finally, all this was not as scary and unpleasant as she would have thought. The only time she was completely alone was at the Port-Royal mansion, where loneliness quickly won over her, wanting to see more.

Here, she was made for her ideal, the phantasmagoria of all her chimerical daydreams, and she was grateful that this thug pushed her – because no one would have done it for her. Watching the fire burn the wood chips, the redemptive flames shone through her brown pupils, sparkling in the flickering light. She took a deep breath, sucking in all the air she could. It was fresh, sweet, so tropical. A delicious scent of hibiscus washed over Asteria's hair, flying in the wind. So many burning details flashed before her eyes; from hyacinths to colourful trees sporting spring tones. How to take it all in, her retina circulating once a second. It was too difficult to discern everything and to be able to remember everything.

She rested for a few moments, out of all this chaos that she had begun to appreciate tenderly. She would never tire of it; the sound of crashing waves against the rock.

But she wasn't so desperate as to procrastinate for hours. She used Will's method in the previous battle, and lit a fire with alcoholic fuel.

"If ever one day the danger crosses you again, give me a sign in the air"

Norrington had promised her this, and she hoped it was all true.

And it worked: a few hours later, in the middle of the night, the Dauntless sailed safely to the lost islet, where, delicately, the Commodore carried Asteria to his quarters.

From his window in Port-Royal, he immediately perceived the signal. He was pretty sure it was her, and he wasn't mistaken. Going to her rescue, it seemed the waves would never be so quick to bring her close. He was so scared, and hated himself for constantly letting her go. What would his father the Governor think?

In the moment, holding her tightly against him, he gently closed the door as he laid the young girl down on her bed, half asleep.

Head nodding, Asteria noticed the change in surroundings very quickly and attempted to open her eyes, raising her sleeping upper body.

"No, no, rest," the Commodore indicated, encouraging the girl to lie down.

She was surprised at the touch of his hand against her chest, and said nothing. She did not move. The girl nevertheless pushed herself to keep her eyes open, grateful that someone had come to her rescue, although she preferred to get out of it on her own. From Jack, she had learned the most absurd techniques to get out of it, and it worked.

"I once got away with tying two turtles together," he confessed, shaking his mustache as he sniffled.

The incomprehensible look, the young girl looked at him in half words. She expected anything from him, and his stories made her laugh like a child—wasn't that still what she was?

"You're not serious," she laughed, eyebrows arching into the heavens, hilarious.

"Dead serious, my dear. Guess what I tied them with."

Jack was smiling; Jack was genuinely smiling.

Rarely were the times when what he felt was more than just a thin blanket to shield himself from the surrounding world. No, he felt all that, and was even more surprised by it.

Looking around as if that would bring her an answer, she thought, even if the simplest solution would be not to think to find the repartee. She was laughing alone, thinking about all the nonsense going through her brain. She was biting her gum, and couldn't help but let out little guffaws. She was happy to have Jack in her life, although dishonest and sometimes selfish, she watched how fiercely he stood up for what mattered most to him, and as one entered that amethyst shell, the barrier would be all the more consistent. He was a tormented man, hurt by the past. But there was good in him and she knew it. She perceived it every day, and tried to do the same for each individual she met. Find the most frivolous beauty in a nothing, make it a whole.

"You got me there," she retorted, pressing the side of her lips into a sun.

The pirate approached, scoffing. "Human hair."

Mouth half-open, holding back a giggle, the young girl held her friend's gaze, eyebrows raised.

An unbearable staring contest started, who would laugh first?

They burst out laughing at the same time and it has been an eternity since so many splinters had been heard echoing in the ship.

"I am not tired."

A return to reality, she answered the Commodore, while she had been deep in thought. She observed the cabin. Clean, shiny, with golden moldings. Quite the opposite of the daily life that now belonged to her. Her world was messy, complicated but above all endearing. It was all this disorder that gave it its charm and uniqueness. Norrington's cabin was nothing personal, it could have been anyone else's quarters, and that saddened her. Did he have no desire to stand out?

Norrginton chuckled, gazing passionately at Asteria. "You are lying, you are tired as a dormouse!"

She began to laugh, in turn.

"How the hell did you end up in this situation?"

"I hit a man's ego and it hurt him. Too irritable, no doubt."

The man raised an eyebrow, wondering if he should take her seriously. Asteria was looking at him, but not looking at him.

"Asteria I wanted to apologise."

"Why that?"

"Months ago, I acted stupid. I threatened you, and shame covers my existence. It's all against my principles. Only was I je-"

"Jealous?"

The girl had guessed easily. An ounce of sadness seized her, while the Commodore lowered his head, revealing a brown lock under his white wig.

"Yes."

Asteria imitated him, bending her gaze, not knowing what to say. She was startled by the man's hand grabbing her face. He caressed her cheek, eyeing it like the most beautiful of jewels.

"Oh, Asteria..."

Although the reunion with the Commodore was more than appreciated, something was missing. All this affection, this attention directed towards the young girl filled her with joy, and that is all she wanted. She wanted nothing beyond friendship with him and accepted his favors only if she was under no obligation to return them. She liked the way he looked at her, like she was gorgeous. The same look that Will had also placed on her. She liked the way he was interested in her. This same mania that Will also had, asking her tiny questions on subjects that touched her particularly.

She liked all the attention she was given, though she wasn't in love with the Commodore, but she had to face the facts: it wasn't Will. No one would be, and no one will be. Nothing could replace the tender ardor that was his. Her body experienced each of his caresses, falling a little more into the intoxication of her feelings.

"I love you. With an ardent love."

Anyone would be happy to hear such words, but Asteria's eyebrows arched in pain. The sweet melody did not resonate. The girl felt nothing, and chiefly horrible.

"I know you don't share my feelings."

"James I'm sor-"

The man cut him off, his sincere smile changing to a more serious voice.

"We've arrived soon. I heard your friends are heading to Singapore."

Asteria opened her mouth, confused.

"James do not interrupt me! Wait. Singapore? What?"

"They're looking for Sao Feng. So is Beckett."

"Who is Beckett?"

"After the death of your father, things have changed especially since your departure. A Lord named Beckett has seized power. He is only a tyrant with a bucolic and silly look. I work for him, but does not share any of his ideas. Look, I can sneak you out. You'll take the first red-sailed ship you come across, and it'll take you there."

At each mention of her so-called parent, a clamp came to tense the heart of the young girl, like a reminder that did not deserve its place.

Asteria drew back, confused. "James, why help me? Why help me run away every time?"

Norrington breathed, taking Asteria's hand in his. "Because your heart is not mine. I wish you to be happy."

The girl wanted to cry, and said: "Thank you. Thank you so much for always being there for me. I do not deserve such this."

"You do."

"I betrayed you. Multiple times."

"That's why you cannot return to Port-Royal."

"I feel bad that I am not hated for what I did. I ran away from everything you did for him."

"But I know he will bring you everything I dream of giving you."

The young girl did not know how to feel, completely lost but also moved by this moment.

"Join him Asteria. If only for me."

Too full of emotions, a few tears ran down both cheeks of the two friends; the only time their soul would be in perfect harmony. Asteria was moved by so much effort and kindness.