ManEater

Jack Sparrow

I tried desperately not to look at her drive away in that horsy-thingy. It pained my heart to see the woman I loved in the arms of another man…what’s worse, in the arms of a friend. Of course, Will had her first…no…Norrington did but then Will took her away and now…I’ve fallen for her. It’s hard for someone like me to fall in love or yet admit that I’m in love with a woman… I’m used to having the floozy women of Tortuga all over me. It was easy not to fall in love with them because they didn’t have any substance. Of course, they gave me what I wanted, how I wanted it, and they would fall at my feet to any command I would give them. But they never gave me what I needed…what I longed for. They would only satisfy the desires of my flesh, not my heart. There is only one person who could do that…one woman who had the guts to capture Capn' Jack Sparrow's heart...none other than the conceited Ms. Swann. There’s something special ‘bout dear Ms. Swann that captivated me…she’s a challenge…something I needed, something I have a yearning to conquer...to dare to love. I guess I should be a gentleman and step away from the whole situation. It's not in my nature. I’m a pirate, and whatever my heart desires, I’m gonna take it! I'm predisposed to taking whatever I want…whenever I want it!

I’m tryin’ to figure out how all of this happened. Maybe it’s ‘cause we’re just alike. Maybe it’s ‘cause of her youth, her virtue, or her curiosity? I desperately want to quench her curiosity in more ways than one. I can’t…I mustn’t. She’s not like the other women whom I’ve personally encountered…she’s a virgin…a delicate flower that hasn’t been plucked. It’s a territory I’ve never explored, a territory that’s forbidden.

I knew she didn’t mean what she had said. I could see it in her eyes that it pained her heart for what she said to me. She wants ol’ Capn’ Jack. She needs me…she can’t resist me. I could tell by the way she looks at me…the way she trembles when I touch her. The way she constantly pushes me away, madly fighting her feelings for me. I could tell she’s confused. Typical for young lasses, they can’t make up their minds when love is involved… and those blasted eunuchs are always messin’ up their pretty little heads with their lover boy nonsense! But I don’t need all of that…I have my charm and my strikingly handsome sex appeal, as I do say so myself, to win any woman over…even a woman like Elizabeth…

“Uh excuse me Capn’, hello? Capn’!” Ragetti yelled, waving his hands in front of my face.

I quickly snapped out of my sweet reverie and looked at him. “What? Oh yes mate what’s the problem?”

“There’s no problem Capn’. I just wanted ta tell ya that we’ve finished pitchin’ up camp down there on the beach. Care ta join us for some pirate bondin’?” I frowned at him strangely. His crazy eye was wanderin’ about in his skull freely. “Uh, no I have to go in myy quarters for some personal time for a bit. Then I’ll join you in your carousin’ and whatever.” I replied as I shooed him away.

As I watched my crew sit around the campfire drunk and laughing for a while, I walked back on the Pearl and into my Capn’s cabin. I suddenly felt all alone, as if I was the only person in the world. All of this depression, or what I think is depression was starting to get to me…I had to find something to perk me up, something to soothe me and forget all of my troubles. “Rum” I said as I grabbed a bottle off of my desk and sat down. “Here’s to you Elizabeth” I said as I toasted the bottle in the air. The cool, sweet taste of the intoxicating liquid quickly sobered my depression. It made me forget about my troubles, about what I had been through…about Elizabeth…

Elizabeth
As Will and I stood in the mansion hall, I began to feel extremely nervous. It felt like an eternity as we waited for my father to finish his meeting with the magistrate. I glanced at Will and noticed he was quite calm, too calm actually. I grabbed his hand in hopes that his calmness would rub off on me. I guess I was nervous because my father might mention something I was not willing or able to do…get married. My father finally emerged from his office and walked towards us in the hall.

“I’m so glad you’re finally home!" He said as he tightly hugged me. “You look so lovely. You’ve grown up to become the loveliest woman in all of Port Royale". I noticed tears welling up inside his eyes. “I’m glad to be home father” I replied, kissing his cheek. He then turned and smiled at Will.

“William I am very happy to see you as well. Welcome back.” He said cheerily as he shook Will’s hand. “It’s great to be back sir.” Will said reassuringly.

“Well, I’m sure you two are famished from your journeys. Alfred will take your belongings upstairs. William you can stay here in one of our guest rooms if you’d like”. My father offered, implying that he did not want us staying in the same room, let alone sleeping in the same bed.

“Thanks sir, I’ll take the guest room.” Will accepted as we both followed Alfred upstairs.

“Oh and dinner will be ready in about a half-hour.” My father called from below.

After Alfred left us to our rooms, I went inside Will’s room. I don’t know why, but I guess it was my obligation to spend some time with him, being as though I am still his fiancée. I cupped his face in my hands. His eyes were full of passion and emotion. He leaned in closer and kissed me on my lips. His kisses were different…familiar, yet predictable. I soon realized that it was not his kisses that were different…it was me. I had changed…I was the one who was physically in the room with him, but my mind and my heart was somewhere else. My thoughts trailed off to Jack. I became infuriated with myself and broke away from the kiss, with tears welling up inside my eyes. Will stared at me in confusion.

“Elizabeth what’s wrong? Did I do something wrong?” he asked as he wiped away the tears.

I hesitated for a moment before answering. “No…its just...tears of joy. I’m happy to finally be home…I’m happy that everything has worked out in our favor…I’m happy to be here with you.”

Will smiled at me reassuringly and placed my hands in his. “I’m happy too Elizabeth…I’m happy to be with you and we can finally get our lives together…as one.”

A painful lump formed in my throat. I knew what he meant…he still wants us to get married! I felt horrible that I didn’t want the same things he wanted and I hated myself for lying to him. I must do something that I do not wish to do. I must rid my feelings for Jack. I can’t stand to hurt the man who loves me…the man whom I’m supposed to be with. I don’t even know if Jack loves me, but I know it pains me to say that I love him. I have to cut him loose.

Just then the dinner bell rang and Will and I descended downstairs to the dining room. My father greeted us once again as we sat at the table. “So tell me…how were your adventures at sea?”

“Very adventurous…” I answered, unsure of what else to say.

“So how is Jack Sparrow? I assume he’s still up to no good. I’ve never liked him; he’s caused so much trouble here. He’s a brute if I do say so myself” My father inquired, sounding disgusted.

My heart began to feverishly beat at the mere mention of Jack’s name. I began to feel offended by my father’s harsh words about Jack. How dare he say that about him! I tried to calm myself down before responding to such devious comments. “Father it’s Captain Sparrow and no he isn’t up to anything bad. He’s a good man father, I wish you and the rest of the world would stop underestimating him!” I replied with slight sternness in my voice. Will glanced at me with a shocked expression on his face as my father stared at me speechless.

“I’m sorry dear have I upset you?” Father asked me in concern.

“Oh uh, she’s just exhausted from our adventures. You see we had to save Jack’s life and…”

“Will you don’t have to explain…Father, he’s a dear friend to us and I won’t allow you or anyone else to say anything bad about him. And yes I am pretty exhausted so you will have to excuse my irritable behavior. Sorry I snapped” I replied courteously.

“No need for apologies dear. I was the one who was out of line. I hadn’t realized you and Will’s close friendship with Mr. Sparrow. I don’t understand it, but I respect it.”

“Thank you father.” I replied, smiling at him reassuringly.

The remaining minutes of dinner were slow and quiet. A few words were spoken here and there, but there was no conversation. The tension and awkwardness was so thick in the atmosphere that you could cut it with a sharp knife.

“I guess I will retire for the night.” Father said as he stood up to leave. “Goodnight.”

Will and I continued to sit at the table, quiet, but relaxed. He glanced at me with a worried expression on his face. “Elizabeth are you absolutely sure nothing is wrong?”

“Yes I’m sure. I think I will go off to bed right now.” I replied as I stood up and walked out of the room.

Will stood up and followed me out of the room. “I’ll come upstairs with you. I was supposed to see Jack tonight but I’m too tired.”

He walked me to my door and faced me. He then cupped my face in his hands and smiled. I could see it in his eyes that he was worried about me and it pained him to see me so upset, so withdrawn. I just hope he wasn’t suspicious about my defense of Jack. After all, I practically went mad and almost cried at my father’s harsh words. He then leaned in closer and gently kissed him on the lips. The kiss lasted longer than I had expected. I hoped it would help me get my mind off of Jack, but it made it worse.

As we broke away from the kiss, Will smiled at me and said those all too familiar words. “Elizabeth, I love you…” I was lost for words. I tried to return those sweet words but I couldn’t, something was holding me back. I turned the doorknob and walked into my room. Will stood at the door smiling, but confused. I kissed him on the lips and said goodnight. I watched him as he slowly walked down the hall to his room. I closed the door and quickly slipped into my night robes and lay in bed. I wasn’t at all tired, just irritated. I tried to close my eyes in hopes of drifting off to sleep, but I kept seeing Jack’s face. I kept thinking about our kiss, my mutiny against him…my undying love for him. I lay awake in bed for a few more moments and glanced around the room. The moonlight shined through my window as if it was telling me to go outside. I finally gave in to the temptation and made my final decision…I must see Jack now!