The Chinese New Year

Chapter Ten

Two days after being imprisoned, things began to loosen up between the three prisoners. Jack and Elizabeth were civil to eachother, talking about the weather and what to do after they escaped (because, according to Jack, he WAS Captian Jack Sparrow (minus the ship) and he can escape ANYTHING), Daiyu opened up and started talking more- there really was no point for her to be silent now, anyway. So the three of them talked for the two days, mainly because there was nothing to do.

Jack was just happy that he had some company. Made this imprisoment a little easier to bear. Even though the gaurds shoot off warning shots whenever they talked about escaping. But, that didn't stop them, they still came up with plans and ideas on how to get out.

Things were picking up, considering the fact that they were imprisoned by a man that they all hate for their own personal reasons, until one day when the ship docked into the port of New Providence. That day, Elizabeth and only Elizabeth was taken (actually, dragged... with Daiyu fighting to go with her and Jack screaming at the gaurds to let her go) and was brought to an office of some sort on the ship, where a dressmaker was right now. Elizabeth looked around the office. Sure enough, it was Teng's. Elizabeth just rolled her eyes and sat down in a chair, unwilling to move or talk to the dressmaker.

"You, leave." the dressmaker, whose name was Amanda Willis, shooed away the guards. "Shoo! A lady can't undress in front of men! That's barbaric! Leave, at once!" One by one, the gaurds left them alone, but stood right outside the door.

Making sure the door was closed and locked tight, with no spaces or cracks for anyone to peek in, Miss Willis turned to Elizabeth and tutted.

"My, you are a pretty one, aren't you? I can see why Mr. Teng chose you."

Elizabeth frowned. "I didn't chose to be chosen. It was forced upon me, and I'd rather kiss a dead horse's arse then marry Teng." she spat, staring daggers at the dressmaker.

"No need to get testy, little one." Miss Willis said, preparing the dress and pins that she could tell that she would use already. "At least try the dress on, if anything else. It's a beautiful one."

Elizabeth stared coldly up at Miss Willis and said truthfully: "No. The dress can burn for all I care."

"Now, darling, it's not the dress's fault." Miss Willis fanned out the skirt- from what Elizabeth could tell, the fabric was a nice silk, with tiny white jewels encrusted at various spots- diamonds. "When was the last time you dressed up?"

Elizabeth thought back to her almost- wedding with Will. Funny. She hadn't thought about that in a while- she felt a sort of loss over it. "It's been a while." she replied.

"Then put it on, just for the sake of looking pretty, at least for a few minutes." Miss Willis said calmly.

Elizabeth thought about it. It was a beautiful dress, and she imagined how it would feel. Besides, she planned on running away before the wedding, so this would be the only time she had a chance to wear it. Defeated, she took off her boots and stood up, allowing Miss Willis to poke and prod at her body, getting measurements. Elizabeth let her go, better to let the older woman have fun. Slowly, she took off her shirt and pants, stepping into the dress that Miss Willis had opened up for her.

She felt the silk, the sofest she had ever felt, slide up her body, instantly clinging on to her skin. It felt like her and the dress were as one. Miss Willis buttoned up the back and fixed the hem a little bit. She stood back- it seemed like she didn't have to alter a thing. The dress, a simple white gown with tiny diamons clustered in it to make it shine, and a scarf that wrapped around her neck and fell down the back of her, seemed to fit Elizabeth perfectly.

Elizabeth ran her hands over her body, relishing the feel of the silk. It was a beautiful dress- to bad that she'll never wear it again. She twirled the bottom of it, watching the bell shaped skirt move with her. Miss Willis clapped her hands in approvement- this dress was hers!

Elizabeth's eyes closed and she sighed. She pictured a wide, open beach, white chairs standing out against the darker sand, all connected by white lillies, her favorite flower. She imagined herself walking down the long aisle, ending up on an empty alter. That's when she noticed- no one was there. No family sitting in the seats, no pastor... no groom. Elizabeth looked around frantically and saw, out in the ocean, a ship with black sails sailing away- The Black Pearl, leaving her... with the captain.

Miss Willis noticed tears sliding down the young lady's cheek, and immediately put a comforting hand on her shoulder. This made Elizabeth jump out of her revery and she smiled at the old woman, wiping the tears away from her eyes.

"Oh, well..." she sighed. "Thank you very much for allowing me to use your dress. I'm sorry that I'll never have the chance to wear it." Elizabeth said, unwrapping the scarf around her neck.

Miss Willis did not say anything, just nodded and unbuttoned the back of the dress for her. Elizabeth carefully stepped out of it, and went to put her old clothes on. She shook hands with Miss Willis, and saw the nice dress being placed in a sack, so it didn't get ruined. Elizabeth turned towards the door and opened it up, watching as the gaurds stood by her side, grabbing her arms. She broke free from their grip and walked slowly towards the brig, allowing the cool wind roll off the deck and onto her.

In a matter of minutes, Elizabeth entered the cell quietly, and ignored the questioning glares from both Jack and Elizabeth. She was acting childish, but she needed some time alone with her thoughts, so she quietly sat in the far corner, refusing to look anyone in the face, tears pouring out of her brown eyes.

(1)(2)(3)

Jack looked at Elizabeth, worry etched into his face. But when she decided not to look or talk to anybody, Jack shrugged his shoulders and leaned back against the wall, toying with the beads in his hair.

"Hey, love, something wrong?" he asked, seeming like he didn't really care. But he did- he just didn't want to show it. It was a belief that he had believed in for many years- never show your true feelings, unless absolutley necessary. Which was never. So, never show your emotions. Because once you do, you'll get hurt, and Jack didn't handle being hurt very well. It always worked, up until he met Elizabeth. Now he was questioning his beliefs, which surprised him. Captain Jack Sparrow never changed- that was why he was Captian Jack Sparrow.

But was that enough? he thought.

Elizabeth never answered him, and Jack acted like he didn't care. He didn't. Then why was he yelling at himself in his mind?