The night was compiled of arguing about who got to sleep in the Captain's Cabin on the Interceptor, and who had to sleep on the open deck. Will took my side of allowing me the cabin and the bed, because I'm a woman. I played the woman card so hard because I did not want to sleep on the harsh deck in the open air. Jack finally gave up, and I was probably the only one who slept soundly.

The next morning, we met on the rotting docks of Tortuga in the blazing sun. Waiting for us was a group of misfits, standing in a raggedy line-up that Gibbs assembled during the night. I would not be surprised if barnacles were growing out of their skin.

Gibbs smiled proudly, "feast your eyes, Cap'n. All of 'em, faithful hands before the mast. Every man worth his salt and crazy to boot."

They were not the fearsome bunch that Jack was obviously hoping for. I was quite underwhelmed myself, but from my understanding we are just chasing after a simple pirate so I did not understand why Jack expected the best of the best. Jack drunkenly warned me about the dangers last night, but any pirate venture comes with a considerable amount of risk. Will spoke up, "so this is your able-bodied crew?"

The three of us followed Jack's footslog footsteps as he walked in front of the new crew members, studying them as the hot sun was beating down on us already.

I said to Jack in a low voice, "let's assume that you are a dishonest man, Jack."

Jack snickered and said, "assume away."

"How will you get these men to come with us on this death march?" I asked. I was exaggerating, of course. There was nothing special about a pirate trying to get his ship back.

His mumbled to me, "I'll give fair warning." Jack suddenly stopped at an older man, with a beautiful blue parrot perched on his shoulder. "You, sailor!"

"Cotton, sir," Gibbs presented.

Jack took a step forward to the man. Cotton had an untamed white beard with his hair covered in a tight purple scarf to protect his scalp from the sun. His skin was leathery and dark, with scraps for clothes.

"He found a bird guy," I stated.

"Mr. Cotton," Jack said in his face, "do you have the courage and fortitude to follow orders and stay true in the face of danger and almost certain death?"

I stitched my eyebrows together and peered at Jack. Was this really going to be a death sentence? I had a strong opinion about that statement. I was not willing to die for whatever destination this journey was going to lead us to.

Jack only gave Cotton a couple seconds before shouting through his teeth, "Mr. Cotton! Answer, man."

Mr. Gibbs stepped forward to intervene, "he's a mute, sir. Poor devil had his tongue cut out."

Cotton opened his mouth to reveal his lack of a tongue, and Jack grimaced and stuck his tongue out in horror. My lips flexed are the thought of losing my own tongue and imagining the pain that Cotton went though while this punishment was carried out.

Gibbs continued, "so he trained the parrot to talk for him. No one's yet figured how."

Jack was about to move on, but he couldn't help himself to ask, "Mr. Cotton's parrot, same question."

The parrot squawked, "ah! Wind in your sails! Wind in your sails!"

We all looked up at Gibbs in confusion and he said, "mostly, we figure that means 'yes.'"

"Of course it does." Jack said before turning to Will, "satisfied?"

Will said, "well, you've proven they're mad."

Suddenly, a loud feminine voice called out, "what's the benefit for us?"

Jack squinted his eyes and brushed past me as he moved down the line to come face to face with a tall sailor with their long brimmed hat covering their face. He lifted up the hat to reveal a woman.

Jack's teeth of silver and gold shined when he smiled at her, "AnaMaria," resulting in another harsh slap.

"I suppose you didn't deserve that one, either," Will said mockingly.

Jack moved his jaw and he said, "no, that one I deserved."

AnaMaria was a tall, beautiful dark skinned woman wearing a brown headscarf, who did not look like the prostitutes we saw the night before. It seems like the only women that Jack knows are prostitutes so this was a refreshing surprise. Once Jack faced her again, she said, "you stole my boat!"

"Actually—" Jack began but was interrupted when she hit him across the face again, the sharp sound echoing around us. His mouth was agape from shock. He turned back to her, "—borrowed. Borrowed without permission, but with every intention of bringing it back to you."

"But you didn't!" She yelled with a stomp of her foot.

I could completely understand her side of this situation. I glared at Jack, disappointed by his actions even though he did them before I knew him. I would be livid if my boat was stolen from me too. It may be because I haven't had water all day and I've been in the blistering heat, but her whining was giving me a headache.

Jack smiled charmingly at her and promised, "you'll get another one."

She pointed her finger at him and said, "I will."

I noticed Jack's hand raised, and in his fist was an unripe banana, preparing to use it to defend himself in case he was delivered another slap.

Will joined, "a better one."

"A better one!" Jack agreed enthusiastically.

"That one." Will pointed to the Interceptor.

"What one?" Jack asked, losing his enthusiasm.

Another nod toward the Interceptor had Jack less than pleased, "that one?!"

All eyes on him, and he slowly accepted that the ship was to be gifted to AnaMaria, "aye. That one. What say you!"

"Aye!" Everyone called out, AnaMaria snatched her hat back from Jack's hands and they all began sauntering to the end of the dock to prepare to board the Interceptor.

"No, no. It's frightful bad luck to bring a woman aboard, sir," Gibbs said. Will looked at me and stifled a chuckle but I kept my composure.

"It'll be far worse not to have her," Jack replied with a sigh.

I asked, "are you really going to give her the boat?"

Jack replied while gnawing on his fourth finger nail, "I've made some empty promises in my life, but hands down this is the most generous."

"I hope you know, Sparrow, that I'm not going to die for you," I warned, referring to when he said that death was probably inevitable.

"I'm not going to die for you either," he spat back. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've a mind to hand the helm."

Jack began walking toward the ship, so Will and I trailed close behind. I was curious as to what Jack planned to do, but I guess that's one thing about Jack that I hate that I admire... is how unpredictable he is.

______________________________

That night was the true test of the new crew. Lightening and thunder surrounded us from above, and treacherous waves crashed around us below. Every sail was stretched taut, and the ship rocked as it dropped into the valley of huge swells before climbing up the other side. Storms are a given part of a pirates life, but you never know when your next storm will be your last.

"Pull the lines! Cut the sails!" I ordered, my habit of instruction was instinctual. I refused to get shipwrecked under the leading of someone as nutty as Jack Sparrow.

As long as I can remember, I have been called to the sea. She is as perilous and mysterious as I am, and I am always prepared for her treacherous challenges.

I could barely hear anything over the crack of the thunder and the crashing of the waves. The heavy rainfall made it difficult to see. I looked up at Jack, regarding how the wind blew his dark hair back, and the rain poured down on everyone, but his eyes remained intent on our course.

I ran over to Gibbs and Will who were pulling the ropes. My calloused fingers expertly helped with the rigging, trying to adjust the sails. Laboring on the wicked, old sea will never get any easier. Will yelled over the sound of the crashing waves, "how can we sail to an island that nobody can find with a compass that doesn't work?"

"The compass is not working?!" I shouted angrily. My jacket was heavy because it was soaked with rain, but I had to wear it because my white shirt is see-through when it's wet.

Gibbs eased us with, "the compass doesn't point north, but we're not trying to find north, are we?"

I had no idea how that helps us at all. Maybe it's a British thing, but these men make little to no sense. I went off to the bow to assist AnaMaria and I watched Gibbs stagger along the deck, nearly slipping from the water that stroked our ankles. He was walking toward Jack, who was confidently steering with one hand and holding a compass in the other. It must be the broken one that Gibbs told us about.

The storm did not let up for the rest of the night. When daylight came, the waves settled and we were finally able to take turns getting sleep. The Cabin was occupied, so I found a hammock for myself below deck, which I fell asleep immediately in.

I woke up to the parrot squawking, "dead men tell no tales," over and over. I groggily walked up the steps onto the deck and became alert as we drifted past old shipwrecks near a cave. The mist was low, and the waters were calm, but we knew that we were close. Everyone gathered to the edge of the ship, watching intently as we got closer.

I stood beside Will, and I peered up at Jack. He was standing on the quarterdeck by the wheel, slowly navigating us through the treacherous rocks that poked out of the water. His eyes darted down for a moment, locking with mine. Then, he snapped his head back to his compass and he shifted the wheel slightly.

My attention was brought to Will as he was also looking up at Jack. I realized that I was not the only one interested in the compass when Gibbs came walking past us and Will stopped him to ask, "how is it that Jack come by that compass?"

"Not a lot's known about Jack before he showed up in Tortuga with a mind to find the treasure of the Isla de Muerta. That was before I'd met him, back when he captain the Black Pearl."

Will and I both asked, "what?"

Gibbs started drinking out of his flask but immediately stopped. I had a hard time seeing Jack as the Captain of the Black Pearl... or as a captain in general. He just seems like he has no idea what he is doing.

Will added, "he failed to mention that."

"Oh, là là," I grunted.

Gibbs said, "he plays things closer to the vest now. A hard-learned lesson it was. Three days out on the venture, the first mate says, 'everything's an equal share. That means the location of the treasure too.' So Jack gives up the bearings. That night, there was a mutiny. They marooned Jack on an island and left him to die, but not before he'd gone mad with the heat."

Marooning was a normal part of pirating life. Last time my crew marooned someone, it was Edward England. My crew assisted in marooning him on Isle de France with three other members of his crew, leaving them without adequate provisions, and forced them to scavenge. Captain England was a kind man, and he led with compassion, unlike my father. I felt terrible about his mutiny. The only reason he was mutinied and marooned was because he spared some captives during a battle. He was one of the most humane pirates I've ever met, and I tended to admire his leadership style.

Will nodded, "so, that's the reason for all the..." and proceeded to make a humorous impression of the way Jack sways as he stands, his facial expressions, and the way he moves his hands.

I chuckled into my wrist. I thought that Will's impression was spot on, and I was thankful that I wasn't the only one who noticed Jack's weirdness.

Gibbs was not amused, "reason's got nothing to do with it. Now, lads, when a pirate's marooned, he's given a pistol with a single shot— one shot. That won't do much good hunting, nor to be rescued. But after three weeks of a starving belly and thirst, that pistol started to look real friendly," he said, putting two fingers to his temple. Will and I were so invested in Gibbs' story, he continued, "but Jack escaped the island and still had that single shot. He won't use it, though, save on one man. His mutinous first-mate."

"Barbossa," Will answered.

"Barbossa was Jack's first-mate?" I asked. I knew the name, because the Black Pearl is famous throughout the seven seas and from the numerous battles Le Victorieux has had against him over the past few years. However, I did not recall knowing the name of Jack Sparrow before this voyage.

"Aye," Gibbs said to us.

Will frowned, "how did Jack get off the island?"

"Well, I'll tell ya. He waded out into the shallows and waited three days and three nights till all manner of sea creatures came acclimated to his presence. On the fourth morning, he roped himself a couple of sea turtles, lashed them together and made a raft."

Will and I looked at each other in bewilderment, and Will spoke up, "he roped a couple of sea turtles."

Gibbs was into it. He believed every word he said. "Aye, sea turtles."

I, on the other hand, was not convinced. I asked, "what does he use for the rope?"

Gibbs opened his mouth to answer, but squinted his eyes when nothing came out, for he did not know. He twisted his head to the side toward me, and I looked up to see Jack standing directly behind me, listening in on our conversation about him.

He looked down at me and answered, "human hair. From my back."

"You're telling salads," I stated.

"What?" He asked with his eyebrows raised and his voice grew higher.

"You don't have this expression?" I asked.

"Afraid not," he said.

I translated, "what you're saying is false."

"Is not." His smile dropped.

"Well, then how long did it take you to grow it out?" I joked.

Jack glared at me, "three days, love."

"Love?" Gibbs asked with a sneer.

"Yes," Jack said, like it was a foolish question.

Gibbs looked at me muddled, and I remembered that I gave him the impression that I was a man. I removed my hat, letting my hair fall down my back and I used my hand to fluff it out to reveal what most pirates fear the most: a woman.

"You're a woman?! That's bad luck, Jack," Gibbs stood up and took a few steps away from me.

"What's this?" I asked, annoyed how quickly his opinion of me changed.

"Shame on you, Gibbs. You do not see that you have insulted the Frenchie?" Jack thumped Gibbs' nose.

Gibbs rubbed his nose and looked at me and said, "I apologize, Miss, but I don't believe I've had the... pleasure of sailing with a woman before."

Gibbs is a very superstitious man. He tossed some bananas he found overboard and he mumbled about them bringing bad luck, and he had scolded me for whistling. Apparently, whistling challenges the wind itself which would bring a storm. I also picked his brain on the superstition of women on ships, and he stated that they could potentially be distractions, which in turn would anger the sea gods and generate bad weather. I believe most of his fears stem from weather related issues.

"And she's Levasseur's daughter," Jack winked in my direction. I immediately looked away, but I couldn't help the giddy feeling I got from it.

Gibbs turned to me, "you're Annette?"

"Have you heard about me?" I asked. I didn't realize the extent to how popular my name is around the Caribbean.

"Every bloody pirate across the seven seas has heard of you," Gibbs said, "everyone who had come across Captain Levasseur and has lived to tell the tale has reported to never have seen you."

"Oh, they have," I chuckled, tossing my leather hat up in the air and catching it. "This hat truly works wonders."

"Let go the anchor!" Jack bellowed.

Someone from the crew answered to him, "lower the anchor line!" before running off to perform the duty.

Jack slowly moved his narrow eyes away from me and Will before he staggered off. I had just realized how much he bobs his head when he speaks. Does he not get dizzy?

"Have you heard of Jack before... this?" Will asked me when we were left alone by the taffrail.

I shook my head as I placed my hat back on, not worrying about putting my hair up in it anymore, "no. I guess he wasn't a worthy opponent of Victorieux."

"Is Victorious your ship?"

I nodded, "and you?"

"Aye," Will chuckled. He lowered his voice a bit to say, "people know him as the worst pirate we've ever heard of."

Jack was walking past and he joked, "but you have heard of me."

"Sorry," Will said, "I was just telling her the rumors about you."

"Don't ruin me reputation, mate." Jack's eyebrows rose behind his red bandanna that peaked out of his hat. "If we play the cards right, she could run back to daddy and I'll become the most feared pirate in all of France."

"Good luck with that," I chuckled.

Jack scowled at me and said, "young Mr. Turner, and Frenchie, and I are to go ashore."

"Uh—no, I can't— I don't want to," I stammered.

"You are definitely going," Jack said while pointing at me.

"But—"

He interrupted me to mock, "uh—no, I can't— go!"

"Fine," I snapped.

Gibbs ran ahead of us as we followed Jack to the longboats. Will and I stood behind and Gibbs asked, "Captain, what if the worst should happen?"

Jack answered, "keep to the Code."

"Aye, the Code," Gibbs nodded as we walked off.

The three of us boarded a longboat and entered the dark cave, our only source of light came from a lantern that was hanging by a hook in the front. We gently floated down the little stream, guiding our journey were overflowing chests of coins, gold and silver, jewels, jade, ivory, silks, pearls, swords, anything and everything that was of value was hidden in this lagoon. This also included the skeleton remains of sailors from years past who dared to adventure through here.

Will asked in a low voice, "what code is Gibbs to keep to if the worst should happen?"

Every pirate across the Seven Seas knows of The Code. It's a set of rules that we must follow, and breaking the rules could be punishable by death. I answered, "every man who falls behind is left behind."

"Aye. It's part of the Pirates Code," Jack said.

"No heroes amongst thieves, eh?" Will asked, glancing over the edge of the boat.

Jack continued to row and he said, "you know, for having such a bleak outlook on pirates, you're well on your way to becoming one. Sprung a man from jail, commandeered a ship of the fleet, sailed with a buccaneer crew out of Tortuga..." Jack's eyes followed Will's, and mine followed Jack's. Will's attention was gravitated to the water below, and I leaned over to see what Will was looking at. It was gold pieces that were littered in the sand. Jack chuckled, "and you're completely obsessed with treasure."

The boat hit the shore, and Jack offered me his hand to assist me in getting out of the boat. I independently stepped onto the sand, brushing past his extended offering.

Will was still agitated by the claim and he said, "that's not true. I am not obsessed with treasure."

I followed the men through the cave until we reached a pocket in the back where we could see the beauty of the rest of the cavern. Jack beat us to the opening, and he gazed out before he turned to us. He said, "not all treasure is silver and gold, mate," then he beckoned us to the view.

The harsh voice of Barbossa echoed in the cave as he said, "gentlemen, the time has come!"

We scrambled up to the ledge where we saw the magnificent cave, full of gold, jewels, and many other shiny objects of value. There was a chest on top of a mountain of gold, with a woman behind it and Barbossa standing next to her, giving his speech to his crew below. I haven't seen Barbossa in years, and he was just as nasty as ever.

"Elizabeth," Will uttered, looking at the woman yearningly. Now I know what Jack meant by not all treasure is silver and gold.

Elizabeth looked terrified, looking around the cave to try to find an exit. She wore a mulberry dress, similar to one I would wear if I had to wear a one myself. She had tousled dark blonde hair that was dipped below her shoulders, but it's was tangled and in knots. Not as well-groomed as I would have thought the governors daughter would have been. I guess she has an excuse though, she has been kidnapped by pirates.

"What's inside?" I asked openly once Barbossa kicked off the lid of the chest.

"Aztec gold," Jack whispered back.

I let my eyes leave the chest and they landed on Jack beside me. His dark eyes were sparkling from the gleaming gold that surrounded us in a way that made my mouth run dry. I asked him, "why is this special?"

Jack smiled ominously, "it's their curse."

"Curse?" I repeated with a scoff. Curses are a popular myth, but that's all they are. A myth. They don't exist, they're just told to frighten sailors and young people.

Jack kept the expression as he peered back at me before answering, "you'll see."

My attention went back to Barbossa as he announced, "every last piece that went astray, we have returned—" he pointed at a gold piece around Elizabeth's neck with his tip of his sword and said, "save for this!"

"Jack!" Will called out, ready to dive out of our safety pocket and go up against dozens of pirates by himself.

"Not yet!" Jack yelled. He grabbed him by his white shirt and brown waistcoat and yanked him back. "We wait for the opportune moment."

Jack began walking off, out of our safety behind the rock, so Will followed. I looked back at them and figured I should accompany the men. I quietly walked behind Will and he asked Jack, "when's that? When it's of greatest profit to you?"

Jack froze, "may I ask you something?" He turned to Will and got up in his face. I took a step back to avoid getting in their way. "Have I ever given you a reason not to trust me? Do us a favor. I know it's difficult for you, but please, stay here, and try not to do anything stupid," he said before he walked off.

I bit the inside of my cheek as I debated on saying something to Will, but my internal dilemma was answered when Will exhaled sharply and meandered off in the same general direction as Jack.

I toddled back momentarily to our hiding spot behind the rock to avoid making any noise. I could see Barbossa's nasty grin from the other side of the cave. His voice echoed which gave me goose-bumps as he said, "you know the first thing I'm going to do after the curse is lifted? Eat a whole bushel of apples."

He grabbed Elizabeth by her neck and pushed her down to the gold. I felt my skin prickle and my hair rise off the back of my neck when the crew began to chant, "blood! Blood! Blood!"

"Begun by blood. By blood undone," Barbossa said, holding a sharp stone knife in his other hand.

They say that treasure picks the person. This entire cave was calling for me, as if it was teasing. It was too good to be true. Pulsing thoughts of plundering into my head that I had to shake away. It really wanted me to stay, so I knew I had to leave. It wanted me cursed too.

I escaped the pocket, off to find Will and Jack. They must know that we were running out of time if we were to save the governors daughter. I paused when I saw Will standing over the fallen Jack with a wooden oar in his hands, "sorry Jack. I'm not going to be your leverage."

"Will, what do you do?" I asked as I walked up to the two. I gave unconscious Jack a nudge in the ribs with my foot and he did not move.

Will tossed the oar into a corner of the cave and he grabbed my hand. Before I could object, he said, "come on, we don't have a lot of time."

We ran and hid behind a giant rock and peaked our heads out to see Barbossa shove the medallion that was once around Elizabeth's neck into her hand and made a quick cut on her palm.

"That's it?" She asked in disbelief.

Barbossa leaned into her and said something too quiet for me to hear. He grabbed her hand and forced her to drop the blood covered gold piece into the chest with the other gold coins. Will and I froze when the crew began settling down, unaware of what was to happen.

One pirates raspy voice asked, "did it work?"

Will tapped my shoulder and motioned me to follow him. We carefully ran around the treasure, trying not to make any noise. I quickly looked back and Jack was still laying face down behind a rock, hidden from their view.

"I don't feel no different," another voice said. Their voices echoed all throughout the cave.

"How do we tell?"

I heard a gunshot, and I promptly peered over a boulder to see that Barbossa shot a bullet through one of his crew members chests. I covered my hand with my mouth in shock. Not because of the attempted murder, but because the man did not die.

"You're not dead!" The pirate with thick black dreadlocks exclaimed. He sounded more disappointed than shocked.

"He's not dead," I breathed out. My hands fell from my open mouth and landed on my heart as my chest heaved in horror. A chill ran down my entire body, and my feet felt heavy.

"No," the pirate who got shot said. The sudden realization of the incident brushed onto his face and he whined, "you shot me!"

"It didn't work! The curse is still upon us!" A pirate shouted, which commenced everyone to start yelling up at Barbossa.

Will grabbed my arm and whispered, "we have to go."

"Mon Dieu! How is this possible?!" I asked in shock, gesturing to the undead crew as Will dragged me along. I was absolutely dumbfounded, almost too stunned to move by myself.

Barbossa's voice boomed throughout the cave, "you, maid. Your father. What was his name?! Was your father William Turner?!"

Elizabeth's answer was amplified by the acoustics of the cave, "no."

"Where's his child? The child that sailed from England eight years ago, the child in whose veins flows the blood of William Turner?! Where?!"

I didn't hear an answer from Elizabeth. Instead, the familiar sound of a slap followed by the noise of the gold pieces clattering together.

Will snuck into the water, while I stayed behind a rock to avoid getting noticed. My gaze fixed at the gold mountain, seeing Barbossa and his crew yelling at each other, but not Elizabeth. It wasn't until I glanced down to see her laying on the ground that I realized that she was pushed off the mountain of treasure.

I saw Will cover her mouth with his hand before bringing a finger to his lips and motioning that she get into the water. She looked startled, but relieved when she saw him. She followed him, but not before grabbing the blood covered medallion that fell beside her.

Barbossa continued to argue with his crew who were blaming him for bringing the wrong person. I had come to the understanding that in order to lift their curse, they needed the blood of Bootstrap Bill. Was their curse immortality? Why would they want to end that?

Will took Elizabeth back to behind a rock where Barbossa and his crew would not be able to see us, and she asked me who I was. She had judgement in her eyes, and she looked less than pleased that I was part of the expedition. I'm used to the bleak outlook that people have on pirates, and I don't blame them. If I wasn't a pirate, I wouldn't think highly of them either. I still don't. And I didn't want to be there either.

"We met at Port Royal," Will said, assuring Elizabeth that I was there to help.

We escaped the cave, but not before stealing all the oars of the Black Pearls longboats so they couldn't get back easily.

"And Jack?" I asked Will as he assisted getting Elizabeth into the boat.

"The Code, remember?" Will said.

"They are not after us!" I claimed, not able to hear their yells anymore. "We did not gave him a chance."

"If you go back, we are leaving you," Will threatened.

I huffed, but tossed him an oar and began running back through the cave. I pressed my back against the uneven wall, listening in. I could hear Jack babbling to the pirates, but I couldn't see them.

"Pearlie..." Jack said, stumbling over his words. "Per-lay-lee-loo-loo. Par-lay-lee... parsnip. Parsley. Par... partner. Pardoner."

Knowing French, this was tremendously difficult for me to hear. It's parley!

"Parley?" One of Barbossa's crew members asked.

"That's the one! Parley!" Jack stated, "parley!"

"Damn to the depths whatever muttonhead thought up parley," another crew member shouted through his teeth.

"That would be the French," Jack said. He may be crazy, but I have to admit, he is funny. "Latin-based, of course. Inventors of mayonnaise. I've been running around with one, and I don't think they're half-bad, mate."

"I like mayonnaise," one of the other pirates said.

The knowledge that Jack called parley was suffice enough for me to hasten back to Will and Elizabeth. By the time I got back to the mouth of the cave, they were already halfway back to the Interceptor. I took a few steps back to give myself a running start, and dove into the water with my hands above my head, cutting through the warm water. Being a pirate, you must be a good swimmer because you never know when you might get tossed overboard.

I swam up to their little boat, accidentally causing Elizabeth to scream when I popped my head up beside them. Will helped me on board, and I took the time to shake the water off my wet hat and squeeze the water out of my dark hair.

As I rung my wet clothes out, I told Will, "Jack will not leave that cave unless it's board the Pearl, but he called parley. He is not such a fool, he should be fine."

"Jack?" Elizabeth asked me, "Jack Sparrow?"

I nodded, "do you know him?"

"More than I'd like to," she responded and crossed her arms.

"You and me both," I said under my breath.

We reached the ship, and Will helped Elizabeth onto the top rigging to climb back onto the ship. Once she was about halfway up, he grabbed my waist to assist me as well, and started climbing up after me. Once we reached the top, the crew helped us all over the ledge.

Elizabeth took one look at our misfit crew and complained, "not more pirates."

"Welcome abroad, Miss Elizabeth," Gibbs greeted.

"Mr. Gibbs?" She asked, looking like she recognized him.

"Hey, boy, where be Jack?" He asked Will, not paying much attention to Elizabeth.

"He fell behind," Will answered. He then led Elizabeth away and they disappeared below the deck.

"Three women on board? A man don't have to be superstitious to know that's trouble," Gibbs muttered before walking off. He was really getting on my nerves. The crew looked to Gibbs in bewilderment, unsure of what to do now that their captain was gone, but he answered, "keep to the Code!"

"Weigh anchor!" AnaMaria called out.

"Make sail!" I ordered.

We continued our normal duties without Jack, but he was on everyone's minds. It was easy to get attached to that lovable arse. He was not a typical captain, he didn't have an attitude to kill. I found myself respecting his unconventional ways, preferring it to what I grew up with. I had to keep reminding myself that this man was keeping me for ransom so I did not develop any positive feelings towards him... but it was difficult.

"Annette!" AnaMaria called out. I looked over at the ruckus and saw her pointing out into the sea behind us. I leaned over the taffrail and saw the Pearl gaining on us.

The Interceptor is known as the fastest ship in the Caribbean. The Interceptor is fast, but the Pearl is slightly faster. I noticed his large black sails, which probably assists with making him an uncatchable ship. His hull was completely charred black, with an Angel figurehead. Just gazing upon the terrifying vessel was enough to make my skin crawl. If you see a sailing ship, it might be your last so you must always be prepared.

Gibbs panicked and began calling out, "hands aloft to loose ta'gallants! With this wind, she'll care every sail we've got!"

"He's on our quarter!" I shouted, "full canvas!"

AnaMaria called out my name, and motioned to the wheel. I ran to her and took the wheel from her hands as she looked back at the Pearl with a spyglass.

Elizabeth and Will emerged out from under the deck and Elizabeth came up to us at the helm and asked, "what's happening?"

I tried to answer, but I felt so frazzled that I could not remember the English word, "the Black Pearl is... how do you say?"

AnaMaria, by my side, answered, "she's gaining on us!"

"This is the fastest ship in the Caribbean!" Elizabeth said, going up the stairs.

"You can tell them that after they've caught us," AnaMaria snapped.

"The Black Pearl is the fastest ship in the Caribbean... so I was told," I said. I really couldn't be confident in anything that Jack told me.

Elizabeth said, "we're shallower in the draft, right?"

"Aye," AnaMaria said.

"Can't we lose them amongst those shoals?" Elizabeth asked, pointing to further down the ocean.

Gibb's demeanor changed at the idea. He said optimistically, "we don't have to outrun them long, just long enough."

"Lighten the ship! Stem to stern!" AnaMaria called out, jumping off the quarterdeck and onto the main deck to assist.

"Gibbs," I said from the wheel. He turned to me and I continued, "I don't think this will work. I have gone after ships with my father that would do the same thing to try to outrun us."

"And what happened to them?" He asked.

I lowered my voice and answered, "we would... how do you say... burn them."

That was not the information that he wanted to hear. He looked to me like he knew this would be the outcome, but we had no other choice. Gibbs shook his head and said, "we must try it, we have no other ideas. Unless you do?"

"Come back to me when we attack a ship, not outrun a ship," I said while straightening out the wheel. "Believe me, I have attacked a lot of ships." My eyes brightened in realization. "Why don't we do that? Attack?"

"That's a terrible idea," he said. I looked at him in annoyance and he turned to the crew and shouted, "anything we can afford to lose, see that it's lost!"

The crew began scurrying around the ship, tossing barrels and dense items overboard. My grip on the wheel tightened and I pressed my lips together in frustration as I saw them toss cannonballs into the ocean and a couple cannons.

"Gibbs!" I shouted. When he came up the stairs again I yelled, "the cannons balls?! What if we must fight? We will have nothing to defend ourselves."

Gibbs answered, "it's to lighten the ship so we won't have to!"

I was about to reiterate how I did not believe that this would work, but Gibbs ran back down the stairs to assist in making the ship lighter. I just wished he would listen to me, but honestly if someone else suggested that we attack against the infamous Black Pearl, I'd probably have the same reaction. I secretly wished we could toss a select few people overboard, but I continued to steer the ship. I looked behind me and I saw the Pearl continue to get closer. They were pulling up their skull flag and preparing their cannons.

"He's approaching the stern!" I yelled. Will finally emerged from under the deck again and I called out, "where have you been?!"

His fearful expression was response enough. He jumped on top of the taffrail and used a rope rigging to ensure that he didn't fall into the water. I looked back over my shoulder to see giant oars coming out of the Pearls hull, propelling them to go faster.

"Oh, merde," I cursed. I did not see how we were going to be able to outrun him. Jack was right, death really was almost certain.

Elizabeth came running to the helm next to me, followed by AnaMaria and Gibbs. We all looked back to see the Pearl even closer.

"It was a good plan," AnaMaria said, "up till now."

Will joined us and said, "Gibbs! We have to make a stand. We must fight! Load the guns!"

"With what?!" AnaMaria asked with a sharp and annoyed tone.

"We threw everything overboard," I reminded him of Elizabeth's brilliant idea.

"Anything! Everything! Anything we have left," Will said.

With no other ideas, Gibbs finally agreed and dropped down to the deck. "Load the guns! Case shot and langrage! Nails and crushed glass!"

My jaw slacked when Gibbs would listen to Will and not me. I gave him the same idea, and he blew me off. Did he despise me that much? Is it because I'm a woman? He listened to Elizabeth. He needs to know that I have more pirating experience in the past year than Will and Elizabeth have had in their entire lives combined. Will made the right call, but so did I. And I made it first.

Fighting was definitely out best chance against the Pearl. However, this decision was made too late. We didn't have another choice, and everyone needed to give it their all if we were going to have any chance of survival. I glared at Will, "this better work."

"I hope so," he answered before running off to the deck. 

"Clear the decks!" I shouted, preparing everyone for battle. "No quarter!"

Getting stuck behind the wheel, I called out to AnaMaria for her to take over again. I jumped down the stairs off the quarterdeck and began helping to find anything that could be used to shove into the cannons.

"The Pearl's gonna luff up on our port quarter," Gibbs shouted, "she'll take us without presenting a target."

"Lower the anchor in the right side," Elizabeth suggested.

"It certainly has the element of surprise," Will backed her up.

I nodded. I did not want to agree with Elizabeth, but we were all out of options. "She have do something terrible on the boat... but let's do it."

"You're daft, lady, you all are!" AnaMaria yelled at us.

"Daft like Jack!" Gibbs said. He turned around to order, "lower the starboard anchor!"

The crew looked back at him puzzled, because of the crazed request. Gibbs yelled, "do it, you gobs, or it's you we'll load into the cannons!"

Will brushed past me to help the crew lower the anchor, and I stood behind Gibbs, watching the Pearl get even closer. I swallowed the lump in my throat, and mentally prepared to fight.

Gibbs asked me over his shoulder, "do you know how to use a sword, Miss? Slash, don't stab."

I was annoyed at his sexism and how he was ignorant of my tremendous experience with pirates. Everything I've known about my life has been revolved around pirating. Through my gritted teeth, I responded, "do not tell me how to kill someone. I know how to kill someone."

"Let go!" Elizabeth called out to AnaMaria, who followed her order of letting go of the wheel, letting it spin on its own.

The ship turned immediately, all of us had to catch our footing to avoid falling. Gibbs grabbed a hold of the rigging, but the ship was taking such a hard and sudden turn while fighting with the waves, the deck was practically vertical. I didn't have enough time to grab anything, so I fell to my knees and slid down the deck until I hit the taffrail on the other side. Within moments, we were right beside the Pearl. The deck became level again, and I was able to get off my bruised knees to prepare to fight.

"Now!" Will called out.

"Fire!" I screamed over the shouts of everyone else on both ships. Our cannons below were fired, causing destruction to the Pearl. Clouds of smoke and gunpowder filled my vision, and I could hear the sweet sounds of pirates from the Pearl falling into the water.

One of our makeshift cannonballs started destroying the charred hull of the Pearl. Jack was trapped in a cell in the brig and he shouted, "stop blowing holes in my ship!"

Constantly having to jump out of the way of the real cannonballs headed in our direction, I stood with Will and Elizabeth as we used our guns to shoot at the Pearl. What good would this do if they're immortal? We really did not think this through.

Cannonballs were whistling past our heads, and some were hitting the mast and ripping holes through the sails. I could feel splinters of the wood chipping off and landing on the ends of my hair, or sticking to my coat. I was too busy aiming the barrel of my gun at undead pirates, so it wasn't exactly on my mind.

Gibbs yelled, "we could use a few more ideas, lass!"

Elizabeth shouted back, "it's your turn! What about Miss Pirate?"

"We attacked others, we were never attacked," I answered, taking a shot and blowing parts of a skull off one of the men that cannot die. "And we never threw all our weapons overboard!"

"We need us a devils dowery," Gibbs said, taking a shot.

AnaMaria came up behind Elizabeth and pressed a gun to her temple, "we'll give him her!"

"That's an idea," I said in agreement.

"She's not what they're after," Will said.

The two looked at each other and Elizabeth gripped at her bare chest and looked up at Will with her eyes wide. "The medallion."

Will ran off and disappeared under the deck.

We started to dive for cover, quickly realizing that we were unmatched. Some of the newer recruits were recoiling at the gore we witnessed. The Pearl shot out a double-ball with a chain linking the two cannonballs. As it spun through the air, one of our men were unfortunately in its way and they were cut in half by the chain shot. It hit our main mast dead on. Our sails began to fall, cracking and splintering at the base of our ship. I rolled out of the way and watched it fall onto the deck of the Pearl. My heart was heavy at the sight, and a fear overwhelmed my body as if I've lived through that very scene before, like déjà vu.

Grappling hooks started to be thrown to the Interceptor, and the undead crew started swinging across. Our guns were no match for their immortality, so nothing was slowing them down. Instead of wasting bullets, I began using my gun was a butting device, smashing at their bloody flesh and bone as hard as I could.

I didn't see Jack get on our ship, but I saw him run after a capuchin monkey onto Barbossa's ship. I continued to fight with all that I had, and I noticed Elizabeth sitting by the crate that led under the deck, her fingers wrapped around the holes as she tried to lift it up. I quickly remembered that Will was still down there, and she was picked up and carried off before she could open the door.

"Will!" I cried out, unable to escape the clutches of the pirates that surrounded me. "Will!"

Suddenly, my blood ran cold as the undead pirates began cheering. The fighting had ceased, and I quickly realized that we had lost this battle. We were all escorted off the boat, where I quickly gathered my hair into my hat so Barbossa wouldn't be able to recognize me. We were all tied to the main mast of the Pearl. It was torture for us to see our ship explode right before our eyes, with Will no where to be found.

AN: super long chapter! I'm sorry 😬 but I hope you enjoyed 💕
Question: I know that Christmas has passed but what's your favorite Christmas song that reminds you of the beach/Caribbean?
My favorites are Ho Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum and Christmas Island, both by Jimmy Buffet! Christmas Island by Ella Fitzgerald is amazing too