Youth Restored
Youth Restored
Jack Sparrow hummed the pirate tune Elizabeth taught him long ago when they were stranded on Rum Runner’s Island. He was rowing up river to find the mythic Fountain of Youth along with his Native guide, whose name translated into English as ‘Nobody.’ He was a large man who wore a mixture of native and western clothing, his long black hair tied back with a black ribbon. Nobody spoke English well enough to communicate with Jack and lead him to the Fountain.
Jack had been searching for 5 long years and was finally getting close, hardly able to contain his excitement.
“Captain Sparrow, need to dock the boat up there, where the tree has fallen cross river.”
“Aye mate,” Jack picked up speed wanting to get there as fast as possible. He tied off the boat and climbed out with Nobody behind him.
“Where now, mate?
“This way,” Nobody led jack through the dense swamp land. After about 4 hours of hiking and 2 hours after the rum ran out, Nobody pulled aside a tree branch to reveal a glistening pond fed by a small water fall.
“Here. This what you looking for.”
Jack used all his self control to not fall to his knees and cry. He’d finally found it, after all these years he’d found it. He stripped off his effects and handed them to Nobody .
“Do not lose these,” he commanded before running into the water like an excited child on a hot day.
“Careful!” Nobody warned as he watched Jack dive under the water, “Longer you stay in, younger you get!”
Jack came back up gasping for air. He looked down at his hands and saw they were smoother and less calloused. He climbed out of the pond and immediately drew his sword, making Nobody’s eyes widen in fear for a moment before realizing Jack was using the blade as a mirror. The Fountain had taken a good 20 years off, Jack surmised he must be about 23 again. Before he could control himself he started to laugh, it started out as a chuckle that ended as a loud and almost insane laugh. Nobody patted him on the shoulder.
“Come, Sir, let us go back to camp, the dark approaches. “
Jack nodded, still giggling to himself as they walked back to the boat. He’d done it. He was young again, he could sail the seas even longer. Suddenly a thought hit him like he’d been punched in the chest. He could be with her, the object of his love and affection for years. He didn’t have to feel like a dirty old man when he was with her anymore.
He could finally be with Elizabeth.