The Map

A/N: Usual Disclaimer. Own nothing, except the bills, the kids and the hubby. Huge thanks to AniSparrow as always for being the number one beta reader she is. She does it with such style and aplomb. Any mistakes and errors remaining are all mine.

Hope you enjoy…
Chapter29

Distractions


“Damn you, Jack,” she muttered. She leaned forwards and kissed him fast and hard on the lips. “Damn you for making me love you so much.”

The moment the words left her lips, Nell realised her mistake. She closed her eyes, unwilling to see his reaction; certain it couldn’t be anything but gentle rejection.

“What’s the hold up?” Norrington fought his way back to Jack, sweat running down his face from the effort. “Is there a problem?”

“No, no problem,” Jack replied quietly and turned to face Norrington. “After you, mate.”

Norrington looked at Jack strangely. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing, nothing at all!” Jack shooed him forwards with his hands. Norrington gave him one last odd glance before he turned and carried on, followed by Jack, moving forwards, his sword swinging.

Nell cracked open her eyes and felt her heart die in her chest. Hock pushed her forwards gently, one hand between her shoulders blades.

“C’mon, lass,” his voice was gentle, making tears fill Nell’s eyes. Even though the practical and logical side of her knew that Jack would never feel more than friendship for her, part of her had hoped that maybe, just maybe, he could have loved her in return. She snorted loudly at her own stupidity; the man was a pirate, a self-confessed scoundrel, a womaniser in every port and with affection for only two things and neither of them was her and neither could she ever compete with the sea or the Pearl. He wanted her - oh yes, she knew he wanted her; but love and lust were poles apart and while they might be entangled on her side of things, they weren’t on his.

She stumbled forwards, blinking the tears away with a mocking laugh. It was stupid of her to care now. It was pointless anyway, it was all pointless and even if he’d stood there and declared his undying devotion to her, nothing would have changed. Elizabeth had been right; Nell had already known and had already accepted that it would never come to anything. But that was before she’d realised how much loved him. She wasn’t sure which would do more damage to her, physically from the island or emotionally from him. It was futile, everything now was futile. Feeling, thinking - it was all futile. There was no future for her and Jack and she had to accept that.

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“Where now?” Bryant asked Nell.

They had reached the fork in the river and were now sitting on the bank drinking and eating the food that Dwent had brought along. The sun was high in the sky now and Nell was glad she had taken Jack’s coat and waistcoat off at the camp, although she was surprised that he had slipped his waistcoat on as it was so hot.

“We need to cross to the other bank,” she said quietly, her eyes on the mossy boulders that lined the river. They would have to use them like stepping stones to cross.

“Using the rocks?” asked Hock from her side.

“There used to be rope bridges here; they didn’t let the monks use them at first, made them use the rocks,” she said vaguely, looking up into the canopy of trees overhead. The ropes were long gone but Nell could clearly see how it had been in her mind. An intricate network of bridges, stretched from one tree to the next. The monks had used them and she marvelled at their ingenious use of pulleys to bring the ropes up and down. It had given them the inspiration on how to build past one storey of stones. They had replicated the rope lifts and used them to haul the stones up. It had been trial and error at first, and several times they had failed. A memory that didn’t belong to her slipped into her mind and made her laugh.

“What’s the jest, Nell?” Jack asked her quietly.

Still grinning, she looked at him; it brought reality crashing down on her and the grin slipped from her face. She looked away from him quickly, it wasn’t her memories and she had to remember that.

“I just… it was funny, how they…” she stopped and shrugged. “They got tangled up trying to copy the designs for lifting the stones.” She jumped to her and crossed to the edge, her eyes scanning the way across. “We’d best move on,” she called and began jumping lightly from rock to rock quickly, using her arms to balance herself.

“Wait!” Norrington jumped to his feet. “Nell, wait!”

Nell stopped and half turned, balanced on one of the rocks, half way across. “Come on then.” She watched as they stood up quickly; Jack sent her a dark look and she coloured up, resolutely pushing the stab of pain down. She waited till they had almost caught up and then she turned and jumping quickly and confidently crossed the river, completely unaware that her confidence came from the memories left with her.

She jumped down onto the grassy bank the other side, glad that they wouldn’t have to fight their way through the trees again just yet. The foliage this side was much thinner and easier to pass through. She moved aside as Hock jumped down, quickly followed by the others. Nell turned and without even thinking, began to move through the trees whilst still keeping close to the river. She felt an iron grip around her upper arm and she was hauled to a stop and whirled around. Jack leaned in close to her, his nose almost touching hers. His eyes were intense and dark as she stared in alarm at him.

“Rush off like that again and I’ll tie your hands together and put you on a rope, understand?” he hissed. “You stay behind us and in front of Hock. No exceptions,” Jack said quietly as he let go of her arm and moved past her.

“Well, I didn’t fall in did I?” she muttered sarcastically, blushing as Norrington rolled his eyes at her.

“No, but neither would we have been able to help you if there had been something dangerous this side,” Norrington said firmly as he passed her. Bryant shrugged and smiled at her as he went passed, touching her briefly on the shoulder in support.

“Well, sorry to upset your apple cart, but the way I see it the entire island is dangerous!” Nell muttered moodily as she began trudging after them.

“Which is why you should do as the Capt’n says,” came Hock’s dry voice from behind her.

Nell sighed, shrugging her shoulders. “And who died making him omnipotent?” she snapped waspishly.

“Nobody, I was born that way!” Jacks’ voice carried back to her making her wince and Hock laugh.

Silence settled over them as they worked their way down stream. The going was a lot easier here and it was even pleasant. There were beautiful plants and flowers and the birds were singing above them - Nell could almost convince herself there was nothing wrong here. But an edge in her mind and soul spoiled the effect, reminding her that nothing was as it seemed here. And the further down stream they went the bigger the edge became until Nell was sweating from more than just the heat of the sun. She knew they were getting nearer to the village, the edge of fear was growing in her. The trees gradually began to thicken, the sky becoming lost behind the canopy of vines and leaves until it was gloomy and dark.

“Are you sure this is the way?” Norrington called back to her when they once again reduced to hacking their way through bushes and vines.

Nell didn’t answer, the fear was clawing at her, her eyes scanning through the trees, certain that the villagers would come emerging out of the gloom, their faces painted and the noise of the drums deafening. She could almost feel the scratch of the rough cloth of the robes, the heat, the stifling heat, the sure certainty of death.

“What’s this?” Bryant called out suddenly coming to a halt abruptly. He was looking up at the trees ahead of him.

Nell hurried ahead, her stomach sinking with dread as she drew level with Jack and Norrington. She looked upwards and couldn’t help the gasp that left her lips.

“Don’t touch it,” she said quickly when Bryant lifted his hand to trace over the carving of the head that hung on the tree. It was grotesque in form, huge eyes and open mouth, the hair carved to look like ropes, much like the way Jack’s hair was braided. “It marks the entrance to the village,” Nell said looking around her, spotting several more on adjacent trees.

Jack rubbed at his chin as he stared at the head hanging from the tree. “If they looked like that it’s a wonder they didn’t die out. Not sure I could wake up every morning next to that, let alone be familiar!”

“They didn’t really look like that,” Nell looked at him strangely.

Jack looked at her and rolled his eyes. “I know they didn’t, Nell,” he sighed and scratched the back of his neck. “So do we go on here then Nell? Is it much further?”

“It’s on the other side of the village,” Nell said quietly and stepped forwards. “Let me go first, Jack.” Her voice wavered but her chin came up in determination.

“Absolutely not,” Bryant choked. “That’s just ridiculous.”

“Funny; last time I looked I was Jack.” Jack mocked Bryant before turning back to Nell. “Now, why would you be wanting to go first when I can practically see the fear dripping off you?”

“Because I know what to expect, they protected their village when the monks became… when they retaliated. They set up traps; some of those traps are still there.”

“Fair enough,” Jack allowed quietly. “You’ll go first with me right in front of you.”

“That makes no sense; I can’t protect you if you’re in front of me!” Nell said shaking her head. “I can’t watch you as well.”

“Nell, darlin’, I’ve several years on you and a whole lifetime of experience you don’t have, regardless of what those bastards left in your head. I don’t need protecting, darlin’, but you do.”

“No Jack, you don’t understand,” Nell said frantically.

“Then explain it to me,” he countered. “Tell me why I should need protecting but you don’t.”

“Because it’s all here,” she tapped her head sharply. “Up here, it’s all there, everything they did, everything they said. The methods they used, the hate, the fear, the guilt… oh Mother of God, the guilt!” her voice strangled slightly and she took a deep breath trying desperately to get a grip on her emotions. Jack lifted his hands to hold her and she stepped back sharply. “Don’t touch me.” She shook her head. “Please, don’t… pity me.”

“I don’t pity you,” he returned quietly. “I’m worried about you, but I don’t pity you.”

“You don’t have to worry about me either.” Nell tried to smile but it was watery at best.

“Then I’ll be walking ahead of you. I am the Captain, after all,” he grinned at her but it didn’t reach his eyes which were carefully guarded.

Nell shook her head in denial. “Captain or not, I go in first.”

“You have to see how we can’t possibly agree to this, Nell,” Norrington cut in when Jack growled in frustration.

“If I was a man, you’d not think twice,” Nell pointed out sharply.

“Nell, if you were a man, I’d really be in trouble,” Jack muttered.

“Nell, you’re not a man, so that really is a mote point,” Bryant stated dryly. “And to be honest if you were a man I’d still have reservations about letting you go first, considering what those monks did to you.”

Nell’s eyes narrowed as she looked at the four men stood in front of her. She looked at Dwent, but he looked away quickly, raising his hands in rejection. “Don’t involve me, Miss,” he stated quietly.

“It’s because of what those monks did to me that I have to go first. They had some pretty nasty defences set up. Some were already there to trap animals, but others were set up just for the monks.” She shuddered slightly.

“Tell me what to look for then,” Jack said and folded his arms. “Did I mention that the mountain has decided to belch smoke, which limits us to the amount of time we have in escaping from here?”

“What?” Nell looked at him in surprise. “Smoke?”

“It’s volcanic,” Bryant supplied dryly. “And apparently it’s decided now is a good time to start sending fire and ashes skyward. I’d really rather not be around when the lava starts to flow.”

Nell blinked at him. “Volcanic? But I don’t… they didn’t…” she stopped.

“Not part of your new memories?” Jack asked ironically. “No past visions of fire or lava or eruptions of a volcanic kind?”

Nell glared at him and resisted sticking her tongue out, but only just. “After you then, Captain,” her voice dripped sarcasm but Jack ignored it and put his palms together under his chin and mockingly bowed at her before turning to head through the trees and between the head markers.

Nell hesitated slightly before she followed him, quickly catching up with him. She stayed slightly behind him, her eyes scanning ahead.

“Ropes, you need to keep your eyes open for ropes,” she whispered behind him, creeping along quietly.

“Is there a reason we have to be quiet too?” he drawled and chuckled when she coloured up. She straightened up and walked forwards angrily.

“Nell, if some of the traps are still here, surely they’d be uncovered. How else would the monks know where they were?” Bryant called forwards.

Nell opened her mouth to reply and realised he had a very good point. She thought about it and shrugged. “I don’t know I just know there’s still some here.”

“What sort? Holes dug into the ground and covered with leaves? Ropes that tightened around your legs and drag you upwards? That kind of thing?” Jack asked making Nell look at him in surprise.

“Yes, that’s the sort of thing, but they’re pretty harmless, although the pits have stakes sticking upwards… several monks went that way…” she stopped and forced the images from her mind. “They had a series of ropes that caught your legs and pulled in opposites directions.” Her voice grew quieter with each word. “And they have pits filled with snakes; the sides are vertical, impossible to climb back out of.”

“Well, that shouldn’t be a problem now - the snakes will have long since died,” Norrington said bracingly from behind.

“As long as they haven’t joined the great un-dead currently walking this island,” Jack responded dryly.

“Don’t,” Nell shuddered. “Just watch out for…” her words were cut off with a shriek as the ground gave way beneath their feet. Norrington and Hock scrambled backwards, dragging Jack and Nell with them; they tumbled backwards and landed in a heap on the edge of a large pit. The loose leaves and branches covering it had collapsed down inside, revealing wooden stakes pointing upwards.

“I thought you said you knew where they are!” Jack cried angrily.

Nell blushed and glared at him. “Well, I wasn’t concentrating was I?” she snapped angrily. “Too busy trying not to imagine your un-dead snakes!”

“Well, bloody concentrate harder,” Jack groused. “And while I’m thankful you stopped me from a pointy end, could you please remove your legs from mine, Commodore.”

They untangled themselves and carefully stood up beside the pit. It was no more than three foot square, but it was about seven foot deep and the stakes that had been driven into the ground where thick, pointed and promised a painful, and most probably slow death.

“Ouch,” muttered Nell and ran her hand down Hock’s arm in gratitude. “Thanks, doesn’t seem to be enough.”

“I was thinking more along the lines of ‘sorry, that won’t happen again’,” Jack muttered.

Nell rounded on him hotly, adrenaline running high. “Well, that just about sums it up don’t you think? You wouldn’t let me go first; you don’t let me think without talking constantly. You don’t give me a bloody minute here and when something almost happens it’s my fault!” She jabbed him in the chest and then threw her hands in the air. He raised his eyebrows, apparently unfazed by her outburst which just infuriated her more. “You think you can do better, you do it!” she spat at him and whirled away from him. “You think you’re invincible, capable of anything; failure isn’t in your vocabulary and God’s knows it’s large enough!” She turned to walk back the way they had come, shaking Bryant’s hand off roughly when he tried to stop her. She turned in a circle looking around her not aware of Jack holding Norrington back when he tried to go after her. “You think that everything is going to be all right because you’re the famous Jack Sparrow.”

“Captain, Captain Jack Sparrow,” Jack muttered still holding Norrington back as he watched Nell. She spotted a fallen branch and crossed to it. She took the dagger Hock had given her and used it to hack at the smaller twigs that protruded from the branch.

“Well, sometimes that just isn’t going to be enough; and here and now, it ain’t even close to enough.” She finished with the branch; turning and glaring at them all. Norrington was looking more surprised than anything, while Bryant looked worried; Hock looked amused and Dwent looked faintly alarmed, but Jack was giving nothing away on his face; and for reasons she couldn’t even begin to think about, it annoyed her even more.

“Finished?” he asked her pleasantly.

“No,” she returned hotly. “No, I’m not.” She looked down at her feet and took a deep breath before looking back up at him directly into his eyes. “You’re a good man, Jack, but you’re not indestructible, you’re not infallible and they know that; but you don’t.” She shrugged and walked past them to the edge of the pit, the branch clutched in one hand and the dagger in the other.

“Shouldn’t we be following her?” asked Bryant quietly, avoiding Jack’s eyes.

Jack took a deep breath and nodded. “Well, that told me I suppose,” he laughed and narrowing his eyes moved forwards quickly to catch her up.

Nell was aware of him behind her; walking quietly as she inched forwards, her eyes scanning the ground in front of her. She had spotted one rope already and using the stick she had tripped the trap, watching as four ropes sprang from the ground to tightened about ten feet up. Shivers racked her as the memories of the monks caught that way crept into her mind.

“Limbs rendered from limbs,” Bryant muttered remembering the words he’d heard in the cave.

Jack watched carefully as Nell inched her way forwards, using the branch to secure her way. He was putting her in immediate danger by letting her lead and it was making him sweat with fear. Her words to him had un-nerved him, even though he’d laughed it off, he couldn’t push the niggling doubts from his mind. He was certain that there was something she wasn’t saying, something she knew that she wasn’t sharing with him and he was certain that it went back to when he’d found her in a faint on the floor of the store-room. Something had happened, she’d either seen something or… It was the ‘or’ bit that was niggling him. He was in the dark and that was something he just couldn’t accept. She had said that he thought he was invincible. He knew he wasn’t, knew that this island had brought him closer to death than at any other time and he’d had a few close shaves in his time. But still something didn’t sit right and he’d make sure he dug his way to the bottom of it before they’d gone much further.

His thoughts were interrupted when he saw Nell suddenly stop ahead. He moved forwards quickly, coming to a stop beside her. “What’s up, Nell?” Jack asked, watching as she let the branch fall to the floor.

“We’re here,” she replied simply and although he could see nothing ahead of them except an open area of grass, he assumed she meant the village.

“This is where the village was?” he asked quietly, his eyes scanning the area for signs of danger. Norrington, and the others came to a stop with them.

“Which way now?” Bryant asked looking around them. He couldn’t see the river through the thickness of the trees anymore, and although it could still be heard, it was too far for him to feel comfortable.

Nell frowned stowing the dagger in her waistband; in her minds eyes she could still see the hut like buildings; built in a circle with a huge fire situated in the middle. The huts were empty, the inhabitants long dead but still she could hear the screams and cries of the women and children. Grief washed over her, grief and guilt. She pressed her fingers into her eyes, trying hard to block the feelings and images. Hands went around her waist and she instinctively knew it was Jack. She wanted to turn in his hold and bury her face in his chest but she’d come too far for that now, she couldn’t lose control again.

“It’s not far now and there are no more traps,” she said and stepped away from Jack breaking his hold on her. “Do you want to go all the way to the bay or do you want to turn back now?” She didn’t look around as she spoke, but her words were directed at Jack and everyone knew it.

“We’ll keep going,” Jack said quietly.

Nell shrugged and picked the branch back up. She moved forwards, aware that the others were spreading out slightly, now they were in no danger she kept moving. She willed her mind onto the surroundings around her now and not as it had once been; bustling with activity, children playing around the smaller campfires at the entrances to each hut. Dogs barked in the pens, and chickens clucked, pecking at the ground in a never ending search for food. Nell was losing the battle against the memories as she moved through the village area. The huts were real, the people were real, and the feelings were real.

A hand slipped into hers and she looked round, expecting to see Jack; but it was Bryant who walked beside her. “Figured you needed a distraction; and I’m very good at distracting.”

Nell closed her eyes at the sudden pain in heart. Half of her was hoping that it was Jack, but he was walking with Hock, seemingly oblivious of her. Disappointment racked through her but she refused to let it show. She opened her eyes and smiled at him. “Thank you, I appreciate it.”

She looked down at their joined hands as they walked through the clearing. “It would have been easier if I’d met you first,” she whispered, not even aware it was what she was thinking until she heard it spoken. Nell reddened and scratched at her cheek with her free hand. “I’m sorry, that was wrong of me.”

“Don’t be sorry, Nell,” Bryant replied quietly. “You bolster my male ego.” He gave her a lopsided grin as he squeezed her fingers gently, not letting go of her hand.

She looked at him and smiled softly. “You’ll be twenty nine next spring, second in command to the Commodore, quite a catch even without listing your fine qualities as a person. How come you are without wife?” she concentrated on the ground beneath her feet, focussing her mind on nothing except the man beside her, gripping tightly to his hand as if her sanity depended on it.

Bryant chuckled at her question. “I have been canny in avoiding all mothers at parties.”

“I can imagine you and the Commodore, hiding behind potted plants in the corner of the room, doggedly avoiding matronly women bustling around with their daughters in tow.” Nell refused to look up, refused to think about the things that had happened here.

Bryant laughed out loud, despite the fact he was beginning to lose feeling in the hand she was clutching. He kept his wits about him as they neared the edge of the clearing where the trees once more began to thicken. “Potted plants do have their uses. Although with you on my arm at the Governors next ball, I’ll be free from the foliage and able to dance.”

“I have to warn you that I have never danced before,” Nell lifted her eyes, she had felt the fear beginning to ease in her soul and she wasn’t sure if it was because Bryant was the distraction he claimed to be, or if it was because they were leaving the village area.

“There’s nothing to it, although if all else fails you can stand on my feet and I’ll waltz us round the room.”

“Ouch,” Nell whispered the word, lifting her head to look back over her shoulder. The village was behind them, the memories were leaving her. She scanned the area quickly, stumbling to a halt when she saw the islanders standing watching them in the centre of the clearing.

Bryant looked back over his shoulder, when she dragged him to a stop. But he saw nothing except the empty clearing. “What is it?” he asked her quietly.

“Nothing,” she replied and reluctantly turned her head away. She started to walk again, her grip on his hand still deathly tight. She waited a few seconds and taking all her courage looked back quickly, but the clearing was empty, making her sigh in relief. “We have to go back through there don’t we?” asked Nell quietly, looking at him as they made their way through the trees and back down beside the river.

“Yes,” he replied. “We have to go back for the others.”

“Will there be any traps this side of the village?” came Jack’s slur.

Nell felt a stab of guilt rush through her but she didn’t let go of Bryant’s hand. She looked up at him and shook her head, not meeting his eyes. “I don’t think so,” she muttered quietly.

“You don’t think so,” Jack repeated and pulled on the braids of his chin. “Well, just to be sure, keep your eyes open everyone.” He looked down at the joined hands briefly before looking back at Nell but she still avoided his eyes. He turned and began to sway forwards, his sword swinging in his hand.

Nell closed her eyes and released her grip on Bryant’s hand. She looked at him and smiled. “Thank you, it worked.”

“Good,” he winked at her. “Anytime.”

“I’ll remember that,” she smiled and they carried on carefully. A few minutes later the trees thinned out and they could see the golden sands of the bay ahead of them. It curved round in a crescent shape and was about half a mile from end to end. The sea that stretched to the edge of the fog that surrounded the island was blue and inviting. Palms trees dotted the edge of the sands, it was beautiful and Nell sucked her breath in at the sight.

“It’s amazing,” she let her breath out on a sigh.

“It’s crescent shaped,” Jack corrected and slapped her shoulder gently before kissing her nosily on the cheek. “Well done, lass, you brought us here.”

“Capt’n!” Dwent pointed towards some way down the bay with his sword. “Look like boats!”

“What?” Norrington stepped forward, shading his eyes with his hand to peer in the direction Dwent pointed. “Boats! You’re correct, there are boats down there. But how… whose…?”

“The Primus,” Nell said quietly. “They are the spare boats from the Primus. There were only five monks that left alive, the rest had been slaughtered. They didn’t need all the boats and they had no intentions of returning for them. We can use them to return to the Pearl.”

“Nell, darlin’, that was nigh on a hundred years ago - the wood would have rotted. They won’t even be able to hold a flea let along us.”

“Go look for yourself,” she said to him. “They will be all right.”

Jack narrowed his eyes at Nell. “Mister Hock, take the others and see what state the boats are in,” he ordered without taking his eyes from her. Hock nodded and indicated for the others to follow him. Bryant looked unsure but Norrington nodded and they quickly followed the two pirates.

Nell watched them go and looked at Jack. “Not going to check for yourself, Jack?”

“And leave you alone here?” he said softly and chuckled before settling himself on the ground, his knees drawn up, booted feet wide apart. “Nell, I don’t suppose you remember any quicksand around here?” he asked his eyes scanning the innocent looking sand stretched out before them.

Nell shook her head. “There were none when they arrived and none when they left.”

“Or at least, none that they found,” he mused quietly, eyes on the progress of the others as they examined the boats.

Nell was sweating from more than the sun; it was the first time she felt awkward while being alone with Jack. Her confession of love to him was still ringing in her own ears; she was praying that he wouldn’t refer to it; she was certain that if he spoke about it, told her that it was one-sided, it would destroy her. If he kept silent, some small part of her could hold onto denial and pretend that he hadn’t heard her, or that she hadn’t really said it at all. She shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot.

“Sit down, lass, you’re making me dizzy swaying around like that,” he patted the sand beside him but Nell just shook her head, her eyes concentrating on the sea.

“Which way is the Pearl?” she asked. She had lost all bearings regarding the sea and couldn’t place where the Pearl would be.

“South,” he pointed, knowing that she still didn’t know her south from her north. He opened his mouth to say something but before he could speak a low rumbling could be heard and the ground seemed to shake. Nell lost her footing on the shifting sand and she tumbled to the ground awkwardly clutching at the sand as the ground seemed to shift and move, the rumbling growing louder.

“What…what…” she looked round at where Jack had got to his knees, his eyes alert as he watched the others gripping the boats in an effort to stay on their feet.

“It’s the volcano, it’s causing an earthquake,” he told her above the roar. All of a sudden the roaring stopped and the earth was still again.

“Jack?” Nell scrambled to her feet when she saw him stagger to his feet and start out towards the others.

“It’s going to blow sooner rather than later, the pressure must be mounting underneath her,” Jack called back over his shoulder. “Keep up, Nell.”

Nell hurried after him, grabbing at his arm. “Jack how long have we got?”

“I don’t know to be honest,” he answered her and sighed. He turned to look at her and held out his hand to her. “Is it good enough I wonder?”

She looked at him in confusion, her mind still on the threat of the volcano but she stepped forwards and gripped his hand. “Is what good enough?” she asked him, her fingers unconsciously curling around his hand. He shook his head at her and indicated to walk with him. Jack went to move but suddenly the ground moved again, but it wasn’t an earthquake this time; the ground shifted beneath Jack’s feet completely, a hole appeared and Jack was jerked downwards, his hold on Nell’s hand wrenching free. He swore violently as he felt the earth give way again and his body plummeted downwards.

Nell let out a shriek, grabbing for his arm; her fingers grasped at his shirt and caught him around the elbow. Jack’s weight pulled her down flat on her stomach, till she was partially hanging over the edge of the hole, his entire weight pulling on her arms and she was unable to make any sound as the effort of holding him was pulling every muscle and nerve in her arms. He was looking up at her, his other hand reaching up to grip her wrist until he was holding onto her with both hands, the strain reflected in his face. He kicked his legs trying to get himself back up, and agony shot through Nell’s abused arms but she desperately held onto him. She felt the ground shift and she slid forwards suddenly, losing hold with one hand. It wrenched at her shoulder but still she kept her grip on him, now holding his entire weight with one hand. Hands gripped her waist and sobbing with relief she saw Hock reaching down to grip Jack by the other arm, Bryant reached down the other side and together they hauled him upwards and out of the hole. Nell was dragged backwards and she rolled onto her back, an agonised cry left her as her shoulder made contact with the ground.

“Jack? Jack? Is Jack all right?” she sobbed as Norrington leant over her, peering at her shoulder.

“Aye, lass, thanks to you,” came Jack’s voice as he came to look down at her. Sweat dripped down his face as he peered at her, concern and worry clearly etched in his face.

“It’s dislocated itself,” Bryant said, as Nell cried out in pain when Norrington touched her arm.

“I can put it back in,” Hock said quietly. “But we’ll need to put it in a sling; she’ll feel that for awhile.”

“What?” Nell looked up at them, tears streaming down her face at the pain radiating from her shoulder.

“My weight has pulled your shoulder from its joint,” Jack said quietly. “Hock’ll put it back in and the pain will go, Nell.”

“We need somfink fer ‘er to bite on, lest she takes ‘er tongue off,” Dwent cautioned. Hock nodded and standing up quickly, took his dagger from his waist.

Nell saw the wicked blade and panicked. “Don’t, don’t cut it off!” she cried and tried to scoot backwards, the pain in her shoulder made her collapse as her head spun.

Jack leaned over her, shaking his head and catching her free hand in his. “No, lass, not your arm, nor your tongue - it hasn’t come to that,” he grinned at her.

Hock leaned back over her and held out a thin strip of wood he’d quickly cut from one of the trees nearby. Jack took it and looked down at Nell.

“Hock is going to put your shoulder back in, bite down on this and grip me as tight as you need to,” he told her clearly. He looked up at Norrington and Bryant indicating for them to hold her, legs then looked back down at her, her eyes going wide when she felt Norrington and Bryant grip her shins tightly.

“Open your mouth, luv,” Jack slid the wood between her teeth and took her free hand in his and looked at Dwent. Dwent knew what was required of him and he knelt above her head, his hands resting on his knees waiting for Hock’s nod. “All right, Nell, this’ll hurt like the blazes but it’ll work. Ready?”

Nell turned fearful, pain filled eyes on Hock who was kneeling beside her. He winked down at her and caught her injured arm in his hands. He placed one hand on her shoulder and gripped her wrist tightly. Agony raced through her making her buck upwards, trying to get away from him; Norrington and Bryant held her legs not letting her move and Dwent seeing Hock’s nod gripped her shoulders to stop her movement. Hock tugged and twisted until an audible pop was heard as her shoulder went back into its joint. Nell’s eyes rolled upwards as she passed out for a few seconds.

She came round quickly and groaned; the agony had left her shoulder, leaving it feeling bruised and aching. She could feel them all holding her still; she opened her eyes and blinked up at them. “Thank you,” Nell whispered and sniffed.

Hock laughed and sat back, his hand still on her wrist. “First time I’ve had someone thank me for inflicting pain.”

Everyone moved back as Jack helped her to a sitting position. She tested her arm gently, wincing when it protested painfully.

“You won’t be able to use it much for a day or two,” Hock said. “It should be bound up really, to rest it.” He looked up at Jack as he spoke.

Dwent slid out of his shirt and handed it forwards to Jack. “Bit dirty but should do, tis too ‘ot fer me now anyway.”

Nell thanked him and watched as Jack fashioned it onto a sling and then adjusted it over her shoulder till her arm was across her front. The pressure from its weight was removed and some of the aching eased. She sighed in relief and grinned at him.

“I’m owing you a lot for not letting go, Nell,” Jack said quietly.

“Well, I can’t say I was actually thinking much,” she said and coloured up when she saw him arch an eyebrow at her. “No! I don’t mean if I’d been thinking, I’d have let go. You scared me!” she said defensively. “I thought I’d lost you, thought I’d drop you.”

“You won’t be losing me that easily, Nell,” he laughed and grinned at her, his black eyes twinkled mischievously. He looked over his shoulders at the others. “What about the boats?”

“Perfectly sea-worthy,” Norrington said and ran a hand over his face. “They’ll take us all out!”

“Excellent,” Jack slapped his hands together and bowing to no one in particular, then rubbed them together. “Let’s make all haste back to the others and return here forthwith. Way I see it gentlemen, and lady,” he winked at Nell,” we’ll be back here within the next hour or so. All being well, we’ll be aboard the Pearl afore nightfall.” Jack beamed at Nell, who grinned weakly back at him. “Let’s go,” He headed back the way they had come and Nell, tired and sore, followed him slowly.

Bryant and Norrington fell into step with her. “Will you be all right?” Norrington asked her quietly. “Would it help to remain here?”

Nell looked up at him, the expression on her face telling him exactly what he wanted to know. “Can I?”

“I’ll try,” he said and called for Jack stop. “Jack, is it really necessary for all of us to return? Mister Bryant and I can wait here with Nell for your return.”

Jack shook his head slowly. “Safety in numbers, Commodore, safety in numbers.” He neglected to say that he had no intentions of letting Nell out of his or Hock’s sight.

“But Jack,” Norrington moved forwards and lowered his voice. “She’s been through enough, don’t inflict more on her.”

“I can manage,” Nell spoke up and brought her chin forwards. “It was a nice idea and one that, given different circumstances, I would jump at, but I think Jack has a point about staying together.”

Jack frowned at her choice of words and shook his head. “It would seem as if I’m rubbing off on you lass. But to be sure, we do need to stay together.”

“But what about the village, Nell,” Bryant spoke up. “Can you do that again? I know it was hard for you - my hand still has the imprint of your nails.”

Nell looked at him in surprised horror. “I didn’t, did I?”

“It doesn’t matter, that is irrelevant,” Bryant responded with a wave of his hand. “Can you go through there again?”

Nell blinked; unaware she’d gripped his hand that tightly. She had been under the impression she had kept it together quite well, that none of them had known what she’d been feeling.

“Of course I can!” she said and looked at Jack. “I don’t have a choice do I?”

“No,” he shrugged. “No, you don’t.”

“Well let’s go then.” Nell started walking again. “The quicker we move on the quicker we’ll be back at the others and then we can come back again.” The sudden realisation that she would be passing through the village not once, but thrice, had her eyes closing and her stomach roiling in fear. “It’s nothing real,” she muttered and keeping her head up she kept moving. “It’s not there, none of it is or they’d all see it.”

“See what?” asked Bryant from where he had caught up with her. Nell jumped slightly not having heard him.

“What?”

“See what?” he asked casually and catching her good hand he held tight.

“Are you sure?” she asked him. “I haven’t trimmed my nails in awhile.”

“I know,” he replied, wincing slightly before grinning at her. “I think I’ll live; now, what did we all see?”

Nell shrugged and winced as her shoulder complained. “Nothing really, we’re close.” The fear was creeping back, along with the guilt; the feelings of guilt were so strong she thought she’d be sick if she didn’t think of something else.

“I could do with some distracting right about now, please,” she whispered tightening her grip on his hand.

Bryant’s eyes crossed slightly as he felt her nails digging into his palm again, his fingers squashing together under her strong grip. He racked his brain and said the first thing he could think of.

“Do you know I have a fear of spiders?”

Nell looked at him in surprise. “What spider spiders?”

He rolled his eyes at her, relying on the others to keep watch as he kept his full attention on her. “Are there any other sort of spider then?”

She laughed, the tension easing between her shoulder blades, the fear kept at the edges of her senses as she concentrated on him.

“Actually I think I should qualify that, they don’t worry me as long as they stay still. All those legs makes for some pretty scary speeds and add on the fact that they bite…” he shrugged. “I’m just glad there haven’t been any on this island yet, well none except the usual variety.” He looked at her sideways. “There isn’t, is there?”

Nell looked at him. “I can’t help you with that; I don’t know everything about this place; only what they knew. Although if it helps, there’s no memories of spiders.”

“It helps,” he replied. “Nell, I know I’m supposed to be distracting you but… do you know how Beaumont and De Mornay made it off safely?” he said quietly. He knew they’d reached the edge of the village by the way Nell was fixing her gaze on the ground beneath her feet.

Nell shrugged, unsure what she could say that wouldn’t give her away to him.

“Anything Nell, maybe something they said while they had you that you’ve forgotten about.” His voice showed his desperation making Nell sigh deeply.

“I don’t know,” she replied. If she told him what she knew then they’d all die.

“Who did they trick? Was it the monks or the islanders? Do you think they’ll try and stop us from leaving? Are they protecting us from the islanders?”

Nell looked up, the questions coming at her one after another. She stared at Bryant and saw the true worry and fear in his eyes. He wasn’t trying to trip her up, he was genuinely afraid. She looked away biting her lip; they were in the middle of the village area and once again the villagers were waiting there quietly, watching them as they crossed through. Nell couldn’t drag her eyes away from them, the children stood quietly by the sides of their parents. Babies quietly wrapped in their mother’s arms and all of them looking, watching and waiting, but for what? They looked innocent, so innocent and yet Nell knew what they’d done, what they had started. Or had they started it? Confusion speared through Nell as she passed them, her eyes caught by theirs. Another story played out in her mind, another version of events. Another way of seeing things. Every story had two sides and with sudden frightening clarity she realised she’d been shown only one.

A/N: Well, I hope you enjoyed this. I’m finding that the direction of this story has changed drastically to what I originally imagined, although hopefully not a bad change. So where it’ll end up I’m not sure, but there’s no major angst. I don’t write angst as I think there’s too much in real life without reading about it as well.

Thanks for your reviews and emails. It means a lot to me and keeps me going. I’m just like every writer here and need the feedback like I need air!
Take care of yourselves and have a great day/night.